Douye Diri (born 4 June 1959) is a Nigerian politician who has served as the governor of Bayelsa State since 2020.[1][2] He was the senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District from 2019 to 2020 in the 9th National Assembly.[3][4]

Douye Diri
Governor of Bayelsa State
Assumed office
14 February 2020
DeputyLawrence Ewhrudjakpo
Preceded bySeriake Dickson
Senator for Bayelsa Central
In office
11 June 2019 – 11 February 2020
Preceded byEmmanuel Paulker
Succeeded byMoses Cleopas
Personal details
Born (1959-06-04) 4 June 1959 (age 64)
NationalityNigerian
Political partyPeoples Democratic Party
SpouseGloria Diri
Education
OccupationPolitician

Early life edit

Douye Diri began his early education at Okoro Primary School, Sampou, and concluded it at Rev. Proctor Memorial Primary School, Kaiama, in 1977, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. [citation needed] He later attended Government Secondary School, Odi, in Bayelsa. Douye studied at the College of Education, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, where he obtained a National Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1985. He also attended the University of Port-Harcourt, obtaining a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree in political science in 1990.[5]

Governor of Bayelsa edit

On 13 February 2020, the Supreme Court of Nigeria invalidated the results of the 2019 Bayelsa State gubernatorial elections on grounds that the running mate of the actual winner of the election, David Lyon, submitted a confidential certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.[6] The court ordered Diri to be issued a certificate of return, which would make him governor-elect.[7]

On 14 February 2020, he was sworn in as the governor of Bayelsa State.[8]

August 2020 court rulings edit

On 17 August 2020, a tribunal at Abuja, Nigeria, ordered Diri sacked as the state governor.[9] However, on 2 October 2020, a court of appeal sitting in Abuja overruled the tribunal court and confirmed him as governor.[10][11]

Airport security controversy edit

In August 2021, it was reported that Diri and his aides had forced their way through security checkpoints at Murtala Muhammed International Airport while trying to board the inaugural United Nigeria Airlines Lagos-to-Yenagoa flight.[12]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Breaking: Douye Diri sworn-in as Governor of Bayelsa". P.M. News. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Diri and the changing face of Bayelsa - The Nation Newspaper". thenationonlineng.net. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  3. ^ Iroanusi, QueenEsther (11 March 2019). "INEC releases list of elected senators, APC-62, PDP-37". Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  4. ^ Bello, Precious (11 July 2019). "Bayelsa guber: Senator Diri joins race". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  5. ^ "South-South Governors – BRACED Commission – Official Website". Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Supreme Court Sacks Lyon As Bayelsa Governor-Elect, Hours Before Inauguration". Channels Television. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  7. ^ Tsa, Godwin (14 November 2019). "Breaking News: Supreme Court sacks Lyon, Bayelsa gov-elect, for presenting running mate with fake qualification". Sun News NG. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  8. ^ Wahab, Bayo (14 February 2020). "Douye Diri sworn in as Bayelsa Governor". Pulse NG. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Tribunal sack Govnor Diri, order fresh election just days after im bin jubilate say e win case for di same court". BBC News Pidgin. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Appeal court confirm Douye Diri election as Bayelsa Govnor". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Court of Appeal affirms Bayelsa Gov Douye Diri's election". Pulse Nigeria. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  12. ^ ""The Bags Belong To The Governor"—Power-Drunk Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, Aides Breach Airport Security Procedure, Refuse To Be Screened To Board Flight". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2 September 2021.