Governor Diri set to join APC: Presidency, party leaders to officially welcome him Monday

In a major political development, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, is expected to be officially received into the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, November 3, 2025.

According to reliable sources within the ruling party, the event will be held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and will be attended by top-ranking members of the APC, including the National Working Committee (NWC), state governors elected on the party’s platform, and senior officials from the Presidency.

Governor Diri’s defection marks a significant realignment in the South-South political landscape, where the APC has been working to strengthen its foothold ahead of upcoming elections. The Bayelsa Governor, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is said to have concluded extensive consultations before making the move.

An APC official who spoke on condition of anonymity described Diri’s planned defection as “a bold and strategic decision,” adding that his entry would “further solidify the party’s presence in the Niger Delta region.”

Although Governor Diri has yet to make a formal statement, close aides suggest that his decision stems from a desire to align with the federal government’s development agenda for the oil-producing region.

The official reception ceremony on Monday is expected to feature symbolic presentations of the party flag and other formalities marking his induction into the APC family.

Political observers say Diri’s defection could trigger ripple effects within Bayelsa’s political circles and may lead to further realignments across the South-South zone.