Tensions rise within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as reports surface indicating that Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri, a member of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), is considering a defection to the ruling party.
However, this potential move has stirred up a storm of controversy within the APC ranks.
According to emerging reports, the alleged plan for Diri's defection has prompted significant dissent within the APC's Bayelsa chapter.
The party's leadership in the state has reportedly issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu, urging him not to accept Diri into the APC fold.
They argue that Diri has lost electoral relevance and would be a liability rather than an asset to the party.
In a statement signed by the chairman and secretary of APC stakeholders in Bayelsa state, Chief Samuel Yousuo and Elder Ebigoni Gabriel, respectively, Diri was labeled as a "serial betrayer."
The statement highlights concerns about Diri's political loyalty and questions the sincerity of his intentions in seeking to join the APC.
The brewing conflict underscores the delicate balance of power dynamics within Nigerian politics, where defections and alliances often carry significant implications for political fortunes and electoral outcomes.
The potential defection of a sitting governor, particularly from the opposition camp to the ruling party, has the potential to reshape the political landscape in Bayelsa state and beyond.
As the APC grapples with internal discord over Diri's reported defection, all eyes are on President Tinubu and the party leadership to navigate the situation tactfully.
The outcome of this brewing conflict will not only impact the fortunes of individual politicians but also have broader implications for the political landscape of Bayelsa state and Nigeria as a whole.