Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has weighed in on the recent wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In an interview with Vanguard, George specifically addressed the defection of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State from the PDP to the APC.

George expressed disappointment in Diri’s decision, citing the governor’s initial rise to power through a Supreme Court pronouncement. He emphasized that Diri should demonstrate more respect for the people of Bayelsa State. The former PDP chairman questioned the motivations behind the governor’s defection, noting that the APC’s impact on Nigerians has been largely negative, with a growing national debt and widespread economic hardship.

George also pointed out that Diri’s deputy and other PDP leaders in Bayelsa State have refused to follow him to the APC, which he sees as a sign that the governor’s decision may be driven by personal interests rather than a desire for political change. He mentioned that some have speculated that the governors may be seeking to avoid potential prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after their tenures expire.

In a separate development, George touched on the controversy surrounding the secretaryship of the PDP, which involved Peter Mbah and Samuel Anyanwu. He revealed that the party had intervened in the dispute, urging the parties to wait until Anyanwu’s tenure expires in mid-next month.

The defection of Governor Diri and other politicians from opposition parties to the APC has significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape. As the country navigates its economic and political challenges, the motivations behind these defections will likely be subject to ongoing scrutiny. With the refusal of Diri’s deputy and other PDP leaders to join him in the APC, it remains to be seen how these developments will affect the political dynamics in Bayelsa State and beyond.