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A majority of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly have endorsed Governor Douye Diri’s planned switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC), TJ News Nigeria reports. The move follows closed‑door consultations initiated by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere.
Out of the 24‑member assembly, 19 lawmakers belong to the PDP, while five represent opposition parties. Sources familiar with the state legislature say that most PDP members have given their consent to Governor Diri’s defection after discreet meetings at the Speaker’s residence.
Closed‑Door Consultations Yield Broad Support
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According to insiders, Governor Diri instructed Speaker Ngobere to gauge colleagues’ sentiments following an “unfruitful” session with the Bayelsa National Assembly caucus. During that earlier meeting, key figures—such as Hon. Fred Agbedi of Sagbama/Ekeremor—rejected the plan to quit the PDP.
“We met in private. The truth is that we are moving. We have given our consent to the governor. It is no longer a secret that we are leaving PDP,” a lawmaker told Sunday Sun on condition of anonymity.
Three PDP legislators—two from Sagbama and one from Kolokuma/Opokuma—refused to endorse the switch, arguing that it was neither timely nor strategic.
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Dissenting Voices in PDP Ranks
Hon. Fred Agbedi has publicly voiced concerns that defection could cede local influence to Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and a leading APC figure. Agbedi fears that shifting allegiance may undermine the PDP’s grassroots base in Bayelsa East.
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Other dissenters worry about the optics of abandoning the party under which they were elected. They question whether immediate gains in APC patronage outweigh risks to democratic accountability and constituency trust.
Official Denials and Mixed Signals
When pressed about the reported meeting, Mr. Domo Adams, Chief of Staff to Speaker Ngobere, denied knowledge of any such gathering. Likewise, Hon. Wisdom Fafi, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, said he was unaware of any formal endorsement session.
Despite these denials, TJ News Nigeria understands that informal discussions among lawmakers have continued, and the governor’s inner circle remains confident of securing the necessary votes to formalize his defection.
Political Context and Implications
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Governor Diri’s planned defection comes amid a fracturing of party loyalties across the Niger Delta. Bayelsa, once a PDP stronghold, has seen rising APC influence driven by federal appointments and infrastructure projects.
- Strategic Realignment: By joining the APC, Diri could gain access to federal resources and development funds ahead of future elections.
- Party Dynamics: A successful defection may trigger further realignments within the State House and across local government councils.
- Electoral Calculus: With 2027 general elections on the horizon, lawmakers are weighing personal political survival against party loyalty.
Political analysts say that if the governor completes his switch without significant backlash, it could embolden similar moves by other southern governors seeking federal backing.
Reactions from Bayelsa Stakeholders
Local civic groups have expressed mixed reactions. Some welcome the move, arguing that APC control at both state and federal levels may accelerate stalled projects and improve governance.
“Our focus is development, not party labels,” said a community leader in Yenagoa. “If aligning with the APC brings roads and power, so be it.”
Others caution that rampant defections undermine party cohesion and disenfranchise voters who elected officials under one banner.
Next Steps and Timeline
To formalize his defection, Governor Diri must submit a letter to the PDP’s national headquarters and notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The State Assembly will then vote on any related amendments to party seats.
Should the governor succeed, the PDP may move to fill his vacated slot as party chairman of the Bayelsa branch, potentially triggering fresh internal contests.
What you should know
As Bayelsa braces for the fallout, all eyes are on the State House of Assembly. Lawmakers’ final decisions will not only determine party control in the state but may also set a precedent for political realignments across Nigeria’s South‑South region.
TJ News Nigeria will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as Governor Diri’s defection process unfolds.
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