Bayelsa: Gov Diri to allegedly dump PDP for APC

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Governor Douye Diri has been urged to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) and leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Concerned Bayelsa Stakeholders Forum (CBSF), a political pressure group.

On Tuesday in Yenagoa, the group’s convener, Mr. Wisdom Ikuli, called on stakeholders to support initiatives aimed at bringing Bayelsa closer to the federal government.

The CBSF is a nonpartisan organization with members from a variety of political backgrounds, including non-indigenes, according to Ikuli, who is also Governor Diri’s Technical Adviser on Print Media.

He emphasized that Bayelsa must immediately join the APC, alleging that many PDP members conspired to deny the Ijaw people and Bayelsa the presidency in 2015.

He asserted that there are intentions to disqualify candidates who emerge from the PDP ahead of upcoming elections by exploiting the party’s internal conflicts and existing legal proceedings.

Ahead of 2027, Ikuli stressed that Bayelsa is currently the sole PDP-ruled state in the South-South and cautioned that it is governed by a small number of people who could be electoral risks.

He revealed that in order to pressure Governor Diri into considering switching to the ruling APC, the CBSF would shortly begin holding regular street rallies in Yenagoa.

According to Ikuli, the governor’s defection is essential for Bayelsa’s interests and ought to be seen as both necessary and non-negotiable.

He noted that, because of the region’s remote location, notable Ijaw leaders like Chiefs Dappa-Biriye and Melford Okilo had argued for aligning with the center to spur development.

Ikuli claimed that Bayelsa’s previous affiliation with the PDP, when it reigned nationwide, allowed it to produce Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as both president and vice president.

He bemoaned the Ijaws’ lost political influence as a result of their exclusion from important federal offices including the Vice Presidency, the Presidency, and Service Chiefs.

“In spite of their population and contribution, Ijaws remain marginalised due to lack of alignment with the ruling party,” Ikuli added.

He maintained that the Ijaws, who account for more than 65% of Nigeria’s oil wealth, have lost their influence since they do not support the federal government.

Ikuli outlined Nigeria’s system of North-South power rotation, emphasizing that the South must finish its eight-year turn under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He pointed out that Tinubu has put a number of Ijaw sons and daughters in important roles and is dedicated to bolstering the South.

Ikuli expressed gratitude for Tinubu’s selections, which included Chief Samuel Ogbuku as NDDC Managing Director and Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri as Oil Minister.

Additionally, he mentioned Preye Aganaba as the Executive Director at the South South Development Commission and Chief Ebitimi Amgbare as the Managing Director of the NDDBA.

Ikuli expressed gratitude to the President for granting permission for the federal government to assume control of the Nembe-Brass Road Second Phase, a crucial project that connects Bayelsa to the Atlantic Ocean.

He asked the governor to join the Southern APC governors in demonstrating solidarity, saying that this development demonstrates Tinubu’s dedication to Bayelsa.

Ikuli added that in order to implement the Agge Seaport project, which would boost economic growth and ensure prosperity for the state, cooperation with the federal government is crucial.

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