Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, members of the state executive council, and the leadership of the Bayelsa Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Elizabeth Bidei, who died on December 30, 2024, after a brief illness at the age of 67.

The Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, said Governor Diri spoke in an emotion-laden voice, recalling how Mrs. Bidei and her husband, Jackson Bidei, were his staunch supporters from the beginning of his political journey. Alabrah stated that Governor Diri described her as an active PDP member, a woman of valour who contributed a lot to the growth and development of the state through the various positions she occupied. “Mrs. Bidei and her dear husband stood by me from the beginning of my political journey till date. They never wavered for one second. It is so sad that we are here for a condolence visit,” Governor Diri said.

“We cannot query or question God. This brings to fore the fact that every one of us are just mortals and only what we do will speak when we are gone,” Governor Diri added. He also stated that the government will take care of the funeral expenses, being a commissioner who died in active service to the state.

Responding, spokesman of the family, Mr. Ebikabowei Otobo, and Mr. Bidei expressed appreciation to Governor Diri for demonstrating exemplary leadership in personally visiting with members of his cabinet. The delegation included lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Constituency One, Mr. Bonnie Ayah, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Bayelsa PDP Chairman, Chief Solomon Agwana, and other top government functionaries.

The entourage also visited recuperating victims of last Friday’s fatal accident in Sagbama that claimed the life of the paramount ruler of Ofoni community, HRH Auditor Onakpohor, at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.