Yenagoa – In a dramatic turn of events, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending months of speculation about his political future and signalling a major realignment in the South-South region.
Vice President Kashim Shettima led top APC figures to Yenagoa for the governor’s official welcome ceremony, held at the Peace Park Pavilion on Monday.
Among those in attendance were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.
Party supporters filled the venue, waving APC flags and chanting slogans in celebration of Diri’s entry into the ruling party.
The event was also graced by members of the APC National Working Committee, federal lawmakers, and prominent stakeholders from across the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the gathering, Vice President Shettima described Diri’s defection as “a patriotic step towards unity and accelerated development,” commending him for choosing collaboration over confrontation.
Senate President Akpabio hailed the Bayelsa governor for what he called “a courageous and strategic decision,” assuring him of the party’s full support in delivering good governance to the people of the state.
Governor Umo Eno, himself a recent defector from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the move would deepen cooperation among South-South states and enhance federal-state partnerships for regional growth.
In his address, Governor Diri said his decision to join the APC was driven by the need to bring greater development to Bayelsa through closer alignment with the federal government.
“This is not about personal ambition but about the progress of our people. We must work with the centre to deliver better governance,” Diri said.
The defection marks a major political shift in Bayelsa, long considered a PDP stronghold.
This year alone, the opposition party has lost at least four sitting governors — Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Peter Mbah (Enugu) — all of whom have now joined the ruling APC.
Political analysts say the latest development could reshape the country’s political map ahead of the next general elections, consolidating APC’s influence across the South-South zone.