Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant realignment in the state’s political landscape.
Diri’s formal defection took place on Thursday, October 17, 2025, during a colourful ceremony at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa, where he was received into the APC fold by the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.
Also present were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC governors led by Hope Uzodinma of Imo, and other top party chieftains.
Tinubu, Shettima Praise Diri’s Decision
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Shettima, described Diri’s defection as a moment of national renewal, hailing him for choosing “the harder right over the easier wrong.”
“Governor Diri, this is not a ceremony of convenience but a celebration of conviction,” Shettima said.
“You have shown that Bayelsa has chosen the light of integration over the shadows of isolation. The APC welcomes you home.”
He praised the governor’s infrastructural strides, including the Sagbama–Ekeremor Highway and the Yenagoa–Oporoma Bridge, noting that his developmental efforts reflect the progressive spirit of the ruling party.
“From classrooms to clinics, you’ve shown that governance is about impact, not noise,” Shettima added.
APC National Chairman: ‘The Fishermen Have Spoken’
In his remarks, APC National Chairman Prof. Yilwatda lauded Diri’s move as a bold step and declared him the new leader of the party in Bayelsa State.
“The fishermen have spoken. The farmers have spoken. The Ijaw Nation has spoken. Today, Bayelsa State is APC,” he said.
“We hand you the APC flag as the leader of our party in the state. With this, we expect to sweep all votes to APC in 2027.”
Diri: ‘I Joined APC for Bayelsa’s Progress’
Addressing the crowd, Governor Diri explained that his decision followed months of internal crisis within the PDP and consultations with stakeholders across Bayelsa and beyond.
“The unity and purpose that once sustained the PDP have eroded,” he said.
“After careful consideration, I have joined the APC to align Bayelsa with the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu and to accelerate development in our state.”
He commended President Tinubu’s leadership and commitment to national integration, particularly citing the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road project, which he said would boost Bayelsa’s connectivity and economy.
“President Tinubu has been a steadfast supporter of the Ijaw people,” Diri said. “Under his leadership, Bayelsa stands to gain from improved infrastructure and inclusive governance.”
Massive Political Implications
Diri’s defection — less than two years before the 2027 general elections — is expected to reshape the political dynamics in the Niger Delta, where the PDP has traditionally held strong influence.
His move also strengthens the APC’s presence in the South-South, signaling a broader realignment ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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