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Ahead of the planned defections of Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, there is disquiet in both states.
Mbah and Diri, who were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have reportedly concluded plans to dump their party for the APC.
They are expected to do so on October 14
However, Vanguard gathered that the defections may be delayed due to the crisis that erupted in Enugu APC over the weekend.
In readiness for Mbah, the National Working Committee, NWC, of the APC, last Thursday, dissolved Enugu State Working Committee, SWC, and set up a caretaker committee, led by Ben Nwoye.
While the Ben Nwoye committee is ready to welcome Governor Mbah, the dissolved SWC is kicking, insisting it is still in charge.
The leadership of the PDP in Enugu and Bayelsa have kept sealed lips on the issue, despite several attempts to get their views.
In Bayelsa, Diri’s planned defection to the APC has elicited reactions from stakeholders in the predominantly Ijaw speaking state.
While some defended the move, saying it would align the state with the APC controlled central government and as such attract more federal patronage, others dismissed it as self-serving, wondering the difference it would make in a state dominated by the PDP in the last 26 years, with the latter at the centre for 16 years.
Though a source close to the Bayelsa seat of government confirmed that all was set for the governor’s defection he, however, faulted the October 14 date being speculated in the mainstream media and the social media.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “Yes, the governor is leaving the PDP but the October 14 date reported in the media is what I cannot guarantee. He has told us he’s leaving and as a leader, ours is to follow him. He will personally make his decision public soon.”
Attempts to get officials of the state PDP executives to speak on the development proved abortive but the state chairman of the APC, Chief Dennis Otiotio, said:
“The APC Bayelsa State chapter is ready to welcome any politician that is prepared to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and his reelection in 2027.
‘’We believe the President has done well for the South-South, and all the governors of the region should, therefore, rally round to support him in the 2027 presidential election. We will be happy to receive Senator Douye Diri into the APC, anytime he decides to defect.”
But another state official of the APC who spoke anonymously, said: “I cannot react to speculation. We have not been officially communicated about the said defection.”
