Politics

Ijaw Leaders Commend Gov Diri Defection to APC, Describe Decision As Bold, Strategic

Published

2 months ago

November 4, 2025

The Ijaw Leaders Consultative Forum (ILCF) has commended Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement signed by the Convener, Hendrick Opukeme, the ILCF described the governor’s move as a “strategic and a “bold declaration of statesmanship”.

The group noted that Governor Diri’s decision has repositioned the Ijaw voice within the national equation, rekindled hope, relevance, and responsibility for the Ijaw people across the Niger Delta and beyond.

The ILCF pledged its unwavering support and collaborative commitment to ensure that the transition becomes a redefinition of Ijaw destiny in the Nigerian project.

The statement reads, “The Ijaw Leaders Consultative Forum (ILCF), on behalf of the elders, stakeholders, and traditional leadership across the length and breadth of the Ijaw nation, conveys its heartfelt solidarity, commendation, and national applause on your courageous and strategic decisions to align with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Your Excellency, this historic political realignment is not merely a matter of partisan affiliation — it is a strategic national statement, a bold declaration of statesmanship, and a clear assertion of Ijaw political maturity in the unfolding
dynamics of Nigeria’s democracy. By this act, you have repositioned the Ijaw voice within the larger national equation and rekindled a sense of renewed hope,
relevance, and responsibility for our people across the Niger Delta and beyond.

“Your decision resonates deeply with the Ijaw consciousness — that of courage in conviction, resilience in adversity, and foresight in leadership. It has sent a message
of awakening and unity throughout the three zones of the Ijaw nation: Western, Central, and Eastern Ijaw.

“The Stakeholders meeting was coordinated by the Hon. Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Bayelsa state government, HRM, God’spower Tam Oporomo, Tara Eza 1st, Pere of Kierebiri – Mein, Bomadi LGA Delta State
At the enlarged stakeholders’ political consultative meeting convened by the Executive Committee of the Ijaw Leaders Consultative Forum (ILCF) on Saturday, November 3, 2025, at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, leaders, youths, women, and opinion moulders from all three zones of the Ijaw nation were in massive attendance.

“The collective resolution of that meeting was an overwhelming
endorsement of your political movement and an expression of total solidarity with your visionary step toward national integration and transformative partnership.

“Your Excellency, this move, properly consolidated, will reposition Bayelsa State and the entire Ijaw nation at the heart of Nigeria’s developmental agenda. We see in your action the dawn of a new political synergy that transcends rhetoric — a synergy of purpose, unity, and strategic engagement with the centre.

“The ILCF, therefore, pledges its unwavering support and collaborative commitment to ensure that this transition becomes not just a change of party, but a redefinition of Ijaw destiny in the Nigerian project. We call on all Ijaw sons and
daughters, at home and in the diaspora, to rally around your leadership and align with this evolving national movement anchored on inclusion, justice,

“May the Almighty continue to guide and strengthen you as you lead our people with wisdom, courage, and divine purpose.With profound respect and patriotic regards”, the group added.

Meanwhile, the governor’s defection to APC was celebrated at a grand ceremony in Yenagoa, attended by top government officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other governors. Governor Diri stated that his decision was not driven by personal ambition but by the desire to advance Bayelsa’s unity and development.

The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, urged Governor Diri to deliver Bayelsa State to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, saying, “Take this as a symbol of strength, symbol of unity, unite our party, make it stronger and bring all the votes”.

Politics

Fubara: Mistakes Of 2023 Will Not Be Repeated In 2027 – Wike Vows

Published

3 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Amid renewed conflict between him and Rivers State governor Sim Fubara, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has vowed that mistakes made in the 2023 elections will not be repeated in 2027.

Wike made the vow while speaking during a visit to Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas on Tuesday.

He emphasized the importance of acknowledging past errors and taking corrective action.

He stated, “As for Rivers state, let me make it clear what’s important in life is that you make a mistake and come out to tell people, ‘I made a mistake, and therefore I want to correct the mistakes we made.

“The mistake we made in 2023 will not be repeated. Where we voted in the state is not where we will vote again in 2027.”

Tho comes after the minister declared “total support” for President Bola Tinubu, even as tensions brew between him and leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Politics

We Are Not Traitors, PDP Is Dead – Bagos

Published

6 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Former Federal House of Representatives member, Dachung Bagos, has explained that his recent defection, along with other politicians, is a result of the Peoples Democratic Party’s failures.

Bagos made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, shortly after announcing his move from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We are not jumping parties for political ambition. We are jumping parties because of the platform that wants to give our people a voice, and leadership that says, ‘You can trust us to be able to address this very issue,’’ he said.

His statement comes amid the increased wave of defections from the PDP to both the APC and the African Democratic Congress.

Bagos, who served as the representative for Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, Plateau State, from 2019 until November 2023, officially joined the APC on January 4, 2026, alongside other key figures loyal to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

This move followed Governor Mutfwang’s own resignation from the PDP and subsequent defection to the APC, citing the opposition party’s ongoing internal crises and the need for clearer direction.

Rejecting suggestions that the defections were motivated by sycophancy, Bagos emphasized principle as the driving factor.

“We are not jumping parties because of sycophancy. We are jumping party because the PDP has failed at this particular moment, and it is irredeemable at this particular moment, so the platform that we see that goes with our own ideology is where we are today,” he said.

Bagos explained that his decision to join the APC was based on the party’s agenda, which he believes aligns with the aspirations of the people of Plateau State.

He underscored that governance goes beyond party lines. “Governance is beyond party lines. It is about those agendas on the table that you can make your people believe and understand that, look, this is the solution,” he said.

He highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s focus on key governance issues such as state police and local government autonomy.

“Our governance has now keyed into the issue of state police,” he said, adding, “If he has re-emphasised the issue of local government autonomy and to ensure that every state has local government elections.”

Bagos also spoke about the importance of creating opportunities for ordinary citizens and engaging young people in politics.

“We want the son of nobody to be a local government chairman, we want the son of a to be this and that, and we want to see the youth that have never believed in politics to believe in politics,” he said.

Politics

Joe Igbokwe Reacts As Wike, APC Secretary Lock Horns Over Fubara

Published

21 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Editor

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and social media commentator, Joe Igbokwe, has condemned the verbal war between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the National Secretary of the ruling party, Ajibola Basiru.

DAILY POST reports that following the renewed hostility between Wike and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the APC Secretary had expressed support for the governor.

However, during an event in Rivers State on Monday, Wike asked the APC National Secretary to stay away from Rivers politics.

Reacting, Basiru, in a statement, asked Wike to resign his appointment and focus on what he described as an “obsession” with Rivers State politics.

Wading into the matter, Igbokwe, in a post on Facebook, said the face-off is uncalled for and unnecessary.

He said, “The altercations between Hon. Minister FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the National Secretary APC Nigeria, Ajibola Basiru, are totally uncalled for and unnecessary. It is a needless distraction.

“If out of annoyance you remove your cap and throw it away, a made man will pick it up and use it forever. Let the misunderstanding cease to exist now.”