Minister of Aviation and Space Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo has hailed the defection of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as the final piece in consolidating the party’s dominance in the South-South region.
Keyamo wrote in a post on X on Monday, while reacting to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda’s welcome message to Diri.
‘Finally, the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle in the S/South has moved into place! Officially, five of the six states of the South/South are now in APC, whilst the sixth has a leader and Minister in active, open support of Mr. President.
‘From a position of absolute weakness in 2015, 2019 and 2023 to a position of absolute advantage and strength ahead of 2027! Welcome home, Governor Duoye Diri’, Keyamo wrote.
Yilwatda also welcomed Diri, posting on X, ‘The Broom Revolution. Welcome to our family and party, Governor Douye Diri’.
Diri had resigned from the PDP on 15 October, citing ‘obvious reasons’, without elaborating on the details of his grievances.
On Sunday, at the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day held at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa, the governor said his decision was motivated by the overall interest of the state.
‘Someone had to make the move and I did so on behalf of Bayelsans.
‘Although some people might not immediately understand my decision to join the ruling party, time will reveal that it was driven by altruistic motives’, he said.
Keyamo’s statement positions the APC as having gained a ‘position of absolute advantage and strength’, in a region where it had previously been considered weak, highlighting the strategic importance of Diri’s move to the ruling party.
