Defection: "I Won't Force My Deputy to Join APC" – Gov Diri

Gov. Douye Diri from Bayelsa states he won't force his deputy, Sen Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to accompany him into the All Progressives Cong...

Gov. Douye Diri from Bayelsa states he won't force his deputy, Sen Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to accompany him into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Diri officially became a member of the APC on November 3, without his deputy, raising rumors that Ewhrudjakpo is being considered for impeachment by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, whose majority followed Diri to the APC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) states that the deputy governor later went to a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the Bayelsa Assembly from attempting to remove him for staying with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Diri stepped down from the PDP on October 15, mentioning clear reasons for his choice, although his assistant did not follow him into the new party.

The governor stated this during the weekly state executive council meeting held at Government House in Yenagoa on Wednesday, with Ewhrudjakpo also in attendance.

As per his statement, he firmly believes in dialogue over conflict; he intends to keep discussing with his assistant.

Although acknowledging the challenge of being in opposing political parties, Diri showed hope that continued discussions with his vice leader would lead to favorable outcomes.

He revealed that the case initiated by Ewhrudjakpo at a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop an alleged impeachment process had been withdrawn following their discussion.

He called on the citizens of the state to cherish each other and see politics as a tool for fostering progress, instead of using it to undermine others.

We appreciate the citizens of our state for the successful and highly attended Thanksgiving Day event. The feeling of unity and affection is what we must keep demonstrating.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the individuals for the huge gathering at the sports complex during our breakaway.

I value the leadership of our party's President, Bola Tinubu, and Vice President, Kashim Shettima. I commit our allegiance to keep striving for a more prosperous Nigeria, aimed at improving the quality of life for our citizens.

Let me tackle a matter that has been the focus of media speculation. My aim is not to compel individuals to join the APC, but to encourage them to consider my perspective. Although I may hold influence now, that may not be the case in the future.

It is genuinely challenging for the governor to take one stance while the deputy takes another. However, we will keep discussing, and we could find ourselves in the same political party tomorrow.

"We should not escalate tensions within the state. We have had enough violence in Bayelsa State. We are brothers and united. Politics should focus on the state's progress, not on fighting each other," Diri stated.

In response to rumors about armed individuals from another region entering the state, the governor dismissed them as false information.

Nevertheless, he confirmed that security agencies had been alerted to examine any potential threat throughout the state.

He reasserted that Bayelsa is among the safest states in the nation and encouraged residents to carry on with their daily activities while notifying the appropriate authorities about security concerns, instead of quickly sharing false information on social media.

During the meeting, the Health Commissioner, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, informed the governor about the acknowledgment of Bayelsa as the "Best State in Health Insurance Service Delivery" by the Nigeria Governors Forum.

The individual representing the Ministry of Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, also received a "Distinguished Governor Award for Outstanding Support to SWAN and Contribution to Sports Development in Nigeria" from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.

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