A 67 years old chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa state, Chief Perekeme Kpodoh, has opened up on his battle with a terminal ailment which would have claimed his life if not for the quick intervention of the state governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Chief Kpodoh, who is a former Security Adviser to the state government, a public analyst and chieftain of the PDP in Trofani in Sagbama local government council, said the last three weeks of his life and his recovery from the terminal ailment, has proved to him that the incumbent governor of Bayelsa state cares for his followers and people of the state.
Kpodoh, in a statement in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital pointed out that in his 23 years in politics of the state, he has never seen a governor that takes everyone as his own despite the political differences.
According to him, “I have served with many governors for over 23 years but none has shown such caring nature such as Governor Diri. He responded to his enemies twice the way he respond to friends and political associates. In the administration of the past, they saw me sick and my eyes were yellow. They only mocked until I used my money to travel to India for treatment.
“Some even asked me to go for test and I did. But I was abandoned and nearly killed in prison over trump up charges. Instead of helping me, they had planned to kill me. But God brought me out and am hail and hearty today because of God and Governor Douye Diri.
“But few weeks ago, the ailment, which was diagnosed as terminal, came up and the state governor showed concern and responded. A governor that is not arrogant or power drunk. I now know that God has given us a humble servant of God as governor.”
Kpodoh also noted that events of the last few weeks have shown that Governor Douye Diri is reflecting his promise of a united Bayelsa despite party differences in his conduct and utterances within and outside the state.”
“If you take note, during the record breaking commercial flight to Bayelsa Airport, politicians across the divide were on board. They used that opportunity to tell those fanning ember of division that Bayelsa development is topmost not party differences.”
“This Bayelsa unity promoted by Gov.Diri has also caught up with the National Assembly members with most of them moving together as one. Governor had at many instances attended events organized by the opposition including landmark events in Brass, Nembe and other places. This is a Governor that is telling the people that Bayelsa Development is more important than political or self-interests.”
“That is the reality of Douye Diri’s prosperity. When I called to notify the Governor that I was sick and going for treatment. He showed care and catered for me and save me from death. I want to thank him and pray that God will strengthen him and give him more wisdom to impact positively in the life of Bayelsa people.”
