By John Umeh
In what many observers describe as one of the most dramatic political realignments in recent years, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection, which followed Diri’s resignation from the PDP on October 15, 2025, was officially sealed at a grand ceremony held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. The event drew key figures from the APC, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and governors from across the federation led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Shettima commended Governor Diri for what he called a “courageous act of political maturity” and described the move as a defining moment in the country’s democratic journey.
“There are moments in the life of a nation when politics transcends partisanship—when leaders rise above divisions to serve a higher purpose. Today is one of such moments,” Shettima declared.
“Governor Diri, your defection to the APC is not just a political shift; it is a return home. You have chosen the light of integration over the shadows of isolation. You have shown leadership built on conviction, courage, and compassion.”
Shettima praised Diri’s record of infrastructural development and inclusive governance in Bayelsa, citing projects such as the Sagbama–Ekeremor Highway and the Yenagoa–Oporoma Bridge as evidence of his “progressive spirit.”
“You have connected communities, built bridges where there were barriers, and given hope to those once forgotten. This is what true governance looks like—development beyond rhetoric,” Shettima said.
He further noted that under President Tinubu, politics has evolved into a “bridge-building enterprise,” emphasizing collaboration over conflict.
“President Tinubu believes politics is not war but the art of reconciliation. His doors remain open to every Nigerian committed to unity and development,” Shettima added.
APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, while handing the party’s flag to Diri, described the defection as “a homecoming for Bayelsa.”
“Today, Bayelsa has spoken with one voice. The fishermen, the farmers, the traders, and the workers—all have said we are APC,” Yilwatda declared to loud cheers from the crowd.
“Governor Diri, you are now the leader of the APC in Bayelsa State. The national working committee will rely on your leadership as we work toward total victory in 2027.”
He added that the APC’s “doors are wide open” and that the ruling party remains “a family big enough to accommodate all who believe in progress.”
In his remarks, Governor Diri said his decision to join the APC was driven by the internal crisis within the PDP and his conviction that the Tinubu administration represents a more pragmatic path toward national growth.
“After careful reflection and consultation, I concluded that our state’s future will be better served under the All Progressives Congress,” Diri explained.
“The unity and shared vision that once defined the PDP have eroded. Despite sincere efforts to restore it, meaningful reform proved unattainable. I have therefore chosen to join a movement that prioritizes national cohesion and tangible development.”
The governor expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the APC leadership for the warm reception and pledged to strengthen the party’s base in Bayelsa.
“I will work closely with party organs to advance the APC’s vision for development and inclusiveness,” Diri said. “President Tinubu’s commitment to restructuring, infrastructure, and service delivery has renewed my faith in the future of our nation.”
He particularly commended the president’s Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Project, noting that it holds great promise for the Niger Delta region.
“For decades, the Ijaw people have dreamed of a coastal highway. Under President Tinubu, that dream is finally taking shape. This is leadership that acts, not just promises,” he concluded.
The event ended with a symbolic handover of the APC flag to Diri, marking his formal assumption as the leader of the APC in Bayelsa State, amid thunderous applause and chants of solidarity from supporters.
