Politics
Gov. Diri Addresses 2027 Party Defection Claims
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has dismissed swirling rumours about his alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the speculation stemmed from recent remarks made by the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
Speaking at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, during a thank-you visit by the lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, Rodney Ambaiowei, and other stakeholders, Diri said he remained unfazed by the reports.
He said, “If for any reason there has to be a movement, you are the people who will advise me because you voted for me.
“The decision to move or not will be made based on the interest of the Ijaw nation and Bayelsa State, not my personal interest only. So, do not mind what is trending.”
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dan Alabrah, the governor explained that his attendance at the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road flag-off ceremony had fueled the speculation.
He clarified that his presence was simply to show appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the inclusion of Bayelsa in the project, which he said is critical to the economic progress of the Niger Delta region.
Diri said, “A fortnight ago, I was invited to Lagos for the inauguration of a section of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road and the flag-off of phase two of the Nembe-Brass road.
“I raised observations when I saw a map of the coastal road displayed in the hall with Bayelsa and Edo states missing. I immediately drew the attention of the contractor and the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to the anomaly. They admitted it was an error and said it would be corrected.”
Governor Diri linked the fresh wave of defection rumours to remarks made by Umahi during the event.
“When it was the Minister’s turn to speak, he gave me special attention, saying the Bayelsa governor was thinking progressively and working progressively. A lot of people then assumed that the deal had been done.
“The Minister of Works started this new wave that the Bayelsa governor was about to defect because of the attention he brought upon me on that day. But at the end of the day, what is important is whether we can bring development to our place,” he explained.
Commending the people of Southern Ijaw for supporting his Prosperity Administration, Diri urged political stakeholders to eschew divisive politics and focus on unity and development.
He also advised political leaders to act with integrity and play by the rules.
Naijanews.com
Politics
2027 Presidency: Atiku Reportedly Opens Talks With New Party as ADC Faces Deregistration Battle
Fresh reports suggest that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is holding discussions with leaders of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) amid growing uncertainty surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The development comes in the wake of reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregistered several political parties, including the ADC, a situation that has triggered fresh calculations among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources familiar with the discussions said Atiku is exploring the possibility of returning to the PRP, a party that played a significant role in Nigeria’s political history. While neither Atiku nor the PRP leadership has officially confirmed the move, the talks have sparked widespread speculation within political circles.
The reported negotiations have generated mixed reactions among Nigerians, with many questioning whether another change of political platform would offer a genuine alternative to the country’s existing political order.
Political analysts say the ongoing developments highlight the fluid nature of Nigeria’s political landscape as major actors reposition themselves ahead of the next presidential election. The possible alliance between Atiku and the PRP could reshape opposition politics and influence coalition-building efforts in the coming months.
As uncertainty continues to surround the future of the ADC and other affected parties, attention is now focused on Atiku’s next political move and what it could mean for the battle for power in 2027.
The latest development adds another layer of intrigue to an election cycle already marked by defections, strategic alliances, and intense political maneuvering, reinforcing expectations that the road to 2027 will be filled with major surprises.
Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, citing the continued marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone.
Okonkwo’s decision followed the official announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, from the South-South, as Atiku’s vice-presidential running mate for the 2027 general election.
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo stated that any arrangement excluding the South-East from the top two executive positions in 2027 perpetuates unpardonable injustice against his people.
He emphasized that the region has not produced a President or Vice President since 1999 and noted that the ADC’s founder, Ralphs Nwosu, did not sacrifice leadership of the party in 2025 to enable the marginalisation of his own zone.
Okonkwo maintained that he would not campaign for any presidential ticket that fails to include a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027.
Okonkwo shared his decision in a statement released on his official X handle:
I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.
This Geo-Political Zone has neither produced a President or Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President in ADC in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation.
The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people.
I did not join the coalition to assist in marginalisation of my own people further. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.
I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, Geo-Political Zone, or person will be marginalised.
The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice.
If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice in 2027.
Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, citing the continued marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone.
Okonkwo’s decision followed the official announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, from the South-South, as Atiku’s vice-presidential running mate for the 2027 general election.
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo stated that any arrangement excluding the South-East from the top two executive positions in 2027 perpetuates unpardonable injustice against his people.
He emphasized that the region has not produced a President or Vice President since 1999 and noted that the ADC’s founder, Ralphs Nwosu, did not sacrifice leadership of the party in 2025 to enable the marginalisation of his own zone.
Okonkwo maintained that he would not campaign for any presidential ticket that fails to include a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027.
Okonkwo shared his decision in a statement released on his official X handle:
I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.
This Geo-Political Zone has neither produced a President or Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President in ADC in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation.
The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people.
I did not join the coalition to assist in marginalisation of my own people further. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.
I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, Geo-Political Zone, or person will be marginalised.
The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice.
If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice in 2027.
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