By Adesina Soyooye
Timi Alaibe, grassroots politician, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the Governor of his home State, Bayelsa, Senator Douye Diri, have reconciled. They are back together, not just in the same political camp, but as close friends and brothers.
For those still in doubt, Alaibe, in a statement he personally signed, confirmed he and his friend and brother, Governor Diri, have picked up their relationship from where they left it in 2019/2020.
Both men were great friends and brothers. But in 2019/2020, they fell apart, badly. Politics tore them apart. Their friendship could not withstand the politics of who became the Governor of the State.
Both men wanted to be Governor, to succeed then Governor Henry Dickson, now a Senator. The power of incumbency was behind Diri, even though Alaibe’s popularity was not in doubt. Dickson, clearly, was behind Diri.
Things came to a head during the Primary for the ticket. Diri came tops. But Alaibe cried foul. He said the exercise was corrupted. He felt, strongly, that he had been brazenly cheated. He was at pains. And, he wanted justice. So he went to Court.
But the Courts, including the Supreme Court, upheld the Governor.
Since then, for two years running, Alaibe gave Diri space. They became political enemies, so to say.
But on Sunday, January 16, both men put all that behind them. Politics took the back seat. They came back together as close friends.
Diri described the day of the reconciliation as a great. He was hip about it. He was excited. And so was Alaibe who said he reconciled with his brother and friend for the progress and development of the State.
He said his political relationship with Diri spanned over 20 years. They had been in the struggle together. It was a deep relationship, and Alaibe said he knew that one day, they would get back together.
That came through on Sunday when he, along with some of his associates, visited Diri at his residence at the Government House where the Governor and his associates received them with hearts full of joy.
Following is Alaibe’s story of the reconciliation, in his own words, titled:
We Are Back!
“After repeated interventions by mutual friends, business partners and political associates, I finally considered it necessary to put an end to the ugly past, drop political differences and re-establish age-old friendship with my brother and State Governor, Douye Diri.
“That happened on Sunday January 16.
“Let me state here that Governor 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 thrust 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 temporal. 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 thrusted 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 colouration 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 of 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 of my 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.
“Ndutimi Alaibe”
