Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has said he will not pressure his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join him in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor, who formally defected to the APC on November 3 after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15, made this known during a State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday at the Government House, Yenagoa. His deputy, Ewhrudjakpo, was also in attendance.
Diri explained that his political philosophy is rooted in dialogue and mutual respect rather than coercion. He admitted that governing alongside a deputy from a different political party presents challenges but noted that their ongoing discussions have been productive and cordial.
He further disclosed that Ewhrudjakpo has withdrawn the case he filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, which sought to prevent an alleged impeachment attempt by the state House of Assembly. The decision, he said, followed meaningful engagements between both leaders.
Calling for calm and unity across the state, Diri urged Bayelsans to see politics as a vehicle for progress, not division.
“Let me put the record straight — I will never force anyone to join the APC. My duty is to reason with them and appeal to their understanding. Power is temporary; I may hold it today but not forever,” the governor said.
He added, “Yes, it is not ideal for the governor and deputy to belong to different parties, but we are in constant talks, and perhaps tomorrow, we may find ourselves under the same umbrella again.
We must not heat up the polity. Bayelsa has moved beyond violence
we are one people with a shared purpose. Politics should build bridges, not burn them.”
