By Amgbare Amgbare, Yenagoa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a “bold and right decision” that reflects true statesmanship and prioritizes Nigeria’s unity and development over partisan interests.
Diri’s defection, officially announced on October 15, 2025, was formally celebrated on Monday at a grand reception held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu at the event, conveyed the president’s message of solidarity and optimism for Bayelsa’s political and economic future.
“This is a reinventing moment for Nigerian politics,” Shettima quoted the president as saying. “Governor Diri’s homecoming reflects a deep commitment to progress and national unity. His decision demonstrates courage and foresight in aligning with the Renewed Hope vision for a greater Nigeria.”
Tinubu commended Governor Diri for his ongoing infrastructure strides in Bayelsa State, particularly in road expansion and bridge construction, and assured him of continued federal partnership. “Your efforts in improving connectivity and local development complement our administration’s broader agenda for inclusive growth,” the president noted.
Addressing the jubilant crowd, Governor Diri explained that his defection came after “deep reflection and consultation” with Ijaw elders and key stakeholders. “I made every effort to reform the PDP, but the party was hijacked by undertakers determined to bury it,” he said. “I could not allow Bayelsa to sink with a failing vessel. My loyalty is to the people, not to a political platform that has lost direction.”
Diri expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his responsiveness to Bayelsa’s needs, highlighting major federal commitments, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the second phase of the Nembe-Brass Road, and a ₦4 billion tax waiver for a 60-megawatt gas turbine project. “These actions show that the APC-led government values partnership and progress,” he added.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, officiated the formal induction, presenting the party flag and symbolic broom to the governor. “Bayelsa has spoken with one voice—we are now APC,” Yilwatda declared to thunderous applause. He urged Governor Diri to consolidate the party’s new strength in the South-South region and mobilize support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Political analysts have described Diri’s defection as a major boost for the APC’s growing influence in the South-South geopolitical zone, traditionally dominated by the PDP. The move, they say, could reshape political alignments ahead of the next general elections.
Governor Diri’s entry into the APC marks a significant shift in Bayelsa’s political landscape and signals renewed momentum for the ruling party as it seeks to deepen its reach across Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta.
