|By Chinwendu Nwani
The newly appointed Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Pastor Peter Akpe, has firmly denied lobbying for the office, declaring that his emergence followed divine will rather than political maneuvering.
Akpe made the declaration during a reception held at the Government House in Yenagoa, where he addressed political stakeholders and supporters amid growing public interest over his appointment following the death of his predecessor.
Standing before prominent leaders in the state, Akpe challenged anyone with contrary evidence to speak up. He stressed that he neither canvassed support nor instructed political heavyweights to campaign on his behalf.
“Let me make it clear that I did not lobby for any position, including this one,” he said. “Most of the influential Bayelsa leaders are here. If I ever asked you to lobby for me, say it here.”
The deputy governor attributed his political rise to divine intervention, insisting that he has consistently relied on faith rather than backdoor negotiations to attain public office.
“In my life, it has always been God touching people’s hearts to act on my behalf. I simply say, ‘Lord, do Your own,’” he added.
Akpe described his appointment as a solemn responsibility rather than a personal achievement. He pledged to deepen his commitment to service, stressing that the office belongs to the people of Bayelsa State and not to him as an individual.
“This responsibility is not something I achieved by myself. I owe the state greater commitment, attention and service. This office belongs to the people who believe in a better Bayelsa,” he stated.
He also cautioned against pursuing ambitions outside divine timing, revealing that he had previously turned down pressure from some associates who urged him to take steps toward securing the role.
“When people asked what I was doing about it, I said let the will of God be done. You should not involve yourself in anything God has not prepared you for,” Akpe noted.
The deputy governor used the occasion to express gratitude to Governor Douye Diri for what he described as a rare privilege to serve at the highest level of the state’s executive arm. He equally thanked the Bayelsa State House of Assembly for its support and acknowledged his constituency for standing by him.
Akpe’s remarks appear aimed at dousing speculations of political lobbying while positioning his administration narrative around humility, faith, and service-driven leadership.
