All eight local government chairmen in Bayelsa State have formally resigned their membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and declared their full support for Governor Douye Diri, following his decision to quit the party earlier on Wednesday, October 15.
The collective resignation was announced during a press briefing held at the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Secretariat in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Governor Douye Diri had earlier tendered his resignation from the PDP alongside several members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, fuelling speculations that he may be on his way to joining the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Although the governor cited what he called obvious reasons for his departure, he did not disclose specific grievances with the party.
According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Diri made the announcement during an expanded State Executive Council meeting held at Government House, Yenagoa, which was attended by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, Deputy Speaker Michael Ogbere, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Minority Leader Edward Brigidi, and seven other lawmakers.
The statement explained that Diri’s decision followed extensive consultations with political leaders and stakeholders across the state. The governor expressed appreciation to his supporters, urging them to remain steadfast as he builds a strong and vibrant Bayelsa.
However, Diri did not address whether his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was absent at the meeting, had also resigned from the PDP.
Speaking on behalf of all eight council chairmen, Lelei Isaac, the Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, explained that internal crises within the PDP at the national level influenced their decision.
He stated, “We are indeed grateful for the opportunity to serve the people for the past one and a half years. We were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and today, we are aware that our leader, the Governor of Bayelsa State, has formally resigned his membership of the party.
“As chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, and other appointees of the local government areas, we support the decision of our governor, we stand with him, and consequently, we hereby resign our membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
Among those who attended the announcement were David Alagoa (Nembe LGA), Target Segibo (Southern Ijaw LGA), Bulodisiye Ndiwari (Yenagoa LGA), Isaac Onniye (Ekeremor LGA), Golden Jeremiah (Ogbia LGA), and Lelei Isaac (Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA).
The chairmen of Sagbama LGA, Alice Tangi, and Brass LGA, Lucky Febo, were notably absent.
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