By Peter Omopo
Yenagoa – In a dramatic political development, all eight local government chairmen in Bayelsa State have resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and publicly declared their support for Governor Douye Diri, following his recent decision to dump the party.
The council bosses made their announcement on Wednesday evening during a press conference held at the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Governor Diri had earlier in the day announced his resignation from the PDP alongside 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. The move, which took place during an expanded State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, has intensified speculation that the governor may be on his way to joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Diri said his decision came “after wide consultations with stakeholders and leaders of the state,” adding that he sought to build “a stronger and more united Bayelsa.”
However, the governor did not disclose the fate of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was notably absent from the meeting and not mentioned in the announcement.
Speaking on behalf of the eight council bosses, the Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Lelei Isaac, said their decision was driven by the internal crises and leadership tussles plaguing the PDP at the national level.
“We are indeed grateful for the opportunity to serve the people under the PDP platform for the past one and a half years,” Isaac said.
“Now that our leader, Governor Douye Diri, has formally resigned from the party, we, as chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, and appointees across the local government areas, have decided to stand with him and resign our membership of the PDP.”
The announcement marks a significant shift in the Bayelsa political landscape, as the defecting council bosses represent all eight local government areas of the state.
Those present at the press briefing included:
- David Alagoa (Nembe LGA)
- Target Segibo (Southern Ijaw LGA)
- Bulodisiye Ndiwari (Yenagoa LGA)
- Isaac Onniye (Ekeremor LGA)
- Golden Jeremiah (Ogbia LGA)
- Lelei Isaac (Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA)
The Chairmen of Sagbama LGA, Alice Tangi, and Brass LGA, Lucky Febo, were absent from the event.
Political observers say the wave of resignations could further weaken the PDP’s structure in the oil-rich state, which has been one of its traditional strongholds since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
While Diri has not yet revealed his next political move, sources close to the Government House indicate that consultations are ongoing ahead of a likely realignment with another major political platform.
