The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State, George Turnah, has challenged the claim by the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Warman Ogoriba, that the APC has sufficient structures and grassroots support to deliver President Bola Tinubu in the state in the 2027 presidential election. Turnah argued that the APC's claim should be measured against the voting pattern recorded in the 2023 presidential election. According to the 2023 presidential election results, the PDP and the Labour Party collectively polled more votes in Bayelsa than the APC.
In the 2023 presidential election, the PDP scored 65,145 votes, while the Labour Party and APC recorded 45,645 and 40,417 votes respectively. Turnah stated that the reality is that the Bayelsa APC cannot afford to dismiss the significance of the Rainbow Coalition or the political value of the PDP without confronting the facts on ground. He emphasized that there's no way Bayelsa APC can deliver Tinubu alone, without a coalition.
Turnah further argued that the 2027 contest will not be won by press statements, boasts about structures or claims of grassroots strength; it will be determined by the ability to build broad-based political support across communities, wards, local government areas and the wider electorate. He maintained that the political circumstances ahead of the 2027 election were different from those of 2023, particularly with the emergence of Peter Obi as the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress.
The PDP chairman also argued that the APC should not dismiss the Rainbow Coalition, which he said could provide additional political support for Tinubu across party lines. He added that the support of the PDP and the Rainbow Coalition is not a peripheral matter; it is central and indispensable if President Tinubu is to win Bayelsa State. Turnah urged the APC leadership to approach the 2027 presidential contest with political realism.
Turnah reiterated that the ultimate decision would rest with Bayelsan voters. He stated that the party's participation in broader political discussions should not be mistaken for an inability to operate independently. The PDP chairman emphasized that the 2027 election is still ahead and the political debate at this time should focus on issues that matter to Bayelsans.
Issues that matter to Bayelsans include development, infrastructure, employment, economic opportunity, poverty eradication, security, education and healthcare. Turnah stated that the PDP would continue to build its structures and engage its members. He urged the APC to be realistic about its chances in the state.
The challenge by Turnah comes as the APC and PDP continue to prepare for the 2027 presidential election. The outcome of the election will depend on various factors, including the ability of the parties to build broad-based support and engage with voters on key issues.
Key points
- The Bayelsa APC cannot win the 2027 presidential election without a coalition, according to George Turnah.
- The PDP and Labour Party collectively polled more votes in Bayelsa than the APC in the 2023 presidential election.
- The 2027 presidential contest will be determined by the ability to build broad-based political support.
