BAYELSA GOV. DIRI BECOMES FOURTH PDP GOVERNOR TO DEFECT TO RULING APC AMID OPPOSITION CRISIS

By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi November 3, 2025
adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), becoming the fourth PDP governor to join President Bola Tinubu’s party this year in a move he described as being in the “overall interest” of his state.

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The defection was formalized on Monday at a low-key ceremony in Yenagoa, attended by APC national leaders and governors. Diri, who resigned his PDP membership on October 15, cited alignment with federal policies for development and stability as key reasons, insisting the decision followed “selfless intentions” despite initial confusion.

“Some people may not immediately understand this move, but time will prove it was for Bayelsa’s progress,” Diri said during the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day event on Sunday, where he first publicly addressed the switch. He emphasized continued dividends of democracy, peace, and security under his administration.

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Sources confirmed Diri’s entry was sealed after discreet negotiations with APC figures, including a planned reception by President Tinubu. The move weakens PDP further, with Diri joining Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State, April 2025), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State, June 2025) and Peter Mbah (Enugu State, October 14, 2025).

Not all followed suit. Three Bayelsa House of Assembly members Godbless Oyinke, Ted Elemeforo, and Wisdom Fafi along with PDP state leaders, refused to defect, citing the party’s strong structure. State Publicity Secretary Ebiye Ogoli told reporters: “We are not leaving with the governor; he’s in his second term and won’t contest again.”

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Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who stayed in PDP, sued the Assembly, Speaker Abraham Ingobere, and others in Abuja’s Federal High Court to block an alleged impeachment plot over his loyalty.

Bayelsa APC Chairman Amakor Moro described the influx as a “homecoming,” predicting more opposition collapses. Petroleum Minister Heineken Lokpobiri called Diri a “unifier” whose timing was “strategic,” urging Bayelsans to unite for federal benefits. Delta Governor Oborevwori’s aide echoed calls for harmony.

APC chieftain Dr. George Agbakahi attributed the defections to Tinubu’s “sterling performance” and PDP’s “crumbling,” dismissing ideology claims.

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PDP national leaders have not commented, but the party faces a 2027 election crunch with its structure eroding in key states.

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