We’ve prayerfully made a good choice – Diri speaks on new deputy gov’s emergence

By John Ogunsemore

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri said the wide acceptance of Dr. Peter Pereotubo Akpe’s emergence as Deputy Governor reflected that he “prayerfully made a good choice”.

He stated this in a Facebook post on Wednesday, hours after the new deputy governor was inaugurated.

Diri said he took his time to find a replacement for late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who died in December 2025.

He disclosed that the search for the new deputy governor was guided by the need for continuity, competence, commitment, character and the fear of God, noting that Akpe fit the description.

He said, “Today marks a historic moment in the political journey of our dear state, with the swearing-in of Dr. Peter Pereotubo Akpe as our new Deputy Governor, following the demise of Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the immediate past Deputy Governor, last December.

“While I took my time to make a replacement for Senator Ewhrudjakpo, the choice of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Akpe, was guided by the need for continuity, competence, commitment, character and the fear of God.

“I feel very happy to observe that the nomination and subsequent inauguration of Dr. Akpe, has enjoyed
wide acceptance, reflecting that we have prayerfully made a good choice of a man with distinguished academic excellence and tested administrative acumen.

“Once again, congratulations to the new Deputy Governor, and I urge him to serve with loyalty and an abiding sense of responsibility for the greater good of Bayelsa State.”

Diri appreciated the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere and members for their timely approval of the nomination, and the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye, for administering the oath of office and allegiance on Dr. Akpe.

He added, “I also congratulate and welcome the newly sworn-in Commissioner for the Ministry of Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development, Mrs. Joanna Gigi and the eighteen new Permanent Secretaries as active players in the Government of Assured Prosperity.

“While I call for the continued support of our people for the current administration, my team and I have resolved to make a difference in governance through legacy projects and programmes across the state.”