RismadarVoice Reporters
June 22, 2026
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has disclosed that he faced intense pressure while selecting a new deputy governor following the death of former Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, but ultimately relied on divine guidance in choosing Dr Peter Akpe for the position.
Governor Diri made the revelation on Sunday during a special thanksgiving service held in honour of the Deputy Governor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Regional Headquarters in Yenagoa.
The governor said the search for a successor to the late Ewhrudjakpo, who died on December 11, 2025, was a difficult task, considering the significant role the former deputy played in the administration for nearly six years.
According to Diri, prayers and spiritual counsel played a crucial role in his decision-making process, leading him to settle for Akpe, who was sworn into office on February 25, 2026.
“I faced spiritual pressure picking a new deputy governor after the passing of Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. While the pressure was on me, I looked out for God’s direction amid the prayers of men of God. At the end of the day, God made Pastor Akpe available through divine direction,” the governor stated.
He explained that his decision was based primarily on Akpe’s competence, character and capacity to deliver, dismissing speculations that family ties influenced the appointment.
Governor Diri disclosed that he only recently discovered that the Deputy Governor hails from his maternal lineage, insisting that the relationship played no role in the selection process.
“I did not pay attention to the rumours and speculation because Dr Akpe has the competence to deliver on the job. I never knew he was my relative until recently I found out he hailed from my maternal home,” he said.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to development, peace and security, describing the prevailing stability in Bayelsa State as invaluable.
He called on citizens and religious leaders to continue praying for those in positions of authority, emphasising that prayers remain essential for effective governance.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Peter Akpe used the occasion to share his personal story of resilience, recounting how he rose from a humble background marked by poverty and hardship to occupy one of the highest offices in the state.
Akpe narrated the challenges his family faced while trying to finance his education, revealing that his father often struggled to raise school fees and sometimes resorted to borrowing to keep him in school.
He recalled instances when relatives were approached for financial assistance and how his father once faced public embarrassment over unpaid debts.
The Deputy Governor said his family lived in a modest waterfront zinc house and that some of his siblings had to forgo their own education temporarily to support his academic pursuits.
According to him, a turning point came when the family embraced Christianity, which he described as the beginning of a remarkable transformation in their lives.
Reflecting on his journey, Akpe said his emergence as Deputy Governor stands as a testimony of God’s faithfulness and a reminder that perseverance and faith can overcome adversity.
