The Potency Of The Body Language And Political Culture Of Gov. Douye Diri 

Body language here basically refers to the conscious and unconscious movements and postures by which attitudes and feelings are communicated.

On the other hand, political culture refers to the shared attitudes, beliefs, values, and norms that define how citizens within a society view their political system and interact with their government.

The above also shapes political behaviour and determines expectations of legitimacy, influencing how people participate in political processes and how laws are perceived.

Generally, every human being, particularly leaders, have body language, which are not necessarily spoken words but usually communicated through postures and dispositions. Such that even in silence, body language is loud and very powerful.

Body language can communicate and also have positive or negative narratives and impacts.

For example, in the past, the body language of some former leaders communicated violence. They derived unimaginable pleasure in the sufferings and pains of Bayelsans. They derived pleasure when they hear or see that some sections of Bayelsa State and their perceived opponents and enemies were suffering. They celebrated the agonies of some Bayelsans.

The body language of some leaders encouraged and also promoted cultism and other forms of crimes and criminality. They emboldened territorial cult lords and other criminals who enjoyed so much government patronage.

Their body language silenced perceived opposition. They encouraged rape, maiming, harassment and even killing of Bayelsans and others.

Their body language promoted hatred, disunity, discrimination, and segregation of sections of Bayelsans.

But all that have changed because of the uncontaminated body language of Gov. Douye Diri.

Today, there are no known cultists or territorial lords who are ruling, controlling, harassing, intimidating, or making life miserable for any section of Bayelsans.

As a matter of fact, all former renowned criminals have repented. They know Gov. Douye Diri has zero tolerance for crimes and criminality and will never hesitate to deal decisively with any criminal whenever and wherever crime is committed.

No criminal anywhere is enjoying government patronage or having undue influence and advantage anywhere.

Gov. Douye Diri has made crime and criminality very less attractive. His unspoken “Operation Good Conduct” has made everyone to conform to the new order of zero tolerance for crime and criminality.

Today, everyone is striving to engage his or herself in productive ventures. The value of education that was hitherto relegated to the background is now very high. Bayelsans are now competing to attain the highest level of education, which is a doctorate degree.

The ongoing healthy competition for Ph.D. is highly commendable. Almost every household in Bayelsa State can boast of Ph.D holders. If you throw a stone into the gathering of fifteen Bayelsans, there is the likelihood that such stone may hit the head of a Ph.D. holder and sometimes even a professor.

Gov. Douye Diri symbolizes love, peace, and unity. He does not gossip or listen to gossip. He does not like blackmail or blackmailers. He places high premium on relationships with people.

His positive body language has reduced disunity to the barest minimum. It has reduced tension. The same applies to crime and criminality. Through his commitment, Bayelsa State is adjudged the SAFEST STATE in the country.

Before the inception of the ASSURED Prosperity Administration, there were several divides in Bayelsa State, including deep divides among members of the same ruling party.

The political climate in Bayelsa State was unhealthy, sickening and very toxic. Perceived members of opposition were choked, strangulated, and rendered politically redundant.

Businesses of perceived enemies were grounded. Siblings who belonged to different political camps, spouses, and even parents and children were made to see themselves as sworn enemies. Spouses, siblings, and close associates were used against each other.

There was political tension everywhere. The above development forced trust to disappear into the thin air. Political betrayal was institutionalized and formally enthroned as the order of the day.

At a time, it was a crime to see members of the opposition together in public. People who shook hands or smiled with members of the opposition were tagged traitors and blacklisted.

Gov. Douye Diri’s emergence changed all the negativity. His leadership gave a new lease of life to people who have been rendered politically redundant and completely retired.

His all-inclusive style of leadership has given great sense of belonging to all segments of the state.

The unique style of leadership of Gov. Douye Diri has made it such that Bayelsans nolonger identify themselves based on local government areas or political party affiliations, rather they first see themselves as proud Bayelsans before LGA or party affiliations.

Gov. Douye Diri does not encourage or tolerate deprivation of any Bayelsan his or her right based on their political or ideological beliefs. He respects the rights and choices of all Bayelsans. He believes they were first born as Bayelsans before membership of political parties, thus, their inalienable rights should never be trampled upon.

His consensus building style of leadership has eliminated heightened tension, unnecessary rivalry, socio-economic and political exclusion, bitterness, hatred, and disunity.

We can go on and on highlighting and enumerating the potency of the body language and political culture of Gov. Douye Diri, but in doing so, it is pertinent to begin to internalize and institutionalize them so that they shall continue to resonate even in the post-Douye Diri era.

Finally, i commend the ongoing Industrial Revolution of Gov. Douye Diri that will make Bayelsa State the economic hub of the geographic Niger Delta. The socio-economic impacts of the brand new Gas Turbines, the Nembe-Brass road, Ekeremor-Agge road, Yenagoa-Angiama-Oporoma-Otuan road and others can never be quantified.

In all, we give God the glory for giving Bayelsa State a generational leader that is determined to reform, transform and reposition our great state.

– Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli