The governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri, has said he would not compel his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join him in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during the weekly state executive council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa, the governor said as a matter of principle, he believes in engagement rather than confrontation and that he will continue to discuss matters with his deputy.
While admitting that it is difficult for both of them to be in different political parties, Diri expressed optimism that ongoing engagements with his deputy would yield positive results.
He disclosed that the case filed by Ewhrudjakpo at a Federal High Court in Abuja to halt a purported impeachment plan had been discontinued after they discussed it.
He urged the people of the state to love one another and view politics as a means to bring development, rather than to pull others down.
His words: “I express gratitude to the people of our state for the successful and well-attended Thanksgiving Day service. The spirit of oneness and love is what we should continue to exhibit.
“I also like to thank the people for the mammoth crowd at the sports complex during our defection. I appreciate the leadership of our party, led by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. I pledge our loyalty to continue to work for a better Nigeria, for the upliftment of the standard of living of our people.”
Diri resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15 and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing obvious reasons for his decision, but his deputy did not join him in the new party.
