2027: Diri Officially Defects To APC, Gives Reasons For Dumping PDP

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri says, the near comatose situation of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), occasioned by some seemingly irreconcilable problems plaguing the Party, despite all efforts at resolving them and the sterling performance of President Bola Tinubu were the reasons for his defection from the PDP to the APC.

He said this on Monday in Yenagoa, the capital of the State at his formal defection and reception into the APC.

He noted that he did all within his reach to save the party from people he described as ‘undertakers’ whom he said have hijacked and destroyed the once coveted PDP to no avail, saying at such instance he had no choice but defecting to the ruling APC in order to the protect the political future of his followers in the state.

He said: “On October 15, I did something after consultation with elders and the State Assembly and afterwards resigned from the PDP for obvious reasons. This defection is not only for Bayelsa. It is for Ijaws in Ondo, Edo, Delta and Rivers.

‎”President Tinubu has also expressed love for development of our state and the Ijaw nation through the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road and a N4bn tax waiver granted the state when we procured the 60megawatt gas turbine.

“I’ll not denigrate my former party. We were happy with it until some undertakers destroyed it. We tried to salvage it but to no avail. I never wanted my state to be buried with the PDP. What was going on became incumbent on me to take a decision and majority of the state House of Assembly, including the Speaker, have come with me to the APC.

National Wire reports that the two incumbent Senators from the State, Konbowei Benson, Benson Agadaga and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere were also received into the APC.

In their separate remarks while receiving the defectors, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, governors and other leaders of the party, said with the flag handed over to Governor Diri, he is now the leader of the party in the state chapter.

The Vice President said: “Today, you’ve shown us that Bayelsa State has chosen the light of national integration over the shadows of political isolation. The All Progressives Congress is the party of those who believe that progress can only be guaranteed when we stand together, when we answer the call of the people. Your story mirrors that of your people. You have led with calm and dignity. But beneath that calm has flowed a restless comitment to development, to unity, and to peace. You have expanded roads to remote communities and assured them that they are not forgotten.

“You’ve built bridges where there were barriers. You have lit homes where there was darkness. This is what it means to govern with empathy. So, we welcome you into this fold to watch and support you as you champion what you have always done.

While Senate President God’swill Akpabio I his speech said: “The APC is happy to receive you, Governor Diri as demonstrated by the large turnout of top party members at this event. Thank you for steering the state on the path of peace. I congratulate you for taking the bold step in moving the affairs of the state in the direction of the party at the centre.

Speaking on behalf of the APC governors, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, said the Bayelsa governor has taken a progressive step by aligning with the renewed hope agenda of the President.

‎Others who were present at the event include the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Governors Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta State, Pastor Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo, Ahmed Ododo, Kogi, Monday Okpebolo, Edo, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Kwara, Peter Mba, Enugu, States.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, his counterpart in the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, Chief Ebitimi Amgbare among several leaders and chieftains of the party also graced the occasion.