Diri tells Bayelsa governorship hopefuls: seek God's face before seeking my seat

Governor Douye Diri has told those eyeing his job that they should first take the matter to God in prayer, saying whoever succeeds him must be a God-fearing person.

He spoke on Monday at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene-Yenagoa, during Bayelsa State's 15th thanksgiving service, according to Daily Trust.

Diri said he believes the state has been committed into God's hands, and that no human being, himself included, can overturn a choice God has approved.

"If God said yes, nobody can say no, not even me," he said.

The governor asked anyone hoping to govern the state to go and seek God's face first, and he urged residents to keep living together in peace and tolerance.

According to him, unity is the path to the development Bayelsa needs, and he restated his administration's commitment to improving people's lives.

He also pointed to what he described as visible change in the state, saying those who knew Bayelsa of old can see the difference, and that the state has one of the best environments in Nigeria for development.

Why it matters to Bayelsa voters

Bayelsa's governorship election is expected a few months after the 2027 general election, so the race to succeed Diri is already taking shape.

The thanksgiving also featured a sermon by the guest preacher, Very Rev. Joseph Opelema, a former chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state.

Opelema, a Catholic cleric, spoke on the theme "Called to be Good Christians and Good Citizens," drawing from Matthew 22:15-22, where Jesus is asked about paying tax and answers that people should give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.

He said the passage is often misunderstood, and that it actually calls Christians to bring sacrifice, prudence, accountability, justice, love and care into public office.

He lamented that many people worship today but few live the Christian life, and said Jesus called on believers to be witnesses, salt of the earth and light of the world, and to use any public position in Bayelsa and Nigeria to serve and witness to Christ.

The cleric described Bayelsa as richly blessed with natural and human resources, good weather, land and rivers, and said with a God-fearing leader the state could become a tourism hub and reach its full potential quickly.

The service also saw the unveiling of a book, "Lively Oracle," which contains the governor's scriptural declarations from morning devotions, and performances by gospel artistes.

What happens next

Diri's tenure continues, and the governorship contest will follow the 2027 general election. For now, his message to aspirants is simple: pray first, and let God's answer stand.