Shock Resignation
The political landscape in Bayelsa State has been thrown into turmoil following the formal resignation of Governor Douye Diri from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP on Wednesday October 15 2025 This dramatic move which comes barely 24 hours after the Governor of Enugu State Peter Mbah also dumped the PDP has significantly weakened the opposition partys hold in the SouthSouth region .
While Governor Diri did not explicitly state that his next destination would be the ruling All Progressives Congress APC his decision which he attributed to obvious reasons after extensive consultations has been widely interpreted by political observers and stakeholders as a preemptive step to join the party at the centre This speculation is largely driven by the recent trend of opposition governors aligning with the APC .
Deputy Governors Position Remains Ambiguous
A significant point of contention and interest in the developing saga is the ambiguous position of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo He was conspicuously absent at the expanded State Executive Council meeting where Governor Diri made his formal announcement and was not mentioned in the governors statement regarding the defection .
Also Read : The $\text{£}30$ Million Question Did Tottenham Sell the Worlds Best Long-Range Shooter
The State Chairman of the PDP Mr Solomon Agwana while acknowledging Diris resignation stated that the party was yet to know the Governors next move However Agwana clarified a crucial constitutional point if the Deputy Governor does not follow the Governors lead he would automatically become the leader of the PDP in the state This legal and political reality places Senator Ewhrudjakpo at a pivotal junction capable of either aligning with his principals choice or becoming the new flagbearer for the beleaguered PDP in Bayelsa .
Strong Condemnation from Political Mentors
The perceived defection has attracted fierce criticism from key political figures in Bayelsa most notably from the governors predecessor and political mentor Senator Seriake Dickson who represents Bayelsa West Senator Dickson who openly acknowledged that Governor Diri had consulted him several times before his decision firmly distanced himself from the move and warned against the consequences for Nigerias democracy .
Dickson a staunch defender of the PDP described the wave of defections as unfortunate and misguided cautioning that moving to the APC would not solve the internal problems that have beset the opposition party He insisted on his continued loyalty to the PDP describing the defectors including his successor as contributors to the partys crisis who are now bailing out The former governor stressed the imperative of preserving a strong opposition to prevent the nation from slipping into a oneparty state which he equates to a dictatorship .
Reactions from APC and PDP Stakeholders
The news of Diris departure from the PDP and his expected move to the APC has elicited varied reactions across the political divide .
From the APC camp the reaction has been largely welcoming The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Oil Senator Heineken Lokpobiri commended the governor for jumping out of the sinking ship describing the action as a bold patriotic and strategic step toward Bayelsas greater integration with federal development efforts Other APC leaders in the state have also welcomed the move highlighting the potential for increased federal patronage and development in Bayelsa State .
Conversely some former PDP leaders like former Deputy National Chairman Chief Bode George described the defections as shameless and shambolic The Kano State PDP Chairman Yusif Ado Kibiya even welcomed Diris exit viewing it as a relief and predicting an eventual implosion of the APC due to an influx of defecting governors .
Conclusion A State on Edge
Governor Diris resignation from the PDP without formally announcing his new party signals a major political shift in Bayelsa a state historically dominated by the PDP The silence of the Deputy Governor Senator Ewhrudjakpo combined with the strong condemnation from Senator Dickson suggests a deepening crisis and a potential schism within the states ruling structure As Bayelsans await the clarification on the Deputy Governors fate and Diris ultimate political destination the focus remains on the implications of this political realignment for governance and the future of opposition politics in Nigeria .
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources Readers should crosscheck updates from official news outlets .