Twenty-four hours after Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah's move to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bayelsa State Governor, Senator D...
Twenty-four hours after Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah's move to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, also announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was accompanied by his entire cabinet, though he remained silent regarding his future political affiliation.
Adding to the day's political developments, prominent businessman and former Senator for Bayelsa East, Ben Bruce, officially left the PDP and joined the APC.
Ben Bruce Joins APC, Cites Confidence in Tinubu's Vision
Bruce, the founder of Silverbird Group, explained that his decision to join the APC was rooted in his long-standing relationship with President Bola Tinubu and his confidence in the President's vision for Nigeria.
"I have known President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since 1998; a man of courage, conviction, and results," Bruce stated. "For the first time, Nigeria has a leader who truly understands finance and is laying the foundation for lasting prosperity." He acknowledged the difficulty of current reforms but emphasized their necessity for a stronger, freer economy. Bruce also highlighted improvements in security, the stabilization of the Naira, infrastructure development, and a return of confidence as reasons for his decision. "That's why today, I'm joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), not for politics, but for progress. I believe in this vision, in this reform, and in this future."
Governor Diri's Resignation: A Mass Exodus
Diri's departure from the PDP followed weeks of speculation. His resignation was confirmed during a State Executive Council meeting in Yenagoa, the state capital. Alongside the governor, 17 members of the PDP caucus in the House of Assembly resigned from the party. Furthermore, two members from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), including the Speaker, Mr. Abraham Ingobere, joined the governor in leaving the PDP.
While rumors circulated about a potential move to the APC, Diri refrained from announcing his next political destination. He thanked his supporters for their loyalty and steadfastness. "I hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party and I am not going to resign alone," Diri stated at the SEC meeting. "As you can see, I am here with the Speaker, the deputy speaker and all other members of our party, who will as well go with me. There are some who are not here now and that's because they are on official duty. Today, I have formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party for obvious reasons. I am grateful to all my friends and supporters who had stood by me and with me and all over again and together we will continue to build a virile Bayelsa State and a stronger and virile country by extension."
PDP Reacts with Disappointment
The PDP expressed its disappointment regarding Mbah's defection to the APC. The party is also grappling with internal challenges, including the suspension of the party chairmen in Abia and Imo states by the forum of PDP state chairmen, due to allegations of plotting to circumvent the upcoming national convention.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, voiced the party's sentiments, stating, "The PDP is utterly disappointed by those actions, having regard to what we know behind the scenes. But having said that, people have a right to decide what they want to do; the consequences can follow."
Ologunagba also acknowledged the presence of internal elements undermining the party's progress. "There are some people from within our fold that continue to undermine the party and its progress. We recognise that, but we are dealing with that," he said. "As a party, we are focused on the Nigerian people; we don't want to put too much premium on the individual because it is not based on individuals; it is based on the people, and that is our strength."
The PDP is preparing to hold its national convention in Ibadan in November, aiming to revitalize and reposition itself for future elections. "We are going to go to Ibadan, coming out victoriously with a brand new National Working Committee that will continue to steer the affairs of the party," Ologunagba said. "You must have a party before you can talk about candidates. So, that's what we want to do -- create a very solid foundation, find the people who have character, integrity, and capacity and courage to run the affairs of the party so that Nigerians can then have a choice."
Seriake Dickson Reaffirms Loyalty to PDP
In the wake of these developments, former Bayelsa State governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, affirmed his continued loyalty to the PDP, despite Governor Diri's resignation.
Dickson stated, "I have been bombarded since morning when the news broke of the defection of the governor of my state, His Excellency Senator Duoye Diri, who said he resigned from the PDP with his executives and 14 members of the PDP, out of the 17 PDP-elected members of the state House of Assembly. It is a major development in the politics of our state. Our state, which has been in the PDP since 1999 till date, is now midway being donated to the APC free of charge. I've told all those who have been bombarding me with questions that I am not moving. I am still in the PDP. My life and values about constancy, consistency, principles, honour, and loyalty to people and causes have not changed."
He emphasized his long-standing commitment to the party and his efforts to support its members in Bayelsa State. "I, more than anyone, since we lost in the 2015 presidential election, have been at the forefront, bearing the brunt in unspeakable terms of keeping the state PDP and fighting to elevate the governor and everyone else in the state to the current positions, which they hold on the platform of the PDP," Dickson stated. "It is unfortunate that my hand-picked successor, whose consideration was influenced mainly by the need to protect the values and ideals of the state and of the Ijaw nation, sees things differently."
Dickson highlighted the PDP's significance in the history of Bayelsa, the Ijaw nation, and the Niger Delta, describing it as an inclusive platform that has provided opportunities for various groups in Nigeria. "The PDP has a special place in the history of Bayelsa, the Ijaw nation, and the Niger Delta, and all so-called minorities and majority groups in Nigeria, as well as all faiths, because it is an inclusive platform," he said. "The PDP gave my people an opportunity to be Vice President, Acting President, and a President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And I branded it, since 2015, as governor, the party of the Ijaw nation -- the same way I branded Bayelsa the Jerusalem of the Ijaw nation. I believe that I and other leaders and all products of the PDP, of Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation, have a duty to show loyalty and steadfastness to the PDP to the very end."
Addressing the challenges within the party, Dickson acknowledged the issues caused by governors and members of the National Working Committee but stressed the importance of remaining committed to salvaging the party. He revealed that Diri had consulted him before his resignation, and he had conveyed his position based on his principles and values.
Dickson urged the people of Bayelsa to remain calm and peaceful during the unfolding political developments. He also called on leaders in the state to maintain peace and stability and avoid actions that could undermine the progress made in recent years.
PDP Appoints Ben Obi
Following Mbah's defection, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, acting on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC), announced the appointment of Senator Ben Obi as Secretary of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) for the 2025 PDP Elective National Convention, scheduled for November 15-16 in Ibadan. The NWC also commended the NCOC, chaired by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, for its efforts towards the success of the upcoming National Convention. The NWC urged all leaders, stakeholders, and members of the PDP to remain united and focused on the successful conduct of the convention and the overall progress of the party.
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