Eight local government chairmen in Bayelsa State have announced their resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pledged their loyalty to Governor Douye Diri, following his decision to leave the party.
The chairmen made their position known on Wednesday during a press conference at the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Earlier, Insightlinks reports that Governor Diri resigned from the PDP alongside several members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, fuelling speculation that he may be preparing to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Although the governor cited “obvious reasons” for his departure, he did not go into details about his disagreement with the party.
According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Diri reportedly announced his resignation during an expanded State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Yenagoa. The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; Deputy Speaker, Michael Ogbere; the APGA Minority Leader, Edward Brigidi; and seven other lawmakers.
According to the statement, the governor reached his decision after wide consultations with political leaders across the state. He also expressed appreciation to his supporters for their loyalty, urging them to remain steadfast as his administration continues to pursue development and stability in Bayelsa.
However, Diri made no mention of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was notably absent from the meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the eight council bosses, the Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Lelei Isaac, said their collective decision was influenced by the persistent crisis at the national level of the PDP.
He stated, “We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our people for the past one and a half years. Having been elected under the PDP, we acknowledge the leadership of our governor, who has now resigned from the party. In solidarity with him, we, the chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, and other appointees, hereby withdraw our membership from the Peoples Democratic Party.”
Among those present at the briefing were:
David Alagoa (Nembe LGA)
Target Segibo (Southern Ijaw LGA)
Bulodisiye Ndiwari (Yenagoa LGA)
Isaac Onniye (Ekeremor LGA)
Golden Jeremiah (Ogbia LGA)
Lelei Isaac (Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA)
However, the Chairmen of Sagbama and Brass LGAs, Alice Tangi and Lucky Febo, respectively, were absent from the event.
Advertisement
