Bayelsa governorship : Gov Diri recounts $10,000 paid to Kenyan marabouts

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has shared an extraordinary account of how $10,000 was spent on marabouts from Kenya to spiritually support his emergence as governor, a move he eventually rejected.

Speaking at the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area (KOLGA) Annual Day of Thanksgiving in Sampou on Friday, Diri credited his unwavering faith in God for his victory and the nickname “Miracle Governor.”

Revisiting the events of 2020, the governor recounted how a prominent elder invited him to Abuja, urging him to perform certain rituals to secure his governorship. Diri, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2019 Bayelsa governorship election, had initially lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Chief David Lyon. However, following a legal challenge, the Supreme Court declared him the winner.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, Diri revealed that while his case was pending in court, the senior citizen had brought in spiritualists from Senegal for rituals, but he outrightly refused to participate.

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The governor explained, “The man told me he had spent $10,000 on transportation for the marabouts and demanded reimbursement. I refunded the money because I stood firm in my belief that only God could secure my victory.”

Diri disclosed that his deputy and a friend accompanied him during the visit to the senior citizen, who later passed away. The governor emphasized that his experience serves as a lesson for politicians to trust in God rather than seek help from questionable sources.

Reflecting on the progress in Kolokuma/Opokuma, Diri expressed gratitude for the area’s development and commended the local council for legislating the annual thanksgiving event.

He thanked Apostle David Zilly Aggrey, who initiated the programme, saying, “Because of his prayers and God’s faithfulness, I am here today. Now, it is law for Kolokuma/Opokuma people to gather and give thanks to God.”

In his sermon, Apostle Aggrey highlighted the importance of the thanksgiving tradition, noting that younger generations might not fully appreciate the challenges older generations endured. He praised the strides Bayelsa has made under Diri’s leadership and expressed hope for continued progress.

Governor Diri also called for civility in politics, urging all stakeholders to recognize God’s sovereignty in human affairs and avoid harm in pursuit of power.