Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has set a target of at least one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. He made this known during the inauguration of the 20-member APC State Campaign Council at the party's secretariat in Yenagoa. The governor emphasized the need for party unity and collective electoral mobilization to secure victory for President Tinubu and other APC candidates.
Governor Diri warned that internal divisions within the party could undermine its efforts to secure victory in the 2027 election. He urged party members who were not appointed to the council to support its activities by taking the APC's message to communities, wards, and polling units across the state. The governor specifically charged the campaign team to mobilize one million votes for President Tinubu, citing Bayelsa's increased voting strength.
The governor highlighted several achievements of President Tinubu that the campaign team should present to voters, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the second phase of the Nembe-Brass Road, interventions in the power sector, federal appointments for Bayelsa indigenes, and the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. He praised President Tinubu for the coastal highway project, which he said reflected federal attention to the development needs of coastal communities.
Governor Diri expressed hope that a second term for President Tinubu would provide an opportunity to advance demands for fiscal federalism, greater resource control, and state policing, which he described as longstanding aspirations of the Niger Delta. He said the President had shown indications of addressing some of the demands of younger Nigerians and argued that re-election would allow the administration to consolidate its reforms.
The inauguration of the campaign council saw the appointment of Chief Robert Ayalla as Director-General and Chief Timi Alaibe as Chairman of the Campaign Advisory Council. APC State Chairman, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, expressed confidence in the council's ability to coordinate the party's campaigns and secure electoral support. He urged members to remain focused and united, warning that political opponents could exploit any divisions within the party.
The PDP has questioned Governor Diri's commitment to President Tinubu's re-election campaign, alleging that APC campaign billboards erected across Yenagoa promote other party candidates without featuring the President. The PDP's Publicity Secretary, Mr Ikaebimo Mark, described the omission as an indication that the governor was not fully aligned with the APC's national leadership.
Governor Diri's mobilisation directive comes amid criticism from the opposition PDP, which has raised questions about his commitment to the President's re-election bid. The issue has introduced a fresh political dimension to the APC's preparations in Bayelsa, even as Governor Diri publicly called on party leaders and members to close ranks and mobilise support for all its candidates.
Key points
- Governor Diri sets one million votes target for President Tinubu in Bayelsa State.
- The governor charges the APC State Campaign Council to prioritize party unity and collective electoral mobilization.
- The PDP questions Governor Diri's commitment to President Tinubu's re-election campaign.
