The gale of highly level defections rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) berthed in Bayelsa Wedneaday as former Bayelsa lawmaker, Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce dumped the party to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is coming barely three hours after his state governor, Douye Diri, and 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly announced their resignation from the PDP.
Douye Diri, on Wednesday, rested speculations around his rumoured defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as he officially announced his resignation from the party for what he described as “obvious reasons.”
Diri made the announcement during an expanded State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, which had in attendance Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, his deputy, Michael Ogbere, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) minority leader, Edward Brigidi and seven other lawmakers.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that he took the decision after extensive consultation with leaders of the state.
He expressed gratitude to his supporters, who he said have stood firmly with him and his government, and urged them to continue as he builds a strong and virile Bayelsa.
His words: “Today, I wish to address a matter that has been the subject of speculation and debate across party lines in Bayelsa State and beyond. We allowed the speculations. But while it lasted, we were also doing our consultation.
“After extensive consultation, today the 15th day of October 2025, I wish to formally notify you that in keeping with the extant protocols, I Governor Douye Diri, do hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“I am not resigning alone as you can see. I am here with Mr. Speaker, Deputy Speaker and all the members of our party (in the Assembly) who are with me on this.
“So, today, I have formally resigned from the PDP for very obvious reasons.”
Lending his voice, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, said he, his deputy, other PDP, APGA and APC members of the assembly completely align with the governor’s decision to leave the party.
Ingobere, who referred to the governor as the leader of the political structure of the state, said he was not alone in his decision as he had the backing of the overwhelming majority of 21 of the 24-member assembly.
He commended the governor for taking the decision at this time.
Murray-Bruce, in a statement issued on Wednesday, declared his defection to the APC. The founder of the Silverbird Group had in the statement showered encomium on President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, lauding hisleadership which he claimed to be characterized by both courage and intellect.
O878iThe statement reads: “I have known President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu since 1998. I know the man’s mind, his courage, and his conviction. He is not driven by applause, he is driven by results. And today, I can boldly say to you that he is on the right track.
“For the first time in our nation’s history, we have a President who truly understands finance, who sees the economy not as a political slogan, but as a living organism that must be disciplined, deregulated, and allowed to breathe.
“The painful reforms we face today are the very foundation of tomorrow’s prosperity. We are moving into a free-market economy, one that rewards hard work and innovation instead of dependency and distortion.
“I know it is still a difficult season for many families. But as history teaches, reform is never painless. Yet, it is in these moments of sacrifice that nations are reborn.
“That is why today, I am joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), not for politics, but for progress. Because I believe that Bola Tinubu’s leadership, guided by courage and intellect, will deliver the Nigeria we have all dreamed of.
“Mark my words: in the full term of eight years, Nigeria will witness phenomenal growth. I choose to stand with that vision. I choose to stand with reform. I choose to stand with the future.“Thank you and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
