As the Ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) officially welcomes Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, Gov. Diri has defended his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, saying it is in the best interest of the state.
Governor Diri was welcomed by the Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman, Governors, Ministers and many other party loyalists.
“The only way the governor can lose his seat is through impeachment and the speaker of the state house of assembly is going with me,” Dori stated.
Speaking for the first time since leaving the PDP on October 15, Diri said he took the decision to preserve peace, unity, and development in Bayelsa.
The governor made the remarks on Sunday during the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa.
Gov. Diri did not defect to the ruling party alone as members of the state executive council, lawmakers, and two serving senators in Yenagoa have all joined the APC.
Diri Celebrates, Deputy Faces Possible Impeachment
While Gov. Diri celebrates his defection, pressure mounts on the side of his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who faces impeachment by the state house of assembly for refusing to defect from PDP to the APC.
The state house of assembly, allegedly acting under the governor’s influence, has reportedly commenced impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor.
Aggrieved by the move, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, sought refuge in court asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop what he described as a plot to remove him from office.
Ewhrudjakpo told the court that some members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly were planning to impeach him because he refused to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
‘I took the decision for Bayelsa’s sake’
In a statement by his spokesman, Daniel Alabrah, Diri said someone had to make the move and he did it for Bayelsa’s progress.
“Some of you might not understand now, but later it will be clear to all,” he said. “When we came in, our first task was to complete abandoned projects and begin new ones. That alone is enough reason to thank God.”
READ ALSO: Bayelsa Deputy Governor Begs Court To Stop Impeachment plot for Refusing to Defect
He said Bayelsa’s current peace and stability were blessings his administration would continue to protect.
‘Politics should unite, not divide’
Diri said politics should promote development, not division. He promised to keep policies that build unity and growth.
“Politics is for development, not for destroying your brother,” he said. “This gathering today shows the unity that exists in our state.”
Leaders commend Diri’s decision
Representing Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senior Policy Adviser Funkekeme Solomon said Bayelsa’s strength lies in unity and praised Diri for sustaining the thanksgiving tradition.
Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, hailed Diri’s defection as a strategic move to align Bayelsa with the federal government, warning against acts of disloyalty a veiled reference to Ewhrudjakpo’s insistence on staying with the PDP.
“The state cannot afford to remain in opposition while key development decisions are made at the centre,” Lokpobiri said.
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), called Diri “a godsend” to Bayelsa, noting his visible achievements. He prayed for divine wisdom to guide the governor’s leadership.
Keyamo welcomes Diri’s defection, says APC now dominant in South-South
Minister of Aviation and Space Development , Festus Keyamo, has also hailed the defection of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri describing it as the final piece in consolidating the party’s dominance in the South-South region.
Keyamo wrote in a post on X on Monday, while reacting to the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, welcome message to Diri.
“Finally, the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle in the S/South has moved into place! Officially, five of the six states of the South/South are now in APC, whilst the sixth has a leader and Minister in active, open support of Mr. President.
“From a position of absolute weakness in 2015, 2019 and 2023 to a position of absolute advantage and strength ahead of 2027! Welcome home, Governor Duoye Diri!,” Keyamo wrote.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
