Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state in a move that signals a major shift in the state’s political landscape.

This followed his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15, 2025.

Diri, at a colourful ceremony held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, was received into APC fold by the party national chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, APC governors led Hope Uzodinma of Imo and other party chieftains from across the federation.

Speaking at the event, President Bola Tinubu represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima lauded the Bayelsa governor for identifying with the APC led Federal Government.

He said: “There are moments in the life of a nation where politics transcends partisanship when the call to service outweighs the colours of our sentiments and when leaders answers to something greater than their affiliation.. Today is one of those redemptive moments in the political history of our nation.

“Governor Diri, this gathering is a home coming party for you, we are here not mere ceremony of convenience but a celebration of your conviction. Yours is a story of a leader who has chosen the harder right over the easier wrong..Today you have shown us that Bayelsa has chosen the light of integration over the shadows of isolation.

“The APC the party of those who believed that progress can only be guaranteed when we stand together, when we answer the call of our people.

“Politics is about development, politics is beyond making noise, politics is beyond being in opposition. Governor Diri, we are proud of you, you have made the right decision, you have led with calm dignity, but beneath that calm has brought your commitment to development, unity and progress .

You have expanded roads to remote communities and assured them that they are not forgotten. You have built bridges where they are barriers, you have built hope where there was darkness and this is what its means to govern with empathy.

“From the Sagbama/Ekeremor highway to the Yenagoa/Oporoma Bridge, you have connected lives. From classrooms to clinics, you have proven that good governance is not about noise, but about impact.

“You are now part of the progressive family, a family that thinks and acts together. So we welcome you into this board to watch and support you as champions.You have already been one.

From the health reforms that give hope to the sick, to the schools that are openly gates of opportunity to thousands of Ijaw children, we are here to restore the confidence and dignity of those who have lost faith in government.

“President Bola Tinubu has shown as time and again that politics is not war. It is the art of building bridges across rivers of difference. And so, no one understands this metaphor more profoundly than a son of the creeks, who has built literal and political bridges across the waters of the Niger Delta.

“This is for us a political reunion with a progressive mind. You have always been a progressive. And here, in the presence of the number three citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have a simple message for you from the President and from the Chairman. As for the APC Constitution, the Governor is the leader of the party in the state. What binds us together supersedes whatever that divides us. We are one party with a common destiny. And here in this gathering.”

Also speaking, national chairman of the APC, Professor Ntawe Yolwada thanked the governor and the people of Bayelsa for the bold move.

His words, “I want thank the people of Bayelsa State for taking this decision. Let me thank the people of Bayelsa for making a u turn in the right direction. The fishermen have spoken. The farmers have spoken. Ijaw Nation has spoken. The South South has spoken.

“The traders and workers have spoken in one voice that we are now APC. On behalf of the national working committee and millions of APC supporters across the country and the well wishes of the country across the world, we welcome the Governor of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri’ to our big family where there are enough mansions to accommodate everybody.

“Today Bayelsa State is APC. Bayelsa State is too critical for us to leave it to be disrupted.
We saw everything good you are in Bayelsa. We welcome you to the APC family.

“Today I give you the flag of APC as the leader of the party in bayelsa state. Anything concerning Bayelsa State the national working committee will contact Diri and we hold him responsible for anything concerning APC in the state. Today you take over as the leader of our party in the state.”

He added: “With this flag we want you to sweep out PDP and sweep all the votes to APC in 2027. We must have 100 per cent vote in Bayelsa.”

Responding, Governor Douye Diri said his decision to defect to APC was as a result of the crisis rocking the PDP and the leadership acumen of President Bola Tinubu

His words: “Fellow Bayelsans and dear citizens, on 15 October 2025, after much public speculation and debate, I announced my resignation of membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in accordance with the relevant protocols. Today I will explain that decision and speak about the future of our state.

“Nearly six years ago, by your kind choice and by divine providence, I was elected Governor of Bayelsa State on the PDP platform, and you honoured me with a second term. I thank Bayelsans for the privilege of serving you.

“Over time, the unity and common purpose that once sustained the party eroded. Despite our best efforts to reform and restore it, the internal dynamics made meaningful renewal increasingly difficult. That point is well documented.

“After wide consultations and careful consideration, we have today formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). This was a strategic, collaborative decision. While the justification for this decision may not be immediately apparent to some, you have my assurance that it was taken in the best interests of our people and for the accelerated development of the state.

“I wish to express my profound gratitude to the national leadership and membership of the APC across all strata of the party for warmly welcoming us into the fold. Your hospitality has been truly remarkable, and we are delighted to be part of this great family.

“Rest assured, we will work collaboratively with existing organs to strengthen the party for the serious work ahead, leveraging our collective strengths and goodwill to drive the party’s growth and success. Together, we can achieve important goals and take our party to greater heights.

“I am grateful for the leadership and accommodation of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am convinced that the fiscal and policy restructuring underway and the renewed focus on infrastructure and service delivery offer opportunities for the collective benefit of Nigerians. I pledge to continue to work constructively with the federal government and support President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

“There is a biblical verse about a friend who sticks closer than a brother. President Tinubu has shown himself a steadfast supporter of the Ijaw people and a friend to Bayelsa State. Permit me to give a few concrete examples.

“One of the Ijaw Nation’s cherished long‑standing demands is a coastal road. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project is moving from desire to reality, and Bayelsa stands to gain from improved connectivity and economic opportunity.”