Wike Mocks Defectors as Diri, 21 Bayelsa Lawmakers Quit PDP for APC

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at his critics, saying those who once accused him of disloyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are now defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking in Abuja yesterday, Wike said the latest wave of defections, including that of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah vindicates his earlier decision to align with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

> “Those who said I was destabilising the PDP are now in the APC,” Wike said. “They should be commending me for clearing the path for them.”


Wike made the remarks at the flag-off of the construction of the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) in Apo, Abuja.

He praised President Tinubu’s “bold and pragmatic leadership,” saying his economic policies had created fiscal space for states to pay salaries and embark on capital projects.

> “In the past, governors ran from bank to bank for loans. Today, banks are running after states,” Wike said. “The removal of fuel subsidy was a tough but necessary decision, and we are now seeing the results.”


Diri Quits PDP with 21 Lawmakers

In Yenagoa, Governor Douye Diri officially announced his resignation from the PDP after weeks of speculation, citing “obvious reasons” for his decision.

The announcement came during an expanded State Executive Council meeting at Government House, attended by the Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, his deputy, Michael Ogbere, and 21 lawmakers across party lines.

Diri, who was accompanied by top aides and political associates, said the move followed extensive consultations with stakeholders across the state.

> “After wide consultations, I, Douye Diri, hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he said. “I am not leaving alone; the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and many others are with me.”


Speaker Ingobere described the governor’s defection as a “strategic decision,” noting that the lawmakers were united behind him.


PDP Alleges APC Plot to Weaken Opposition

Reacting to the wave of defections, the PDP accused the APC of “investing heavily” to destabilise opposition parties ahead of its national convention slated for November.

PDP Chairman in Kano State, Yusuf Ado Kibiya, claimed that some members of the party’s National Working Committee were working with the APC to undermine the party’s unity.

> “The government wants to turn Nigeria into a one-party state,” Kibiya alleged. “They are spending heavily to cripple the PDP, but the people will resist it.”


Kibiya also downplayed the defections of Diri and Mbah, saying the PDP would survive and remain strong going into the 2027 general elections.

> “Governors are not the electorate,” he said. “Let them go; the people will decide in 2027.”


ADC, CUPP Fault Defections, Warn of One-Party Agenda

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemned the defections, saying they confirm the APC’s plan to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the moves by Diri and Mbah as “a betrayal of their people,” accusing them of joining a ruling party that “has failed Nigerians on all fronts.”

Similarly, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) General Secretary, Peter Ameh, said the defections would not guarantee victory in 2027.

> “Those rushing to the ruling party are not seeking to serve they’re seeking protection,” Ameh said. “Nigerians have outgrown party labels; they now vote based on performance, not propaganda.”


Dickson Condemns Diri’s Move

Former Bayelsa Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, faulted Diri’s decision to dump the PDP, calling it “unnecessary and unfortunate.”

> “I remain where I have always been in the PDP,” Dickson said. “Nigeria must not become a one-party state. Democracy without opposition is no democracy.”

He revealed that Diri consulted him before the defection but said he found no “compelling reason” for a second-term governor to leave the PDP.


APC Boasts of More States by 2026

Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, predicted that the APC would control 30 states by 2026, attributing the surge of defections to President Tinubu’s “successful economic reforms.”

Speaking at the Progressive Governors Forum’s Quarterly Strategy Meeting in Maiduguri, Idris said the ruling party currently governs 24 states and will gain more before the 2027 polls.

> “With the number of opposition governors coming on board, I can assure you that by 2026, the APC will control 30 states,” he said.