Prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Nentawe Yilwatda, has urged Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to mobilize massive support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, following Diri’s recent defection to the ruling party.
Speaking during the formal ceremony welcoming Diri into the APC in Yenagoa, Yilwatda commended the governor’s decision, describing it as a bold and patriotic step that demonstrates confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and vision for Nigeria.
“Now that you’ve joined the APC, we must sweep all the votes in Bayelsa and the South-South for President Tinubu come 2027,” Yilwatda said. “Your entry has strengthened our base, and together, we will ensure that the region speaks with one political voice.”
He praised Diri’s record of public service and called for unity among party members to consolidate the APC’s growing influence in the Niger Delta.
Governor Diri, in his response, expressed readiness to work with the federal government to bring greater development and stability to Bayelsa, saying his defection was driven by a desire to align with a government that has demonstrated commitment to national progress.
Also present at the event were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and several APC governors, who described Diri’s defection as a major boost for the ruling party ahead of the next election cycle.
Political observers say Diri’s move could reshape the South-South political landscape, giving the APC a stronger foothold in a region traditionally dominated by the opposition.
