By Onilede Titi Faith
All eight local government chairmen in Bayelsa State have resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and pledged allegiance to Governor Douye Diri after his exit from the party.
The chairmen announced their resignation on Wednesday at the ALGON Secretariat in Yenagoa, affirming their solidarity with the governor.
Governor Diri had earlier resigned from the PDP along with several House of Assembly members, citing “obvious reasons” without elaborating.
His decision, announced during an expanded State Executive Council meeting, followed “extensive consultations with leaders of the state,” according to his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah.
Speaking for the council bosses, Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA Chairman, Lelei Isaac, said the move was influenced by the PDP’s prolonged internal crisis.
“As chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, and other appointees, we support our governor’s decision and hereby resign from the PDP,” Isaac declared.
Chairmen from Nembe, Southern Ijaw, Yenagoa, Ekeremor, Ogbia, and Kolokuma/Opokuma LGAs were present at the briefing, while those of Sagbama and Brass were absent.
Diri’s resignation marks a major political shift in Bayelsa, long regarded as a PDP stronghold, and has triggered speculation about his next political move.
