Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri’s anticipated move to the All Progressives Congress has sparked fresh debate within the ruling party, with senior chieftains dismissing concerns that his admission would trigger internal crisis.
The governor’s delayed defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, widely speculated as imminent, has divided opinion amongst APC stalwarts in the state, with some questioning the wisdom of admitting serving governors whilst others insist such political realignment would bolster the party’s fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former APC Vice Chairman in Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Samuel Aredeh, on Monday rejected assertions by a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, that recent defections would destabilise the ruling party.
Nabena had declared that the APC does not require defecting governors—a position Aredeh dismissed as “laughable”, arguing that his former colleague lacks the capacity to assess the party’s pulse at state or national level.
“The APC is not breaking, it is expanding. Only a man consumed by bitterness will see progress and call it a problem,” Aredeh stated.
He accused Nabena of speaking for party chieftains concerned that their influence would diminish once Governor Diri formally declares for the APC.
According to Aredeh, political leaders are joining the party because they recognise tangible results from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Governors and political leaders are not defecting out of fear or desperation. They are joining because they see results; the Renewed Hope Agenda is working. Nigeria is being restructured for growth, the economy is stabilising, and governance is becoming more pragmatic and inclusive,” he explained.
The former vice chairman insisted that the APC is attracting politicians who believe in the President’s reforms, adding that the party’s reward system under Tinubu is providing necessary direction and leadership.
“We are now focused on governance, delivery, and national progress,” Aredeh said.
Corroborating Aredeh’s position, another APC chieftain, Kenelayefa Stevens, described the planned defection as a development that would strengthen the party’s presence in Bayelsa State.
“Governor Diri’s defection is a welcome development, and we remain confident in the leadership of President Tinubu and our party’s national executives,” Stevens said in a statement on Monday.
He characterised Nabena’s comments as part of calculated efforts to protect the diminishing influence of certain party chieftains fearful that Diri’s entry might alter the existing power structure.
Stevens emphasised that political success depends on numerical strength, describing the governor’s potential defection as a strategic advantage.
“Politics is, and always will be, a game of numbers. Governor Diri’s defection is a strategic gain, one that strengthens our party’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections,” Stevens asserted.
He praised Diri as a unifying figure committed to inclusive leadership.
“Contrary to Mr Nabena’s fears, Governor Diri has proven himself to be a unifier: an inclusive leader committed to working with all stakeholders for the collective good,” Stevens added.
