Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, has declared that Bayelsa State no longer has a legitimate governor following Governor Douye Diri’s resignation from the party.
Wabara made the statement while reacting to Diri’s recent decision to quit the PDP and his claim of having no political affiliation at present.
The former Senate President said the governor’s action violated the Nigerian Constitution, stressing that Diri had forfeited the mandate given to him through the PDP.
He described the move as “unconstitutional” and insisted that the governor could no longer remain in office after abandoning the political platform that secured his election.
READ ALSO: Diri Should Vacate Office, Partyless Status Invalidates Tenure — Ex-PDP Legal Adviser
According to him, the Nigerian Constitution does not currently recognise independent candidacy, and as such, any elected official who leaves the party that produced him should also vacate the office.
Wabara said, “There is no government in Bayelsa State. There’s no democracy in Bayelsa State. Our constitution does not accommodate independent candidacy.
“For the Government to dump the party that brought him to power and claim that he is ‘partyless’ is unconstitutional. Staying alone without a platform is an impeachable offence.”
He further maintained that Diri’s resignation had effectively rendered the Bayelsa government illegitimate, urging relevant authorities to take appropriate action in line with constitutional provisions.