Diri Cautions Appointees against Early Politicking Ahead of 2023

By Olusegun Samuel

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has cautioned his appointees against early politicking ahead of the 2023 elections, saying he would not hesitate to sack any of them found wanting.

Speaking before the commencement of the weekly State Executive Council meeting in the Government House yesterday, Diri frowned at the activities of some of his appointees, which he said were hitting up the polity ahead of the 2023 elections, stressing that it was too early for open politicking.

A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that despite the fact that the people have the right to aspire to any political office, the time was not ripe for politicking.

Diri reminded his appointees that the administration lost considerable time last year due to COVID-19 and needless litigations, stressing that it was in a hurry to deliver on its campaign promises, so cannot afford to waste time politicking.

He wondered why appointees would be involved in open politicking when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not even released a timetable for elections.

The governor urged members of his cabinet interested in open politicking at this time, especially those from BayelsaWest senatorial district, to resign or be ready to be sacked.

Diri, meanwhile, swore in two new aides.

They are Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Alabo Ozubide, and Special Adviser on Non-Indigenes, Onuma Johnson.

While congratulating them, he said their appointments were based on merit and in line with his campaign promises.

He charged them to avoid friction with commissioners, but to cooperate with them to deliver development to people of the state.

Also, the state chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has commended the governor for his financial support to local councils in the state by ensuring prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

The NULGE state President, Akpos Ekiegha, made the commendation last Tuesday when the leadership of the union visited the governor in the Government House, Yenagoa.

Ekiegha said Bayelsa State was the first among other in the practice of local government autonomy.

A statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the NULGE leader as saying that local government workers in the state now enjoy the national minimum wage, courtesy of the governor’s prosperity government.

Responding, Diri thanked the state NULGE leadership for putting the records straight on the misconception that state governments were misappropriating local government funds.

The governor stated that rather, his government has been painstakingly supporting the local government system to grow.