DEFECTION: WE HAVE CAPACITY TO RETAIN BAYELSA; DIRI WON’T BE MISSED -Barr George Turnah
PRESS RELEASE
DEFECTION: WE HAVE CAPACITY TO RETAIN BAYELSA; DIRI WON’T BE MISSED
The attention of the Caretaker State Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State chapter has been drawn to certain public remarks suggesting that Governor Douye Diri should defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ordinarily, the PDP would not respond to political theatrics, but in the interest of the unsuspecting public, we find it necessary to put the facts straight.
The claim that the PDP is now left with persons who conspired against the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is a mischievous and fraudulent distortion of history. The truth remains that those who actively undermined and obstructed the continuation of the Jonathan presidency are today firmly rooted in the APC and ADC respectively.
It is important to reiterate that the PDP has remained the most consistent political platform that has defended and projected the interest of the Ijaw Nation. It is the party that gave Nigeria its first Ijaw Vice President and President in Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; a record unmatched by any other political party.
The PDP has given immense opportunities to leaders of Bayelsa State, including the incumbent Governor, who has benefitted from the party’s platform to hold multiple positions of trust, culminating in his election and re-election as Governor.
We also remind the public that even when Bayelsa was in the opposition in 2015, it was the strength of the PDP and the resolve of the people, under the leadership of Governor Seriake Dickson, that delivered a resounding re-election victory. That same structure mobilized the support that produced Governor Diri in 2019 and again in 2023.
The PDP in Bayelsa is strong, united, and has the capacity to win future elections, with or without any individual. If anyone chooses to leave the party, we wish them well. But let it be clear; they will not be missed as the Party under the firm leadership of George Turnah, MON has the capacity to retain the State in 2027 and in the future.
There have been firm indicators that Governor Diri left the PDP even before the Party handed him ticket for a second term contest. That situation was so evident at his second term inauguration at the sports complex when he instructed his protocol team to deny PDP National Working Committee, NWC members any recognition, not even a seat for the National leaders of the Party. What a way to reward a party that printed just one Governorship nomination and expression of interest forms for Diri.
One thing that has become obvious is that Diri is certainly defecting alone as stakeholders of PDP have vehemently rejected his defection plot. Diri should be bold enough to defect if he wants to and not continue to play mind games on the good people of Bayelsa State.
Kelvin Loveday-Egbo
Media Assistant to the Acting State Chairman, People’s Democratic Party, Bayelsa State
July 16, 2025
