Gov. Diri Leads Family in Somber End-of-Year Thanksgiving

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, joined his family, friends, and political allies for a poignant End-of-Year Thanksgiving service on Sunday at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area. The event marked a reflective close to 2025, a year overshadowed by profound personal and statewide trials.

In his address, Governor Diri opened up about the year’s hardships, with a special mention of the devastating loss of his Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. Ewhrudjakpo, a key figure in Bayelsa’s administration since Diri’s 2020 inauguration, passed away under tragic circumstances late in 2025—details of which have sparked widespread mourning and tributes across the Niger Delta region. Drawing from scripture, the governor invoked 1 Thessalonians 5:18, emphasizing the biblical imperative to “give thanks in all circumstances,” even amid grief.

A Message of Gratitude and Unity
Diri expressed deep appreciation for the outpouring of love, prayers, and solidarity that sustained his family through the ordeal. “On behalf of our family, I want to appreciate everyone here today,” he stated. “We thank you for your prayers and support, and we urge that we continue to live in love and unity with one another, because that is what will make us better as a people and as a state.”

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He added, “Although we were struck by tragedy towards the end of the year, we have chosen to thank God for our lives, for our community, our Local Government Area and our dear Bayelsa State. Thank you all for coming, and God bless you.” The governor’s words resonated deeply, framing the service as a call for resilience and collective progress in Bayelsa, an oil-rich state often grappling with flooding, militancy, and economic pressures.

Notable Attendees and Broader Context
The gathering drew prominent figures, including Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs.) Gloria Diri, the governor’s wife; Her Excellency Hon. Justice (Mrs.) Patience Ama Zuofa Diri; House of Representatives member Hon. Fred Agbedi; Kolokuma/Opokuma lawmaker Hon. Werinipre Pamoh; and Hon. (Mrs.) Ayibanengiyefa Egba. Members of the State Executive Council and other senior officials also attended, underscoring the event’s significance in local politics.

This thanksgiving comes amid a transitional period for Bayelsa’s leadership. With Ewhrudjakpo’s death, the state is navigating succession protocols under the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the governor to nominate a new deputy for assembly approval. Recent reports from credible sources like Vanguard and The Punch highlight ongoing investigations into the deputy governor’s passing, fueling public discourse on governance and security in the region. Diri’s administration, re-elected in 2023, has prioritized infrastructure and peace-building, though 2025 saw heightened scrutiny over flood responses and Ijaw-Yoruba tensions.

The service at St. Peter’s, a historic Anglican outpost in the Ijaw heartland, symbolized spiritual renewal for Sampou residents and reinforced Diri’s image as a faith-driven leader ahead of 2026 priorities.