By Erewunmi Peace

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a major realignment in Bayelsa’s political landscape. He was formally received into the ruling party at a ceremony held in Yenagoa on Monday, November 3, 2025.

The event drew top APC figures, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who presented Diri with the party flag, symbolizing his recognition as the party’s new leader in Bayelsa State.

The defection was celebrated by a massive crowd of party supporters who hailed the governor’s move as a boost to APC’s strength in the Niger Delta ahead of future elections.

Speaking at the event, Governor Diri reportedly criticized his former party, the PDP, describing it as struggling to sustain public confidence — a key reason behind his political shift.

Political observers note that Diri’s move could significantly reshape the political calculus in Bayelsa — a state that has largely been controlled by the PDP since 1999.
His entry into the APC is expected to influence political alliances, leadership structures, and preparations ahead of the next election cycle.

Diri has been Governor of Bayelsa since February 2020. His defection has been widely discussed for months, but the official announcement now closes that chapter and opens a new political direction for his administration.