Politics
My Deputy has right to remain in PDP – Diri
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has said he will not compel his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join him in the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite their political differences.
Diri, who officially defected to the APC on November 3, made this known during the weekly state executive council meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa on Wednesday, with his deputy present.
His defection without Ewhrudjakpo had sparked speculation of an impending impeachment by the state assembly, now dominated by APC members.
The deputy governor had earlier approached a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop any impeachment move against him for remaining in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but Diri disclosed that the case had been discontinued following discussions between them.
“As a matter of principle, I believe in engagement rather than confrontation; I will continue to discuss with my deputy,” Diri said. “It is actually difficult for the governor to be on one side and the deputy on another. But we will continue to talk, and we might end up in the same party tomorrow.”
He stressed that politics should be a tool for development, not division, and urged Bayelsans to maintain unity and peace. “I do not intend to force people to join the APC but rather to appeal to them to see reason with me. I might have the power today, but not tomorrow,” he added.
The governor also dismissed rumours of armed men arriving in the state, describing them as fake news. He assured that security agencies had been alerted to prevent any potential threats, reiterating that Bayelsa remains one of the most secure states in Nigeria.
During the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, presented Bayelsa’s award as the “Best State in Health Insurance Service Delivery” from the Nigeria Governors Forum, while the Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, presented a “Distinguished Governor Award” from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria for Diri’s contributions to sports development.
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