By John Umeh
Bayelsa State’s political atmosphere remains tense as Governor Douye Diri’s much-anticipated defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) faces delays, following unresolved internal disputes among the party’s power brokers, including former Governor Timipre Sylva and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri.
Sources close to both political camps confirmed that Governor Diri’s move to the APC—initially expected to be formalized this week—has been stalled due to ongoing negotiations over control of the party’s structure and leadership positions in the state.
The governor, who recently resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has reportedly been under pressure from both sides of the APC divide. While Sylva’s loyalists seek to retain control of the state chapter, Lokpobiri’s faction is pushing for an internal reorganization before Diri’s formal entry.
Behind the Curtain: A Battle for Control
According to insiders, discussions between Diri’s camp and the APC leadership in Abuja have reached an advanced stage, but Bayelsa’s internal divisions remain a stumbling block.
“Governor Diri’s defection is almost done, but the challenge is not at the national level—it’s within Bayelsa itself. Sylva and Lokpobiri both want assurances that their influence will not be diminished once Diri joins,” a top APC official told The Vanguard in confidence.
The leadership tussle reportedly centers around who will control the restructured state executive committee once Diri crosses over. Party sources hinted that the APC’s national leadership may dissolve the existing executive and appoint a caretaker committee to facilitate a “soft landing” for the governor.
Mixed Reactions Trail Diri’s Exit from PDP
The PDP has described Diri’s resignation as a “betrayal of trust,” accusing the governor of abandoning the platform that brought him to power. A former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Mark Jacob, argued that Diri’s governorship “no longer holds legitimacy” since his mandate was obtained on the PDP’s platform.
“Without the PDP, there would have been no Governor Diri. His resignation raises constitutional and moral questions about his continued stay in office,” Jacob said during a television interview.
Meanwhile, Diri’s aides have refused to confirm or deny the governor’s next political move. His Director of New Media, Dr. Kolawole Oredipe, maintained that recent meetings between Diri and former President Goodluck Jonathan were “strictly ceremonial” and not politically motivated.
“The governor has always maintained a cordial relationship with former President Jonathan. Their recent engagements were personal and in no way connected to any political defection plan,” Oredipe stated.
APC Remains Cautiously Optimistic
Despite internal disagreements, APC leaders at the national level appear open to receiving the Bayelsa governor into their fold. The party’s Deputy Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, said the APC would welcome Diri “with open arms” once he makes his decision public.
“The APC is a broad family. Anyone who shares our vision and supports the leadership of President Tinubu is welcome. Political negotiation is part of democracy, and no one should see it as division,” Duru said.
Similarly, APC Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, confirmed that discussions with Diri were ongoing but hinted that internal disagreements involving the governor’s deputy and Jonathan’s loyalists were delaying his formal declaration.
“The defection process is already concluded, but he’s been held back by unresolved issues within his team. Once those are sorted, he will officially join the APC,” Arodiogbu disclosed.
Bayelsa Waits for Diri’s Next Move
The political atmosphere in Yenagoa remains charged as residents and party loyalists await the governor’s next step. While some see his planned defection as a strategic alliance aimed at securing political stability and access to federal support, others fear it may ignite fresh rivalries in a state already known for its factional politics.
For now, all eyes remain on Governor Douye Diri — whether he will defy internal resistance to complete his crossover to the APC or choose to delay his political realignment in hopes of a more favorable deal.
Either way, Bayelsa’s political future appears poised for yet another dramatic twist in the coming days.
