Lokpobiri warn against disloyalty to governor
Ahead of his formal reception into the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, November 3, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said his decision to quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in the interest of the state.
Diri, who spoke yesterday during the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene, Yenagoa, said that someone had to make the decision, and he took it on behalf of Bayelsans.
It was the first time he had spoken publicly on the issue since resigning from the PDP on October 15, 2025. Diri explained that some people might not understand his decision to join the ruling party, but that with the passage of time, it would become clear that his reasons were altruistic.
He expressed delight over the gathering of different political leaders at the thanksgiving service, stressing that the unity of Bayelsa was crucial for its development.
He stated that politics should be focused on development, rather than bringing people down, and that his administration would continue to unite and develop the state.
The Bayelsa helmsman also stated that the current peace and security in the state, as well as its ongoing development, were reasons to be grateful to God and urged the people to adopt a culture of thanksgiving.
He said: “Somebody had to make the decision (to leave the PDP) and I took it on behalf of the state. I took it in the best interest of the state. Some of you might not understand now, but later it will be clear to all.
“When we came in as a government, what we did at the beginning was to ensure that most of the uncompleted projects were completed, and we introduced new ones. That alone is enough reason to thank God.
“The peace and security we are enjoying are another reason to thank God. Politics is for development and not to kill your brother. The gathering here is a testimony of the unity in the state.”
Also, the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented by his Senior Policy Adviser, Funkekeme Solomon, stated that the strength of Bayelsa’s progress and development lay in the unity of the people and urged the state to remain united and supportive of the Diri administration.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who said he was excited to be attending the annual thanksgiving for the first time, described Diri as a unifier.
Lokpobiri said the governor’s recent political move was timely, as the state can no longer afford to be in opposition when key developmental decisions are being made at the centre.
The minister warned against disloyalty to the Governor in a veiled jab at the Deputy Governor, who had chosen to remain in the Peoples’ Democratic Party rather than join Diri in resigning from the PDP.
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described Diri as a godsend to the state, owing to his visible developmental strides.
