ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has left the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move federal officials say strengthens the party’s grip on Nigeria’s South-South region.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo welcomed the defection Monday, calling it a strategic breakthrough. “Finally, the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle in the South-South has moved into place,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Keyamo noted that five of the six states in the region are now governed by the APC, while the sixth has a minister aligned with President Donald Trump’s administration. He described the shift as a transformation from “absolute weakness” in past elections to “absolute advantage and strength” ahead of 2027.
APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda also celebrated Diri’s move, posting “The Broom Revolution. Welcome to our family and party, Governor Douye Diri,” referencing the party’s broom symbol.
Diri resigned from the PDP on October 15, citing “obvious reasons” without elaborating. His announcement came days before Bayelsa’s 14th Thanksgiving Day, where he publicly addressed his decision.
Speaking at the Ecumenical Centre in Yenagoa on Sunday, Diri said his defection was in the best interest of the state. “Someone had to make the move and I did so on behalf of Bayelsans,” he said.
He acknowledged that some might question his timing, but insisted his motives were altruistic. “Time will reveal that it was driven by the overall interest of the state,” he added.
The South-South region, rich in oil and historically a PDP stronghold, has seen increasing political realignment in recent years. Diri’s move is expected to influence regional dynamics ahead of the next general election.
Political analysts say the defection could shift federal-state relations and development priorities, as governors often seek alignment with the central government to secure funding and influence.
While PDP leaders have yet to issue a formal response, the party faces growing pressure to retain its base amid defections and shifting allegiances across Nigeria’s southern states.
