The political landscape in Bayelsa State is heating up as Udengs Eradiri, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate, has alleged that Governor Douye Diri will hand over power to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Speaking on a radio program monitored in Yenagoa, Eradiri, who recently returned to the APC after his loss to Diri, claimed that there is a political alliance between the Bayelsa governor and the APC-led Federal Government. According to him, this alliance aims to accelerate development in the state, with Diri expected to hand over power to the APC after completing his second tenure.
“Governor Diri is in a political pact with us in the APC to collaborate and develop Bayelsa State. In return, he will ensure a smooth transition to the APC in 2027,” Eradiri asserted. He praised Diri’s administration for its massive infrastructure projects, particularly road construction efforts aimed at connecting rural and riverside communities to the state capital.
“These road and infrastructure projects are a game-changer for Bayelsa. When APC takes over in 2027, we will be able to focus on other areas because the foundation is already being laid,” he added.
The former commissioner for Youths and later Environment in Bayelsa State urged APC members to support the alliance and stop antagonizing the current administration.
“I call on APC members in the state to stop attacking Governor Diri’s administration. Bayelsa has moved past opposition politics and is now strategically aligning with the APC at the national level,” he said.
Eradiri commended Diri’s foresight in partnering with the APC-led Federal Government, stating that the collaboration is already yielding results in projects like the Agge Road, Deep Sea Port, and the Nembe-Brass Road.
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“Governor Diri is already working with the APC-led Federal Government, and I urge party members to respect him as our leader in Bayelsa. Whether he joins us officially before 2027 or not, he is already laying the groundwork for an APC government,” Eradiri stated.
However, the claim was quickly countered by Mr. Daniel Alabrah, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, who called into the program to dismiss Eradiri’s assertions. Alabrah acknowledged that the Diri administration has maintained a collaborative approach across party lines but emphasized that the governor remains a loyal member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“I do not know where Udengs Eradiri is getting his claims from. Governor Diri has never been involved in anti-party activities. He is a committed PDP governor and remains focused on the party’s agenda,” Alabrah said.
He further pointed out that while Diri allocated three cabinet slots to APC members as part of his inclusive governance strategy, this does not equate to a planned handover to the opposition party.
“Diri is committed to the PDP and will not betray his party. Eradiri, who has a history of switching parties, should not mislead the public with unfounded claims,” Alabrah concluded.
With the 2027 elections still years away, Eradiri’s claims have sparked heated political debates, raising speculation about possible realignments in Bayelsa’s political structure. Whether this alleged pact materializes remains to be seen, but the stage is set for an intriguing political showdown in the coming years.
