Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has stated that he will not compel his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), which Diri formally joined on November 3.
Diri, who resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15, emphasized engagement over confrontation during the weekly state executive council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa, where Ewhrudjakpo was also present.
Acknowledging the challenges of being in different political parties, Diri expressed optimism that ongoing discussions with his deputy could yield positive results. He disclosed that Ewhrudjakpo’s Federal High Court case in Abuja to halt a purported impeachment plan had been discontinued following their dialogue.
Governor Diri urged citizens to prioritize unity and view politics as a tool for development rather than conflict. He expressed gratitude to the people for attending his thanksgiving service and the massive turnout during his defection to APC, pledging continued loyalty to work for the betterment of the state and Nigeria.
He said:
“I do not intend to force people to join the APC but rather to appeal to them to see reason with me. It is actually difficult for the governor to be on one side and the deputy on another. But we will continue to talk and we might end up in the same party tomorrow.”
Diri also dispelled rumours about the arrival of armed men in the state, describing them as fake news, while assuring that security agencies have been put on alert. He reaffirmed Bayelsa as one of the most secure states in Nigeria and urged residents to report threats to relevant authorities instead of spreading falsehoods on social media.
