Bayelsa State governor, Duoye Diri has formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the platform on which he emerged governor and has formally d
Diri’s defection had been on the cards for months.
He perfected his defection plans discreetly because of the animosity within the leadership of the APC in the state, particularly by the group loyal to Chief Timipre Sylva, former minister of petroleum resources.
His main reason for exiting was linked to the intractable crisis rocking the party, which has made it no longer attractive to the governor and majority of his political associates to pursue their political ambitions in 2027.
Diri was said to have consulted widely with some Bayelsa State elders before deciding to dump the PDP.
Sources said as part of his consultation and out of courtesy and respect, he had informed former President Goodluck Jonathan of his decision to leave the party.
He has also received the backing of the majority of the members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to dump the PDP.
He dropped the hint of his defection to the eight local government chairmen and members of the State Executive Council.
Many of the lawmakers, who have ambition to return to the House or move up the political ladder, encouraged the governor to dump the PDP before their candidacy would face legal challenge and disqualification because of the PDP crisis.
