Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has recounted how he was pressured to perform spiritual rituals involving marabouts to secure his position as governor, a proposition he ultimately rejected.
Diri made the revelation on Friday during the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area (KOLGA) Annual Day of Thanksgiving held in Sampou, his hometown.
Speaking to a crowd, the governor attributed his emergence as governor to divine intervention, earning him the nickname “Miracle Governor.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2019 off-cycle governorship election, Diri initially lost to Chief David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, he successfully challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration at the Supreme Court, which overturned the results in his favor.
During his speech, Diri disclosed that in 2020, a prominent Nigerian invited him to Abuja while his legal battle was ongoing and introduced him to marabouts brought in from Kenya to perform rituals that would purportedly ensure his victory.
“I was asked to perform certain sacrifices, but I declined because my faith in God would not allow me to do it,” Diri said.
“The man became furious and told me I would never become governor.”
The governor revealed that the senior citizen demanded a refund for the $10,000 spent on transporting the marabouts.
Diri said he obliged, paying back the money but maintained his decision not to partake in any ritualistic practices.
“When the Supreme Court eventually declared me the governor, the man was shocked and never contacted me again.
Sadly, he passed away sometime later,” Diri narrated, adding that his deputy governor and a close friend witnessed the incident.
Reflecting on the experience, Governor Diri urged politicians to place their trust in God rather than in human interventions.
He emphasized the importance of civility and peace in political engagements.
“As a state, we must ensure that nobody is harmed in the name of politics. We do not know whom God has destined for greatness,” he said.
The governor also lauded the KOLGA thanksgiving initiative, which has now been institutionalized through legislation, allowing residents to annually gather and express gratitude to God.
Apostle David Zilly Aggrey, the convener of the thanksgiving event, commended Governor Diri for his leadership and the significant development Bayelsa State has witnessed under his administration.
He noted that the annual thanksgiving day serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by the people and the progress achieved over time.
Diri, who recently secured a second term in office, thanked Apostle Aggrey and the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma for their support, attributing his success to their prayers and God’s faithfulness.
“The younger generation may not understand the difficulties we faced in the past, but today, we have reasons to celebrate. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to serve,” Diri stated.
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