Governor Diri, 23 Lawmakers Quit PDP, May Head to APC
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), marking a major political shake-up in the state.
The governor announced his resignation on Wednesday during a meeting at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House in Yenagoa. While he did not reveal his next political destination, sources close to the development hinted that Diri and his allies may be gearing up to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
His decision has been strongly supported by 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, who have also tendered their resignations from the PDP.
The development comes barely 24 hours after Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, dumped the PDP for the APC — a move political observers say signals growing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The mass exit adds to a growing list of defections from opposition parties to the APC in recent weeks, as politicians across the country reposition themselves for the next electoral cycle.
Political analysts say Diri’s departure could significantly alter the political landscape in the Niger Delta region, where the PDP has maintained dominance since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
This major defection is expected to have immediate consequences for the PDP’s structure and morale, particularly at the state and zonal levels where Governor Diri wielded considerable influence. The loss of a sitting governor, the Speaker, and a vast majority of the State Assembly members effectively cripples the opposition party’s operational capacity and electoral machinery in Bayelsa State. Furthermore, the move is likely to intensify the battle for control of the South-South region between the two major parties, establishing the APC as a significantly stronger contender in a historically PDP stronghold.
The political implications of this mass exodus extend beyond Bayelsa’s borders, creating a ripple effect that could galvanize similar movements in neighboring South-South states currently governed by the PDP. For the All Progressives Congress, the potential acquisition of a sitting governor and a legislative majority in the oil-rich state is a massive boost, providing them with critical leverage and access to state resources ahead of the 2027 polls. This strategic realignment suggests a calculated move by Governor Diri to secure his political future, possibly in exchange for federal support or a more influential role within the national ruling party structure.
