Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has declared that his decision to align with the All Progressives Congress (APC) is rooted in a clear conviction — that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated genuine love for Bayelsa and the South-South through concrete developmental action, not empty promises.
Speaking in Yenagoa at the APC welcome event on Monday, Diri said his defection was driven by the “politics of development,” stressing that he would not stay in any political platform that hinders the progress of his people.
“If we have a president that loves the Niger Delta people, that loves Bayelsa, and has shown that love from the beginning, then I have no reason to remain in a sinking ship,” Diri declared. “My leadership style has always been based on consultation and progress. Together, we must move Bayelsa State forward.”
The governor praised President Tinubu for his swift response to Bayelsa’s development needs, particularly the long-awaited coastal road project connecting the state to other parts of the region.
“I don’t care how much the coastal road will cost. What matters to me is that the President has realised that this project is for our people,” he said. “When I came on board, I said I would not play politics with development, and I started the Nembe–Brass Road. Some people thought it was a political gimmick for a second term, but the people of Brass are very important. Our phase of that project is almost completed and will be finished before I leave office.”
Diri explained that despite his previous efforts to secure federal support under past administrations, it was only under President Tinubu that tangible action was taken.
“Because of the enormous cost of that road, I sought federal partnership during the previous government but got no response. When this government came in, I went again with our leaders to see President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. What did he tell me? ‘Governor, it is done.’ Mr. President has not only awarded the phase two of that road but has also mobilised contractors to site. Will you not follow that kind of leader?”
The governor also highlighted the President’s support for Bayelsa’s power sector reforms, recalling how his administration tackled months of power outage in Yenagoa through independent energy solutions.
“You know Yenagoa was thrown into darkness for several months after sabotage of the national grid. I promised to provide 24-hour power using gas turbines, and today, you are all witnesses,” he said. “When our 60-megawatt gas turbines arrived, we were asked to pay over ₦4 billion in import taxes. I approached the President for a tax waiver, and he granted it. That’s leadership.”
Reflecting on his time as Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, Diri said he had often been left to “stand alone,” but his commitment to progressive governance never wavered.
“We were five South-South governors; I became the only one left. Each time we met, they said, ‘Your Excellency, you are our senior, you are progressively minded, come let’s rebuild our South-South Governors’ Forum.’ That reaffirmed to me that leadership must be about development, not sentiment.”
Diri listed several key projects his administration has executed in five years — including the Sagbama–Ekeremor Road, the 630-metre bridge across the River Nun to Oporoma, and the construction of science and technical colleges aimed at promoting skills development among Bayelsa youths.
“Today, you can close your eyes and drive from Sagbama to Ekeremor. By December or January, we will complete the Oporoma bridge and road. In education, we have moved from white-collar learning to technical and science-based education. Our young people should have the skills to build, repair, and create opportunities right here in the South-South.”
Expressing gratitude to Bayelsa’s APC leadership and members for warmly receiving him, Diri promised to promote unity and deliver overwhelming victory for the party in the state.
“Some people feared there might be factions in the APC, but I have been accepted by the entire APC family in Bayelsa. I am not a bossy leader. I have come to unite us so that we can work together and deliver 99 percent results in Bayelsa,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the governor expressed optimism that Bayelsa would remain solidly aligned with the APC under a new spirit of partnership and progress.
“From the Western Senatorial District to the Central and the East, with our Honourable Minister, the NDDC Managing Director, and the Niger Delta Basin Authority all behind me, you know Bayelsa is taken,” Diri said.
“Since I became governor, I have preached love over hatred and unity over division. The love you have shown us, we will reciprocate and Bayelsa people will reciprocate.”
Boluwatife Enome
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