“Bayelsa Governor Diri Reveals He Was Asked to Perform ‘Traditional Sacrifices’ to Become Governor”

Douye Diri, the governor of Bayelsa, has revealed that he was once pressured to perform “traditional sacrifices” in order to secure his position as governor. Speaking during the annual day of thanksgiving organized by the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area (LGA) in Sampou community, Diri recounted how a senior citizen invited him to Abuja in 2020 and urged him to undergo rituals to boost his chances of winning the governorship election.

According to Diri, the senior citizen demanded that he perform certain sacrifices, but the governor refused, standing firm in his faith. He shared that the man was angry and warned him that he would never become governor unless he complied. Despite the pressure, Diri stuck to his beliefs and declined the offer.

“I told him my faith in God would not allow me to do it,” Diri recalled. “He got angry and told me I would never become governor.” The senior citizen also mentioned that he had spent $10,000 to bring in marabouts from Senegal for the sacrifice and asked Diri to refund the amount, which the governor did.

When the Supreme Court ruled in Diri’s favor, overturning the previous election results, the man was reportedly shocked and was unable to reach out to the governor. Diri’s victory came after the court disqualified the APC candidate, David Lyon, and his running mate over forged credentials. Lyon had been declared the winner of the November 2019 election, but the court’s ruling handed the governorship to Diri, who had come second.

The governor also shared that his deputy and a friend were present during the meeting in Abuja with the senior citizen, who later passed away some time after the events unfolded.

Diri’s story highlights not only his unwavering faith but also the strange and often surprising dynamics of Nigerian politics, where such offers and pressures are not uncommon.