In a display of solidarity and unity, federal and state lawmakers of Ijaw extraction across the Niger Delta have thrown their weight behind the defection of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers, drawn from Ondo and Delta States, were led to the Samson Siasia Sports Complex by a three-term member of the House of Representatives representing Burutu Federal Constituency, Hon. Julius Gbabojor Pondi, PhD, and the Speaker of the Delta State Assembly, Dennis Emomotimi Guwor.
A broad spectrum of Ijaw political leadership within the APC was also present at the ceremony, led by the former Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, and the APC State Deputy Chairman from Ondo State, Hon. Agabra Atili.
Speaking at the event, Pondi reaffirmed the commitment of the entire Ijaw nation to the decision of the Bayelsa governor to leave the PDP.
“This move is not just a personal decision by the governor; it is a symbolic act that underscores the unwavering support the entire Ijaw Nation has for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
“In essence, Governor Diri’s defection is a decision he has taken on behalf of our people; he is not acting alone, and we salute his courage in making this decision at such a strategic time. That is why you see us here in our numbers, both from the National Assembly and all Ijaw lawmakers from Delta State.
“In the coming weeks, Nigerians will see and hear from us in our resolve to mobilise support for the party and the president because we are a unique people whose decisions must align with national interests to promote growth and development.”
Also speaking, another Ijaw federal lawmaker representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Hon. Donald Ojogo, expressed joy that the governor affirmed the commitment and support demonstrated by Chief Government Ekpomupolo, alias Tompolo.
“We are home and dry because the circle is now complete for us to move forward. I personally cannot recall when our leader, Tompolo, openly endorsed anyone for political office.
“So when he did so for President Tinubu, we were convinced that the entire Ijaw Nation was becoming more integrated with the centre politically. With the defection of our governor general, Douye Diri, today, we are already arriving at the shores of prosperity. We are happy and proud that these two great men are leading the Ijaw Nation in the right direction ahead of 2027,” Ojogo told journalists.
Governor Diri, alongside his entire State Executive Council, majority members of the State Assembly, and all council chairmen, on Monday left the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and aligned with the ruling party.
They were received at a colourful event in Yenagoa, the state capital, by Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), Senate President Godswill Akpabio, as well as no fewer than ten governors elected on the party’s platform.
