Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on Thursday welcomed Dr. Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, brother of the late Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo into the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside political leaders from Ofoni community in Sagbama Local Government Area.
At the event in Yenagoa, Dr. Ewhrudjakpo said the decision to join the APC was collectively taken by stakeholders and leaders of Ofoni after wide consultations aimed at aligning the community with the current political direction of the state.
He explained that although a few members of the community had chosen to remain outside the party for now, they were expected to join the APC in due course.
According to him, the community resolved to support the administration of Governor Diri, whom he described as generous and supportive to the people of Ofoni.
“As you have received us, we assure you of our total and unflinching support. We will work with you until your administration comes to an end,” he said.
Receiving the defectors on behalf of the governor, the Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, commended Ewhrudjakpo and his kinsmen for what he described as a bold political decision.
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Dr. Akpe assured the new members that the APC in Bayelsa State operates an inclusive system where all members are treated fairly and without discrimination.
He also called on other political stakeholders across the state who were yet to align with the party to do so, stressing that the APC remains strong and well positioned to win future elections.
Until his death on December 11, 2025, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo remained a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), even after Governor Diri had earlier defected to the APC.
The defection of his immediate elder brother and other political stakeholders from Ofoni community came as a shock to many political observers in the state.