In a stunning twist that has reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor made the announcement on Saturday at a packed ceremony in Yenagoa, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and several APC governors from across the country. The event drew massive crowds as jubilant supporters celebrated what many describe as one of the most significant political realignments in the Niger Delta in recent years.

Jocomms Correspondent reports that the defection marks a major victory for the ruling APC, which has long sought to strengthen its presence in the South-South region. Diri, who until now governed under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said his decision was driven by a “commitment to unity, progress, and collaboration with the federal government for the benefit of Bayelsa people.” Political observers, however, say the move could have deep implications for the PDP’s influence in the region and potentially reshape alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While party leaders hailed Diri’s defection as a “bold and patriotic step,” opposition voices have accused the APC of using federal power to lure governors with promises of political protection and development projects. As the celebration echoes through Yenagoa and beyond, one question now dominates Nigeria’s political discourse—has Douye Diri’s switch just redrawn the map of South-South politics? Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.