Bayelsa is Not Rivers, Wike: Diri’s Calm Resistance Against Your Stubborn Disruption -By John Egbeazien Oshodi

Governor Douye Diri is not a man who operates on impulse or seeks conflict for conflict’s sake. Instead, he demonstrates the rare quality of psychological resilience and strategic patience. A leader who knows the value of calmness and the devastating power of overreaction.

Wike’s tactic is simple: Instigate, provoke, and push until the target explodes. It’s a method he perfected in Rivers State, where his abrasive style often left opponents reeling, scrambling to respond to his bulldozing presence.

But Bayelsa is not Rivers. And Governor Diri is not a man easily rattled. He sees through the trap laid before him—a political snare meant to provoke an overreaction, triggering chaos and inviting federal intervention.

President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State was a blunt and exploitative move, a calculated attempt to centralize control through what appeared to be a justified action. A classic strategy: provoke chaos, then swoop in under the guise of restoring order.

Governor Diri is too wise for that. He knows that any attempt to shut down rallies, to overreact, to play into Wike’s hands, would only give Abuja the excuse it needs to tighten its grip on Bayelsa. But Wike has made the fatal mistake of assuming that all governors are driven by ego and insecurity.

Governor Diri is not weak. He is shrewd. He is deliberate. And most importantly, he is prepared.

Wike’s Persistent Provocation: Desperation Disguised as Bravado

Wike, you are relentless, but not in a noble or courageous way. Your relentlessness is born out of a deep-rooted insecurity, a fear of irrelevance that haunts you even as you bark orders and declare dominance.

You have become so addicted to the sound of your own voice that you have convinced yourself it can carry over state lines, penetrating territories where your name is nothing but a passing shadow.

The truth is, your loudness is a cover for your psychological insecurity. You have convinced yourself that volume equates to authority, that noise is the same as power. But you are mistaken.

You have made a career of bullying your way through political landscapes, crushing dissent and ruling with an iron fist. You believe that intimidation is a form of leadership, and that conflict is the same as respect.

But Bayelsa is not Rivers. Your reputation here is more of a warning than an accolade. And Governor Diri is not Fubara.

You see, Governor Diri is not engaging with you on your terms because he understands the danger of trying to compete with madness. He understands that your provocations are symptoms of desperation, not strength.

Every time you roar about your rally, about your plans to disrupt Bayelsa’s peace, it only underscores how hollow your power truly is. You are driven by bravado, but behind that mask of confidence is a man flailing against the inevitable reality that Bayelsa rejects you.

Even Tinubu Can’t Save You Here, Wike

You have placed far too much faith in your connections to Abuja. You parade your alliance with President Tinubu like a badge of immunity, believing that your new federal title somehow elevates you above the authority of Governor Diri.

You think that your position grants you power over the states, that your proximity to the Presidency makes you untouchable. But here is a truth you cannot escape: Even if Tinubu comes with you, he cannot protect you.

Governor Diri is the Chief Security Officer of Bayelsa, and his authority over his state is enshrined in the constitution. No presidential influence, no ministerial title, no federal might can erase that.

Even if you arrive with a convoy of police officers and military personnel, Diri’s authority remains superior in Bayelsa. He holds the legal right to refuse access, to enforce order, to maintain peace. And if your presence threatens that peace, he retains the constitutional power to act accordingly.

It does not matter if you come with the entire security apparatus of Abuja. In Bayelsa, Diri’s authority supersedes yours.

You thought that your friendship with Tinubu would shield you from accountability, that it would allow you to walk into Bayelsa and impose your will. But the constitution is clear: Bayelsa is not under your control.

Diri’s Respect for Law and Order: A Stark Contrast to Wike’s Recklessness

Unlike you, Wike, Governor Diri understands the law and respects it. He is not trying to silence you. He is not trying to obstruct your fundamental rights.

Governor Diri has even acknowledged the proper protocol for such rallies— a respect for order and communication. He pointed out that the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, followed due process by informing the state government of her visit to Bayelsa.

Governor Diri’s approach is not about domination or control. It is about protecting the peace and integrity of Bayelsa. But of course, you see any regulation as an attack because you are driven by ego, not principle.

Wike, The Apparent Compromised Judiciary Won’t Save You This Time

You have become accustomed to hiding behind compromised courts, running to judges who twist the law to serve your interests. You have made a career out of manipulating legal systems to cover your own inadequacies.

But this is Bayelsa, not Rivers. And here, you are facing the court of the people.

Even if you manage to pull strings and secure a ruling in your favor, it will be meaningless. Because you are not dealing with legal loopholes and courtroom tricks—you are dealing with a unified population that rejects your arrogance.

The judiciary won’t save you, Wike. Not this time. Governor Diri has the support of his people and the legitimacy of his authority. No court ruling, no manipulated judgment, no backdoor deal will change that.

Conclusion: Diri’s Calmness Is Your Undoing

Governor Diri’s calmness is not a sign of weakness. It is a strategic advantage that you have failed to comprehend. While you flail about, trying to force conflict and chaos, Diri has anchored himself in composure and authority.

Your desperation is evident. Your need for relevance is exposed. You wanted chaos, but instead, you are the one trapped in a cycle of your own making.

Governor Diri has already won this battle. His calmness has turned your arrogance into a weakness. Bayelsa is not Rivers. And you are not the man you imagine yourself to be.

John Egbeazien Oshodi

Oshodi Open Door Public Training (OOPDT), also known as Oshodi Open Door, is a public awareness initiative dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in Africa. Through educational articles and resources, OOPDT fosters informed discourse on governance, institutional reform, and psychological well-being. It also provides specialized Timely Response Solutions (TRS) training at minimal or no cost, ensuring swift and effective interventions for critical institutional and societal challenges. For more information, contact: jos5930458@aol.com.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi is an American psychologist, educator, and author specializing in forensic, legal, and clinical psychology, cross-cultural psychology, police and prison sciences, and community justice. Born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, he is the son of a 37-year veteran of the Nigeria Police Force—an experience that shaped his enduring commitment to justice, security, and psychological reform.

A pioneer in the field, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology to Nigeria in 2011 through the National Universities Commission and Nasarawa State University, where he served as Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology. His contributions extend beyond academia through the Oshodi Foundation and the Center for Psychological and Forensic Services, advancing mental health, behavioral reform, and institutional transformation.

Professor Oshodi has held faculty positions at Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Broward College, where he also served as Assistant Professor and Interim Associate Dean, Nova Southeastern University, and Lynn University. He is currently a contributing faculty member at Walden University and a virtual professor with Weldios University and ISCOM University.

In the United States, he serves as a government consultant in forensic-clinical psychology, offering expertise in mental health, behavioral analysis, and institutional evaluation. He is also the founder of Psychoafricalysis, a theoretical framework that integrates African sociocultural dynamics into modern psychology.

A proud Black Republican, Professor Oshodi advocates for individual empowerment, ethical leadership, and institutional integrity. His work focuses on promoting functional governance and sustainable development across Africa.