A major political shake-up hit Bayelsa State on Monday as Governor Douye Diri officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The dramatic move was confirmed during a high-profile event in Yenagoa, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and several APC governors who gathered to welcome Diri into the party.
Speaking at the event, Shettima described Diri’s defection as “a bold and patriotic decision,” adding that it reflected the governor’s commitment to aligning Bayelsa with the federal government’s development agenda.
Akpabio, in his remarks, said the governor’s entry into the APC marked “a new dawn for the Niger Delta,” assuring that the ruling party would work with Diri to deepen infrastructural and economic growth in the state.
Governor Diri, who was visibly emotional while addressing supporters, said his decision was guided by Bayelsa’s best interests, not personal ambition.
“This is about progress and partnership,” he stated. “Bayelsa cannot afford to remain isolated from the centre; we must be part of Nigeria’s growth story.”
Party loyalists and political observers have described the defection as one of the most significant in recent years, with potential ripple effects across the South-South geopolitical zone.
Meanwhile, PDP officials in Bayelsa have expressed surprise and disappointment over Diri’s decision, vowing to reorganize the party’s structure in preparation for upcoming elections.
Analysts say the development could reshape Bayelsa’s political landscape, strengthening the APC’s presence in a state previously considered a stronghold of the opposition.
