Defection Spree: Another Blow On PDP As Bayelsa Gov. Diri Tenders Resignation
In what appears to be another major political earthquake shaking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has tendered his resignation from the party.
Daniel Alabrah, Diri’s chief press secretary, announced the governor’s resignation on Wednesday.
While it is still unclear where he is headed, he said Diri resigned from the opposition party alongside 19 members of the house of assembly.
Diri’s defection comes barely 24 hours after Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, announced his exit from the PDP to join the APC, deepening the ongoing exodus that has hit the opposition party in recent weeks.
OSUN DEFENDER reported that Mbah while announcing his defection on Tuesday in Enugu, said his decision was driven by the desire for a “visionary partnership that would bring about transformative change” to his state and the nation.
“Today, after a long period of reflection, we have decided to leave the PDP and join the APC. We share a vision that transformation must be disruptive,” he declared. I have found in His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a partner in purpose — a man with the courage to look beyond today and make the tough choices that secure lasting prosperity for tomorrow.”
Governor Diri’s exit further compounds the woes of the PDP, which has now lost two sitting governors in quick succession to the APC.
The development is being viewed by political observers as a significant boost for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in the South-South region where the PDP has long maintained dominance.
With his resignation and defection, Diri joins a growing list of prominent PDP figures who have switched allegiance to the APC in recent months — a trend analysts describe as a “realignment of political forces” ahead of the next election cycle.
AIT
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
