10 Things About New Bayelsa Gov-Elect, Douye Diri

News has emerged that Supreme Court, on Thursday, sacked the governor-elect of Bayelsa State, David Lyon and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo.

In a decision by a five-man panel of Justices led by Justice Mary Odili, the court held that Degi-Eremieoyo presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The new development means Peoples Democratic Party’s candidates – Senator Douye Diri and his running mate, Lawrence Ewhruojakpo, will be issue fresh certificates as the governor-elect and deputy governor-elect respectively.

Below are 10 things you need to know about the Governor-elect, Diri:

1. Diri is the senator representing Bayelsa Central senatorial district of Bayelsa state at the Nigerian 9th National Assembly.
2. Diri was born on June 4, 1959, in Kolokuma/Opokuma, Bayelsa. He is 60-year-old.
3. Senator Douye started his career as a teacher and taught in several government schools in the rural area in the Old Rivers State.
4. He is a son to A.J.M Diri of Kalama-Owinari.
5. He earned his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1977 at Rev. Proctor Memorial Primary School Kaima.
6. He obtained his West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASCE) at Government Secondary School Odi in 1981.
7. He obtained his Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) at the College of Education in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State in 1985 and earned Bachelors of Education degree in Political Science at the University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, in 1990.
8. He was the first National Organizing Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the foremost organization of the Ijaw Nation; Executive Secretary, Centre for Youth Development in Bayelsa State; Commissioner for Youth and Sports; Council Board member, University of Maiduguri; Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Disciplinary Council, Bayelsa State; Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House and Principal Executive Secretary.
9. A member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Kolokuma, Opokuma, and Yenagoa Federal Constituency, 2015.
10. He emerged winner of the governorship primary election of the PDP in Bayelsa State on September 4, 2019.