APC Chieftain Defends Diri’s Defection, Calls For Issue-Based Politics

A former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, Festus Daumiebi Sunday, has defended Governor Douye Diri’s choice to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, saying the transfer shouldn’t be handled as a everlasting offence in opposition to those that supported his emergence as governor.

Sunday stated political leaders ought to be allowed to make selections primarily based on their convictions and altering political circumstances with out being subjected to private assaults by former allies.

He made the place in a press release on Saturday whereas reacting to current criticisms of Diri by the Bayelsa PDP chairman, George Turnah.

Diri resigned from the PDP on October 15, 2025, and formally joined the APC on November 3, 2025.

Sunday argued that though some people may need helped Diri politically, their assist shouldn’t imply that the governor should proceed to take political selections of their curiosity.

He stated the governor’s choice to go away the PDP shouldn’t turn out to be a permanent supply of disagreement between him and people who supported his political journey.

“Where the Governor of Bayelsa took the decision to come to APC, which decision did not go down well with those that helped him to power, should not be an eternal crime,” he stated.

The APC chieftain, who contested in opposition to Diri within the 2019 Bayelsa Central Senatorial election and was additionally concerned within the social gathering’s marketing campaign throughout the 2020 governorship election, stated political disagreements ought to be addressed by means of points slightly than private assaults.

He maintained that political campaigns ought to deal with insurance policies, growth information and the welfare of the folks as an alternative of makes an attempt to wreck the status of opponents.

Sunday additionally recalled that he contested in opposition to Diri in 2019 and took part within the APC’s marketing campaign in opposition to him in 2020 with out resorting to private insults.

He challenged anybody to supply proof of statements wherein he personally attacked Diri throughout these political contests.

According to him, the governor’s peaceable disposition shouldn’t be mistaken for an lack of ability to reply to political assaults.

The former governorship aspirant additionally referred to as on Turnah to train restraint in his public feedback in regards to the governor, arguing that political leaders ought to keep respect and decorum even after they disagree.

He stated such conduct was in line with Ijaw cultural values, which he described as putting significance on respect for elders and accountable communication.

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Sunday additional questioned the political relevance of the PDP-led Rainbow Coalition in Bayelsa, insisting that the APC had established buildings throughout the state.

He argued that the coalition ought to focus on presenting its political agenda and candidates slightly than attacking the governor.

The APC chieftain additionally dismissed recommendations that the ruling social gathering wanted the coalition to mobilise assist for President Bola Tinubu forward of the 2027 basic election.

However, the PDP-led Rainbow Coalition has maintained that it has grassroots assist throughout Bayelsa and has referred to as for cooperation with the APC to advance Tinubu’s re-election marketing campaign.

Sunday additionally criticised what he described as makes an attempt to embarrass the state by means of political statements, urging stakeholders to advertise peaceable engagement and issue-based campaigns.

He referred to as on political and conventional leaders in Ogbia Local Government Area, the place Turnah comes from, to advise the PDP chairman on the necessity for restraint.

He stated political variations shouldn’t undermine peaceable relations amongst leaders and residents of the state.