Diri's Defection: My Defection Is For Ijaw Nation Not Only For Bayelsa

 

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri', has disclosed that his defection to the All Progressives Congress was for the benefit of all the Ijaw  Nation not only to the people of Bayelsa State.

Speaking on Monday in Yenagoa during his official defection ceremony to the All Progressives Congress, Governor Douye Diri' who has been on the mandate of the Peoples Democratic Party  before his resignation on the 15th of October, 2025, said he decided  to leave  PDP because he wouldn't want to be buried with the party.

 Diri' said : This Defection is not Bayelsa Defection. It is Izon nation Defecting to APC. I will not denigrate the PDP. It was  the party that gave me victory until some undertakers came in to destroy it. Over time, the unity and common purpose that once sustained the party eroded. Despite our best efforts to reform and restore it, the internal dynamics made meaningful renewal increasingly difficult. That point is well documented.

 

"After wide consultations and careful consideration, we have today formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). This was a strategic, collaborative decision. While the justification for this decision may not be immediately apparent to some, you have my assurance that it was taken in the best interests of our people and for the accelerated development of the state.

"Rest assured, we will work collaboratively with existing organs to strengthen the party for the serious work ahead, leveraging our collective strengths and goodwill to drive the party's growth and success. Together, we can achieve important goals and take our party to greater heights.

 

"I am grateful for the leadership and accommodation of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am convinced that the fiscal and policy restructuring underway and the renewed focus on infrastructure and service delivery offer opportunities for the collective benefit of Nigerians. I pledge to continue to work constructively with the federal government and support President Tinubu's re-election in 2027.

 

" One of the Ijaw Nation’s cherished long‑standing demands is a coastal road. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project is moving from desire to reality, and Bayelsa stands to gain from improved connectivity and economic opportunity.

 

"Our dear Nembe-Brass Road, which was on the drawing board for over six decades and for which I had met with the previous government on several occasions, received prompt federal attention after we raised it with the President just once. A contractor was mobilised to continue with the second phase of the project, which the state had started at a significant cost – a clear demonstration of what constructive engagement can achieve.

 

"Again, when I flagged the excessive tax burden on importing our 60-megawatt gas turbines, the president graciously agreed a waiver to ease that pressure. These are examples of how partnership with the federal government can remove obstacles to development.

 

"Another clear demonstration of the President's commitment to our state's prosperity is the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy's strong endorsement of the Agge Deep Seaport project. We recognize the multiplier effect this investment will bring, including unlocking our marine resources, expanding trade and industry, creating jobs, and helping us diversify our economy away from oil and gas.

 

"Given these actions, it was natural for us to align with leadership that is prepared to act in Bayelsa’s best interest. Our choice is driven by outcomes — by what advances our people’s welfare.

 

"Having said that, I bear no ill-will towards the few that elected to remain in the PDP. I recognise and respect the service of colleagues that have worked for our state. My decision is about pursuing the best path to deliver results, not about casting blame on individuals who have served diligently. When debates end and ballots are counted, Bayelsa remains one people with one destiny. Our political choices may differ, but our shared heritage and future bind us more strongly than any political party.

 

Speaking earlier,  Kashim Shettima the vice President of Nigeria who represented President Bola TInubu said that  there are moments in the life of a nation where politics transcends partisanship when the call to service outweighs the colours of our sentiments and when leaders answers to something greater than their affiliation.

He added that " Yours is a story of a leader who has chosen the harder right over the easier wrong..Today you have shown us that Bayelsa has chosen  the light of integration over the shadows of isolation.

"Politics is about development, politics is beyond making noise, politics is beyond being in opposition . Governor Diri, we are proud of you, you have made the right decision, you have led with calm dignity, but beneath that calm, has brought your commitment to development, unity and progress .

"You are now part of the progressive family, a family that thinks and acts together. So we welcome you into this board to watch and support you as champions.You have already been one. 

"President Bola Tinubu has shown as time and again that politics is not war. It is the art of building bridges across rivers of difference. And so, no one understands this metaphor more profoundly than a son of the creeks, who has built literal and political bridges across the waters of the Niger Delta. 

"This is for us a political reunion with a progressive mind. You have always been a progressive. And here, in the presence of the number three citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have a simple message for you from the President and from the Chairman. As for the APC Constitution, the Governor is the leader of the party in the state. What binds us together supersedes whatever that divides us. We are one party with a common destiny. And here in this gathering." He said.

Handing over the flag to Governor Douye Diri', Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the national chairman of APC told Diri that anything concerning Bayelsa AC has been handed over to him.

He said:"Today I give you the flag of APC as the leader of the party  in Bayelsa State. Anything concerning Bayelsa State, the national working committee will contact  You and we will  hold you responsible  for  anything concerning APC in the state.

 "Today you take over as the leader of our party in the state. Welcome our leader in Bayelsa. With this flag, we want you to sweep out PDP and sweep  all the votes to  APC in 2027. We must have 100% votes in Bayelsa.

" Take this as symbol of strength and authority and make it stronger. We hang this muffler to you as a symbol of ownership. You are fully decorated and  God  will give you the strength to work till 2027 and deliver President TInubu."