Ijaw Nation Did Not Defect to APC, PDP Stakeholders Condemn Governor Diri’s Reckless Statement

PRESS STATEMENT

6/11/2025. 

Ijaw Nation Did Not Defect to APC, PDP Stakeholders Condemn Governor Diri’s Reckless Statement

We, the undersigned stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) across Ijaw land, express deep disappointment and total rejection of the reckless and misleading statement made by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, wherein he shamefully claimed that “Ijaw Nation has defected to the APC.”

This statement is not only false but insulting, politically deceptive and an affront to the collective dignity of the Ijaw people.

Governor Diri may have chosen to defect for his own personal political survival but under no moral, cultural, political or historical justification can one man claim to speak for the entire Ijaw Nation, a nation whose identity and struggle is rooted in blood, sacrifice, intellectual leadership and centuries of survival.

The Ijaw Nation Is Not a Political Commodity.

For the record:

The Ijaw Nation is not a party structure.

The Ijaw Nation is not a political faction.

The Ijaw Nation is not a bargaining chip in Abuja.

We are a proud ethnic nationality, the fourth largest in Nigeria, spanning nine states and maritime communities extending beyond national borders. No individual, not even a sitting Governor, holds the mandate to trade the collective destiny of our people on the altar of personal ambition.

A Shameful Betrayal

Governor Diri’s decision to align with the same political interests that blackmailed and destroyed the Presidency of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2015 is a betrayal of memory, history, sacrifice and the Ijaw struggle.

His attempt to drag the Ijaw Nation into his private defection is dishonorable and unacceptable.

It is a weakness disguised as strategy.

It is a sell-out masquerading as diplomacy.

We Demand an Immediate Public Apology

Governor Diri must publicly withdraw his false claim and apologize to the Ijaw Nation.

On the Deputy Governor

We will not tolerate any move, direct or subtle to victimize or impeach Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, whose refusal to defect reflects courage, integrity and loyalty to the Ijaw struggle.

Bayelsa State is not one man’s estate.

The House of Assembly is not a private tool of intimidation.

Political survival should not be achieved by sacrificing the soul of a nation.

Our Verdict

We hereby pass a Vote of No Confidence on Governor Douye Diri for betraying the political conscience of the Ijaw Nation.

The Governor should have been uniting the Ijaw people, strengthening our institutions, empowering our youths, defending our voice and protecting our dignity, not selling our identity for personal favors.

Signed

1. Elder Prince Simon Epebifiye, PDP stakeholder Ekeremor LGA, Bayelsa state.

2. Hon. George A. Benjamin, PDP stakeholder Degema LGA, Rivers State.

3. Comr. Ebide Brown, (BWYC)Bayelsa state.

4. Comr. Jackson Agbor. Acting (PDP) Chairman,Burutu LGA, Delta State.

5. Hon. Ebigba Omoun. Acting (PDP) Chairman, Bomadi LGA, Delta State 

6. Chief Charles Ekiyor — Acting (PDP)Chairman,  Patani LGA, Delta State 

7. Gen. John Musa, PDP stakeholder Bomadi LGA, Delta State 

8. Victor Isaiah,Former  Brass local Government Chairman, Bayelsa state.

9. Governor Ekpo, PDP stakeholder Warri North LGA, Edo State.

10. Hon. Lawrence Steven, PDP stakeholder Eredo LGA,Ondo State.

11. Mr. Jim Tonye Samson, PDP stakeholder Degema LGA,Rivers