Kenneth Okonkwo Calls for Bayelsa Governor’s Seat to be Declared Vacant

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nollywood actor, 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).

Governor Diri announced his resignation from the PDP on Wednesday during an expanded State Executive Council meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa. The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; his deputy, Michael Ogbere; the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) minority leader, Edward Brigidi; and seven other lawmakers.

According to his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor said his decision came after wide consultations with leaders in the state. He thanked his supporters for their loyalty and urged them to continue backing his administration. However, he did not mention the resignation of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was absent from the meeting.

Diri’s resignation has sparked speculation that he may be preparing to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), though he has not confirmed this.

Reacting to the development in a post on his Instagram page, Okonkwo argued that by resigning from his party, Diri had automatically vacated his seat as governor since he no longer belongs to any political party.

He cited Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that a person is qualified to be elected governor only if they are a member of a political party and sponsored by that party.

Okonkwo therefore urged INEC to act immediately by declaring the Bayelsa governorship seat vacant and conducting a fresh election within 90 days.