Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has publicly stated his commitment to dialogue rather than coercion regarding the political affiliation of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who has remained in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while the governor joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Yenagoa on Wednesday, Governor Diri addressed weeks of speculation about tensions within the state’s leadership structure. The meeting, which was attended by Senator Ewhrudjakpo, provided a platform for the governor to clarify his stance on the unusual situation.
“As a matter of principle, I believe in engagement rather than confrontation. I will continue to discuss with my deputy,” Governor Diri stated. He acknowledged the challenges of having the state’s top two leaders in different political parties but expressed optimism that ongoing talks would produce positive outcomes.
The Bayelsa State Governor formally defected to the APC on November 3, weeks after resigning from the PDP on October 15. However, his deputy chose to remain with the opposition party, a decision that sparked widespread political debate across the state.
In a significant development, Governor Diri revealed that the legal action instituted by Senator Ewhrudjakpo at the Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent a rumoured impeachment attempt has been withdrawn. The suit’s discontinuation followed constructive discussions between the two leaders, signalling a thaw in what many perceived as escalating tensions.
“It is difficult for the governor to be on one side and the deputy on another, but we will continue to talk and might end up in the same party tomorrow,” the governor explained, leaving the door open for future reconciliation.
Governor Diri also used the occasion to call for political maturity among Bayelsa residents, emphasizing that politics should serve as a vehicle for development rather than division. “We must not heat up the polity. We are done with violence in Bayelsa State. We are brothers and we are one. Politics should be for the development of the state and not to fight one another,” he declared.
Addressing security concerns, Governor Diri dismissed recent reports about armed men allegedly entering the state as false information. He reassured residents that security agencies have been alerted to address any potential threats and urged citizens to rely on verified information channels rather than spreading unconfirmed reports on social media platforms.
The governor reaffirmed Bayelsa’s position as one of Nigeria’s safest states and encouraged residents to continue their daily activities without fear while reporting genuine security concerns to appropriate authorities.
During the executive council session, Governor Diri received two significant recognitions. Professor Seiyefa Brisibe, the Commissioner for Health, presented an award from the Nigeria Governors Forum recognizing Bayelsa as the “Best State in Health Insurance Service Delivery.” Additionally, Dr. Daniel Igali, Commissioner for Sports, presented a “Distinguished Governor Award for Outstanding Support to Sports Development in Nigeria” from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
The political situation in Bayelsa has attracted national attention, with observers noting the delicate balance the governor seeks to maintain between political strategy and administrative stability as his tenure progresses.