Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has stated that he will not compel his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside him.
Diri, who officially joined the APC on November 3 after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15, said he prefers dialogue and mutual understanding to political coercion.
Speaking during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, Diri addressed ongoing media speculations about his deputy’s political stance.
He said, “Let me address an issue that has been a subject of speculation in the media. I do not intend to force people to join the APC but rather to appeal to them to see reason with me. I might have the power today, but not tomorrow.”
He added that though it remains a challenge for a governor and his deputy to belong to different political parties, discussions between him and Ewhrudjakpo were ongoing and yielding positive results.
“It is actually difficult for the governor to be on one side and the deputy on another. But we will continue to talk, and we might end up at the same party tomorrow,” he said.
Court Case Withdrawn After Reconciliation
Governor Diri also confirmed that the suit filed by Ewhrudjakpo at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to stop the Bayelsa State House of Assembly from impeaching him over his refusal to defect, had been withdrawn.
According to the governor, the resolution was reached through private discussions and mutual understanding between the two leaders.
He stressed that his administration prioritises peace and stability over political tension.
“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.
On reports of armed men allegedly arriving in the state, Diri dismissed the claims as fake news, urging residents to remain calm.
He assured that security agencies had been alerted and were fully capable of addressing any genuine threats.
“Bayelsa remains one of the most secure states in the country. Our people should report security issues to the relevant authorities instead of spreading falsehoods on social media,” he advised.
During the executive meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, presented Diri with an award from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum recognising Bayelsa as the “Best State in Health Insurance Service Delivery.”
Similarly, the Commissioner for Sports, Dr Daniel Igali, presented the governor with a “Distinguished Governor Award for Outstanding Support to SWAN and Contribution to Sports Development in Nigeria” from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.
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