Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday vowed to deliver 99 per cent of Bayelsa’s votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
He made the pledge in Yenagoa during a ceremony officially welcoming him into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The event drew several dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and numerous party loyalists.
The occasion marks a significant political shift in Bayelsa, long regarded as a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Diri resigned from the PDP on 15 October 2025 after what he described as extensive consultations.
Among the APC governors present were Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), among others.
Addressing the audience, Diri declared, “I am not a domineering leader; I have come to unite us so that we can work together and achieve a 99 per cent result in Bayelsa come 2027. I do not recognise any opposition.”
He also expressed appreciation for the support he had received from the APC since his defection.
Diri explained that he left the PDP, the platform on which he was elected governor, because of what he described as the “guidance” he received from the APC-led Federal Government.
He further claimed that the Federal Government had demonstrated love for the Ijaw people, though he did not elaborate on the statement.
Describing himself as a team player, Diri emphasised his commitment to uniting all APC members in Bayelsa.
“There is much we can achieve together by aligning with the Federal Government, which has shown goodwill towards the Izon people and Bayelsa State,” he said.
“Do not let anyone deceive you; anyone saying otherwise is pursuing personal interests. Many feared that factions existed within the APC, but since I announced my defection, I have been warmly received by the entire APC family in Bayelsa. I sincerely thank the APC for their support,” the governor added.