Bayelsa’s political landscape, Governor Douye Diri on Wednesday formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Diri’s departure, which comes after weeks of mounting speculation, was confirmed by his spokesperson, Daniel Alabara, who disclosed that 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly also left the PDP to join the governor in his new political alignment.
The development marks the end of a sustained rumour cycle in the state’s political arena, as the governor’s relationship with PDP leadership had reportedly grown strained over key policy disagreements and the party’s internal crisis.
According to sources close to the government, Diri’s move to the APC is rooted in his desire to foster closer cooperation between Bayelsa and the federal government, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, oil sector reform, and regional security.
“Governor Diri believes Bayelsa must align with the centre to attract meaningful projects and investment,” an aide said, adding that the decision followed consultations with top Bayelsa stakeholders and traditional leaders.
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Political analysts view the defection as a strategic calculation ahead of the next election cycle, as it strengthens the APC’s influence in the South-South region and signals a major setback for the PDP in one of its traditional strongholds.
Diri’s defection mirrors recent shifts by other governors across Nigeria who have switched parties for political and developmental alignment with the federal government.
Just last week, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah also left the PDP for the APC, citing similar reasons of partnership and policy continuity.
While the PDP has yet to issue an official statement on the governor’s exit, insiders suggest that the party leadership is holding emergency consultations to prevent further high-profile defections in the region.
Observers note that Diri’s move could recalibrate Bayelsa’s power balance and further consolidate the APC’s growing hold in the South-South, an area once dominated by the PDP since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
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