BAYELSA PDP ACCUSES DIRI OF SECRETLY WORKING AGAINST TINUBU’S 2027 BID, ALLEGES SUPPORT FOR MAKINDE

By NaijaParrot | November 1, 2026

 Yenagoa, Bayelsa State 

 The political disagreement over Governor Douye Diri’s alleged commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign has intensified, with the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accusing the governor of secretly supporting the presidential ambition of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. 

 The latest allegation was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Bayelsa PDP, through its State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ikaebimo Mark. The opposition party questioned the sincerity of Governor Diri and the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in Bayelsa State regarding their declared support for Tinubu’s anticipated second-term bid. It alleged that political activities taking place behind the scenes contradicted public claims that the governor and the state APC were committed to the President’s re-election.

In its statement, the Bayelsa PDP alleged that Governor Diri was involved in activities working against Tinubu’s political interests while maintaining an outward appearance of support for the President. The party further claimed that the governor was providing monthly financial support to thousands of former PDP officials across ward, local government and state levels who belong to the faction associated with Kabiru Tanimu Turaki. 

 According to the PDP, some members of the group were allegedly aligned with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and mobilising support for Makinde’s reported presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections. The party presented the allegations as evidence of what it described as secret anti-party activities. 

 However, the claims concerning financial payments and support for Makinde’s political ambition remain allegations by the Bayelsa PDP and have not been independently established. 

 The opposition party also challenged the Bayelsa APC Chairman, Chief Warman Weri Ogoriba, to provide verifiable evidence of his public commitment to Tinubu’s re-election campaign. It questioned whether Ogoriba had openly endorsed the President through media appearances, published statements or other public engagements, apart from his participation in the PBAT Door-to-Door South-South Zonal Rally held in Yenagoa.  

The PDP maintained that political declarations should be supported by visible actions and called on the APC leadership to address the issues raised rather than engage in personal exchanges. 

 The latest accusations follow an earlier disagreement between the two parties after Bayelsa PDP Chairman, Chief George Turnah, questioned Governor Diri’s involvement in activities promoting Tinubu’s 2027 re-election. Turnah had asked whether the governor attended the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, participated in the presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna or established visible grassroots mobilisation structures for Tinubu across Bayelsa. 

 He also questioned the absence of campaign billboards and other public activities promoting the President’s second-term ambition in the state. However, Ogoriba rejected the allegations, describing them as baseless. The APC chairman insisted that Diri had demonstrated his support for Tinubu through public statements and political engagements, including his reported participation in activities organised by the City Boys Movement, a support group associated with the President’s political activities. Ogoriba maintained that the governor was among those working to promote Tinubu’s re-election. 

 Beyond the disagreement over Tinubu’s re-election, the Bayelsa PDP used its latest statement to raise questions about governance under Governor Diri. The party demanded explanations concerning public expenditure, healthcare delivery, education, infrastructure, the management of state assets and the economic conditions of residents. 

 It alleged that poverty, hunger, hardship and underdevelopment remained serious concerns in the state. The PDP argued that these issues required clear responses supported by verifiable facts and figures, rather than political exchanges between party leaders. It also urged residents to scrutinise the records and performance of candidates seeking elective positions in the 2027 general elections. 

 The latest development reflects growing political disagreements within Bayelsa as parties and political groups position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

 With the PDP questioning Diri’s loyalty to Tinubu’s re-election project and the APC insisting that the governor remains supportive of the President, the dispute has introduced another dimension to the emerging political calculations in the state. 

 For now, the allegations of secret financial support and mobilization for Makinde remain unverified, while the competing claims over Diri’s political alignment continue to generate debate. 

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