Minister of Aviation and Space Development, Festus Keyamo, has described Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress as a defining moment for the ruling party in the South-South.
Reacting to the development in a post on X on Monday, November 3, Keyamo said Diri’s move had completed the APC’s dominance in the region and strengthened its position ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Finally, the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle in the S/South has moved into place! Officially, five of the six states of the South/South are now in APC, whilst the sixth has a leader and Minister in active, open support of Mr. President,” he wrote.
He added, “From a position of absolute weakness in 2015, 2019 and 2023 to a position of absolute advantage and strength ahead of 2027! Welcome home, Governor Duoye Diri!”
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The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, also confirmed Diri’s entry into the party in a brief post on X, saying, “The Broom Revolution. Welcome to our family and party, Governor Douye Diri.”
Diri, who officially resigned from the PDP on October 15 citing “obvious reasons,” said his decision was made in the collective interest of the people of Bayelsa.
Speaking at the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day held at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene, Yenagoa, on Sunday, the governor said, “Someone had to make the move and I did so on behalf of Bayelsans.
“Although some people might not immediately understand my decision to join the ruling party, time will reveal that it was driven by altruistic motives,” he added.
Keyamo’s statement underscored the strategic importance of Diri’s defection, positioning the APC as a dominant political force in the South-South ahead of the 2027 elections.