YENAGOA – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Wednesday, announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), signalling a major political shake-up in the state’s leadership.
Governor Diri made the announcement during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, where he was said to have expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s direction and internal management.
In a dramatic turn, all 19 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Hon. Abraham Ingobere, as well as commissioners, special advisers, and other members of the State Executive Council, also resigned from the PDP.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, confirmed the development in a post on his verified social media handle, describing it as a “collective and well-considered decision” taken after wide consultations with political stakeholders across the state.
Sources at the meeting said Governor Diri cited growing frustration with the PDP’s internal wrangling, lack of inclusiveness, and disconnection from the people’s aspirations as major factors behind his decision.
“The time has come to place Bayelsa first. Our decisions must reflect the will of the people, not the interests of a few. After deep consultations, we have resolved to resign from the PDP,” Diri was quoted as saying.
The mass resignation immediately fueled speculation that the governor and his loyalists were preparing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following similar moves by other PDP governors in recent days.
The development came barely 24 hours after Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, also announced his resignation from the PDP and defection to the APC.
Governor Mbah explained that his decision was based on consultations with his constituents and his conviction that the PDP no longer offered a viable platform for delivering good governance.
“This is not betrayal; it is a responsibility to carry the people’s mandate on a platform that best serves their interests,” Mbah stated.
Political observers in Yenagoa described the development as “a turning point” that could weaken the PDP’s influence in the South-South region, where the party once held firm control.
As of press time, the PDP national leadership had yet to issue an official statement on the mass resignation, though party insiders expressed concern over what they termed “an unprecedented realignment” ahead of future elections.
