By Oluwabukunmi
Nollywood actor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately declare the seat of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, vacant following his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Diri announced his resignation from the PDP on Wednesday alongside several members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, a move that has stirred widespread speculation that he may be set to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his statement of resignation, Diri cited “obvious reasons” for his departure but did not provide specific details. His Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said the governor made the announcement during an expanded State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa.
Those present at the meeting included Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, his deputy, Michael Ogbere, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) minority leader, Edward Brigidi, among other lawmakers.
According to Alabrah, Diri’s decision followed extensive consultations with political leaders and stakeholders across the state. The governor expressed gratitude to his supporters and urged them to remain steadfast as he continues to “build a strong and vibrant Bayelsa.”
However, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was notably absent from the meeting and was not mentioned in Diri’s statement.
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo argued that by resigning from his political party, Governor Diri had automatically vacated his position as governor under the Nigerian Constitution.
In a post on his Instagram page late Wednesday, the ADC chieftain cited Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that a person is qualified for election as governor only if they are “a member of a political party and sponsored by that political party.”
“Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has just vacated his seat as governor by resigning from the PDP and not belonging to any party,” Okonkwo wrote.
“The law is clear — an elected official must be a member of a political party. Governor Diri, having no current party affiliation, has lost his position.”
Okonkwo further argued that an elected official could only defect from one political party to another, not remain partyless while holding office.
“I therefore call on INEC to declare his seat vacant immediately and conduct a fresh gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State within the next 90 days,” he added.
Governor Diri’s defection marks a major political shake-up in Bayelsa State, where the PDP has traditionally held sway since the return of democracy in 1999.
As of press time, INEC had not issued any statement in response to Okonkwo’s call.
