2027 Realignment! Gov Diri Breaks Silence on Alleged Plans to Defect to APC
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has firmly denied swirling rumours of an impending defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing them as baseless and politically motivated misinterpretations of recent events.
The governor made this known while receiving Hon. Rodney Ambaiowei, member representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, during a thank-you visit at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area. Diri emphasized that his political decisions would always align with the collective interests of the Ijaw nation and Bayelsa State, and not personal ambition.
“If there’s ever going to be a political move, it will be based on the collective interest of the Ijaw nation and Bayelsa State—not for personal reasons. And such a decision will come after wide consultations with the people who entrusted me with this mandate,” the governor declared.
A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, clarified that Governor Diri’s presence at the flag-off of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project was purely to acknowledge and appreciate President Bola Tinubu’s inclusion of Bayelsa in the infrastructure initiative, which he described as critical for the economic transformation of the Niger Delta.
Governor Diri also disclosed that during the event, he strongly objected to an earlier version of the project map that excluded Bayelsa and Edo States. This intervention led to an immediate correction and public apology from both the contractor and Minister of Works, David Umahi.
He explained that comments made by Minister Umahi at the event, commending his development-oriented leadership, were wrongly construed as political alignment or overtures to the APC.
“The Works Minister, during his speech, praised my developmental mindset, which unfortunately sparked assumptions of a possible defection,” Diri said. “But such attention should not be misread as political alignment.”
Governor Diri reiterated his unwavering commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that his administration remains fully focused on good governance, peace, and sustainable development in Bayelsa State. He thanked the people of Southern Ijaw for their continued support and called on political actors to eschew divisiveness in favour of unity and progress.
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