Douye Diri says he won’t compel his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join the APC, stressing dialogue and unity in Bayelsa’s political future
Douye Diri has said he will not compel his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) following his own defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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The Bayelsa State governor made the statement during the state’s weekly executive council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, with Ewhrudjakpo in attendance.
Diri, who formally joined the APC on November 3, emphasised that his style of governance would remain rooted in persuasion and dialogue rather than force.
“As a matter of principle, I believe in engagement rather than confrontation,” the governor said. “I will continue to discuss with my deputy. While it’s difficult for both of us to belong to different political parties, I’m optimistic that our continued engagements will yield positive results.”
The governor’s remarks followed growing speculation about an impeachment plot against his deputy, after the majority of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly also defected to the APC.
Ewhrudjakpo had earlier filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the Assembly from removing him, but Diri revealed that the case had now been withdrawn after private discussions between them.
Diri urged Bayelsans to maintain peace and focus on unity and development rather than political division.
“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,” he said. “We must not heat up the polity. Politics should be for the development of our state, not to fight one another.”
The governor also dispelled rumours about the influx of armed men into the state, describing the reports as “fake news,” but assured residents that security agencies were on alert to prevent any disturbances.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to peace, Diri said Bayelsa remains one of the most secure states in Nigeria and encouraged citizens to report genuine security concerns to the appropriate authorities rather than posting misinformation online.
At the same meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Seiyefa Brisibe, presented the award naming Bayelsa as the Best State in Health Insurance Service Delivery* by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The Commissioner for Sports, Dr Daniel Igali, also handed Diri the 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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Diri’s measured tone and conciliatory stance signal an attempt to maintain political balance in Bayelsa amid shifting party loyalties and speculation about his deputy’s political future.
