Gov. Diri: I don’t want Bayelsa to be buried with PDP as he joins APC
By: Ungbuku Olaitari
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in a high-profile ceremony held in Yenagoa, the state capital, declaring that he doesn’t want Bayelsa State to be buried with PDP based on the decision in the PDP.
While Senator Konbowei Friday Benson and Senator Benson Agadaga, last week joined the APC, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere Monday led other lawmakers to join alongside other appointees under the Prosperity Administration in Bayelsa State.
The event, attended by prominent APC figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, marked a significant shift in the state’s politics.
Vice President Shettima, in his remarks, described Governor Diri as a unifier and a working governor who has brought development to the people of Bayelsa State as Senate President Akpabio also echoed similar sentiments, welcoming Diri to the APC family.
The defection ceremony was attended by other governors including the APC Governors forum Chairman, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Peter Mba of Enugu, Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State and Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.
The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who handed party’s flag to Governor Diri, said they were happy to have him in the APC fold.
Top APC leadership in the state including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State, Petroleum (Oil), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, MD/CEO of NDDC, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, MD, NDBDA, amongst others.
Thousands of supporters from the Eight Local Government Areas in Bayelsa State also attended the event, waving flags and chanting slogans to celebrate Diri’s entrance into the APC.
Governor Diri, in his remarks, stated that his decision to join the APC was not a personal one, but rather a decision taken in the interest of the people of Bayelsa State.
Governor Diri assured that he would provide necessary leadership to bring unity among members of the APC in the state.
