All Eight Bayelsa LG Chairmen Dump PDP, Back Governor Diri

In a dramatic political realignment, all eight local government chairmen in Bayelsa State have resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring unwavering support for Governor Douye Diri just hours after he quit the party.

The chairmen announced their collective decision on Wednesday evening during a press conference held at the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The move solidifies a mass exodus from the PDP in the state, following Governor Diri’s earlier resignation alongside a majority of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. The governor had cited “obvious reasons” for his departure, pointing to a lingering crisis within the party at the national level.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Lelei Isaac, stated that the chairmen were aligning with the decision of their leader.

“We are indeed grateful for the opportunity to serve the people for the past one and a half years. We were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and today, we are aware that our leader, the Governor of Bayelsa State, has formally resigned his membership of the party,” Isaac said.

He continued, “As chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, and other appointees of the local government areas, we support the decision of our governor, we stand with him, and consequently, we hereby resign our membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

The event was attended by six of the eight council chairmen, including David Alagoa (Nembe), Target Segibo (Southern Ijaw), Bulodisiye Ndiwari (Yenagoa), Isaac Onniye (Ekeremor), and Golden Jeremiah (Ogbia). The Chairmen of Sagbama and Brass Local Government Areas, Alice Tangi and Lucky Febo, were notably absent.

This mass defection has intensified speculation that Governor Diri and his allies are poised to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that would significantly alter the political landscape of the oil-rich state. The governor has so far urged his supporters to remain steadfast as he builds a “strong and vibrant Bayelsa.”