Just In: Bayelsa Governor Diri Finally Defects to APC from PDP, Releases Photos

• The governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Douye Diri, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC)
• Earlier, Governor Diri stated that he made the move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC 'on behalf of Bayelsans'
• Diri explained that although some people might not immediately understand his decision to join the ruling party, time would reveal that it was driven by altruistic motives

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, and governance in Nigeria.

Yenagoa, Bayelsa state - Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa state has finally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

As reported by Vanguard, Diri's entry into the ruling party was made official on Monday, November 3.

The governor also confirmed the move via his verified X (formerly Twitter) page.

He wrote with accompanying photographs:

"The time is here! We have made our decision to join the Renewed Hope (referring to the caucus of President Bola Tinubu) family."

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Legit.ng recalls that in October, Diri resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) "for very obvious reasons".

Shettima, others in Bayelsa for Diri

On Monday afternoon. November 3, Vice President Kashim Shettima led top APC figures to Yenagoa for the governor’s official welcome ceremony, Channels Television reported.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Akwa Ibom State's Umo Eno also attended.

Party supporters filled the venue, waving flags and chanting slogans to celebrate Diri’s entry into the party.

The development in Bayelsa marks a major political shift in Bayelsa, long considered a stronghold of the PDP.

Diri: Keyamo hails South-South 'dominance'

Meanwhile, Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, has hailed Diri's defection from the PDP to the APC, describing it as the final piece in consolidating the party’s dominance in the South-South geopolitical zone.

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Keyamo wrote in a post on X on Monday, November 3:.

“Finally, the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle in the S/South has moved into place! Officially, five of the six states of the South/South are now in APC, whilst the sixth has a leader and Minister in active, open support of Mr. President.

“From a position of absolute weakness in 2015, 2019 and 2023 to a position of absolute advantage and strength ahead of 2027! Welcome home, Governor Duoye Diri!"

Read more on Duoye Diri:

• Governor Diri hands over power to deputy, reason emerges
• Diri’s PDP's resignation: Tinubu's minister mentions number of states APC would control before 2027

6 PDP, LP lawmakers defect to APC

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a fresh wave of defections hit the house of representatives, as six lawmakers from the PDP and the Labour Party (LP) announced their move to the ruling APC.

The speaker of the house, Abbas Tajudeen, disclosed the defections during plenary after reading separate letters submitted by the lawmakers.

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Five defectors are from Enugu state, while one represents Plateau state.

Source: Legit.ng