Defection: Eyes On Diri, Fubara As Damagum Denies Dumping PDP

The tale of high profile defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is far from abating as indications emerged that Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri and his embattled Rivers State counterpart Siminalayi Fubara may have concluded plans to follow in the footsteps of their colleagues in Delta and Akwa Ibom who recently dumped PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This comes as the PDP acting national chairman, Amb Illiya Umar Damagum, has denied nursing a plan to defect to the APC.

While Damagum reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP and blamed faceless groups for the rumour, it was gathered that six federal lawmakers may have rejected Diri and Fubara’s overtures to join them in the APC.

LEADERSHIP exclusively predicted in January this year that at least five PDP governors, including those of Delta and Akwa Ibom states, were planning to join the APC.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) recently dumped the PDP for the APC. While Oborevwori was able to move with most of the elected PDP officials into the APC, the same has not happened in Akwa Ibom State.

In addition to the governors who justify their defection by saying they need to align with the APC at the federal level, other PDP members, especially serving federal and state lawmakers, have blamed the prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP for their joining the APC.

Although some former Labour Party members have joined the PDP, especially in Enugu State, speculations are rife that the governor, Peter Mbah, might also defect to the APC.

Opposition leaders have dismissed the defectors’ reasons and accused the ruling party of instigating the crisis in the PDP and other parties to weaken them and achieve a one-party state arrangement ahead of the 2027 election.

However, PDP has been locked in a pre-2023 election crisis of confidence, which has since evolved into a battle for the party’s soul ahead of 2027, as reflected in the fighting for national chairman and national secretary seats. The tussle also led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

 

Diri, Fubara

As the defections continue, it was learnt that six federal lawmakers from Rivers and Bayelsa states may have rejected governors’ overtures to defect to the ruling APC.

It was gathered that the lawmakers from Bayelsa State are Senator Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), Hon Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor), Mitema Obodor (Ogbia), and Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass).

For Rivers State, they are Hon Boma Goodhead (Asaritoru/Akukutoru) and Awajinombe Abiante (Opobo/Andoni/Nkoro), allies of the suspended governor.

While it was unclear when and how the suspended Rivers Governor Fubara would dump PDP, his defection to the ruling party is said to have been agreed upon as a precondition for his reinstatement.

While he has been trying to reconcile with his estranged godfather, FCT minister Nyesom Wike, the Tony Okocha-led APC in Rivers State has been vocal against Fubara joining the party.

 

We’re Not Aware Fubara Approached Lawmakers To Defect with him – Aide

However, the commissioner of Information and Communications in Fubara’s administration, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, said the suspended governor had not approached any federal lawmaker from the state to join the APC.

Johnson disclosed this while speaking with LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt: “We are unaware that Governor Fubara has done anything like that. I can speak on it if you provide a link to that report.”

A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, described the report of Fubara’s alleged approach to some federal lawmakers in the state to defect to the APC as highly speculative.

Nwuke, who spoke with LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt, said he was unaware of any such move by the suspended governor.

He said: “I am not aware that the governor has made such a move or that any of us as former federal lawmakers have been approached to contemplate defecting from the PDP to the APC.

 

“As a former federal lawmaker, nobody has reached out to me with such a proposal. What is uppermost in our minds is the return of all democratic structures and the restoration of self-rule.

 

“Besides, issues such as this, involving the mass movement of people, are decided by stakeholders. The Rivers stakeholders have not discussed such a matter. Not to mention, some stakeholders have rejected a suggestion by the governor to defect. It is not true,” he said.

 

In Bayelsa, Governor Douye Diri is said to have made arrangements to defect after meeting critical opinion leaders and stakeholders both in Bayelsa and other states.

 

While he is said to have assurances from  State House of Assembly members to defect with him, Diri is expected to hold a final meeting with the APC national chairman on his defection plans next week.

 

During a meeting with Southern Ijaw leaders on Saturday, the Bayelsa governor revealed a softened stance toward defecting to the APC.

 

While he was quoted as unbothered and undistracted by speculations surrounding his alleged plan to defect from PDP to APC, he assured us that he would address the issue appropriately.

 

During the visit to the governor’s country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Diri acknowledged that his recent attendance at the inauguration of a section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos may have sparked the rumours.

 

However, he said if he moved to the APC, he would consult the people who elected him, adding that any decision taken would be in the interest of the state.

 

Sources said both governors are mindful of the six federal lawmakers’ stance on defecting with them.

 

According to sources close to the ruling party’s national headquarters, Governor Diri not defecting alongside the four federal lawmakers is delaying his official defection.

 

“The entire south is already on board. We know there are some grey areas we need to sort out, but from all indications, the challenges are seemingly intractable because of the individuals involved.

 

“The governor of Bayelsa, for instance, is already on board in spirit; we have made profound progress in our discussions, and he has even received support and backing from the state lawmakers that they would join him.

 

“But the issue is that of his predecessor, who is now a senator, and three federal lawmakers who are very close to him, who have refused to show any understanding. They have threatened to dump him politically if the governor dares to defect to the APC.

 

“From all indications, these four lawmakers have even infiltrated Rivers State where two strong supporters of the suspended governor have stated in clear terms they would not join APC even when we dangled automatic tickets which we are serious with in respect of our position as far as Bayelsa and Rivers are concerned,” he said.

 

It could not be independently confirmed if Senator Dickson’s critique of the federal government’s handling of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State was related to this development.

 

At a press conference at the National Assembly complex shortly after the President’s national address, Dickson expressed dismay that on a day meant to celebrate democratic values, the President failed to address what he described as “a dangerous erosion of constitutional rule” in Rivers State.

 

 

 

…..Damagum Denies plans to defect

 

As the defection wave rages within the PDP, the acting national chairman, Damagum, has dismissed claims that he is planning to move to the APC.

 

Damagum, reacting to a report that he plans to join APC, accused faceless individuals of attempting to smear and defame his person, his assistant, Nuru Shehu Jos, said in a statement.

 

Damagum, who hails from Yobe State, linked the rumours to the ward, local government, and zonal congresses conducted in his state, including those in the North East zone, which he said were peaceful, prosperous, and without rancour.

 

He said a few disgruntled individuals who could not deliver or prove their relevance within the party  resorted to cheap blackmail in a desperate attempt to sabotage his efforts.

 

He said, “The smear campaign is being orchestrated by internal saboteurs who, failing to impose impunity and personal agendas, falsely accuse Ambassador Damagum of standing in their way. Their displeasure stems from his principled stand against the arbitrary removal of elected officers and his refusal to yield to sectional interests.

 

“Let it be stated: the PDP in Yobe State, under the able influence of Ambassador Damagum, remains strong, united, and healthy. He will continue working diligently to stabilise and reposition the party from the grassroots in his home state and nationwide.”

 

He charged the mischief-makers to desist from their divisive antics and supporting reforms to reposition the PDP for a stronger outing in the 2027 general elections.

 

Damagum said he was committed to reconciling and building a more united and formidable PDP.