The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State deepened on Monday as more members announced their resignation following Governor Douye Diri’s dramatic exit from the party.
Themomentng recalls that Diri, alongside members of the state executive council and House of Assembly, resigned from the PDP last Wednesday. While his next political move remains unclear, the governor’s loyalists have continued to abandon the party in droves.
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, leaders and members of Yenagoa Constituency 3, covering Okordia, Zarama, and Biseni communities, declared their mass resignation.
Led by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, the group said their decision was tied to Diri’s political direction.
The leaders stated, “There is a need for all of us to resign our membership of the Peoples Democratic Party alongside our governor, Senator Douye Diri.
“The people of Okordia, Zarama, and Biseni have confidence in the governor’s leadership. The decision of the governor is in the best interest of the people. Yenagoa Constituency 3 will remain a stronghold of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, and will continue with him wherever he leads.”
The group also distanced itself from the position of Ted Elemeforo, the lawmaker representing Yenagoa Constituency 3 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, who chose not to resign with other legislators.
They described his stance as personal, stressing that it did not represent the collective will of the people.
The Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bulodisiye Ndiwari, reiterated the constituency’s allegiance to the governor, saying, “The people of Yenagoa Constituency 3 believe in Governor Diri’s vision and will follow him wherever he leads.”
Special Adviser to the Governor on Petroleum (Oil), Frank Otele, confirmed that constituency leaders had resolved to align with Diri’s political path.
Other prominent figures at the meeting included Godwin Worukumo, commissioner in the House of Assembly Service Commission; Zuah Konugah, governor’s representative for Yenagoa LGA; Comrade Laye Julius, state chairman of the Trade Union Congress; Angela Richard Akpana, chairperson of Okordia, Biseni, Zarama Rural Development Authority; Jeremiah Ikah, former RDA chairman; and Patience Tamuno Ebiere, Director-General of the Centre for Women Development in Yenagoa Constituency 3.
