Bayelsa in Political Storm: Deputy Governor Faces Impeachment as Governor Diri’s Alleged Defection to APC Sparks Crisis

Bayelsa in Political Storm: Deputy Governor Faces Impeachment as Governor Diri’s Alleged Defection to APC Sparks Crisis

YENAGOA — Bayelsa State has been thrown into fresh political turbulence following reports that the State House of Assembly has initiated moves to impeach Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. The unfolding drama comes amid mounting rumours that Governor Douye Diri is preparing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Multiple sources within the Bayelsa legislature confirmed to Glintnews that the impeachment move has gained significant traction in recent days, with lawmakers reportedly loyal to Governor Diri mobilizing signatures to commence formal proceedings. Although the specific allegations against the deputy governor remain unclear, insiders disclosed that the charges being prepared may hinge on “gross misconduct” and “abuse of office.”

However, political observers believe the impeachment threat has little to do with governance or accountability. Rather, it is seen as part of a wider political scheme tied to the governor’s rumoured plans to defect to the APC. According to sources close to the State Assembly, the deputy governor’s steadfast loyalty to the PDP and his refusal to align with the defection agenda may have triggered the impeachment plot.

A top aide to Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo, who spoke under condition of anonymity, described the move as an orchestrated attempt to sideline and punish the deputy governor for his principles. “Senator Ewhrudjakpo has remained consistent in his loyalty to the PDP and the ideals of the party. What is happening now is political victimization designed to push him out of the way because he refused to join the defection train,” the aide stated.

The timing of the impeachment has only deepened political suspicions in Yenagoa. Reports from credible political sources indicate that high-level consultations have been ongoing between Governor Diri’s loyalists and key APC leaders in Abuja for several weeks. These meetings, according to insiders, form part of the APC’s larger strategic effort to strengthen its presence in the South-South region ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Diri, who rose to power in 2020 following a dramatic Supreme Court judgment that overturned the APC’s initial victory, has long been regarded as one of the PDP’s most reliable figures in the Niger Delta. His rumored defection, therefore, has sent shockwaves through the PDP and created deep anxiety among party faithful in Bayelsa.

A senior PDP stalwart in Yenagoa told Glintnews that the political maneuvering could deal a significant blow to the party’s dominance in the state. “If Governor Diri defects, it will alter the political map of Bayelsa entirely. The deputy governor’s ordeal is only the beginning of what appears to be a larger game plan to reshape the power structure ahead of 2027,” the source said.

Political analysts have described the unfolding events as a test of loyalty and political survival. Dr. Felix Boro, a political analyst and lecturer at the Niger Delta University, noted that Bayelsa’s political atmosphere has always been volatile but warned that the current crisis could reshape alliances across the South-South. “If this impeachment succeeds and Diri joins the APC, it would signify one of the most significant political realignments in Bayelsa’s history. It will influence the dynamics of federal and regional politics as the 2027 elections draw near,” he explained.

Meanwhile, civil society organizations and youth groups have called for restraint among the warring factions. In a statement issued by the Bayelsa Youth Vanguard in Yenagoa, the group urged political leaders to put the interests of the state above personal ambitions. “Bayelsa deserves stability and progress, not political chaos. The current power struggle is capable of distracting the government from its developmental responsibilities. We call on all parties involved to exercise caution and prioritize the welfare of the people,” the statement read.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Governor Douye Diri nor the Bayelsa State House of Assembly had released any official statement regarding the alleged impeachment proceedings or the defection rumours. Attempts by Glintnews to reach the governor’s media aide were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.

Observers say the coming days will be decisive, as negotiations, political horse-trading, and last-minute reconciliations are expected to shape the outcome. Whether Senator Ewhrudjakpo survives the impeachment plot or becomes another casualty of Bayelsa’s ever-shifting political landscape remains to be seen.