Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has declared that he will not compel his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to defect with him to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he formally joined on November 3, 2025.
Governor Diri, who resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15 citing “obvious reasons,” said his deputy has chosen to remain in the PDP for now.
Speaking during the weekly State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday—with Ewhrudjakpo in attendance—the governor said his leadership style is anchored on dialogue rather than coercion.
“As a matter of principle, I believe in engagement, not confrontation,” Diri stated. “It is indeed difficult for the governor to be in one party and the deputy in another, but we will continue to talk. I am optimistic that our discussions will yield positive results.”
The governor disclosed that the case earlier filed by his deputy at the Federal High Court, Abuja, to stop a purported impeachment move, had been withdrawn following their reconciliatory talks.
Diri used the occasion to thank Bayelsans for their massive turnout during the state’s thanksgiving service and his formal defection rally. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their leadership and support.
“I appreciate our people for the unity and love displayed during the thanksgiving and defection ceremonies. I pledge my loyalty to our party leaders and to the progress of Nigeria,” he said. “Politics should be a tool for development, not division.”
The governor dismissed reports of armed men entering the state as fake news but assured residents that security agencies were on alert to forestall any threats.
He reaffirmed Bayelsa’s status as one of the most peaceful states in the country and urged citizens to report security issues through proper channels rather than spreading misinformation on social media.
At the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, presented Bayelsa’s recognition as the “Best State in Health Insurance Service Delivery” by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, while the Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, presented a “Distinguished Governor Award” from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
