All eight local government chairmen in Bayelsa State have resigned their membership of the Peoples Democratic Party and declared their support for Governor Douye Diri following his decision to quit the party.

The chairmen announced their resignation on Wednesday evening during a press conference held at the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria Secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that Diri resigned from the PDP alongside members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Wednesday, sparking speculation that he may be set to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The governor, who said his resignation was for “obvious reasons,” did not elaborate on his grievances with the party.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, in a statement on Wednesday, said the governor “made the announcement during an expanded State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, which had in attendance Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, his deputy, Michael Ogbere, the All Progressives Grand Alliance minority leader, Edward Brigidi and seven other lawmakers.”

According to the statement, Diri decided to quit the PDP after extensive consultations with leaders of the state.

He thanked his supporters who have stood firmly with him and his government, urging them to continue as he builds a strong and vibrant Bayelsa.

The governor, however, did not mention the resignation of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was absent at the meeting, in his announcement.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Isaac, said the lingering crisis within the PDP a the national level informed their decision.

He said, “We are indeed grateful for the opportunity to serve the people for the past one and a half years. We were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and today, we are aware that our leader, the Governor of Bayelsa State, has formally resigned his membership of the party.

“As chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, and other appointees of the local government areas, we support the decision of our governor, we stand with him, and consequently, we hereby resign our membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

Those present at the briefing included the Chairman of Nembe Local Government Area, David Alagoa; Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Target Segibo; Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bulodisiye Ndiwari; Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, Isaac Onniye; Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area, Golden Jeremiah; and Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Lelei Isaac.

The Chairmen of Sagbama Local Government Area, Alice Tangi, and Brass Local Government Area, Lucky Febo, were, however, absent from the event. (PUNCH)