Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant turn in the state’s political landscape. The governor resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15, 2025, before formally joining the APC.
The defection ceremony took place at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, where Diri was welcomed into the APC by the party’s national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC governors led by Hope Uzodinma of Imo, and other party leaders from across Nigeria.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Shettima praised Diri for aligning with the APC-led federal government. He described the event as a “homecoming” and commended the governor for prioritizing development and unity over partisanship.
“Governor Diri’s leadership exemplifies the spirit of service beyond party lines. His commitment to connecting communities, building infrastructure, and improving social services demonstrates governance with empathy,” Shettima said. He highlighted projects such as the Sagbama/Ekeremor highway and the Yenagoa/Oporoma Bridge, noting their role in fostering integration and progress in Bayelsa.
APC national chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda also welcomed Diri, thanking Bayelsa residents for supporting the move. “Today, Bayelsa State is APC. We entrust Governor Diri with leading the party in the state and mobilizing support for a successful 2027 election,” he stated, presenting Diri with the APC flag as a symbol of his new role.
In his address, Governor Diri explained that internal crises within the PDP and the leadership style of President Tinubu influenced his decision to defect. “After careful consultations, we have joined the APC in the best interest of our people and for the accelerated development of Bayelsa State,” he said.
Diri emphasized his commitment to strengthening the party at the state level and supporting federal initiatives. He also highlighted the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project as a key example of federal infrastructure development that will benefit Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta region.
The governor concluded by reaffirming his pledge to collaborate with the APC and federal government, expressing optimism about opportunities for progress and unity under the party’s platform.
