Bayelsa state Governor Douye Diri, Wednesday, announced his resignation from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) following what he described as “obvious reasons.”
The decision has put to rest rumoured and speculated defection which had become topical in political circles.
It came some twenty-four hours after the defection of Enugu state Governor Peter Mbah from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also, there are strong hints that Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba state might also be on his way out of the major opposition party.
However, there hasn’t been any confirmation of such move from any of the governor’s associates and aides.
As things stand, the major opposition party got further depleted, leaving it with about 8 governors as against twelve that were elected on the party’s platform at both the general and off-cycle elections.
In the PDP presently are; Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa state, Bauchi’s Bala Mohammed, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state, Taraba’s Agbu Kefas and Dauda Dare Lawal of Zamfra state.
The rest are Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers and Osun state Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Before Diri’s decision to quit, Delta state Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his Akwa Ibo counterpart, Umo Eno, and of recent, Governor Mbah had at different times dumped the party for the APC.
Of course, it is no more news that the PDP is enmeshed in all manners of crises, which political observers believe, have consistently caused the party a lot of setbacks.
…Diri’s declaration
Announcing his resignation during an expanded State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Diri said this was to some obvious reasons.
At the meeting were Speaker House of Assembly Abraham Ingobere, his deputy, Michael Ogbere, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) minority leader, Edward Brigidi and seven other lawmakers.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that he took the decision after extensive consultation with leaders of the state.
He expressed gratitude to his supporters, who he said “have stood firmly with him and his government, and urged them to continue as he builds a strong and virile Bayelsa.”
In an unequivocal declaration, Diri said: “Today, I wish to address a matter that has been the subject of speculation and debate across party lines in Bayelsa State and beyond. We allowed the speculations. But while it lasted, we were also doing our consultation.
“After extensive consultation, today the 15th day of October 2025, I wish to formally notify you that in keeping with the extant protocols, I Governor Douye Diri, do hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“I am not resigning alone as you can see. I am here with Mr. Speaker, Deputy Speaker and all the members of our party (in the Assembly) who are with me on this.
“So, today, I have formally resigned from the PDP for very obvious reasons.”
Lending his voice, Speaker Ingobere said he, his deputy, other PDP, APGA and APC members of the assembly completely align with the governor’s decision to leave the party.
Ingobere, who referred to the governor as the leader of the political structure of the state, said he was not alone in his decision as he had the backing of the overwhelming majority of 21 of the 24-member assembly.
He commended the governor for taking the decision at this time.
…Murray-Bruce joins APC
Like his governor, a former federal lawmaker from Bayelsa state, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, also announced his resignation from the PDP.
In a statement he posted Wednesday on his Facebook page, the former lawmaker who represented the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, commended the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
He said for the “first time in our nation’s history, we have a President who truly understands finance, who sees the economy not as a political slogan, but as a living organism that must be disciplined, deregulated, and allowed to breathe.”
The former lawmaker said: “I have known President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu since 1998. I know the man’s mind, his courage, and his conviction. He is not driven by applause; he is driven by results. And today, I can boldly say to you that he is on the right track.
“For the first time in our nation’s history, we have a President who truly understands finance, who sees the economy not as a political slogan, but as a living organism that must be disciplined, deregulated, and allowed to breathe.
He highlighted the administration’s efforts to stabilize the economy, strengthen the naira, and restore investor confidence through professional leadership at the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
Speaking further on the administration, Murray-Bruce said: “The painful reforms we face today are the very foundation of tomorrow’s prosperity. We are moving into a free-market economy, one that rewards hard work and innovation instead of dependency and distortion.
“Look around you: under this administration, the appointment of the National Security Adviser has redefined our national safety architecture. Insecurity is being quietly and systematically dismantled. The Central Bank, now professionally steered, is stabilizing the economy, rebuilding confidence, and restoring the dignity of the naira.
“Our foreign policy is again respected. Our fuel supply is deregulated. We will never again live through the humiliation of fuel scarcity. The numbers are beginning to speak, investments are returning, and the world is watching Nigeria rise again.
“And beyond economics, Bola Tinubu’s infrastructural drive is unprecedented; from massive road networks to modernized ports, airports and housing schemes springing up across the nation. These developments are not just concrete and steel; they are the arteries through which growth and opportunity now flow.
“I know it is still a difficult season for many families. But as history teaches, reform is never painless. Yet, it is in these moments of sacrifice that nations are reborn.
