• Defection
• Politicians
• Senator Diri Douue

DEFECT OUT OF CONVICTION, DIRI TELLS POLITICIANS

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  Caroline Ameh / 1 day
• 0
• 3 min read

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has advised politicians to defect from one political party to another only out of personal conviction, stressing that political decisions should be guided by public interest rather than loyalty to individuals. Diri, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said politics is dynamic and involves alignments and realignments aimed at achieving development and progress. The governor formally resigned from the PDP on October 15, 2025, and was received into the APC on November 3, 2025, in Yenagoa by party leaders, including Vice President Kashim Shettima. He spoke on Monday night at the January edition of the monthly Praise Night held at the Government House, Yenagoa.In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, Diri said political decisions must be taken with deep reflection and conviction. “There is no static nature in politics because we have alignments and re-alignments. The development and progress of our state is the reason we are in politics,” the governor said.“I do not just take decisions. I consult, I pray, and my spirit tells me where I should go.” Tracing his political journey, Diri said he had belonged to different political parties based on prevailing circumstances.“Most of you know my political trajectory. I moved from the National Solidarity Movement. When the party was dying, we moved to the PDP and then to the Labour Party,” he said.“ In the Labour Party, we met a brick wall. That was when I was invited back to the PDP. If I had not moved, I might not have become governor.” He said while political movement is allowed, it must be purposeful.“Changing camps is allowed, but do it out of conviction. Do not be a slave to anyone. Your destiny and another person’s destiny are not the same,” Diri said. The governor warned politicians against sacrificing the future of the state for personal interest, asking what legacy they intend to leave behind. “What are we handing over to our children? Confusion, misunderstanding, and enmity because of someone’s personal interest?” he asked.On governance, Diri said his administration remained focused on consolidating development across the state. He expressed optimism that the 630-metre bridge across River Nun at Angiama, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, would be completed in the first quarter of the year. He also said work was progressing on the Nembe–Brass road project, noting that while it may not be completed this year, the first phase would be advanced to allow boat travel to Brass in under 20 minutes. On power supply, the governor described the acquisition of the state’s 60-megawatt gas turbines as a landmark achievement, noting that Bayelsa was the first state in the country to undertake such a project. Diri also thanked the clergy, Bayelsans, security agencies, and sympathisers for their support during the burial of his late deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. Addressing speculations, the governor said there was no rift between him and his late deputy following his defection to the APC. He explained that Ewhrudjakpo had gone to court without informing him due to fear of impeachment but later apologised and withdrew the suit.“Nobody could have impeached him if I did not approve it,” Diri said. In his sermon, the General Overseer of the Royal House of Grace International Church, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, urged worshippers to appreciate God’s love and power and commended the state government for sustaining the monthly Praise Night. He prayed for the Prosperity Government to finish strong.