Niger Delta
2023: Diri Charges Clerics On Electoral Violence
As the 2023 elections get closer, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has called on clergymen to be in the vanguard of preaching against electoral violence in the country.
Governor Diri made the call while speaking at a Special Thanksgiving Service organised by the member representing Ogbia Constituency 2 at the State House of Assembly, Honourable Gibson Munalatefa over the birth of his new baby.
The Governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, at the Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, Opolo, in Yenagoa, urged the clerics to play a role in the political education of the citizenry through their preachings.
According to the Bayelsa Chief Executive, God represents love and that no meaningful religion preaches hatred, violence and killing.
He, therefore, reiterated the need for people of the state to embrace love and peace in all their endeavours, stressing that the time for elections only offers them the opportunity to exercise their civic rights and not to perpetrate violence.
Governor Diri, who expressed gratitude to God for wiping away the tears of the Munalayefa family with the gift of a son, enjoined everyone to continually trust in the awesome power of God even in the midst of challenges that seem intractable.
“The impression is that election in Bayelsa is always violent. But we are not a violent people. But the few that are violent among us, who believe that the only way to win an election is through violence must be encouraged to reject such belief.
“What pains me most is that they also come to church. And I wonder the kind of church they attend because there is no true church that preaches violence.
“Another thing that burdens me is that our love for one another in this state is very shallow like the Epie Creek. Love is not jealous, deceitful, hateful, malicious and greedy.
“And so, let us show the love we preach. If you believe in God and you don’t love, then you don’t believe in God because God is love.
“We will continue to send this message across because this is the right time to talk about it. What people don’t talk about is oftentimes seen as a good thing. So, everybody, including the men of God, should preach this ‘One man, One vote’ as a message,” he said.
In their separate remarks, Hon. Gibson Munalayefa and his wife, Timi, testified to the merciful kindness of God upon their lives and family by swiftly answering their prayers exactly one year after they lost their child.
They also thanked the Senior Pastor of Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, Opolo, Pastor Emmanuel Suobite, for his guidance, encouragement and prayers all through their trying moments.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.