Douye Diri Lists 15 Reasons Why He Left PDP

Bayelsa State witnessed one of its biggest political gatherings in years on November 3 as Governor Douye Diri formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

What began as speculation ended in a carnival-like rally that filled the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Ovom, Yenagoa, beyond capacity.

Supporters in white shirts, party flags and colourful attire poured in from all eight local government areas.

A light drizzle, which lasted from early morning until mid-afternoon, did little to stop the crowd. By 10 am, the 5,000-capacity arena had overflowed, forcing security operatives to halt entry to prevent a stampede.

Chants of “APC! APC!” echoed across the city. Drums rolled, banners fluttered, and for the first time in the state’s political history, APC flags stretched along Government House roads, marking the collapse of what had been a PDP stronghold since 1999.

APC’s gains in Bayelsa have been long and difficult. In 2019, David Lyon’s victory was annulled on the eve of inauguration. In 2023, Chief Timipre Sylva failed again at the polls.

But with Diri’s defection, the ruling party has finally secured the governorship, without a ballot cast.

As supporters filled Yenagoa, seven aircraft carrying VIPs landed at the state-owned airport in Amassoma. Their convoy of over 100 vehicles formed a long stretch into the city.

High-Profile Delegation Welcomes Diri

The presence of top-ranking politicians underscored the significance of the moment.

Those on the podium included:

• Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu

• Senate President Godswill Akpabio

• Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum

• Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (Kwara), Monday Okpebholo (Edo) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun)

• APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda

• Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri

• Senators Adams Oshiomhole, Ben Bruce, Benson Konbowei and Benson Agadaga

‘This Is Not Convenience, But Conviction’ – Shettima

Welcoming Diri, Shettima described the gathering as a political homecoming.

“We are not here for a ceremony of convenience but for a celebration of conviction,” he said.

“Bayelsa has chosen unity over division. Politics should be the art of building bridges across rivers of differences.”

His remarks framed the rally as more than a partisan gain—it was presented as a national call for alignment.

South-South Will Return Tinubu ‘Unopposed’ – Akpabio

Senate President Akpabio took the rhetoric up a notch.

“South-South is turning around. South-South is one. No division in 2027,” he declared, expressing confidence that President Tinubu would win the region without resistance in the next presidential election.

‘Nigerians Are Uniting for Tinubu’ — Uzodimma

Uzodimma, speaking for the Progressive Governors Forum, argued that Diri’s move reflected a national shift.

He said the defection aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding:
“This shows Nigerians are uniting under one purpose.”

Why I Left PDP – Diri Lists 15 Reasons

Governor Diri delivered a 23-point address explaining his decision, anchored on PDP’s internal collapse and President Tinubu’s support to Bayelsa.

He said the PDP had become a sinking ship: “We tried all we could to save the PDP but to no avail. Undertakers were very busy burying the PDP.”

According to him, staying in the party would have meant dragging Bayelsa down with it. “Somebody had to take the decision and I took it on behalf of the state,” he said.

Among the 15 reasons he listed were:

• Collapse of unity and purpose within
• PDP PDP “undertakers” bent on burying the party

• Concern that Bayelsa lawmakers would lose re-election platforms

• The near-total exodus of South-South PDP governors

• Tinubu’s support for major Ijaw and Bayelsa projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, Nembe– Brass Road, and Agge Deep Seaport

• Waivers for Bayelsa’s 60MW gas turbine importation

• Tinubu’s refusal to deploy “Federal might” against his re-election

• Assurance of a stable APC with no internal division

He added: “This defection is not a Bayelsa defection; it is the Ijaw nation defecting to the APC.”

Diri insisted he would lead the APC in Bayelsa with unity: “I am not a bossy type. I have come to unite us so we can produce a 99 percent result in 2027.”

Accompanying the governor were: 23 of 24 Bayelsa House of Assembly members, two sitting, senators, all local council chairmen, key political appointees.

The sweep indicates a near-total collapse of PDP’s structure in the state.

For the APC, this is a major breakthrough. Diri becomes the fourth PDP governor to defect this year, after those of Delta, Akwa Ibom and Enugu, signalling a deep erosion of PDP influence in the South-South.

For the PDP, the symbolism is damning. Bayelsa, home of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was one of its last strongholds.

Diri’s repeated reference to the party’s “undertakers” reflects his belief that the PDP’s internal wars have hollowed it out.