…pledges to deliver 99.9% votes for Pres.Tinubu 

By Sodiq Adelakun

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has given reasons for his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Monday, Diri declared thay his decision was driven by the need to align Bayelsa’s interests with the centre for accelerated development.

The governor made the announcement at a ceremonial event held at the State House in Yenagoa on Saturday, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, senior APC chieftains, and traditional rulers.

The Governor also pledged to deliver 99.9% of votes in the state for President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In his address, Diri said his defection was not a betrayal of loyalty but a bold decision to position Bayelsa for growth.

He said: “This is not about party politics or personal ambition. It is about ensuring that Bayelsa is not left behind in the new political alignment shaping Nigeria’s future.”

“I am joining hands with President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to bring development to our people. The time for division is over. Bayelsa must move forward.”

Speaking at the event, Vice President Shettima described Diri’s decision as a “homecoming” for peace and national cohesion, praising the governor’s courage to put state interest above partisan sentiment.

In his words: “Governor Diri has shown leadership. His decision reflects the maturity we need in our democracy one that prioritises national unity over political rivalry.”

“Bayelsa has just opened a new chapter of cooperation with the federal government. This is not defection; it is integration.”

The Vice President assured Diri of full collaboration from the Tinubu administration, adding that the move would fast-track federal projects in the Niger Delta region.

Thousands of supporters of the APC and Diri, from eight local government areas, were dressed in white t-shirts and colourful attires.

Other supporters were seen signing and drumming along some major streets of the state capital.

Other APC leaders, including National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, hailed Diri’s defection as “strategic” and “long overdue.”

They described the development as a turning point for the South-South, where the ruling party is seeking stronger political footing.

Diri’s defection marks a major shift in Bayelsa’s political landscape, where the PDP had held sway since the return of democracy in 1999.

Reacting to the news of Diri’s defection,

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo described the defection of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a strategic political victory ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement shared on his official X handle on Monday, Keyamo said Diri’s entry into the APC has completed the party’s consolidation in the South-South region, transforming what was once a zone of political weakness into one of strength and dominance.

“With Governor Diri’s arrival, five of the six South-South states are now under APC control. The remaining state has its key political leader and minister openly aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Keyamo stated.

He added that the move represents a turning point for the APC, which had previously struggled to gain solid ground in the oil-rich region during the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections.

“This is a complete shift from a position of weakness to one of absolute advantage and strength. Welcome home, Governor Douye Diri!”he added.