By Kola Oredipe
During the inauguration of the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road in Lagos State, key APC leaders including the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in their speeches acknowledged the massive progress under the administration of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.
They singled out the ongoing infrastructural revolution across Bayelsa State saying, “Governor Diri is doing well, he is a progressive Governor by virtue of his great performance in Bayelsa.” The President and others saw in him, political sagacity, humility and forthrightness.
Just last week, Governor Diri, formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside other elected and appointed officers of his administration.
What a great move to douse the political acrimony within the ranks of the APC in Bayelsa State and in turn unify all contending forces and gladiators flexing their muscles within the party.
The visiting national leaders of the APC, including the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, serving APC Governors, and others, formally handed over the APC leadership in Bayelsa to Governor Diri.
That public pronouncement at the venue of the defection rally in Yenagoa received thunderous applause from both old and new members of the APC in the state. The lingering crisis of who is the Bayelsa APC leader between the former Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva and Minister of State, Petroleum (Oil) was put to rest.
This development has ushered in a new political order and brought down the political temperatures already generated by the two leaders.
For almost six years in office, Governor Douye Diri, has been advocating for a peaceful and united Bayelsa where the people live together in harmony irrespective of political party affiliations.
The movement of the key PDP leaders into APC has shut down opposition politics in the State, a development Governor Diri, said would ensure massive votes for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Bayelsa State is about to witness the most peaceful election season in its history because of this single decision by Senator Diri. Regrettably, gladiators have been used to fierce election battles in the State in a state of acrimony and political malady. Political peace has returned to the “Glory of all Lands.”
After all, late South African President and African hero, Nelson Mandela, was right when he said,” Peace is the greatest weapon for development that any person can have.” Today, Bayelsa State stands at a defining moment in history. Senator Diri, in his usual spirit of courage and conviction, took this principled step to realign politically — a step guided not by ambition, but by integrity, conscience, and a vision for unity and progress in Bayelsa State.
Without mincing words, Governor Diri said the move was to save the political fortunes of the state and to reciprocate the gestures and love shown by President Bola Tinubu for development of the state and the Ijaw nation through developmental initiatives, including the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road and also a N4bn tax waiver granted the state when he procured the 60 megawatt gas turbines.
”On October 15, I did something after consultation with elders and the State Assembly and afterwards resigned from the PDP for obvious reasons. This defection is not only for Bayelsa. It is for Ijaws in Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers and other states.”
Indeed, Governor Diri’s decisions were apt including being that strong voice of the Ijaw Nation at the centre and Vice President Shettima acknowledged this when he stated that joining the APC will accommodate Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation in the national integration.
“Today, you have shown us that Bayelsa State has chosen the light of national integration over the shadows of political isolation. The All Progressives Congress is the party of those who believe that progress can only be guaranteed when we stand together, when we answer the call of the people,” Shettima said.
“Your story mirrors that of your people. You have led with calm and dignity. But beneath that calm has flowed a restless commitment to development, to unity, and to peace. You have expanded roads to remote communities and assured them that they are not forgotten.
“You have built bridges where there were barriers. You have lit homes where there was darkness. This is what it means to govern with empathy. So, we welcome you into this fold to watch and support you as you champion what you have always done.”
Since the defection, the political space has witnessed calm and order. The mood of old and new APC members showed a renewed love and understanding that the development of the state remains the common denominator to them all and not political parties.
Governor Diri is building a new Bayelsa State where bullets, violence, killings, and terror will no longer have a place in future elections. This is the message being preached since February 14, 2020, when Governor Diri, took over the reins of power and today, the manifestation is all over that a new political order and peace are here!
Oredipe, is Director-General, New Media.