Sources have claimed that the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, is set to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Punch, Diri, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (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 chieftains of the APC 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.
Deputy Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, said the party was open to Diri’s joining, stressing that the APC “is a large family” that welcomes any Nigerian who believes in its vision and leadership.
“It is for him to decide. The APC is a large family and does not segregate. What I mean is that it is open to Nigerians of age, who believe in the vision of the APC, its manifesto and the leadership of the party and of the country.
“If anybody wants to identify with the APC, he knows the step to take,” Duru told the aforementioned publication.
Addressing claims that Sylva and Lokpobiri were uneasy about Diri’s possible entry, Duru said both men remained loyal party stalwarts who had contributed immensely to strengthening the APC in Bayelsa.
“These are two leaders of the party in Bayelsa, and we are pleased with them. They have contributed immeasurably to building the party in the state, and they are faithful party men,” he added.
He explained that internal reconciliation and consensus-building were natural in politics, noting that any disagreements would eventually give way to the party’s collective interest.
APC vice chairman for the South-East, Ijeoma Arodiogbu, went further to confirm that Diri’s defection plan was already concluded but delayed by internal challenges involving his deputy governor and former President Goodluck Jonathan’s political camp.
“Yes, I know that Diri is coming to APC but the challenges he is facing with his deputy governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, and of course Jonathan has not made him to make any open statement about his defection,” Arodiogbu said.
“It would have happened about three months ago, but his deputy said he’s not moving with him. He looked at the former governor and also has some reluctance. But it’s conclusive that he’s coming over to us,” he added.
Arodiogbu disclosed that the leadership of the APC was only waiting to agree on a date to receive Diri in Yenagoa, hinting that the event “could happen possibly next week.”