Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has attributed his sobriquet, ‘Miracle Governor,’ to his unwavering faith in God. Speaking during the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area (KOLGA) Annual Day of Thanksgiving in Sampou, his hometown, Diri recounted how his reliance on divine intervention shaped his political journey.
The governor revealed an encounter in 2020 when a senior citizen invited him to Abuja and proposed he perform certain rituals to secure the governorship. At the time, Diri was challenging the declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate as winner of the November 2019 governorship election, with the case pending at the Supreme Court.
Diri disclosed that the senior citizen even flew in marabouts from Senegal for the rituals, but he declined the offer, citing his faith in God. The man, angered by his refusal, demanded reimbursement for the cost of bringing the marabouts, which Diri refunded with $10,000.
“Against all odds, God proved His faithfulness,” the governor said. “I declined the rituals because my faith in God would not allow me to. The man told me I would never become governor, but God had other plans. When the Supreme Court declared me governor, he was shocked and never reached out to me again. Unfortunately, he passed on sometime later.”
Diri, who was accompanied by his deputy and a close friend during the Abuja meeting, urged politicians to trust in God rather than seeking help elsewhere. “Politicians must learn from my experience and understand that God rules in the affairs of men,” he added.
The governor also commended Apostle David Zilly Aggrey, the convener of the KOLGA Thanksgiving event, for sustaining the programme, which now has legal backing through legislation.
“Kolokuma/Opokuma people have every reason to thank God for the progress we have witnessed. This event reminds us of the importance of gratitude and faith,” Diri stated.
He emphasized the need for civility in politics, saying, “As a state, we must ensure no harm comes to anyone in the name of politics. Greatness is destined by God, and we must respect that.”
The KOLGA Thanksgiving Day, which has become an annual event, continues to foster unity and gratitude among the people of the area.