The Senate has officially confirmed the defection of Senator Benson Konbowei (Bayelsa Central) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further strengthening the APC’s dominance in the Red Chamber with 74 seats.
The announcement was made during Thursday’s plenary. In a dramatic moment, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) walked out of the chamber in apparent protest as Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Konbowei’s defection letter, drawing laughter from some senators.
Konbowei’s switch comes just 24 hours after Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri resigned from the PDP. Diri made the announcement on Wednesday at the Government House in Yenagoa, citing “obvious reasons” but did not disclose his next political move.
“After extensive consultations, I, Governor Douye Diri, hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he said.
Although Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was absent, Diri stated that all local government chairmen would join him, a decision also backed by 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Abraham Ngobere. Ten lawmakers were present at the meeting.
