Defection: I won’t compel my deputy to join APC – Gov Diri

By Jude Opara

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State says he will not force his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join him in the All Progressives Congress, (APC).
Peoples Daily reports that Diri formally joined the APC on November 3, after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), on October 15.
It would be recalled that his Deputy had previously sought a court injunction to prevent the state House of Assembly from impeaching him over his refusal to join the APC.
Speaking to the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, yesterday, with Ewhrudjakpo present, Diri said he believes in engagement rather than confrontation as a matter of principle.
According to him, while it is challenging for them to belong to different political parties, ongoing discussions with his Deputy are yielding positive results.
The Governor revealed that the case filed by Ewhrudjakpo at the Federal High Court in Abuja to halt a purported impeachment plan had been discontinued following their discussions.
He called on the people of the state to embrace unity and see politics as a means to promote development rather than sow division.
“Let me address an issue that has been a subject of speculation in the media. I do not intend to force people to join the APC but rather to appeal to them to see reason with me. I might have the power today, but not tomorrow.
“It is actually difficult for the governor to be on one side and the deputy on another. But we will continue to talk, and we might end up at the same party tomorrow.
“We must not heat up the polity. We are done with violence in Bayelsa State. We are brothers and we are one. Politics should be for the development of the state and not to fight one another,” he said.