The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has declared that five of the six states in Nigeria’s South-South region are now under the All Progressives Congress (APC) following reports of Governor Douye Diri’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Keyamo made the remark on Monday while reacting to a post by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, who welcomed the Bayelsa State Governor into the ruling party.
Speculations about Diri’s defection have been circulating in recent days, though an official statement from the governor is yet to be released.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Yilwatda wrote:
“The Broom Revolution. Welcome to our family and party, Governor Douye Diri.”
Reacting to the development, Keyamo described Diri’s reported move as the final step in consolidating APC’s political strength across the South-South.
“Finally, the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle in the S/South has moved into place! Officially, five of the six States of the South/South are now in APC, whilst the sixth has a leader and Minister in active, open support of Mr. President.
From a position of absolute weakness in 2015, 2019 and 2023 to a position of absolute advantage and strength ahead of 2027. Welcome home, Governor Douye Diri,” Keyamo wrote.
The development, if confirmed, marks a significant political shift in Nigeria’s oil-rich region, which has historically been dominated by the PDP since 1999.
Political analysts say the reported defection could further strengthen APC’s regional influence ahead of the 2027 general elections, positioning the ruling party to consolidate power in a region once considered the PDP’s stronghold.
