….Shettima, Akpabio Govs, APC Chieftains Welcome Bayelsa Gov, Senators, Speaker
*He’s New Party Leader In The State – Shettima, Yilwatda
From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, disclosed why he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress APC), saying he did his best to salvage his former party.
Speaking during his formal defection and reception ceremony in Yenagoa, Senator Diri said the PDP had been hijacked by undertakers bent on destroying the party and that he had no choice than to join the ruling party in order the protect the political future of members and his followers in the state.
He also stated that President Bola Tinubu’s expressed love for development of the state and the Ijaw nation through developmental initiatives, including the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road and also a N4bn tax waiver granted the state when he procured the 60megawatt gas turbine influenced his decision.
”On October 15, I did something after consultation with elders and the State Assembly and afterwards resigned from the PDP for obvious reasons. This defection is not only for Bayelsa. It is for Ijaws in Ondo, Edo, Delta and Rivers.
“I will not denigrate my former party. We were happy with it until some undertakers destroyed it.
“We tried to salvage it but to no avail. I never wanted my state to be buried with the PDP. What was going on became incumbent on me to take a decision and majority of the state House of Assembly, including the Speaker, have come with me to the APC.”
Two of the state’s current senators, Konbowei Benson and Benson Agadaga as well as former Senator Ben Bruce and the Speaker, Abraham Ingobere, were also received into the APC at the ceremony.
Welcoming the new members, Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, governors and other leaders of the party, said with the flag handed over to Governor Diri, he becomes the party’s leader in the state.
“Today, you have shown us that Bayelsa State has chosen the light of national integration over the shadows of political isolation. The All Progressives Congress is the party of those who believe that progress can only be guaranteed when we stand together, when we answer the call of the people,” Shettima said.
“Your story mirrors that of your people. You have led with calm and dignity. But beneath that calm has flowed a restless comitment to development, to unity, and to peace. You have expanded roads to remote communities and assured them that they are not forgotten.
“You have built bridges where there were barriers. You have lit homes where there was darkness. This is what it means to govern with empathy. So, we welcome you into this fold to watch and support you as you champion what you have always done.”
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the party was happy to receive Diri as demonstrated by the large turnout of top party members at the event.
Akpabio commended Diri for steering the state on the path of peace and congratulated him for taking the bold step in moving the affairs of the state in the direction of the party at the centre.
Speaking on behalf of the APC governors, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, said the Bayelsa governor has taken a progressive step by aligning with the renewed hope agenda of the President.
The APC National Chairman, Yilwatda, who officially welcomed Diri to the party, presented the flag and its symbol (broom) to him.
He thanked Bayelsans for taking the right decision, stressing that the Ijaw nation has spoken in one voice through the governor.
He equally announced the governor as the new leader of the APC in the state.
Also present at the event were the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State), Pastor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Ahmed Ododo (Kogi), and Monday Okpebolo (Edo).
Others are the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Kwara State (AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq), Peter Mba (Enugu), as well as former Edo governor, Adams Oshiomhole,.
Also in attendance were the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri,
Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, his counterpart in the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, Chief Ebitimi Amgbare among several leaders and chieftains of the party.
