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Diri joins APC today, cites Bayelsa’s interest
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Ahead of his formal reception into the All Progressives Congress today (Monday), the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said his decision to quit the Peoples Democratic Party was taken in the overall interest of the state.
Speaking on Sunday during the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa, Diri said someone had to make the move and that he did so on behalf of Bayelsans.
It was the first time he publicly addressed the issue since his resignation from the PDP on October 15, 2025.
The governor explained that although some people might not immediately understand his decision to join the ruling party, time would reveal that it was driven by altruistic motives.
Diri expressed delight at the convergence of political leaders across party lines at the Thanksgiving service, describing it as a demonstration of unity and maturity.
He said the peace and stability being experienced in the state were reasons to be thankful, adding that politics should be used to foster development rather than division.
He said, “Somebody had to take the decision, and I took it on behalf of the state, in the best interest of Bayelsa. Some of you might not understand now, but later it will be clear to all.
“When we came in as a government, we ensured that most uncompleted projects were completed and new ones were initiated. That alone is enough reason to thank God.
“The peace and security we enjoy today are also reasons for gratitude. Politics should be for development, not to destroy your brother. The gathering here is a testimony to the unity in our state.”
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Senior Policy Adviser, Funkekeme Solomon, urged Bayelsans to remain united, stressing that the state’s progress and development depended on its people’s cohesion. He commended Bayelsa for sustaining the annual thanksgiving tradition, saying gratitude attracts divine blessings.
The Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who attended the event for the first time, described Diri as a unifier. He said the governor’s defection to the APC was timely, noting that the state could no longer afford to remain in opposition when key developmental decisions were being taken at the centre.
Similarly, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, lauded Diri’s developmental strides, describing him as a “godsend to Bayelsa,” and prayed for divine wisdom to guide him in steering the affairs of the state.
Delivering a sermon titled “Reasons Why We Should Thank God,” the General Overseer of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, said thanksgiving was essential because God never abandons His children.
He assured Bayelsans that as long as they made God their Alpha and Omega, their victory and blessings were assured.
In their goodwill messages, Senator Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), Head of Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, Chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Council and former Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (retd.), and President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, commended Diri’s leadership and urged the people to remain united.
Dignitaries at the event included the governor’s wives, Dr. Gloria Diri and Justice Patience Ama-Diri; Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajia Fatima Tajudeen-Abbas; Senators Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) and Sunday Katung (Kaduna South).
Others were members of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa — Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma) and Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw); Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Ayemieye; the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass and former governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha, widow of Bayelsa’s first civilian governor; former deputy governor, Peremobowei Ebebi; and the 2019 APC governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon.
Also present were the Managing Director of the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, Chief Ebitimi Amgbare; renowned cleric, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey; as well as traditional rulers, clergy, captains of industry, and senior government officials.
President Bola Tinubu has asked the senate to approve a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
The request was contained in a letter dated June 15, 2026, and read on the floor of the senate on Tuesday by Godswill Akpabio.
In the correspondence, Tinubu said the proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the 1999 constitution to provide a legal framework for the creation of state police services.
The president said the bill is designed to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by introducing a dual policing structure that would allow both federal and state policing systems to operate within a constitutional framework.
According to him, the proposal builds on previous legislative efforts by both chambers of the national assembly and contains additional safeguards to ensure effective implementation.
“This bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges, will be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.
The president described the proposed legislation as a key component of his administration’s broader plan to reform Nigeria’s security system and improve the protection of lives and property.
“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I’m confident that the Senate will act quickly to consider and pass this bill,” he added.
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Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the proposal expeditious consideration.
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the senate committee on constitution review for further legislative action.
The committee was directed to report back to the chamber on the next legislative day.
The Nigerian Senate has fixed Wednesday for the passage of the state police bill.
The lawmakers had cut short their recess to consider the bill, which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution and decentralise Nigeria’s policing system in response to worsening security challenges
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday transmitted an executive version of the bill to the Senate through a letter dated June 15, 2026.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a dual policing system in which federal and state police forces operate alongside each other.
At the plenary on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposal as a key step towards restructuring Nigeria’s security framework.
The proposed legislation was immediately referred to the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, which is expected to present its report for consideration and voting.
Akpabio called on senators to be present for the exercise, stressing the need for broad support to secure its passage.
“Every senator should endeavor to come tomorrow to be part of this exercise.
“We are going to be live tomorrow and your constituents will be seeing what you are doing,” he added.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has presented Certificates of Return to candidates who emerged victorious in the by-elections conducted on June 20, 2026, across Rivers, Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo and Kano States.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the electoral commission.
According to INEC, the certificates were presented on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, by the Supervising National Commissioner for Rivers State, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu.
Speaking during the presentation, Agbamuche-Mbu congratulated the successful candidates and urged them to prioritise the interests of the people they were elected to represent.
“The most important responsibility before you is to represent your constituents well,” Agbamuche-Mbu said.
The National Commissioner also reminded the winners of the expectations placed on them by voters and encouraged them to serve with diligence and commitment.
INEC further disclosed that Certificates of Return would also be presented to winners of other recently concluded elections, including the Zuru State Constituency election in Kebbi State and the governorship election in Ekiti State.
INEC said the presentation of the certificates followed the conclusion of the bye-elections conducted on June 20, 2026.
Tinubu Seeks Constitutional Backing For State Police, Writes Senate
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