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Diri, Alaibe Reconcile After Two Years Of ‘Cold War’

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Diri, Alaibe Reconcile Afer Two Years Of 'Cold War'
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Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has reconciled with the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe.

Naija News reports that the two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fell out after the 2019 governorship primary of the party in the state.

After two years of cold war, the two politicians have settled differences following the intervention of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state.

Following the end of their rift, the former NDDC boss visited Governor Diri at his residence in the Bayelsa Government House, Yenagoa on Sunday.

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Speaking after the meeting, Diri confirmed the end of the cold war between him and Alaibe, saying he reunited with the former NDDC boss for the love and development of the state.

He said: “A great day indeed when I received my brother, the man we call ‘Principal’, Chief Timi Alaibe, proud son of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State.

“We have been in this political journey together for over 20 years and I am glad to reunite with him for the love and development of our dear state of Bayelsa. It’s indeed new dawn! A whole new chapter has been opened as we all reflected on the past. Together, we can make that difference for our people.

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In a statement he personally signed, Alaibe said he decided to end his rift with the governor through repeated interventions by mutual friends, business partners and political associates.

Alaibe added that his political differences with the governor have ended and has re-established his age-long friendship with Diri.

He said: “I finally considered it necessary to put an end to the ugly past, drop political differences, and re-establish an age-long friendship with my brother and state Governor, Douye Diri.

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“That happened on Sunday, January 16. Let me state here that Diri and I have come a long way. We have not only been political partners, there is a deep sense of brotherhood in our relationship. Somehow, in 2019, political differences threw a sharp knife into that bond; and as the late Chinua Achebe would say, things fell apart and the centre could no longer hold.

“But then, blood is thicker than water. We both knew that what happened was temporary. Our mutual friends decided to wade in; especially those who knew what happened and believed that Governor Diri could not be held directly responsible.

“He only had favour thrust upon him. I must admit that out of a deep sense of humility and friendship, Governor Diri had, at several times, shortly after taking office, personally reached out to me. I chose to remain silent as I reviewed the situation. But all that is now history.

“Time has healed the wounds and I have chosen to do the right thing. There is no doubt that the reconciliation will surprise a lot of people, particularly some political jobbers who profited from our temporary silence.

“What has happened might also be misinterpreted and given various coloration by different people. But the truth is that I have chosen to listen to the voice of wisdom and re-establish a cherished relationship; which politics tried to destroy.

“To demonstrate the sincerity of my intentions and reciprocate the same humility, which Governor Diri had displayed previously, I refused to meet him on a neutral ground. Instead, in company with close friends, I went to the governor’s official residence in Yenogoa and I was warmly welcomed by him and his team.

“I am thoroughly impressed by the sincerity displayed by the governor. So, the past is behind us. Politics has taken the backstage. Friendship and the collective interest of Bayelsa people are in the centre stage now. We are back to work together in love and unity. Join us.”