More members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State have dumped the party following the resignation of Governor Douye Diri.

Diri, along with members of the state executive council and House of Assembly, had resigned from the PDP on Wednesday. His next political move remains uncertain as he has yet to make a formal declaration about his new party affiliation.

The wave of defections continued on Monday as leaders and members of Yenagoa Constituency 3 — comprising Okordia, Zarama, and Biseni communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area — announced their resignation from the PDP en masse.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, the group said their decision was in line with the governor’s political direction and ideology.

The former PDP members, led by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, did not disclose their new party but affirmed their loyalty to Diri.

“There is a need for all of us to resign our membership of the Peoples Democratic Party alongside our governor, Senator Douye Diri,” they declared.

Emelah emphasized that the people of Okordia, Zarama, and Biseni had confidence in the governor’s leadership. “The decision of the governor is in the best interest of the people. Yenagoa Constituency 3 will remain a stronghold of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, and will continue with him wherever he leads,” he said.

The group also dissociated themselves from the position of the member representing Yenagoa Constituency 3 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Ted Elemeforo, who did not resign with other legislators. They described Elemeforo’s stance as personal and not reflective of the will of the people.

Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bulodisiye Ndiwari, reaffirmed the constituency’s loyalty to Diri, saying, “The people of Yenagoa Constituency 3 believe in Governor Diri’s vision and will follow him wherever he leads.”

Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Petroleum (Oil), Frank Otele, noted that the constituency’s leaders had met and resolved to align with the governor’s political path.

Other notable figures at the meeting included a commissioner in the House of Assembly Service Commission, Godwin Worukumo; the governor’s representative for Yenagoa LGA, Zuah Konugah; the state chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Laye Julius; the Chairperson of the Okordia, Biseni, Zarama Rural Development Authority, Angela Richard Akpana; former RDA chairman, Jeremiah Ikah; and the Director-General, Centre for Women Development in Yenagoa Constituency 3, Patience Tamuno Ebiere, among others. (PUNCH)