Why Governor Diri’s Resignation From PDP Is Very Embarrassing – Wike

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has described the resignation of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as very embarrassing.

Recall that Diri resigned from the PDP on October 15, but his next political move remains uncertain amid speculation that the Governor might join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Diri was chairing the PDP zoning committee for the elective national convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16, when he quit the party.

Speaking during a media chat on Friday in Abuja, Wike said Diri’s decision to leave the PDP was disappointing.

He said, “It is very embarrassing. The governor was the chairman of the convention committee. Diri was the chairman of the zoning committee. Even though I knew from the beginning that they were all playing games.”

Meanwhile, sources have claimed that Governor Diri is set to join the APC.

According to Punch, Diri, who defected from the PDP, is delaying his planned defection to the ruling APC as internal negotiations among key party leaders, including former Governor Timipre Sylva and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri, continue over control of the party structure in the state.

The development has heightened political tension in Bayelsa, with the PDP insisting that Diri’s exit amounts to a betrayal of the mandate on which he was elected.

However, top APC chieftains have hinted that his defection to the ruling party may be formalised as early as next week.

Although no official date has been fixed, APC leaders confirmed that discussions with Diri were “well advanced,” dispelling speculations that opposition from party strongmen in Bayelsa, including Sylva and Lokpobiri, might frustrate the move.