The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, have distanced themselves from Governor Douye Diri’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The two prominent leaders, alongside other stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), maintained that the PDP remains the strongest opposition party in the country and still commands firm support in Bayelsa State, making any defection unnecessary.
Governor Diri had on Wednesday announced his resignation from the PDP through his spokesman, Daniel Alabrah, though no reason was given for the move.
Reacting to the development, close associates of the deputy governor and Senator Dickson said the PDP leaders had no plans to leave the party that gave them their political relevance and opportunities.
“The Deputy Governor, Ewhrudjakpo, and one of our leaders, Seriake Dickson, including other former lawmakers in our party, are still with the PDP — we’re going nowhere,” a source told DAILY POST in a telephone interview.
Another source revealed that the deputy governor was absent from the State Executive Council meeting where Diri reportedly announced his resignation, indicating his decision not to join the governor in defecting to the APC.
He said, “Earlier this morning, Diri presided over the SEC meeting, but the deputy governor refused to attend. He didn’t attend because he’s not defecting alongside the governor.”
As the political atmosphere in Bayelsa continues to heat up, observers say Diri’s defection could trigger a major realignment of political forces in the state ahead of the next general elections.
