Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has disbanded Bayelsa United FC following the club's relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to the Nigeria National League (NNL), announcing the immediate dissolution of the club's management committee, technical staff, and playing squad.

Governor Diri made the announcement in an emotional broadcast on Wednesday, describing the situation as "painful and sad" and confirming that the management committee headed by Tarilaye Amankwe and the technical crew led by Meremu Okara have both been dissolved.

Governor's warning ignored

Diri revealed he had issued prior warnings to players, coaches, and board members — urging them to do everything necessary to preserve the club's top-flight status, particularly given the state government's ongoing investment in sports infrastructure, including a 30,000-capacity world-class stadium.

"At the end of this last football season, we found ourselves back to the beginning of where we started. Sadly, our football club, Bayelsa United, has been relegated again to the second division of our country's league," Diri said.

The governor recalled that his earlier remarks at the Governor's Prosperity Cup had not been a threat, but a clear call to action — one the club ultimately failed to heed.

Interim body to be announced

Despite disbanding the club entirely, Governor Diri confirmed that Bayelsa United would not be abandoned. An interim body will be named in due course to oversee the club's reorganisation, with new coaches expected to be brought in to guide the team back to the NPFL at the earliest opportunity.

"Bayelsa United will be reorganised, new coaches will come on board to ensure that in the next football season, we regain our promotion back to the Premier League," he said.

All coaches, players, and board members have been directed to surrender any club property in their possession to the Honourable Commissioner of the Ministry of Sports Development.