Bayelsa Governor Diri Happy as President Buhari's Son

...To forge a working relationship with the Federal Government

By Ikeddy ISIGUZO

NOBODY knows the type reception Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri expected on his visit to President Muhammadu Buhari. Whatever transpired behind the doors as they met, we may never know but the Governor was very happy with the meeting.

Evidences abound. His blinding smiles beamed into cameras have been captured for the world to note the moment his hand clasped with the President’s in a shake that sealed the amity the Governor seemed to have cherished and gushed about when he spoke to reporters. Their handshakes were obviously unimpressed about the Corona Virus.

It was a courtesy call.

Diri, thanks to the Supreme Court, became the Governor of Bayelsa State. The swearing in ceremony was held at Government House, Yenagoa, in place of the elaborate party the All Progressives Congress, APC, the President’s party, had planned and rehearsed up to a few hours before the Supreme Court delivered the devastating verdict.

Governor Diri, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, former Member of the House of Representatives, former Senator, was having his first meeting with President Buhari, a month after his swearing in. He said Buhari was father of the nation, a term that has fallen into disrepute. Diri must have his meaning for it.

The visit Diri said was to forge a working relationship with the Federal Government. The visit was for the benefit of Bayelsa State, the Governor said. People would want to see the benefits of the visit and Diri should tell them. No attempt should be made to deny the President his achievements more so if they are in a State with an opposing political party. 

Diri also said the visit was like a father receiving his son. The President would be pleased to hear people speaking about him in glowing terms as Diri did.

It was great that the Governor ensured that he complied with the courtesies that were required of him as Governor. He had to see the President. It is possible that he saw the President as a factor in his victory. He needed to be grateful.

A Nigerian President is so powerful that he considered capable of instructing his Supreme Court to award electoral victories to whoever he wishes. Diri is overwhelmingly grateful.

His claim to sonship of the President is not a matter that people are likely to view lightly. Does he intend to be like the President? In what areas would the President be his role model? How would being like the President serve Bayelsa State well?

Was the remark an allegiance to the President? Would he serve Bayelsa’s interests or the President’s? Was he so pleased with a warm reception accorded him that it was not time to make specific requests for the good of Bayelsa? He has to remember the welfare of those who elected him should be his most important concern.

The public should also know the details of father-son relationship that Diri has gladly procured. What are the conditions? What price would Bayelsa pay?

Bayelsa is in a foul mood after the misrule of Diri’s predecessor and godfather Seriake Henry Dickson who treated the people so badly that they could not wait for him to go. His eight years were remarkable for their wastefulness that ended with workers owed salaries, they have not forgotten Dickson.

Diri’s loss of the election was a protest vote against Dickson who continued PDP’s unfathomable inclination not to develop the State. The people of Bayelsa voted for Chief David Lyon of APC, a philanthropist, as reward for his assistance to people across the State.  They are still unhappy that their punishment for Dickson, a loss of the government, would go unserved.

There is a great chance for Diri to win the people back from the pits his boss dumped them. It would be a major fight for Diri to be different. Dickson cannot give a reasonable account for his stewardship. The people do not expect Dickson to support a Diri tenure that would confirm Dickson wasted Bayelsa’s resources.

Would being the President’s son make Diri a great Governor of Bayelsa State? The people of Bayelsa who saw images of their Governor in such joviality with the President are looking forward to the days when the happiness would spread.

Their increasing sufferings since 1999 should ease. They too want to throw their heads back and laugh at their improved circumstances.

Diri would, if he gets Bayelsa to that point, be the greatest Governor in a State that has not had a great Governor.