“That is why today, I am joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), not for politics, but for progress. Because I believe that Bola Tinubu’s leadership, guided by courage and intellect, will deliver the Nigeria we have all dreamed of.
“Mark my words: in the full term of eight years, Nigeria will witness phenomenal growth. I choose to stand with that vision. I choose to stand with reform. I choose to stand with the future.
“Thank you, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
…Dickson explains defection
Explaining the gale of defection, the immediate past governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Douye Diri accused the governors who defected to the APC of running away from mess created by them.
Senator Dickson who reacted to Governor Diri’s defection after Senate plenary Wednesday, however, threw his weight behind the nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan as new Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Senator Dickson though admitted that Governor Diri , consulted him several times on his plan to dump PDP, but said he was never convinced as there was no compelling need for that , particularly from a second term governor.
Nigeria according to him, being a plural society, deserves functional and vibrant multiparty democracy and not one-party system, which he said, breeds dictatorship and authoritarianism.
“I am where I have been. I am where I am. I don’t believe that Nigeria should be a one-party state. And as a soldier of democracy, I’m used to the ups and downs of democratic practices and democratic life, and political life especially. And I’m still as constant as a northern star.
“Steadfast in the Peoples Democratic Party and working with my colleagues and friends to ensure that problems in the party are solved. I hope that the governors and the leadership working committee who created this mess in our party, all of them, and who instead of showing leadership, have created this mess and ensured that it has persisted for this long.
“And they are the ones now bailing out after creating the problem that they could not solve or refuse to solve. It’s very sad. Very, very sad. It’s making Nigeria look small and making our country’s democracy look ridiculous,” he said.
Continuing, the lawmaker said: “We don’t really know what they are pursuing or what is pursuing them. But whatever it is, it belittles our democracy and endangers our multi-party democracy.
“I believe in a multi-party Nigeria. A plural Nigeria can only thrive on a plural democratic environment. That’s what has happened. But on the specifics of Bayelsa, you know, since I left and handed over to all the members who used to be part of my team, and I left, unlike others who are godfathers, I’ve not been a godfather. Left everything. No requests, no demands, no pressure. Only being available for consultation and advice.
“As in this case, the governor consulted me several times to his credit. And I was not convinced because I didn’t see any compelling reason for a second-term governor to defect.
“I’m just using this to say that I am still standing. in the PDP that gave my people (the Ijaw Nation) and the Niger Delta people an opportunity to run election, to emerge as vice president of this country, acting president of Nigeria, and president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
“This other party cannot do that. And I’m standing there with the PDP. If and when, if we don’t succeed in retrieving the PDP, in saving the PDP, then we’ll be part of a collective decision, which again, should not be the ruling party.
“Because I believe there must be opposition. A democracy without opposition ceases to be democracy.”
On Amupitan , he said President Tinubu made a very good choice, assuring that he would fully support confirmation of his appointment anytime the Senate screens him.
“I will be casting my vote, I will be supporting the nomination. And as a member of the Electoral Committee, and also a member of the Senate, I will work with colleagues to ensure that the electoral reforms we are championing see the light of day, and that Professor Amupitan is confirmed as Chairman of INEC.
“We expect him, as a professor of law and a senior advocate of Nigeria, the first senior advocate to be so nominated, to understand his place in history.”
…I’m vindicated, says Wike
Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has said he is being vindicated by the wave of defection to the ruling APC.
Speaking Wednesday at the flag-off of the construction of the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway in Abuja. Wike said: “I have been watching daily on television and social media. The same people who said I wanted to destabilise the PDP and that I was working for the APC are all now in the APC. So, if that’s true, they should commend me for doing a good job in paving the way for them.”
He described the ongoing olitical alignment and realignment as a further testament to Tinubu’s “visionary and pragmatic leadership.
“In the past, governors were running from bank to bank to fund projects and pay salaries. Today, because of the leadership of one man, banks are the ones running to states.
“President Tinubu has created the financial space for every state and the FCT to not only meet salary obligations but also execute meaningful projects.”
…Bauchi governor raises concern
Governor Mohammed of Bauchi state, had, during the inauguration of the PDP convention communication sub-committee, expressed worry over the spate of defection that had hit the party in recent time.
Mohammed admitted that the defections had unsettled the party, though he said efforts were ongoing to keep it united ahead of the November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan.
“If you ask me whether I am concerned about our governors leaving for APC, I am more than concerned. But leadership is a burden. As a leader of a group of equal status, I cannot determine the decisions or inactions of my colleagues, but certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.” The governor had said weekend in Abuja.
