Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri has resigned his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Diri said he resigned his membership following the internal crisis that has rocked the PDP
Diri, a key PDP figure in the oil-rich South-South region, announced his resignation from the party during a formal address at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa, citing “obvious reasons” after months of speculation and internal consultations.
The defection also includes 23 lawmakers from the Bayelsa State House of Assembly led by Speaker Abraham Ngobere.
Diri, who won re-election in 2023 on the PDP platform, expressed gratitude to his supporters and the party for past opportunities but emphasized the need for a platform that better aligns with his vision for Bayelsa State’s development.
“After extensive consultations, today, October 15, 2025, I wish to notify you that, in keeping with the extant protocols, I, Governor Douye Diri, do hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he announced.
While Diri hasn’t announced the next party he is joining, it has been speculated that the Governor is on his way to the All Progressives Congress (APC)
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Diri resigned his membership from the PDP 24 hours after his Enugu State counterpart, Peter Mbah, dumped the party for the ruling APC.
Mbah officially dumped the PDP for the APC on Tuesday during a state-wide broadcast to the people of the state.
He said the move was driven by the need to better serve the interests of the people of the state, and not a betrayal.
“This is not a betrayal; it is also not abandoning.
“It is more about thinking I was entrusted with the people’s mandate by the people, and it is also a cost on me carrying that same mandate on a platform that will best serve the people,” the governor told journalists shortly after announcing his defection.
The two governors’ defection came months after Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, moved to the ruling party with all their officials and appointees earlier in the year.
Following the development, Pan-Atlantic Kompass gathered that PDP is now down to only eight governors.
The latest defections have further weakened the opposition party, which had controlled 11 states after the 2023 elections.
With the recent developments, the APC now holds 24 states, while the PDP controls eight.
The Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) govern one state each.
Below are the names of the PDP governors as of press time;
Adamawa – Ahmadu Fintiri (North-East)
Bauchi – Bala Mohammed (North-East)
Plateau – Caleb Mutfwang (North-Central)
Taraba – Agbu Kefas (North-Central)
Zamfara – Dauda Lawal (North-West)
Oyo – Seyi Makinde (South-West)
Rivers – Siminalayi Fubara (South-South)
Osun – Ademola Adeleke (South-West)
PDP Reacts to the Wave of Defection
Meanwhile, the leadership of the PDP has expressed its disappointment at the governors who have recently dumped the party.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba, said the development has shown that there were “moles” within the party.
“The PDP is utterly disappointed by those actions, having regard to what we know behind the scenes. But having said that, people have a right to decide what they want to do; the consequences can follow
“There are some people from within our fold that continue the undermine the party and its progress. We recognise that, but we are dealing with that,” Ologunagba stated.
Speaking also on the wave of defections, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, admitted that the development had unsettled the party, though he said efforts were ongoing to keep it united ahead of the November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan.
He said: “If you ask me whether I am concerned about our governors leaving for APC, I am more than concerned. But leadership is a burden. As a leader of a group of equal status, I cannot determine the decisions or inactions of my colleagues, but certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.”
