Politics
BAYELSA STATE GOVERNOR DIRI EXITS PDP, FORMALLY JOINS APC IN GRAND CEREMONY.
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
3- NOV -2025
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has officially announced his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and aligned himself with the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant political shift in the region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The event took place in Yenagoa on Monday, where Vice President Kashim Shettima led an influential APC delegation to welcome Governor Diri into the ruling party. Also in attendance were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, along with Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom).
Addressing the crowd, Governor Diri stated that he and other party leaders made substantial efforts to revive the PDP but were met with persistent internal crises. He explained that the party had become overwhelmed by individuals he described as “undertakers,” determined to see its demise.
In his words, “We did everything possible to rescue the PDP, but it became evident that some people were more interested in burying it. I could not stand by and allow Bayelsa State to go down with the party. After wide consultations with leaders and stakeholders, I made the decision to move forward.”
The reception ceremony drew a massive turnout of supporters carrying APC flags and chanting slogans in solidarity, signaling a major political realignment in the Niger Delta.
Governor Diri had earlier announced his resignation from the PDP on October 15 during a meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa. At that time, he cited “obvious reasons” for his decision but did not immediately disclose his next political destination. He did, however, confirm that all local government chairmen in Bayelsa would move with him.
His defection was quickly endorsed by 23 out of the 24 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Abraham Ngobere. Ten lawmakers were physically present when the announcement was made. The Assembly currently consists of 20 PDP members, three APC members, and one from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Diri’s move adds to the growing list of prominent PDP figures leaving the opposition. In 2025 alone, four PDP governors — Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), and Peter Mbah (Enugu) — have defected to the APC, intensifying the political pressure on the party.
This defection comes amid escalating turmoil within the PDP national leadership. In recent days, National Chairman Umar Damagum and the National Working Committee suspended some key officials, including National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature. In retaliation, the Anyanwu-led faction suspended Damagum and other NWC members.
By Monday, acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed led Samuel Anyanwu’s faction to resume at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, while Damagum and his loyalists stayed away, deepening the division within the party.
With Diri’s defection to the APC, political analysts predict heightened political activity in the South-South ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the ruling party continues to expand its influence while the PDP battles for survival amidst internal fragmentation.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
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