Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has firmly distanced himself from Governor Douye Diri’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor’s defection, officially announced during a State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday by his spokesman Daniel Alabrah, has stirred significant political tension and division within the state.
While Governor Diri embraced the APC, some key political figures in the state, including Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo, have chosen to remain committed to the PDP.
Sources close to the deputy governor disclosed that Ewhrudjakpo deliberately abstained from attending the council meeting where the defection was declared — a move widely interpreted as a clear rejection of the switch.
“The Deputy Governor didn’t attend because he is not defecting alongside the governor,” a senior government insider told The Radiant News.
Further insights reveal that Ewhrudjakpo’s stance echoes that of other PDP loyalists in Bayelsa, including former Governor Seriake Dickson, who have vowed to maintain the party’s presence and strength in the state.
“The Deputy Governor, Ewhrudjakpo, and other party leaders are still with the PDP; we’re going nowhere,” confirmed a party source.
However, the political standoff threatens to escalate. Some lawmakers who have aligned with Governor Diri in the APC are reportedly exploring impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo, citing “gross misconduct” linked to his refusal to defect.
“If the State Assembly victimises him for remaining in the PDP, he may be forced to take appropriate legal action,” another insider hinted.
A lawyer by profession and former senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Ewhrudjakpo has been a dedicated PDP member since 2019, when he first took office with Governor Diri, and through their re-election in 2023.
Known for his calm and principled approach, he has consistently advocated for political loyalty, institutional stability, and governance that transcends personal ambition.
Political analysts suggest that this unfolding conflict may prove pivotal in Bayelsa’s political history, testing the resilience of party ideology and loyalty in a state traditionally dominated by the PDP.
