Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has revealed that his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) was taken in the overall interest of the state. Diri made this statement on Sunday during the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day held at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa.
According to Diri, some people might not immediately understand the rationale behind his political move, but time would reveal that the decision was made with sincerity and for the benefit of Bayelsa. “Somebody had to take the decision, and I took it on behalf of the state,” he said. “Some of you might not understand now, but later it will be clear. Politics is for development, not for harming your brother. The peace and security we enjoy today are reasons to thank God.”
The governor highlighted the completion of inherited projects, the initiation of new ones, and the sustained atmosphere of peace as evidence of the state’s progress. He also urged the people to imbibe the culture of thanksgiving.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Senior Policy Adviser, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, said unity remained Bayelsa’s greatest strength and urged residents to remain supportive of the Diri administration. “The strength of Bayelsa’s progress and development was in the unity of the people,” Oborevwori said.
Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, described Diri as a unifier and said the governor’s recent political move was timely, adding that Bayelsa could no longer afford to be in opposition when key developmental decisions were being made at the centre.
