Governor Douye Diri, 23 Lawmakers Dumps PDP for APC

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has reportedly resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sources close to the development told PulseNets that the governor made the decision alongside 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. The move, described as “a major political realignment ahead of 2027,” has sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape.

PulseNets learnt that the defection was finalised after a series of high-level meetings between the governor’s loyalists and top APC leaders in Abuja. However, official confirmation from the Government House in Yenagoa was yet to be made public at the time of filing this report.

A senior legislative aide spoke to PulseNets, hinting that an official declaration might take place in the coming days.

“It’s true, the governor has made up his mind. He’s moving to align Bayelsa with the federal structure ahead of the next election cycle,” the source disclosed.

The development comes barely 24 hours after Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, also joined the ruling party — a move analysts believe signals a growing shift among opposition governors seeking political stability before the 2027 general elections.

Political observers told PulseNets that Diri’s defection could reshape the balance of power in the Niger Delta region, traditionally seen as a stronghold of the PDP.

“If this is confirmed, it marks the end of an era for PDP in Bayelsa and possibly the South-South,” a political commentator remarked.

Also Read: Supreme Court Affirms Douye Diri’s Re-election, Dismisses Timipre Sylva’s Appeal

PulseNets obtained reports indicating that several federal and state lawmakers from opposition parties have recently defected to the APC, intensifying the ruling party’s consolidation drive ahead of the next polls.