Diri Critiques Centralized Resource Control in Nigeria

On Tuesday, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri condemned the Federal Government’s centralized control of Nigeria’s natural resources during the 2026 Democracy Dialogue organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Bauchi. He accused the government of fostering insecurity and injustice, particularly in states rich in minerals and petroleum.

Diri stated that the concentration of resource control has led to exploitation without development for host communities, citing the insecurity linked to gold discovery in Zamfara. He argued that neglecting communities that generate national wealth undermines peace and stability.

Diri criticized the governance structure for replacing democratic principles with injustice, using Oloibiri, the site of Nigeria's first commercial oil discovery, as an example of failed resource control policies. He pointed out the structural inequalities in local government allocations, noting that Bayelsa, despite its significant oil contributions, has only eight local government areas compared to other states with more.

Diri lamented the lack of infrastructure, such as road access in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.