A former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, Festus Daumiebi Sunday, has defended Governor Douye Diri’s choice to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, saying the transfer shouldn’t be handled as a everlasting offence towards those that supported his emergence as governor.
Sunday stated political leaders must be allowed to make selections primarily based on their convictions and altering political circumstances with out being subjected to private assaults by former allies.
He made the place in a press release on Saturday whereas reacting to latest criticisms of Diri by the Bayelsa PDP chairman, George Turnah.
Diri resigned from the PDP on October 15, 2025, and formally joined the APC on November 3, 2025.
Sunday argued that though some people might need helped Diri politically, their assist mustn’t imply that the governor should proceed to take political selections of their curiosity.
He stated the governor’s choice to go away the PDP mustn’t turn out to be an everlasting supply of disagreement between him and people who supported his political journey.
“Where the Governor of Bayelsa took the decision to come to APC, which decision did not go down well with those that helped him to power, should not be an eternal crime,” he stated.
The APC chieftain, who contested towards Diri within the 2019 Bayelsa Central Senatorial election and was additionally concerned within the get together’s marketing campaign in the course of the 2020 governorship election, stated political disagreements must be addressed by way of points somewhat than private assaults.
He maintained that political campaigns ought to deal with insurance policies, growth data and the welfare of the folks as a substitute of makes an attempt to break the fame of opponents.
Sunday additionally recalled that he contested towards Diri in 2019 and took part within the APC’s marketing campaign towards him in 2020 with out resorting to private insults.
He challenged anybody to provide proof of statements during which he personally attacked Diri throughout these political contests.
According to him, the governor’s peaceable disposition shouldn’t be mistaken for an incapability to reply to political assaults.
The former governorship aspirant additionally known as on Turnah to train restraint in his public feedback in regards to the governor, arguing that political leaders ought to preserve respect and decorum even after they disagree.
He stated such conduct was in step with Ijaw cultural values, which he described as inserting significance on respect for elders and accountable communication.
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Sunday additional questioned the political relevance of the PDP-led Rainbow Coalition in Bayelsa, insisting that the APC had established buildings throughout the state.
He argued that the coalition ought to consider presenting its political agenda and candidates somewhat than attacking the governor.
The APC chieftain additionally dismissed solutions that the ruling get together wanted the coalition to mobilise assist for President Bola Tinubu forward of the 2027 common election.
However, the PDP-led Rainbow Coalition has maintained that it has grassroots assist throughout Bayelsa and has known as for cooperation with the APC to advance Tinubu’s re-election marketing campaign.
Sunday additionally criticised what he described as makes an attempt to embarrass the state by way of political statements, urging stakeholders to advertise peaceable engagement and issue-based campaigns.
He known as on political and conventional leaders in Ogbia Local Government Area, the place Turnah comes from, to advise the PDP chairman on the necessity for restraint.
He stated political variations mustn’t undermine peaceable relations amongst leaders and residents of the state.
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