2027: Diri Urges Bayelsa APC to Deny Opposition 25% of Votes

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that no opposition party or candidate should secure 25 per cent of the votes in Bayelsa.

Diri gave the charge on Saturday, November 14, during the grand finale of the Bayelsa East Renewed Hope Movement sensitisation campaign in Ogbia Town.

The governor was represented at the event by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, who urged party members to consolidate their political gains, reach undecided voters and sustain their mobilisation efforts ahead of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Akpe, speaking on behalf of the governor, commended party leaders and supporters for their commitment to the political activities, particularly those who attended the event despite the rain.

He, however, warned against complacency, insisting that the party must continue its outreach to voters to secure an overwhelming victory.

“But saying thank you does not mean you should go to sleep. It is time to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. One or two people are out there waiting for us to harvest. Bring them inside. Do not leave them outside because we want to squeeze the opposition to zero point.

“Our winning is sure, but if we score 75 per cent, we have not won because the other people should not get 25 per cent. I emphasise that no opposition party or candidate should get 25 per cent of votes in Bayelsa,” he said.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described the political cooperation among leaders in Bayelsa East as important to the district’s development.

Ogbuku claimed that former President Goodluck Jonathan had endorsed President Bola Tinubu and APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said APC candidates from Bayelsa East had visited Jonathan to seek his blessings before commencing their sensitisation campaign, adding that the former president encouraged the political movement.

Former Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (retd.), also urged political stakeholders to place collective interests above personal disagreements.

He maintained that political differences should not prevent cooperation where individuals share common interests.

Jonah further called on voters to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that the President had demonstrated commitment to the devolution of powers, a longstanding demand in the Niger Delta.

Other dignitaries at the event included Bayelsa APC Chairman, Warman Ogoriba; the campaign’s Director-General, Robert Enogha; the party’s Bayelsa East senatorial candidate, Israel Sunny-Goli; and its House of Representatives candidate for Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency, Jonathan Obuebite.

The event formed part of the APC’s mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.