Senator Douye Diri and Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, re-elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, on Wednesday, in the presence of thousands of Bayelsans and other
prominent Nigerians, took the oath of offices to commence their second term.
The swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa was a huge celebration as the arrival of Governor Diri and his deputy was greeted with jubilation by the capacity crowd.
The oath of office and oath of allegiance was administered by the Chief Judge of Bayside state, Justice Matilda Ayemieye-Abrakasa.
Governor Diri took the Oath of Office at around 1:50 PM on Wednesday after his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrujadkpo.
After mounting the saluting dais for the ceremonial police rituals,
Governor Diri drove in the ceremonial open roof Land Rover Utility Vehicle to exchange pleasantries with the jubilant crowd.
Diri, in his inauguration speech, restated his resolve to always place the state first in all his actions, and noted that his commitment to the progress and advancement of Bayelsa remains steadfast.
He noted that the unwavering support and faith in his administration’s vision for a better Bayelsa fuels their determination to continue working tirelessly for the collective welfare and development.
The governor pledged to pursue integrated policies of economic development and transformation in his second term in office.
Diri, promised to consolidate on the foundations he laid in the past four years, adding that his administration would exploit the rich oil deposits in the state for rapid industrialisation.
Diri also commended the people of the state, especially the voters, for their trust and support that gave him the mandate to serve Bayelsa for another four-year term.
He assured that his administration would, in the next four years, consolidate on his first term achievements to make Bayelsa the greatest state in Nigeria.
Diri also promised to partner relevant national and international agencies and expertise to initiate and implement a 25-year Marshall Plan for economic transformation and development of the state.
Among those present at the event, were the governors wives, Mrs Gloria Diri, Justice Patience Ama Zoufa-Diri, Vice President Kashim Shetima, his Liberia counterpart, Mr Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, immediate Past Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Former Senator President, Dr Abubaka Bukola Saraki, Governors of Rivers, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Plateau, Kwara, Oyo Edo and Niger and States, Mr Siminalayi Fubara , Sheriff Oborevwori, Pastor Umo Eno,Caleb Mutfwang, Mr Abdulraman Abdulrasaq, Mr Seyi Makinde, Godwin Obasiki Mr Mohammed Umar Bago.
Others were, Former President Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Patience Jonathan, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, members of the national assembly of Bayelsa extraction, Dr Abiye Sekibo, Former PDP National Chair Ayu, Chief David Lyon, Mr Iyorcha, former senators, Biobarakuma Degi Eremionyo, Ben Murray-Bruce, the Christendom and other dignitaries from other walks of life.
