Ex-deputy gov candidate warns of looming defections in Bayelsa APC

A former deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress within the 2023 common elections in Bayelsa State, Nice MacIver, has expressed considerations over an impending implosion within the state chapter of the occasion.

The APC chieftain warned that the occasion might lose key stakeholders after the state, Nationwide Meeting and governorship primaries if nothing is finished to deal with what he described as injustice in the way in which the occasion is being run.

MacIver raised the alarm in a press release launched on Saturday, titled ‘Bayelsa APC Congresses: Going ahead, a name to look inwards’.

He expressed concern over what he described as unresolved inner disparities throughout the Bayelsa APC, notably following the involvement of Governor Douye Diri.

“Earlier than His Excellency joined the APC within the state, there have been clearly two political blocs that made up the occasion, with approximate inhabitants ratios of 95 per cent to five per cent,” he mentioned.

He alleged that the present occasion construction favours a minority bloc, warning that such an imbalance may gasoline dissatisfaction amongst members.

“After the doorway of His Excellency, solely the smaller bloc is being carried alongside within the affairs of the occasion, leaving the better share to their destiny.

“This case has the potential to construct anger and dissatisfaction in our pricey occasion,” MacIver acknowledged.

He linked the event to latest defections throughout the occasion, cautioning that extra may comply with if pressing steps aren’t taken.

“The consequence of this has been the excessive degree of defection we have now witnessed not too long ago, and we imagine extra might doubtless comply with if we don’t put our home so as,” he mentioned.

MacIver additional warned of doable fallout forward of key political processes.

“If we don’t pull collectively as a celebration, we might witness a scenario the place we are going to lose key stakeholders, particularly after the State and Nationwide Meeting primaries, in addition to the gubernatorial primaries,” he added.

Regardless of his considerations, the APC chieftain maintained that the occasion stays a robust contender within the 2027 elections however urged leaders to shut ranks.

“We can not afford to create conditions or loopholes in our unity which might be exploited by different political pursuits within the state. We can not afford to under-rate anybody,” he mentioned.

In the meantime, he declared help for the re-election bid of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, describing the undertaking as “non-negotiable.”