Edith CHUKU
More stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in Bayelsa State, have defected to the All Progressives Congress APC, declaring support for the re-election of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all candidates of the APC in the state ahead of the forthcoming 2027 election.
Among the defectors who were received on Tuesday, by the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, in his office at Government House Yenagoa, were former PDP state secretary, Mr James Agari, who led the delegation, technical adviser to the governor on special duties and one time legal adviser to the PDP, Mr. Richard Perekeme, a serving xouncillor representing Ward Six in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state, Mr Ebipere Napoleon.
Agari explained that the decision to dump the PDP for APC was necessitated by the supposed disintegration and collapse of the PDP as well as the need to identify with the prosperity government under the leadership of the governor, Senator Douye Diri.
The former PDP secretary while commending Diri’s inclusive leadership, stressed the need to continually support and work with the present administration for the good of all Bayelsans.
“When our leader, the governor of Bayelsa State decamped to the APC, some of us did not follow. The governor told us ‘I will lead and I will not force anybody to follow me. But when you see the scenario, you will also follow.’
“We stayed behind, but now we have seen that the PDP is dead. And so, we cannot waste our time and that of our supporters. So we held a meeting as a group and agreed that this is the right time to defect and join our leader, the governor, in the APC for the good of Bayelsa State and our people.”
In his response, the deputy governor tasked the defectors to deliver the party’s candidates from the presidency to the ward level in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
Akpe, expressed satisfaction over their action, describing it as genuine solidarity with the prosperity government and the ruling party in consolidating the peace, development and progress of the state.
According to him, “contrary to what is being alleged in some quarters, the pattern of the governor Douye Diri-led administration is against the application of tactics such as coercion or financial inducements to compel opponents in joining the state’s APC.
“As I said the other day, His Excellency, governor Douye Diri does not believe in the use of coercion or financial inducement to compel political opponents to join the APC, contrary to what is being alleged in some quarters, especially in the social media.
“The governor gives you time to think about it. We accept decamped members wholeheartedly and intrinsically without having to cajole them.
“And so, I join the party’s leadership to welcome you with great delight. I want to appreciate you for your gesture which is the right move. In Sagbama Local Government Area, we are together and together we should forge a formidable team.
“Your political clout is not something you built today and you cannot afford to let it go to waste. The party leadership will ensure that you get what is due you by way of recognition.
“Let us come together and work for the progress of our state. Work towards consolidating the strength of our party in Sagbama even more than you have been doing. Our first mandate is to deliver the president, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the APC at all levels.”
Akpe, further stressed the need for members of the party to imbibe the virtues of unity, peace and tolerance, assuring that the party leadership would accord due recognition to all members.
Also, the state APC senatorial vice Chairman (West), Mr. Akuakwa B. Akuakwa, formally welcomed the defectors to the party, describing the development as a step in the right direction.
Akuakwa urged the new members of the party in the West senatorial zone to work harmoniously with a view to ensuring a successful outing at all levels in next year’s poll.
