November 3, 2025
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has urged politicians to put aside the politics of bitterness and division, calling instead for collaboration and the strengthening of the unity of Bayelsa to advance peace and development across the state and the nation.
Speaking during the 14th Annual Bayelsa State Thanksgiving held on Sunday at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Diri described politics as an avenue for service and a means of contributing meaningfully to societal growth.
The governor said Bayelsa people have every reason to thank God for the prevailing peace and security in the state. He noted that his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was driven solely by his desire to protect the collective interest and unity of Bayelsa.
Emphasizing the need for harmony among leaders, Diri urged politicians to reject bitterness and disunity, stressing that cooperation and shared purpose are essential to achieving lasting peace and prosperity for the unity of Bayelsa.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, reminded politicians to weigh the consequences of their decisions carefully. He said Governor Diri’s alignment with the federal government was in the best interest of the unity of Bayelsa and its continued growth.
Lokpobiri also warned against disloyalty, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to the Deputy Governor, who remained in the PDP after Diri’s resignation.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, expressed gratitude for God’s blessings on Bayelsa and reaffirmed the importance of thanksgiving and the unity of Bayelsa in sustaining development.
In his sermon, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Founder of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), cited Psalm 100 : 1 – 5, emphasizing the spiritual importance of gratitude and unity.
The 14th Bayelsa State Annual Thanksgiving featured soul-lifting praise and worship, with inspiring performances by gospel artist Asu Ekiye and the Bayelsa Choir, celebrating faith, gratitude, and the enduring unity of Bayelsa. Visit GMTNewsng for more news.
