The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has defended his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying his defection was made in the overall interest of the state and its people.
Speaking during the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene, Yenagoa, on Sunday November 2nd, Diri said the decision was “difficult but necessary” and taken to advance the state’s development goals.
“Somebody had to take the decision, and I took it on behalf of Bayelsans,” he said. “Though some may not understand now, time will prove that it was in the best interest of our state.”
The governor emphasised that politics should be a tool for development, not division. “Politics is for progress, not for destroying one another,” he said, urging unity among Bayelsans.
Diri expressed gratitude for the peace and stability in the state, citing ongoing infrastructure projects and a spirit of cooperation among political actors.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Senior Policy Adviser, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, praised Diri for promoting unity and sustaining Bayelsa’s culture of thanksgiving.
Also present was Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), who lauded Diri’s defection as “a timely political realignment,” saying Bayelsa could not afford to remain in opposition.
NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described Diri as “a God-sent leader whose developmental strides have transformed Bayelsa.”
In his sermon titled “Reasons Why We Should Thank God,” Bishop Mike Okonkwo, General Overseer of TREM, urged Bayelsans to remain steadfast, saying, “When God is your Alpha and Omega, victory and blessings are guaranteed.”
