Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deepening the opposition party’s crisis and sparking another wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
His resignation came barely 24 hours after Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a ceremony attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Diri, who chaired the PDP’s zoning committee ahead of next month’s national convention, announced his decision to quit the party during a press briefing in Yenagoa. Although he did not publicly disclose his next political move, reliable sources confirmed he is heading to the APC.
“After extensive consultation, today, the 15th day of October 2025, I wish to formally notify you that in keeping with the extant protocols, I, Governor Douye Diri, do hereby resign my membership of the PDP,” Diri stated.
He was accompanied by the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and several members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, all of whom also tendered their resignation from the PDP.
However, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was notably absent at the announcement, fueling speculation that he is undecided about following his principal into the ruling party.
The move has received open support from key APC figures, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who praised Diri’s decision as “bold, patriotic, and strategic.” Lokpobiri encouraged Diri to complete his defection by formally joining the APC, arguing that it would “align Bayelsa with the Federal Government’s development agenda.”
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike also lauded Diri’s resignation, saying recent defections vindicated his earlier claims about the PDP’s internal dysfunction. Wike credited President Bola Tinubu for his decisive leadership, noting that “every state now has funds not only to pay salaries but to execute meaningful projects.”
In contrast, former Bayelsa Governor Senator Seriake Dickson condemned Diri’s action, calling it “ridiculous.” Dickson warned that the spate of defections to the APC could undermine Nigeria’s democratic balance, stressing that “a democracy without opposition becomes a dictatorship.”
He added that Diri had consulted him several times before resigning but that he found no compelling reason for a second-term governor to dump his party.
Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party leader Peter Obi also weighed in, dismissing talk of any political party “capturing” the Southeast or other regions. Obi maintained that “the people will decide where to go, not governors or senators.”
Bayelsa PDP Chairman Solomon Agwana, meanwhile, said the party would not challenge Diri’s resignation in court, explaining that his reasons for leaving remained unclear.
Adding to the growing list of defectors, former Bayelsa East Senator Ben Murray-Bruce also announced his exit from the PDP to join the APC. He cited President Tinubu’s leadership as “focused on results, not applause,” commending ongoing economic and governance reforms despite current hardships.
Murray-Bruce said, “I am joining the APC not for politics, but for progress. I believe Tinubu’s leadership will deliver the Nigeria we dream of. I choose to stand with reform and the future.”
Former Senator Shehu Sani reacted to the wave of defections on X (formerly Twitter), stating that those leaving PDP for APC are following a familiar political path, noting humorously that “the defectors only divorced the wife you once divorced.”
The resignation of Governor Diri marks another significant blow to the PDP, which has been battling internal divisions and defections in several states. Political observers say the ongoing realignments could reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of the next general elections.
According to a 9am News report, several top PDP leaders are expected to make similar moves in the coming weeks as the ruling APC intensifies efforts to consolidate its hold across states in preparation for 2027.
