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Tag: Bayelsa Politics

  • Tinubu Welcomes Bayelsa Governor Diri to APC, Calls Defection a ‘Bold and Right Decision’

    Tinubu Welcomes Bayelsa Governor Diri to APC, Calls Defection a ‘Bold and Right Decision’

    By Amgbare Amgbare, Yenagoa

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a “bold and right decision” that reflects true statesmanship and prioritizes Nigeria’s unity and development over partisan interests.

    Diri’s defection, officially announced on October 15, 2025, was formally celebrated on Monday at a grand reception held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu at the event, conveyed the president’s message of solidarity and optimism for Bayelsa’s political and economic future.

    “This is a reinventing moment for Nigerian politics,” Shettima quoted the president as saying. “Governor Diri’s homecoming reflects a deep commitment to progress and national unity. His decision demonstrates courage and foresight in aligning with the Renewed Hope vision for a greater Nigeria.”

    Tinubu commended Governor Diri for his ongoing infrastructure strides in Bayelsa State, particularly in road expansion and bridge construction, and assured him of continued federal partnership. “Your efforts in improving connectivity and local development complement our administration’s broader agenda for inclusive growth,” the president noted.

    Addressing the jubilant crowd, Governor Diri explained that his defection came after “deep reflection and consultation” with Ijaw elders and key stakeholders. “I made every effort to reform the PDP, but the party was hijacked by undertakers determined to bury it,” he said. “I could not allow Bayelsa to sink with a failing vessel. My loyalty is to the people, not to a political platform that has lost direction.”

    Diri expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his responsiveness to Bayelsa’s needs, highlighting major federal commitments, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the second phase of the Nembe-Brass Road, and a ₦4 billion tax waiver for a 60-megawatt gas turbine project. “These actions show that the APC-led government values partnership and progress,” he added.

    APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, officiated the formal induction, presenting the party flag and symbolic broom to the governor. “Bayelsa has spoken with one voice—we are now APC,” Yilwatda declared to thunderous applause. He urged Governor Diri to consolidate the party’s new strength in the South-South region and mobilize support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

    Political analysts have described Diri’s defection as a major boost for the APC’s growing influence in the South-South geopolitical zone, traditionally dominated by the PDP. The move, they say, could reshape political alignments ahead of the next general elections.

    Governor Diri’s entry into the APC marks a significant shift in Bayelsa’s political landscape and signals renewed momentum for the ruling party as it seeks to deepen its reach across Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta.

  • Jonathan’s Former Aide, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, Defects to APC, Declares Support for Gov. Diri

    Jonathan’s Former Aide, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, Defects to APC, Declares Support for Gov. Diri

    By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa

    A former Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Matters and Social Events to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Hon. Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State.

    Dudafa, who previously served as a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, announced his defection in a statement issued to journalists in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

    In a resignation letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Southern Opokuma/Ayibabiri Ward 8 in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, Dudafa expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it provided him over the past 25 years. He acknowledged that his political growth—from serving as a state legislator between 2003 and 2007 to holding national appointments—was largely shaped by the party.

    Describing his decision as “difficult but necessary,” Dudafa said he chose to leave the PDP to align with Governor Douye Diri’s developmental vision for a more prosperous Bayelsa.

    “My decision to join the APC is driven by my commitment to the progress of Bayelsa and Nigeria as a whole,” Dudafa stated. “This move marks a new chapter of service and dedication to the people.”

    Until his defection, Dudafa served as an elected delegate representing Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area at the PDP’s forthcoming National Convention slated for November 14, 2025.

    Despite his switch to the APC, the former presidential aide urged his supporters to remain loyal to Governor Diri and the Prosperity Government, expressing confidence in the governor’s leadership and commitment to advancing the welfare of Bayelsans.

    Political analysts in Bayelsa have described the defection as a significant political development, suggesting that Dudafa’s entry into the APC could strengthen the party’s structure and influence in the state ahead of future elections.

    Dudafa’s defection adds to the growing list of high-profile political realignments in Bayelsa, highlighting the state’s shifting political dynamics as both major parties—PDP and APC—intensify efforts to consolidate their support bases.

    The former lawmaker reaffirmed his readiness to work with APC leaders to advance policies that promote unity, development, and economic growth in Bayelsa.

    “My focus remains service to the people and contributing to a Bayelsa where opportunities and prosperity are accessible to all,” he added.

    Observers note that Dudafa’s move could influence grassroots political mobilization, particularly in the Kolokuma-Opokuma area, where he maintains strong political connections.