Former President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Mr. Udengs Eradiri, has welcomed the reported plan by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Eradiri, who is a chieftain of the APC in Bayelsa, urged the governor to first convene a stakeholders’ meeting to reconcile the internal crisis rocking the party before his formal defection.
The former Commissioner for Youths and later Environment in Bayelsa appealed to Diri to unite the factions loyal to former Governor Timipre Sylva and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, stressing that internal unity was key to strengthening the party in the state.
Speaking on Monday, Eradiri advised the governor not to succumb to pressure to sideline Sylva, whom he described as the pioneer leader of the APC in Bayelsa.
“I commend you for the way you managed the PDP in Bayelsa. The PDP was stable until the recent conflicts we saw in Rivers. You came in as governor and managed all interests until you took over the structures.
I believe your coming to the APC should also help manage these emotions so we can have one strong party, because the day you join the APC, you become the leader by the party’s constitution,” Eradiri said.
He said Sylva deserved respect for his role in founding and building the APC in Bayelsa, warning that any attempt to undermine him would be counterproductive.
“Former Governor Sylva contributed immensely to the growth of the APC. Those attacking him today were not there when he toiled to build this party. Minister Lokpobiri should also show respect for the man who laid the foundation. You can’t just push him aside,” he said.
Eradiri urged Diri to bring his “peaceful demeanour” to the APC and use it to reconcile the factions, noting that Bayelsa would benefit more from a united ruling party.
“We don’t want a situation where people will push you to one side to undermine Sylva and others who hold the structure of the party. I appeal to you to call a stakeholders’ meeting, engage Sylva and Lokpobiri, and bring this party together before your formal defection,” he added.
He maintained that with strong leadership from Diri, Bayelsa would benefit immensely from his move to the APC.
Eradiri recalled that he had previously advised Diri, his predecessor Sen. Seriake Dickson, and other Ijaw leaders to align with the ruling party to attract more development to the state.
“If you are in the ruling party, you sit at the table of discussion. Investors are more confident when they see that a state is politically aligned with the centre,” he said.
The former IYC leader noted that Diri’s defection would also enhance Bayelsa’s global exposure and attract investors to the state.
“You were at the UN General Assembly meeting investors. If you are in the APC, those investors will have confidence that the federal government supports your initiatives. That’s how investment flows,” he explained.
Eradiri concluded by calling for greater Ijaw representation at the national level, stressing the need for inclusion in Nigeria’s decision-making process.
“The Ijaw Nation contributes so much to Nigeria’s resources, yet we are often not on the table of decision-making. I welcome you to the APC, and we are ready to support you to succeed,” he said.
