Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has urged those aspiring to succeed him to seek God’s guidance and approval through prayer, saying only a God-fearing individual will succeed him.
Speaking at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene-Yenagoa, during the state’s 15th thanksgiving, on Monday, Diri stated that nobody can say no to anyone accepted by God.
He said Bayelsa had been handed over to God, maintaining that the Almighty would always have the final say on the affairs of the state.
Diri also stressed the need for people of the state to remain united, tolerant and peaceful, saying that it was the only way Bayelsa can witness the much needed development.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to continue to impact on the lives of the people positively and that it had the political will to transform the state, which he said had one of the best environments for development.
He thanked the people for standing by his administration.
He said, ‘All who want to be governor, go and seek the face of God. Anyone who wants to be governor must be God-fearing. If God said yes, nobody can say no, not even me.
‘Let us continue to worship God. Let us be tolerant and patient as we will become victorious at the end of the day.
‘The Bible itself recognises that it is good to give thanks to the Lord. Today we came to say thank you Father.
‘As I keep saying, those of us who were born in Yenagoa or know Bayelsa of old can see the difference today. It is enough to give thanks.
‘We have one of the best environments in Nigeria and with the political will we are bringing development to our people.’
The guest preacher and former state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Very Rev. Joseph Opelema, who took his sermon on the theme: ‘Called to be Good Christians and Good Citizens,’ said Christians hold dual citizenship – citizens of the church and citizens of the society.
Drawing his message from Matthew 22:15-22, where the Pharisees attempted to trap Jesus on payment of tax, he said His response: ‘Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God’ underscored the call for Christians to be good citizens.
According to the Catholic cleric, the Bible passage, which he said had often been misinterpreted, emphasised that Christians must bring the virtues of sacrifice, prudence, accountability, justice, love, care and charity to bear wherever they find themselves, especially in public office.
He lamented that there were many worshippers today but few live the Christian life, stressing that Jesus called on believers to be witnesses, salt of the earth, light of the world, and to use any public position in Bayelsa and Nigeria to serve and witness to Christ.
Rev. Opelema described Bayelsa as abundantly blessed with natural and human resources, good weather, land and rivers, capable of making it a tourism hub in Nigeria, adding that with a God-fearing leader, the state would in no time attain its full potential.
High points of the service was the unveiling of a book: ‘Lively Oracle’ containing the scriptural declarations of the governor during morning devotions, and song ministrations by various Gospel artistes.
Daily Trust reports that Bayelsa’s governorship election will hold a few months after the 2027 general election.