APC Shake-Up: Chieftain Defends Diri's Defection, Demands Issue-Based Politics

Festus Daumiebi Sunday, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, has publicly defended Governor Douye Diri’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. Sunday firmly stated that the governor's decision should not be regarded as an enduring offense by those who previously supported his political ascent. He emphasized that political leaders ought to be afforded the autonomy to make choices guided by their personal convictions and the evolving political landscape, without being subjected to personal attacks from former allies.

Sunday's defense was articulated in a statement issued on Saturday, directly responding to criticisms leveled against Governor Diri by the Bayelsa PDP chairman, George Turnah. Governor Diri officially resigned from the PDP on October 15, 2025, and subsequently formalized his membership with the APC on November 3, 2025. Sunday contended that while individuals might have provided political assistance to Diri, such support does not obligate the governor to perpetually align his political decisions with their specific interests. He stressed that Diri's move to the APC should not become an unending source of conflict between him and his past supporters, calling it an “eternal crime” to view it as such.

The APC chieftain, who himself had contested against Diri in the 2019 Bayelsa Central Senatorial election and was involved in the APC's campaign against Diri during the 2020 governorship election, advocated for political disagreements to be resolved through a focus on issues rather than resorting to personal attacks. He maintained that political campaigns should prioritize discussions on policies, development track records, and the welfare of the citizenry, rather than attempting to damage opponents' reputations. Sunday further highlighted his own conduct during past political contests with Diri, challenging anyone to provide proof of him engaging in personal attacks.

Sunday also advised Turnah to exercise restraint in his public commentary regarding the governor, asserting that political leaders must uphold respect and decorum even amidst disagreements. He linked this conduct to respected Ijaw cultural values, which reportedly emphasize deference to elders and responsible communication. Furthermore, Sunday questioned the political efficacy of the PDP-led Rainbow Coalition in Bayelsa, affirming the APC's established structures across the state. He urged the coalition to concentrate on presenting its political agenda and candidates instead of attacking the governor, while dismissing suggestions that the ruling APC required the coalition's support to mobilize for President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election campaign.

Despite Sunday's assertions, the PDP-led Rainbow Coalition has publicly reiterated its claim of strong grassroots support throughout Bayelsa and has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the APC to advance President Tinubu’s re-election efforts. Concluding his remarks, Sunday criticized attempts to bring disrepute to the state through political statements, calling upon all stakeholders to champion peaceful engagement and issue-based campaigns. He specifically urged political and traditional leaders in Ogbia Local Government Area, Turnah’s home, to counsel the PDP chairman on the importance of restraint, emphasizing that political differences should not undermine harmonious relationships among the state's leaders and residents.