Saturday, July 11, 2026

Bayelsa Governor Diri dumps PDP as party crisis deepens

Mr Diri said he resigned alongside other key members of his cabinet, including Speaker Abraham Ngobere, his deputy, and party supporters.

• October 15, 2025
Douye Diri
Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri (Photo Credit: Twitter)

Barely 24 hours after Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, his Bayelsa counterpart, Governor Douye Diri, also announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Mr Diri made the announcement during a meeting with members of the State Executive Council at the government house in Yenagoa on Wednesday.

“Today, I have formally resigned my membership from PDP for very obvious reasons,” Mr Diri declared, without stating which party he would be joining.

The governor said he resigned alongside other key members of his cabinet, including Speaker Abraham Ngobere, his deputy, and party supporters. 

“I am not going alone. As you can see, I am here with my speaker, his deputy, and all members of our party who are going with me. There are some who are not here because they are on official assignments,” he added.

Mr Diri expressed gratitude to friends and supporters who have stood by his administration, adding he is committed to “building a strong and viral Bayelsa state and country by extension.”

The governor’s defection from the PDP adds to the growing list of aggrieved stakeholders who had exited the party over its unresolved crisis. Mr Mbah and most of his political aides joined the APC on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the party announced the postponement of its 103rd National Executive Committee meeting, earlier scheduled for Wednesday, due to recent developments within the party.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Industrial Training Fund (ITF)

NationWide

ITF begins screening of artisans for global competitiveness training

Mr Ogun noted that the ITF was expanding its partnerships with additional international certification bodies.

States

NAF destroys terrorist enclaves, kill several fighters in Borno airstrike

The NAF’s spokesman, Ehimen Ejodame, said the operation was carried out on Friday, July 10, 2026.

U.S. flag

World

Top Afghan retired general extradited to U.S. over drug, firearm trafficking 

The U.S. noted, “The Drug Enforcement Administration led an investigation that ended Qadeer’s audacious criminal activity.”

NationWide

IG assures international community Nigeria safe for investment, tourism

The IG said negative global perceptions of Nigeria often differed from realities experienced by visitors to the country.

Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

States

Lagos APM governorship candidate congratulates Makinde, security agents on Oyo hostages’ release 

Mr Adeoye said the successful operation reflected the effectiveness of intelligence-driven security strategies.

Young Progressives Party

States

YPP lauds rescue of Oyo pupils, teachers, urges stronger safe school initiative

The party urged President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to replicate the successful strategy nationwide.