Defection Drama: Three Bayelsa Lawmakers, PDP Chieftains Reject Gov. Diri’s Move To APC

The lawmakers — Godbless Oyinke, Ted Elemeforo, and Wisdom Fafi — reaffirmed their loyalty to the PDP, saying the party remains solid and has no reason to collapse into the ruling APC.

Speaking in an interview with Punch, the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Ebiye Ogoli, said the party leadership’s decision to stay back was deliberate, as Governor Diri, now in his second term, would not be seeking re-election.

He stated, “We are not defecting with the governor. The governor didn’t force anyone to join him, and after careful consideration, we decided there’s no need to move with him since he’s not contesting again. The PDP remains strong in Bayelsa.”

Meanwhile, Bayelsa Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop an alleged impeachment move by the state House of Assembly.

In the suit, Ewhrudjakpo named the House, its Speaker Abraham Ingobere, the Chief Judge Justice Matilda Ayemieye, the Attorney-General Biriyai Dambo (SAN), the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the DSS as defendants.

The deputy governor, who has stayed back in the PDP, alleged that some lawmakers were plotting to remove him from office for refusing to defect alongside Governor Diri.