Members of the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa State have formally endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, marking one of the earliest coordinated expressions of support for the 2027 presidential race from the South South. The endorsement was reached on Tuesday at a high-level stakeholders meeting in Yenagoa, signalling a renewed effort by the party to consolidate its internal ranks ahead of future elections.

The meeting, held at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, was convened by Governor Douye Diri, who now serves as the party’s leader in Bayelsa following his defection in October 2025. According to party officials present, the gathering brought together elected officials, former office holders, and senior party administrators who had previously operated across different factions.

The motion endorsing President Tinubu was moved by the senator representing Bayelsa Central, Dr. Konbowei Benson, and seconded by Peremobowei Ebebi, a former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and former deputy governor. The resolution was adopted without dissent, reflecting what party leaders described as a shared commitment to rebuilding cohesion within the state chapter.

A Broad Coalition of Party Leaders

The well-attended meeting drew an extensive list of stakeholders, underscoring the breadth of support behind the resolution. Among those present were the chairman of the APC caretaker committee in Bayelsa, Dr. Dennis Otiotio, the senator representing Bayelsa East, Chief Benson Agadaga, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

Also in attendance were the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, and the South South ex officio member of the APC National Working Committee, Hon. Godbless Diriware. The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, former APC governorship candidate David Lyon, and several party elders were also present.

According to party sources, this was the first expanded stakeholders meeting convened by Governor Diri since he formally assumed leadership of the APC in the state, a role that comes with the task of harmonising competing interests that have shaped Bayelsa politics for years.

Diri Calls for Restraint and Reconciliation

Addressing the gathering, Governor Diri expressed satisfaction with what he described as a collective decision to put internal disagreements aside and focus on shared political objectives. He urged party members to embrace forgiveness and humility, warning that internal rivalries and bitterness could undermine the party’s prospects.

According to Diri, the immediate priority for the Bayelsa APC is to ensure President Tinubu’s return to office in 2027, rather than premature jostling for state or federal positions. He advised aspirants to temporarily shelve personal ambitions and adhere to internal party rules and consultations.

“Political parties are vehicles for development,” Diri said. “Let us truly be progressives. Whatever positions you want to contest for, whether governorship, House of Assembly or National Assembly, should be put on hold for now. What should matter most is that we are united in working for the success of President Tinubu.”

He also thanked long-standing APC members for welcoming him and other defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, describing the reception as unusually warm and symbolic of a new chapter for the party in the state.

Strategic Importance of Bayelsa’s Endorsement

Although Bayelsa is traditionally viewed as a PDP stronghold, analysts say the APC’s growing internal coordination could have implications beyond the state. According to political observers familiar with South South voting patterns, early endorsements such as this one help the ruling party project stability and organisational readiness ahead of a competitive election cycle.

A political analyst based in Yenagoa, who spoke to reporters after the meeting, noted that the endorsement was less about immediate vote counts and more about signalling alignment between state-level power brokers and the presidency. The analyst added that unity within the Bayelsa APC could influence neighbouring states where party structures are still evolving.

This development also comes at a time when President Tinubu’s administration is seeking to consolidate political support amid ongoing economic reforms. Early backing from party chapters, particularly in regions where the APC has faced internal divisions, is likely to be closely watched by national party leaders.

Reactions From Party Stakeholders

In his remarks, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri described the meeting as a turning point for the Bayelsa APC, saying the party now has a single, indivisible objective to win all elective offices in 2027. He emphasised that unity at the state level would be critical to delivering electoral success at both state and federal levels.

Speaker of the State Assembly Abraham Ingobere, former governorship candidate David Lyon, and Prince Ebitimi Amgbare separately praised Governor Diri’s approach, citing what they called his political maturity and inclusive leadership style. They expressed confidence that these qualities would help the party overcome its history of internal fragmentation.

Meanwhile, caretaker committee chairman Dennis Otiotio commended Diri for bringing together factions that had remained divided for more than a decade. According to Otiotio, the immediate purpose of the meeting was also to mobilise members for the party’s electronic membership registration exercise, which he said would help identify genuine supporters and strengthen grassroots structures.

Looking Ahead to 2027

Beyond the endorsement itself, party leaders said the meeting set the tone for how the Bayelsa APC intends to operate in the lead-up to the next general elections. Emphasis on internal discipline, delayed ambition, and structured consultation suggests a deliberate attempt to avoid the disputes that have previously weakened the party in the state.

What remains to be seen is how this show of unity will translate into electoral performance, particularly in a state where opposition politics remains strong. Analysts say sustained engagement with grassroots voters and effective management of emerging ambitions will be key tests for the party leadership.

The meeting ended on a solemn note with a minute of silence observed in honor of former Bayelsa West Senatorial District representative in the 5th National Assembly, Senator John Brambaifa, who died on Saturday, January 3, 2026, in Abuja.