SENATOR DOUYE DIRI, PERFORMING MORE THAN EXPECTED - JP Owoupele

Niger Delta activist and former spokesman of the Ijaw Youths council (IYC) Worldwide, Comrade J.P Owoupele, the palace chief as he is fondly called, has extolled the qualities of His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, the executive Governor of Bayelsa state, describing him as a stable and performing Governor.  

Comr. Owoupele in his piece stated that Governor Diri has undisputedly been in touch with his people since his emergence, adding that the Governor understands the Philosophy of Governance.

Here is the full piece:

In the last two years of governance in Bayelsa State, what remains undisputed is that we have a Governor who is in touch with his people and understands the philosophy of governance in all ramifications. 

It is therefore insensitive on the part of those who are  orchestrating this recent unpatriotic campaign to paint the Governor in a very bad light . We are aware that this is a deliberate attempt orchestrated within certain quarters to malign and paint a picture of failure and non performance on the part of the Governor. 

However, we are not unmindful of this acts but we are persuaded by the legacies which remains undisputed, known and verifiable in terms of governance and projects. 

While it is submitted that the first year of his ascension to power was fraught with natural unforeseen events such as the covid pandemic which occasioned low receipts from federation accounts, the second year has been most remarkable and marked with people oriented projects that are either completed or at various levels of completion. 

As a result of his calm and all embracing leadership style, his acceptance both in the state and National has become phenomenal. This reality has brought trepidation concern to many aspiring politicians who are clearly envious of his rising political profile as against their vaulting ambitions in 2023 and beyond. 

As a people and State,  we are wise, knowledgeable and conscious enough to see the hand writing and rightly know where this politics of acute calumny is emanating from in this political season. 

While it is true that this is the season of politics, we must cautiously and consciously evaluate situations and take informed decisions on such sensitive issues. 

Let those who are bent on maligning and undermining the good works of the Governor come and show us their track record and proof to the government and people that there are no projects initiated and constructed by his Excellency Senator Douye Diri. 

Let them proof to us that there is no Ernest Ikoli media complex, or that we cannot drive to Igbedi community on tarred roads, initaiated and constructed by this government to completion. 

Let them tell also prove to the people that the unity bridge and the Ogbia bridges were not constructed by this administration or that the new drive from Onopa connecting the new Yenagoa are all imaginary projects. 

Also, whether the Bayelsa Health insurance mega edifice built together with the Igbogene road connecting to AIT and the one connecting the ecumenical centre among many other such lofty projects in several sectors in Yenagoa and environs are all ghost projects. 

In our estimation, only the blind and cynically wicked will ignore these worthy projects and attempt to prove such callous submissions to the effect that this government is a non performer. 

Today, the welfare considerations of the State civil servants are given the highest of priority such that civil servants are highly appreciative of the modest efforts of the Governor and the deliberate managerial policies and actions to enhance productivity . These actions have affected the working populace in the civil service positively such that even retired civil servants now smile to the bank to collect their gratitude and pensions . A development that was last experienced over ten years ago. 

As a responsible government, we will not feign ignorance to such callous and unethical attempts to underwrite and undermine the conscious efforts of the Governor in his avowed bid to change and deepen the trajectory of development in Bayelsa. 

We will continue to state it loud and clear that Senator Douye Diri has surpassed many of his predecessors in virtually all sectors in leadership. 

Let the fifth columnists and their sponsors know that the times have changed and the people are wise enough to discern deliberate falsehood to tarnish the image of the Governor. 

As patriotic and responsible citizenry, ours is to remain truly committed in our support for such purposeful people oriented leadership at all times. We will also not relent in appaluding and encouraging the Governor for his unprecedented peaceful disposition to governance in our dear state that has unified our hitherto fractionalized people. 

Today, irrespective of party affiliations, our people view development more from a point of concern and contribution. 

Be assured that your cheap lies and propaganda against the most peaceful and humble Governor will not be embraced but resisted at all times.

Senator Diri is working and no amount of sponsored press war will deter him from achieving his promises and deliver service to the good people of Bayelsa State. 

JP Owoupele is Technical Adviser to the Executive Governor on information and Strategy.