Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said he will not compel his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with him, despite political pressure and speculation about a looming rift in the state’s leadership.
Diri, who formally joined the APC on November 3 after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the clarification on Wednesday during the weekly State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Yenagoa. Ewhrudjakpo, who remains in the PDP, was present at the meeting.
The governor said his approach to governance and politics was guided by engagement and dialogue rather than coercion or confrontation.
“As a matter of principle, I believe in engagement rather than confrontation. I will continue to discuss with my deputy,” Diri said. “It is difficult for the governor to be on one side and the deputy on another, but we will continue to talk and might end up in the same party tomorrow.”
Diri confirmed that the deputy governor had discontinued a court case he filed to stop a purported impeachment move by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly following discussions between them.
“I will not force anyone to join the APC. I might have the power today, but not tomorrow. We must not heat up the polity. Politics should be for development, not destruction,” he stated.
The governor also dispelled rumours of armed men arriving in the state, describing them as fake news aimed at causing panic. He assured residents that security agencies had been placed on alert to forestall any potential threat.
“Bayelsa remains one of the most secure states in the country,” he said, urging citizens to report security concerns to relevant agencies instead of spreading misinformation on social media.
Meanwhile, Diri received two awards during the meeting — the “Best State in Health Insurance Service Delivery” from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, presented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe; and a “Distinguished Governor Award for Outstanding Support to Sports Development in Nigeria” from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), presented by the Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali.
In a related development, the University of Lagos Consultancy Services (UNILAG Consult) has announced plans to honour Governor Diri for his exemplary leadership and commitment to good governance.
The triple-event tribute, scheduled for November 5 at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium, will feature the launch of a new book titled “Leadership Chronicles of Governor Douye Diri”, an international public lecture, and the establishment of a Professorial Chair on Good Governance.
The Managing Director of UNILAG Consult, Prof. John Oyefara, said the initiative aims to institutionalise Diri’s leadership ethos, which is grounded in transparency, inclusiveness, and innovation.
“The Professorial Chair will serve as a lasting academic legacy promoting research, teaching, and policy dialogue on ethics in leadership and people-centred governance,” Prof. Oyefara said.
The book’s General Editor, Prof. Hope Eghagha, noted that the event aligns with UNILAG’s mission to bridge the gap between academia and public administration, describing Diri’s achievements in technology-driven healthcare and education as models for the Niger Delta region.
Project consultant Sola Ojewusi also cited Bayelsa’s pioneering use of drones to deliver medical supplies to remote communities as a hallmark of the governor’s innovative approach to governance.
The event is expected to attract prominent figures from academia, policy circles, and the diplomatic community, who will discuss the future of good governance in Africa.
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