On October 15, 2025, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).1 His Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, confirmed the development.2
The announcement was made during the weekly State Executive Council meeting at Government House in Yenagoa.3 Diri’s resignation was reportedly accompanied by the defection of a significant number of lawmakers from the state House of Assembly.4 News reports vary on the exact number, with figures ranging from 17 to 23.
While the governor did not immediately announce his new political party, there had been months of speculation that he would defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).5 Some reports suggest he is indeed preparing to join the APC.6
The resignation of Governor Diri comes just a day after his Enugu State counterpart, Peter Mbah, also defected from the PDP to the APC.7 These defections have further weakened the opposition PDP, leaving it with a reduced number of governors across Nigeria.8
