Kenneth Okonkwo Says Bayelsa Governorship Vacant After Douye Diri Quits PDP

Kenneth Okonkwo, Nollywood actor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the Bayelsa State governorship vacant following Governor Douye Diri’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Diri, along with several members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, officially resigned from the PDP on Wednesday, sparking speculation that he may be preparing to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor did not give detailed reasons for his resignation, only citing “obvious reasons.”

According to a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the announcement was made during an expanded State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa. The meeting included Speaker of the House Abraham Ingobere, his deputy Michael Ogbere, All Progressives Grand Alliance minority leader Edward Brigidi, and seven other lawmakers. Alabrah noted that Diri made the decision after extensive consultations with state leaders and thanked his supporters, urging them to continue supporting his administration as he works to strengthen Bayelsa State.

The resignation of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was absent from the meeting, was not addressed by the governor.

Okonkwo, reacting on Instagram, argued that Diri had effectively forfeited his position as governor by leaving the PDP without joining another political party. He cited Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that a person must be “a member of a political party and sponsored by that political party” to qualify for election as governor.

He called on INEC to act immediately, declaring the governorship vacant and organizing fresh elections within 90 days.

Okonkwo wrote: “Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has vacated his seat by resigning from the PDP and not belonging to any party. The law is clear that every elected official must be a member of a political party, as stated in Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution. An elected official may only defect from one party to another, but cannot be without a party. I therefore call on INEC to declare his seat vacant immediately and conduct a gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State within the next 90 days.”