I Have No Rift With My Deputy - Governor Diri

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has dismissed allegations that his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, is disloyal.

The governor, in a statement issued by his aide, Dr Kola Oredipe, also denied any rift with his predecessor, Sen. Seriake Dickson.

Diri reaffirmed that he has implicit confidence in Ewhrudjakpo, describing him as a worthy partner in the governance of the state.

A group in the Bayelsa Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Bayelsa Progressive Vanguard (BPV), had on Sunday decried the activities of the deputy governor.

The group had alleged that Ewhrudjakpo was working against the interest of the governor.

In a statement signed by its leader, Erepadei Ebiowei, the BPV said it had observed with dismay that most of the actions of Ewhrujakpor were unbecoming of a deputy governor.

The group alleged that the deputy governor was running a parallel administration within the government despite the latitude he enjoyed from the governor.

It also accused Ewhrujakpor of hobnobbing and meeting with aggrieved members within the ruling party and opposition party candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The group called on the leadership of the PDP in the state and at the national level to probe the deputy governor.

According to the BPV, if unchecked, the deputy governor will constitute the greatest threat to the fortunes of the party in the 2023 elections.