Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday led a high-powered APC delegation to Yenagoa for the governor’s official reception into the ruling party.
Among those present were Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), according to Channels Television.
Addressing the crowd, Diri said his decision followed extensive consultations after “efforts to save the PDP failed.”
“We tried all we could to save the PDP but to no avail. Undertakers were very busy burying the PDP,” he said. “After seeing that the undertakers wanted to bury the PDP, I never wanted my state to be buried alongside it. So, after consultations with leaders, I decided it was time to move.”
The event drew a massive crowd of supporters waving APC flags and chanting party slogans to welcome the governor into the fold.
Diri’s defection marks another major loss for the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. He is the fourth PDP governor to join the APC this year, following Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), and Peter Mbah (Enugu).
The Bayelsa governor had earlier announced his resignation from the PDP on October 15 during a meeting at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House in Yenagoa, citing “obvious reasons.”
“After extensive consultations, I hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party,” Diri stated at the time, confirming that all local government chairmen in the state would join him.
His move has received swift backing from 23 of the 24 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Abraham Ngobere. The Assembly currently comprises 20 PDP members, three APC members, and one from APGA.
Meanwhile, the PDP is facing a worsening leadership crisis. National Chairman Umar Damagum and the National Working Committee (NWC) recently suspended key party officials, including National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature.
In response, the Anyanwu-led faction announced the suspension of Damagum and other NWC members. By Monday, acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed led the Anyanwu camp to resume at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, while Damagum’s loyalists stayed away.
Details later…
