Yenagoa — The political landscape in Bayelsa State took a dramatic turn on Monday as Governor Douye Diri formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, charging him to deliver overwhelming votes for President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a packed reception in Yenagoa, Yilwatda presented Diri with the APC flag and broom — the party’s symbol — describing the governor’s defection as a “decisive victory for progressive politics in the South-South.”

“Take this broom as a symbol of authority and unity. Sweep out the PDP and ensure all votes are swept into the APC in 2027. We must secure a strong percentage of votes in Bayelsa,” Yilwatda declared to loud cheers from party faithful.

The APC chairman described Bayelsa as a critical state for the party and announced that Diri would now serve as the leader of the APC in the state, responsible for expanding its influence and structure.

“Today, Bayelsa State is APC. Governor Diri is now the leader of our party in the state. The National Working Committee will liaise with him on all Bayelsa matters, and I will hold him responsible for the APC’s progress there,” he added.

The high-profile event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and several governors including Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) — signaling strong national backing for the governor’s defection.

Governor Diri’s transition marks a major political shift in Bayelsa, long seen as a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He had resigned from the PDP on October 15, 2025, following what he described as “extensive consultations.”

“After extensive consultations, today, 15 October 2025, I wish to notify you that, in keeping with the extant protocols, I, Governor Douye Diri, do hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party,” Diri announced at the Executive Council Chamber in Yenagoa.

He later confirmed that all local government chairmen and 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Abraham Ngobere, would move with him to the APC.

Diri’s defection comes amid an exodus of key opposition figures from the PDP to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections. So far, four sitting governors — Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), and Peter Mbah (Enugu) — have dumped the PDP this year.

Meanwhile, the PDP remains engulfed in internal strife, with multiple suspensions and counter-suspensions among top national officers, further weakening the opposition’s footing.

Political analysts say Diri’s defection could reshape electoral dynamics in the Niger Delta, where the APC is now positioning itself to challenge the PDP’s long-standing dominance ahead of 2027.

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