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 decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, saying the move should not be treated as a permanent offence against those who supported his emergence as governor.

Sunday said political leaders should be allowed to make decisions based on their convictions and changing political circumstances without being subjected to personal attacks by former allies.

He made the position in a statement on Saturday while reacting to recent 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 although some individuals might have helped Diri politically, their support should not mean that the governor must continue to take political decisions in their interest.

He said the governor’s decision to leave the PDP should not become an enduring source of disagreement between him and those 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 said.

The APC chieftain, who contested against Diri in the 2019 Bayelsa Central Senatorial election and was also involved in the party’s campaign during the 2020 governorship election, said political disagreements should be addressed through issues rather than personal attacks.

He maintained that political campaigns should focus on policies, development records and the welfare of the people instead of attempts to damage the reputation of opponents.

Sunday also recalled that he contested against Diri in 2019 and participated in the APC’s campaign against him in 2020 without resorting to personal insults.

He challenged anyone to produce evidence of statements in which he personally attacked Diri during those political contests.

According to him, the governor’s peaceful disposition should not be mistaken for an inability to respond to political attacks.

The former governorship aspirant also called on Turnah to exercise restraint in his public comments about the governor, arguing that political leaders should maintain respect and decorum even when they disagree.

He said such conduct was consistent with Ijaw cultural values, which he described as placing importance on respect for elders and responsible communication.

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Sunday further questioned the political relevance of the PDP-led Rainbow Coalition in Bayelsa, insisting that the APC had established structures across the state.

He argued that the coalition should concentrate on presenting its political agenda and candidates rather than attacking the governor.

The APC chieftain also dismissed suggestions that the ruling party needed the coalition to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

However, the PDP-led Rainbow Coalition has maintained that it has grassroots support across Bayelsa and has called for cooperation with the APC to advance Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

Sunday also criticised what he described as attempts to embarrass the state through political statements, urging stakeholders to promote peaceful engagement and issue-based campaigns.

He called on political and traditional leaders in Ogbia Local Government Area, where Turnah comes from, to advise the PDP chairman on the need for restraint.

He said political differences should not undermine peaceful relations among leaders and residents of the state.