A Former Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Bayelsa State and now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Udengs Eradiri, has asserted that Governor Douye Diri is positioning the state for an APC takeover in the 2027 gubernatorial election.
Eradiri who spoke on Sunday February 23rd 2025 in Yenagoa, the State capital, urged APC members in Bayelsa to collaborate with Governor Diri rather than oppose his administration. He claimed that an understanding exists between Diri and the APC-led Federal Government, with an agreement that the governor will support an APC candidate at the end of his second term.
According to Eradiri, this alliance is not driven by personal ambition but is aimed at ensuring the overall development of Bayelsa State. He commended Governor Diri for his commitment to infrastructure, particularly in road construction, which he described as crucial to connecting rural and riverine communities to the state capital.
“Governor Diri is in a political pact with us in APC to collaborate in the development of Bayelsa, and in return, he will hand over the state to the APC in 2027,” Eradiri stated. “He is already working with us, and we appreciate his efforts in executing massive road projects that will benefit the state in the long run.
These projects will allow the APC government to focus on other developmental areas when we take over in 2027.”
As a former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Eradiri emphasized the need for APC members in Bayelsa to recognize this political arrangement and stop attacking the Diri-led administration. He pointed out that Bayelsa is no longer operating as an opposition state but is aligning with the APC at the national level.
He further lauded Governor Diri’s strategic partnership with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which he said is yielding positive results. Key projects, including the Agge Road, the Deep Sea Port, and the Nembe-Brass Road, are progressing under this alliance.
“APC members should respect Governor Diri. He is already working closely with the APC-led Federal Government and will eventually hand over to APC in 2027—unless he decides to join us before then,” Eradiri added.
