My Defection In Bayelsa Interest, Gov Diri Says As He Joins APC On Monday

Ahead his official defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri has asserted that he took the decision in the overall interest of the state.

Vice President Kassim Shettima, APC National Chairman, and other APC leaders are billed to officially receive Governor Diri into the ruling party tomorrow, at an officials ceremony in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Recall that Governor Diri defected from the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, on October 15 alongside some member’s of the state House of Assembly, commissioners and Special Advisers and other aides.

But some top politicians in the state, including Senator Seriake Dickson and the Deputy Governor have refused to dump the embattled PDP for APC.

Apart from the refusal of some members of his party to join him in APC, some top leaders of the APC in the state have also kicked against the governor joining their party.

For instance, a former  APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, in his response to the governors’ defection said Diri is not bringing any value to the APC.

But speaking during the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day held at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, the governor said he made the decision to defect  the APC on behalf of the people of the state, saying “somebody had to take the decision.”

He explained that the people of the state will son understand the reason to move into another party, even though h won twice as governor under the PDP.

“Somebody had to take the decision (to leave the PDP), and I took it on behalf of the state. I took it in the best interest of Bayelsa. Some of you might not understand now, but later it will be clear to all,” he said.