APC leader Designer Ohiri O. Lewis has hailed Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri’s decision to join the ruling party, describing it as a masterstroke that will connect the state to the federal center and attract new opportunities. He also praised Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for strengthening APC’s influence in the South. Click below to read the full details.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Designer Ohiri O. Lewis, has congratulated Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for officially joining the ruling party, describing his defection as “a bold act of political maturity that connects Bayelsa State directly to the center and reinforces President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership in the South-South.”
Speaking in Abuja, Ohiri said Governor Diri’s decision reflects deep political consciousness and an understanding of the need to align Bayelsa with the federal government’s developmental direction.
“I want to sincerely congratulate His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, for joining the All Progressives Congress. This decision shows that he is a man of conscience and foresight — someone who recognizes that President Bola Tinubu genuinely loves the South-South and is ready to work with all progressive-minded leaders to move the region forward,” Ohiri stated.
The APC chieftain said Diri’s defection is not just a political move but a strategic step that will attract federal attention, infrastructural development, and economic partnerships to Bayelsa State.
“By joining the APC, Governor Diri has connected Bayelsa to the center. It is a smart move that will benefit his people in the long run because governance today works best when states collaborate directly with the federal government,” Ohiri added.
He also commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for his relentless efforts in expanding the APC’s presence across the South-East and South-South, describing him as one of the leading architects of the party’s growing acceptance in southern Nigeria.
“Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has been a unifier and bridge-builder. His strategic political engagement and developmental outreach have made APC the fastest-growing political force in the South-East and South-South. I must commend his leadership and consistency,” Ohiri said.
Ohiri further maintained that the APC’s growing influence in the South is a reflection of the people’s confidence in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“More governors will soon follow Senator Diri’s example,” he noted. “The message is clear — President Tinubu means well for Nigeria, and his leadership is winning hearts across regions.”
He concluded by thanking Governor Diri for making what he called “a patriotic decision that will reposition Bayelsa for growth and inclusion,” while assuring that the APC family will continue to support his administration in delivering the dividends of democracy to his people.



