…Dispels Security Threat in Bayelsa
By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has said he will not compel his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join him in the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he formally joined on November 3.
Diri, who resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15 citing personal reasons, stated this during the weekly State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, with Ewhrudjakpo in attendance.
The governor explained that as a matter of principle, he prefers dialogue to confrontation and will continue to engage his deputy in discussions.
“It is difficult for the governor to be on one side and the deputy on another,” Diri said. “But we will continue to talk, and we might end up in the same party tomorrow.”
He revealed that the case filed by Ewhrudjakpo at a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop a purported impeachment process had been discontinued following their discussions.
Diri thanked Bayelsans for their support, especially during the state’s thanksgiving service and his official defection to the APC, noting that the massive turnout reflected unity and goodwill.
“I appreciate the leader of our party, President Bola Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima,” he said. “I pledge our loyalty to work for a better Nigeria and the upliftment of our people’s living standards.
“I do not intend to force anyone to join the APC but to appeal to them to see reason with me. I might have the power today but not tomorrow. We must not heat up the polity. We are brothers and one people. Politics should be about development, not division.”
On reports alleging the arrival of armed men in the state, Diri dismissed them as fake news but assured that security agencies were on alert to address any potential threats.
He reaffirmed that Bayelsa remains one of the most secure states in the country and urged residents to go about their daily activities peacefully while reporting any security concerns to the appropriate authorities instead of spreading false information on social media.
During the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, presented Bayelsa’s award as the “Best State in Health Insurance Service Delivery” by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, while the Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, also presented a “Distinguished Governor Award for Outstanding Support to SWAN and Contribution to Sports Development in Nigeria” from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
The post I won’t force my deputy to join APC — Diri appeared first on Vanguard News.
