Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said he made no mistake in nominating Dr. Peter Akpe as his deputy, describing him as a “square peg in a square hole.”
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Diri stated this on Sunday at a grand reception organised in honour of Akpe by his Ebedebiri community in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
He said the well-organised reception was a testament to the love and acceptance Akpe enjoys among members of his community.
The governor commended the people of Ebedebiri for turning out en masse to honour and celebrate their son, describing the gathering as a demonstration of love and solidarity.
Diri, who described Akpe as a people-oriented deputy governor, also praised him for his humility, capacity and commitment to identifying with his roots.
He said: “I believe I made no mistake when I zeroed in on Akpe. Today’s event is a confirmation of my decision in appointing him as my deputy. It is one thing to announce the appointment of a person and another for that person to be accepted and celebrated.
“Today, I join my deputy in expressing gratitude to the Ebedebiri community for putting together this well-organised reception. We came to celebrate with your son. We are happy with the large turnout. Akpe is a square peg in a square hole.
“I thank the people of this community and the Tarakiri Kingdom for this reception. We also appreciate your big show of love, unity and strength. We must promote things that impact positively on our people and shun things that create division.
“We all heard Akpe’s story from a very humble beginning. If God can turn things around for him and his family, there is still hope with your situation. My choice of him was guided by God. He does not only have capacity, he is also loyal and humble.”
In his vote of thanks, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, expressed appreciation to Governor Diri, on behalf of his family and the Ebedebiri community, for the confidence reposed in him and the opportunity to serve.
“From the depth of my heart, my family and the Ebedebiri community, I thank God and the governor for choosing me as his deputy. May God continue to uphold and strengthen you.
“Working with you, I have learnt the lessons of accommodating people, patience and peaceful disposition towards all,” Akpe said.
He also thanked the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, for chairing the event, as well as the Speaker of the House of Assembly and other legislators, his community, traditional rulers and the clergy for their support and wise counsel.
Lokpobiri, in his remarks, also commended Governor Diri for finding Akpe worthy of working with him.
He said the people of Bayelsa West Senatorial District were proud of the deputy governor’s performance in office.
According to the minister, Akpe had gained considerable exposure in governance, having served the state in various capacities, including as a councillor, administrator, Majority Leader in the House of Assembly and Chief of Staff to the Governor, before becoming deputy governor.
He said he was impressed by the community for organising the reception in honour of their son, whom he described as having performed exceptionally well in the service of the state.
“On behalf of the people of Bayelsa West, we express our commitment to continue to support Governor Diri and his deputy,” Lokpobiri said.
The guest of honour and Managing Director/CEO of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Emefienim, who was represented by Dr. Danjuma Omeje, expressed confidence in Akpe’s capacity and prayed for God to grant him success in office.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Senator Konbowei Benson, representing Bayelsa Central; Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere; former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Peremobowei Ebebi; State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Warman Ogoriba; and a representative of Sagbama Constituency 1, Dr. Ayakeme Whiskey.
The speakers described Akpe as a man of principle, competent, unassuming and open-minded.
They also commended Governor Diri for his choice of Akpe and pledged their support for the Prosperity Administration in achieving its mandate.
Other guests at the event included the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Chief Fred Agbedi; Hon. Mitema Obordor, representing Ogbia Federal Constituency; Hon. Oforji Oboku, representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency; and former Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd.).
Also present were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; APC Bayelsa East Senatorial candidate, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli; his Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency counterpart, Dr. Jonathan Obuebite; the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo; and the Pere of Tarakiri Kingdom, King Seyifa Koroye, among others.
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