Kenneth Okonkwo urges INEC to declare Bayelsa Governor's seat vacant after PDP reesignation

Actor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seat of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, vacant following his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

As earlier reported by PUNCH Online, Governor Diri, along with several members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, announced his departure from the PDP on Wednesday. Though he cited “obvious reasons” for his decision, he did not provide further details. His resignation has fueled speculation that he may be preparing to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made during an expanded State Executive Council meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa, which was attended by House Speaker Abraham Ingobere, Deputy Speaker Michael Ogbere, APGA minority leader Edward Brigidi, and seven other lawmakers, according to a statement from the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah.

Diri said the decision came after wide consultations with political leaders in the state. He expressed appreciation to his supporters and urged them to continue backing his administration as he works toward building a stronger Bayelsa. Notably, he made no mention of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was absent from the meeting.

Reacting to the development on his Instagram page Wednesday night, Kenneth Okonkwo argued that by resigning from his party without immediately joining another, Governor Diri had automatically forfeited his position. He referenced Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that a person is only qualified to be elected governor if he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that party.

Okonkwo contended that an elected official cannot be without a party at any point and insisted that INEC should step in to declare the governorship seat vacant and organize a new election within 90 days.

“Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has just vacated his seat as governor by resigning from the PDP and not belonging to any party,” Okonkwo wrote. “The law requires every elected official to belong to a political party. You can defect from one party to another, but not be partyless.”

He concluded by calling on INEC to act swiftly in accordance with the constitution.

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