A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Festus Sunday, has applauded Governor Douye Diri for resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the move as courageous, forward-thinking, and beneficial to the state’s political future.

Governor Diri, who announced his resignation from the PDP on Wednesday, has not yet declared his next political move, though his decision has stirred reactions across the state’s political landscape.

Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa on Thursday, Sunday said the governor’s exit from the PDP “marks one of the best things to happen to Bayelsa,” adding that political parties should be viewed as vehicles for election and governance rather than permanent affiliations.

“Coming to the All Progressives Congress will be homecoming for Diri and his team,” Sunday said. “I, alongside other leaders of the party, will stand resolutely to welcome them.”

The APC chieftain said Diri’s defection would have far-reaching implications for the state’s development, strengthening its connection with the federal government and deepening the objectives of what he termed “the Prosperity Administration.”

“Diri and his team joining the APC will carry significant weight in shaping the fortunes of Bayelsa State,” he stated.

Sunday described the governor as a peaceful, accommodating, and bipartisan leader who has governed inclusively and deserves respect for exercising his constitutional right to freedom of association.

“To those who wish to remain in the PDP, it is their right to play opposition politics,” he added. “Plurality of choice is the hallmark of democracy, but the state’s interest must always come first.”

He urged Bayelsans to continue supporting Diri’s administration for the sustained growth and stability of the state, noting that unity and collaboration would be essential for Bayelsa’s progress under the evolving political landscape.