Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State today formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a massive rally held in the state capital, Yenagoa, which was attended by thousands of supporters and a clutch of national political heavyweights. The event was headlined by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who personally welcomed Diri into the APC fold and underscored the party’s commitment to consolidating its influence in the region. According to sources, the rally drew a “large crowd of supporters and top political figures across the South-South geopolitical zone.”
Governor Diri had announced his resignation from the PDP on October 15, saying the party had lost its way and was no longer capable of advancing the interests of Bayelsa State. At today’s reception into the APC, he received the party’s flag from national chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, who declared Diri the leader of the APC in Bayelsa. “Bayelsa State has spoken. Today, Bayelsa State is APC,” Yilwatda was quoted as saying.
In his acceptance speech, Diri characterized the defection not merely as a personal switch, but as a collective move by the Ijaw nation across various states. He said: “It’s not just Bayelsans alone. There are Ijaws from Delta State … from Ondo State … from Edo State … here in their numbers.”  He argued that aligning with the APC will better position Bayelsa to secure federal support, unlock infrastructural development, and integrate more fully into the national agenda.
The rally itself had high-profile appearances: aside from the Vice-President and the national party chairman, several governors from the South-South and beyond were present. Among them were Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, and Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom. Their attendance underscored the national significance of the defection.
The shift marks a major blow to the PDP, as one of its longstanding strongholds is now being ceded to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. This year alone, the PDP has lost multiple governors, and Diri’s move adds further momentum to the APC’s encroachment into the South-South.
Governor Diri, for his part, urged unity among the people of Bayelsa. He emphasized that the rally and the defection were about more than politics: “The roads have been constructed. We saw it. We saw the fishes in the fish farms. We saw agriculture booming.” To him, joining the APC is a step toward consolidating gains and building momentum for more. 
For now, Governor Diri’s defection stands as a clear declaration of intent: Bayelsa is shifting camp, the South-South is shifting ground, and Nigeria’s political map continues to evolve.
Samuel Aina