Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking one of the most significant political defections ahead of the 2027 general election.
Vice President Kashim Shettima led a powerful APC delegation to Yenagoa on Monday, November 3, to formally welcome Diri into the ruling party.
Those present at the event included Senate President Godswill Akpabio and governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom).
Addressing the crowd, Diri said his decision was inevitable after watching the PDP crumble despite efforts to rescue it.
He said, “We tried all we could to save the PDP but to no avail. Undertakers were very busy burying the PDP.
“After seeing that the undertakers wanted to bury the PDP, I never wanted my state to be buried alongside with PDP.
“So, knowing what was going on, after all my consultations with all the leaders, it was incumbent on me as governor to make a decision.”
The defection ceremony drew a massive crowd of supporters waving APC flags and chanting party slogans in celebration of the governor’s move.
Diri’s switch to the ruling party adds to a growing list of PDP governors who have defected in recent months, including Oborevwori of Delta, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, and Peter Mbah of Enugu.
The Bayelsa governor had earlier announced his resignation from the PDP on October 15 during a meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa, citing “obvious reasons” for his decision.
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“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,” he stated.
He added that all local government chairmen in Bayelsa would be joining him in the defection.
The move has already gained widespread support, with 23 of the 24 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly endorsing the governor’s decision.
Ten lawmakers were present at the official announcement. The Assembly currently has 20 PDP members, three from the APC, and one from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Meanwhile, the PDP continues to struggle with internal leadership battles at the national level. Over the weekend, National Chairman Umar Damagum suspended several top party officials, including National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature.
In a swift response, the Anyanwu-led faction announced the suspension of Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and others.
By Monday, acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed led Anyanwu’s loyalists back to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, while Damagum’s camp stayed away.