All Bayelsa LG Chairmen Quit PDP, Declare Support for Governor Diri

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All eight local government chairmen in Bayelsa State have resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared their support for Governor Douye Diri, following his decision to leave the party.

The chairmen made the announcement on Wednesday evening during a press conference at the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Their resignation came hours after Governor Diri formally announced his exit from the PDP alongside members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, sparking speculation that he may soon join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Diri, who cited “obvious reasons” for his decision, did not immediately explain the details behind his move.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor disclosed his resignation during an expanded State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa. In attendance were the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, his deputy, Michael Ogbere, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) minority leader, Edward Brigidi, and seven other lawmakers.

The statement added that the governor took the decision after “extensive consultations with leaders of the state,” expressing gratitude to his supporters for their loyalty and urging them to “remain steadfast” as he continues to “build a strong and vibrant Bayelsa.”

Notably, the announcement made no mention of Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was absent from the meeting.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Lelei Isaac, said the crisis within the PDP at the national level influenced their decision to leave the party.

He stated, “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, and today, we are aware that our leader, the Governor of Bayelsa State, has formally resigned his membership of the party.

“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 PDP.”

Those present at the briefing included David Alagoa (Nembe), Target Segibo (Southern Ijaw), Bulodisiye Ndiwari (Yenagoa), Isaac Onniye (Ekeremor), Golden Jeremiah (Ogbia), and Lelei Isaac (Kolokuma/Opokuma).

However, the Chairmen of Sagbama and Brass LGAs, Alice Tangi and Lucky Febo, were absent from the event.