The Concerned Bayelsa Stakeholders Forum (CBSF), a diverse group of political, non-partisan, and religious leaders, has passionately appealed to Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to foster alignment with the federal government and drive development.
The call came during a press conference in Yenagoa on Tuesday, where the group also passed a resounding vote of confidence in Diri’s leadership.
The CBSF lauded Diri’s “ASSURED Prosperity administration” for its remarkable strides in transforming Bayelsa.
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According to the group, Key achievements include deploying drones to deliver medical supplies to remote communities, revitalizing boarding schools and technical colleges with free tuition and accommodation, and spearheading infrastructure projects like the Yenagoa-Angiama-Otuan-Oporoma road, Nembe-Brass road, and the Agge road tied to the transformative Agge Seaport project.
The group also praised Diri for restoring peace and security, elevating Bayelsa from a state once marred by negative headlines.
“We unanimously pass a vote of confidence on His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, for his selfless service to Bayelsa and the Ijaw Nation,” the CBSF declared.
They highlighted the state’s resurgence in national sports due to strategic investments and celebrated landmark projects like the 9-Storey New State Secretariat and the New Yenagoa City as symbols of progress.
The stakeholders stressed that aligning with the APC-led federal government would secure Bayelsa’s place in national development, especially under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which represents the South in Nigeria’s power rotation system.
They cited historical advice from Ijaw leaders like High Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye and Senator Melford Okilo, who advocated alignment with the center to overcome Bayelsa’s geographic and economic challenges, as seen during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s rise under a PDP federal government.
Expressing concern over Bayelsa’s status as the only PDP state in the South-South, the CBSF warned of political marginalization and alleged plots within the PDP to sabotage candidates in 2027 through internal crises and litigation.
They urged Diri to join the APC to demonstrate Southern solidarity and ensure continued federal support, such as the recent takeover of the Nembe-Brass road’s second phase, which promises to unlock Bayelsa’s coastal economic potential.
The group commended Tinubu for appointing Bayelsans to key roles, including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
They emphasized the Agge Seaport’s potential to revolutionize Bayelsa’s economy and called for its prioritization in any alliance with the federal government.
The CBSF announced plans for daily rallies in Yenagoa to press their appeal and urged Diri to dismiss opposition voices driven by personal interests.
“The vast majority of Bayelsans stand firmly with His Excellency, and together, we will forge a prosperous future,” they concluded.
