Douye Diri of Bayelsa State
2023: Gov. Diri tells appointees nursing political ambitions to resign from office
[From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa]
Bayelsa Governor, Senator Douye Diri has asked all those serving in his cabinet who are nursing political ambition ahead of the 2023 election to tender their resignation.
The Governor who gave the directive at the first State Executive Council meeting in the New Year held in Government House, Yenagoa explained that while such ambitions were legitimate, it should not be at the expense of effective service delivery of his administration.
Diri further stated that though 202 is a political year, governance would not be sacrificed on the altar of politics, stressing that the administration still has time to deliver on its promises before the next governorship election in late 2023.
According to him, cabinet members eyeing other elective offices in the polls in February or March next year must not combine politics with governance, stressing that development of the state should supersede politics.
The Governor however commended members of the Exco for their commitment to the service of the state in the past year noting that working together they would do more for the people.
He said there would be periodic evaluation of activities of the various ministries this year to ensure that set targets were met, while urging the cabinet members to redouble their efforts.
The Governor said, “I welcome you all to the first Executive Council meeting in this new year. This year holds so much for us as it precedes an election year.
“We have few weeks to be two years in office. So, what is important now is what we have to show to people of the state and to Nigerians in our two years in office and beyond it. What else can we still do as we still have time to do more? The feedback from the people about our performance has been very encouraging.
“However, let me warn that any member of the State Executive Council that has one political ambition or the other to honorably resign. Any member of cabinet that has such ambition should please send your resignation letter to the Secretary to the State Government
“It is legitimate for anyone to have ambition, but we are one party, we are one government. Let not anyone’s ambition derail our governance and government. Just as we cannot stop anyone from having ambition, let no one stop the government from functioning.
“So you can see where I am coming from. It is very difficult for you to combine your job and pursue your ambition. For me and my deputy, the constitution made it impossible for us to resign. So we continue in office to pursue our ambition”.
