Ahead of his formal reception into the All Progressives Congress on Monday, November 3, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his decision to quit the Peoples Democratic Party was in the best interest of the state.

Diri, who spoke on Sunday during the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene, Yenagoa, said someone had to make the decision, and that he did so on behalf of Bayelsans.

It was the first time he spoke publicly about the issue after resigning from the PDP on October 15, 2025.

He explained that although some people might not understand his decision to join the ruling party, time would reveal that his reasons were altruistic.

The governor expressed delight over the gathering of different political leaders at the Thanksgiving service, stressing that the unity of Bayelsa was crucial for its development.

He noted that politics should be about development and not destruction, adding that his administration would continue to foster unity and growth in the state.

Diri also said that the prevailing peace, security, and ongoing development efforts were reasons to be grateful to God; he urged the people to imbibe a culture of thanksgiving.

“Somebody had to make the decision, and I took it on behalf of the state. I took it in the best interest of Bayelsa. Some of you might not understand now, but later it will be clear to all.

“When we came in as a government, what we did at the beginning was to ensure that most of the uncompleted projects were completed, and we introduced new ones. That alone is enough reason to thank God.

“The peace and security we are enjoying is another reason to thank God. Politics is for development, not to kill your brother. The gathering here is a testimony of the unity in the state”, he said.

Also speaking, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Senior Policy Adviser, Funkekeme Solomon, said Bayelsa’s strength lay in the unity of its people, urging continued support for the Diri administration.

Oborevwori commended the state for sustaining the culture of thanksgiving, saying it is an attitude that attracts God’s blessings.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who attended the annual thanksgiving for the first time, described Diri as a “unifier.”

Lokpobiri said, “The governor’s recent political move was timely, noting that the state could no longer afford to remain in opposition when key developmental decisions were being made at the national level.”

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described Diri as a “God-sent” to the state, citing his visible developmental strides, and prayed for divine wisdom to continue guiding him.

Delivering a sermon titled “Reasons Why We Should Thank God,” the General Overseer of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, said thanksgiving was essential because God is always present in times of need and never forsakes His children.

Okonkwo assured the people that as long as they made God their Alpha and Omega, victory and blessings were guaranteed.

In their goodwill messages, Senator Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, Chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Council and former Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd.), and President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, all commended Diri’s development efforts and emphasised the importance of unity in the state.

Dignitaries present at the well-attended event included the governor’s wives, Dr. Gloria Diri and Justice Patience Ama-Diri; Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajia Fatima Tajudeen-Abbas; and Senators Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) and Sunday Katung (Kaduna South).

Others were members of the House of Representatives from the state — Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency) and Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency) — as well as Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, former Governor of old Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, wife of Bayelsa’s first civilian governor, Mrs Margaret Alamieyeseigha, former Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, and the 2019 Bayelsa APC governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon.

Also in attendance were the Managing Director of the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, Chief Ebitimi Amgbare; renowned cleric, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey; several ministers of God; captains of industry; traditional rulers; and top government officials.

Popular gospel artiste Asu Ekiye ministered at the event.