As the 2023 elections get closer, Bayelsa state Governor Douye Diri, has called on clergymen to be in the vanguard of preaching against electoral violence in the country.
Governor Diri made the call while speaking at a Special Thanksgiving Service organized by the Member representing Ogbia Constituency 2 at the State House of Assembly, Mr. Gibson Munalayefa over the birth of his baby.
The Governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, at the Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, Opolo in Yenagoa, urged clerics to politically educate the citizenry through their preachings.
According to the Bayelsa Chief Executive, God represents love and that no meaningful religion preaches hatred, violence and killing.
He, therefore, reiterated the need for people to embrace love and peace in all their endeavors, stressing that the time for elections only offers them the opportunity to exercise their civic rights and not to perpetrate violence.
Governor Diri, who expressed gratitude to God for wiping away the tears of the Munalayefa Family with the gift of a son, enjoined everyone to continually trust in the awesome power of God even in the midst of challenges.
In separate remarks, Mr. Gibson Munalayefa and his wife, Timi, testified to the kindness of God upon their lives and family by replacing their lost child exactly one year after.
They also thanked the Senior Pastor of Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, Opolo, Pastor Emmanuel Suobite, for his guidance, encouragement and prayers all through their trying moments.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, had earlier led a delegation of the state government to attend the marriage between Mr. Odimiekumo Etete and former Miss Mieseiyefa Diri, the younger sister to the Governor.
In a sermon, Chaplain, King of Glory Chapel, Pastor David Yallah, enjoined the newly-wed and the entire congregation to be sensitive to the things of God and not to hesitate in ministering to the needs of God’s servants.
Bayelsa First Lady, Dr Gloria Diri, Father of the Governor, Pa Abraham Diri, Members of the state Assembly, the Peoples Democratic Party Family, Commissioners, Special Advisers and other top government officials attended both ceremonies.
