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Governor Diri Of Bayelsa Reportedly Considers Defection To APC

Published

11 months ago

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Political anxiety is mounting in Bayelsa State amid strong indications that Governor Douye Diri is in advanced discussions to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Diri’s potential switch is expected to further weaken the PDP’s standing in the South-South geopolitical zone, following recent defections of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom to the APC.

Investigations reveal that Diri has opened talks with senior officials in the Presidency and has been holding consultations with key political stakeholders in Bayelsa regarding the proposed defection.

A reliable source disclosed that Diri had informed several National Assembly members representing the state of his plans and sought their views on the matter. However, not all lawmakers are reportedly on board.

“Governor Diri has spoken to members of the National Assembly about his intention to leave the PDP.

“While some are supportive, others, like Mitema Obordor (Ogbia), Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor), and Maria Ebikake (Brass/Nembe), have expressed reservations.

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“They believe there is no urgent need for such a political shift,” the source told Daily Sun.

The source also noted that Oboku Oforji (Yenagoa Federal Constituency) is expected to follow the lead of former governor and current Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson.

Senator Dickson is reportedly not in support of the defection but has chosen not to interfere in Diri’s decision.

Meanwhile, Senators Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) and Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central) are said to be indifferent but likely to move with the governor if the defection occurs.

Governor Diri has also reportedly instructed the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ngobere, to gauge the opinions of lawmakers on the defection.

A senior member of the Assembly confirmed that the Speaker had begun informal consultations and was expected to formally brief the House upon his return from an overseas trip.

“The chances of the governor defecting are very high. Many of us in the Assembly are ready to follow him.

“Bayelsa cannot be the only South-South state still in the PDP, especially given the internal uncertainties.

“The constant risk of our candidacies being voided by court rulings makes the APC a more stable option,” the lawmaker said.

Former Minister of Petroleum and ex-governor of Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva, speaking in a telephone interview, said he was unaware of the reported plans but welcomed the idea.

“If Governor Diri is coming to the APC, I will be happy to receive him.

“When I first introduced the APC in Bayelsa, many dismissed it as not being an Ijaw party. But today, it’s gaining acceptance, and his defection would be a significant boost,” Sylva said.

However, Governor Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, denied knowledge of any such move.

His words: “I’m not aware of any discussions the governor has had with anyone about defecting.

“Governor Diri is a transparent leader. If he makes such a decision, he will communicate it clearly. For now, I cannot confirm anything because I simply don’t have that information.”

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Insecurity: US lawmaker accuses Matawalle of bribe attempt to silence recommendation calling for his sack

Published

2 hours ago

on

April 21, 2026

By

Governor Matawalle

 

Kimberly Daniels, a United States Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 14, has alleged that Nigeria’s minister of state for defense, Bello Matawalle, attempted to bribe a US official to deflect the narrative of the United World Congress of Diplomats, UN-WCD, report.

The lawmaker made the claim in a viral video released on her official Facebook account on Monday.

She said Matawalle’s alleged move was to cover up the UN-WCD report on Christian genocide in Nigeria, which indicted him.

Daniels insisted that no amount of pressure can silence her stand against the killings of Christians in Nigeria.

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“A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” she said in the viral video.

Recall that Daniels, who doubled as the chairperson of UN-WCD, had called for President Bola Tinubu to remove Matawalle over alleged complicity in the killings in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other parts of Nigeria.

Matawalle is yet to officially reply the US lawmaker.

Daniels alleged that following her recent press statement on what she described as targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, she came under pressure from individuals she linked to the minister, including what she characterised as attempts to discredit her report and “buy support” from US-based elected officials.

According to her, an unnamed American lawmaker allegedly received an offer of financial inducement to publicly counter her position and defend the Nigerian defence leadership.

She claimed to have received evidence of a communication, including a prepared statement and promotional material, purportedly linked to the minister.

She also claimed that the bribery attempt is meant to divide America elected officials not knowing that they are united.

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Just In:President Tinubu Sacks Minister Of Finance

Published

7 hours ago

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April 21, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council.

According to a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.

Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.

Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD .) has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.

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The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”

Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).

The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.

The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”

Signed:

Yomi Odunuga,
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

21-04-2026

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JUST IN: FG Files 13 Count Charges Against Alleged Coup Plotters

Published

14 hours ago

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April 21, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. Among those named in the suit are a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and three other suspects.

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According to security sources, the coup was scheduled to be executed on Nigeria’s Independence Day. However, the plot was uncovered after preparations and plans were leaked, leading to its successful disruption.

The development prompted the Federal Government to cancel the Independence Day programme—a move described as highly unusual by political observers.

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