The Concerned Bayelsa Stakeholders Forum (CBSF), a prominent civil group, has pledged to organize a rally advocating for Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This decision was announced by the forum’s convener, Wisdom Ikuli, during a press conference held at Ayalla Hotels in Yenagoa.
Ikuli emphasized the critical role of the forum as key stakeholders in Bayelsa, explaining the necessity of rallying support for Governor Diri’s proposed defection to the APC. He acknowledged the notable achievements of Diri’s administration, highlighting the governor’s commitment to the developmental vision that has advanced Bayelsa State’s growth.
According to Ikuli, realigning with the ruling party at the federal level would enable Bayelsa to benefit from stronger federal support and infrastructure development, overcoming the state’s challenging terrain and socio-economic difficulties.
Reflecting on historical alliances, Ikuli recalled how founding Ijaw leaders like High Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye and Chief Melford Okilo once aligned with the PDP, helping the Ijaw nation secure prominent national positions, including those of Vice-President and President of Nigeria. However, he lamented the current political landscape, where no Ijaw leaders occupy top federal positions.
“Ijaws have been relegated and rendered politically and economically redundant due to our non-alignment with the federal government. Ironically, despite being the majority ethnic group in the Niger Delta (South-South), contributing over 65% of Nigeria’s oil and gas wealth, our people remain marginalized,” Ikuli stated.
He further highlighted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expected to complete eight years following the tenure of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, has appointed numerous Bayelsans and Ijaw politicians to various federal positions. Yet, Bayelsa remains the only South-South state outside the APC fold.
Ikuli also warned of covert attempts to manipulate the PDP, creating traps for Bayelsa politicians aiming to run under the opposition party banner in the 2027 elections. He dismissed the ongoing coalition efforts as ineffective and cautioned that Governor Diri must lead Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation into the APC to avoid political and legal challenges threatening the legitimacy of PDP candidates.
Urging Governor Diri to ignore opposition voices against his defection, Ikuli asserted that the majority of Bayelsans and the Ijaw people support the move. He condemned the coalition as a group that once conspired to deny a second presidential term to the Ijaw nation in 2015 and thus, cannot be considered a viable alternative.
“Based on these realities, we appeal to Governor Diri to defect to the APC to demonstrate Southern solidarity with other Southern governors who support the President,” Ikuli concluded.
The CBSF’s call marks a significant political development amid shifting alliances ahead of the 2027 elections, underscoring growing frustrations within Bayelsa’s political landscape and the broader Niger Delta region.
