Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has called on the political leaders in the state to put aside their political differences and avoid being envious for the sake of the unity and progress of the state.
Diri, speaking at a grand reception honoring prominent individuals from Ekeremor Local Government Area in Ekeremor community pavilion on Saturday, stated that the time for politics is over, and it's now time for governing.
The governor and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, began their second term in office on February 14, 2024, after winning the November 11, 2023 governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party.
Some of those honored include Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri, state representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission Denyanbofa Dimaro, a member of the board of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Mrs Bekearedebo Warrens, and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Kemasuode Wodu, along with Mr Felix Okorotie, who were both given the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, the governor emphasized that it's time to move past politicking and urged the people, regardless of their political differences, to support his administration to speed up development.
He asserted that his administration is working on building a new Bayelsa where political boundaries will not hinder the sustainable development of the state.
Diri expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for appointing prominent individuals from the state to various positions in his administration as well as to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, for his role in Lokpobiri's ministerial appointment.
He stated, "This is not the time for PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) or APC (All Progressives Congress). Politics is over. It is time for governance. We do not have party differences in Bayelsa but what we have is the development of our state and Nigeria at large. Let us jettison petty jealousies and join hands to develop our state so that it will grow from strength to strength.
“The persons appointed have what it takes to represent Bayelsa. Under Senator Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, we will see a different kind of representation. We need to partner with the NDDC and the Delta State government to build a bridge across both states. We need to also partner with the NDDC to take the Ekeremor road to Agge. We need this road infrastructure for easy movement of our people.
“On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, l thank President Bola Tinubu for making these appointments possible. Aside from God and the president, l also thank the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for contributing to the appointment of Senator Lokpobiri as minister.”
Diri also assured the people that the construction work on the Nembe-Brass road in Bayelsa East senatorial district would continue and hinted that the Federal Government had indicated interest in the project.
