The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State, Dr. Jonathan Obuebite, has defended Governor Douye Diri’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, citing increased federal support and ongoing infrastructure projects in the state.
Obuebite said the governor’s decision to join the ruling party followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was informed by the need to attract more development to Bayelsa.
He stated this on Wednesday during an interview on ARISE NEWS, while responding to allegations by former Bayelsa State Governor and National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman, Seriake Dickson, that the APC had contributed nothing to the development of the state.
Obuebite said the governor had maintained an inclusive approach to governance, bringing together political leaders from different parties to work towards the development of Bayelsa.
He said, “His Excellency, the governor, had made it very clear to all of us working with him that we must not disrespect any of the leaders in Bayelsa State, present or past. We must ensure that we maintain what he brought into governance in Bayelsa State, where you cannot see any colour of a particular political party.”
He added that the governor appointed individuals from different political parties into his cabinet, creating an atmosphere of cooperation among political stakeholders.
On the circumstances surrounding Diri’s defection, Obuebite said the decision followed consultations involving members of the National Assembly, the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and other political leaders.
He said, “Before His Excellency, our governor and leader, moved to the APC, I want it to be clear to all Nigerians that there was wide consultation. It started from the National Assembly, and from the National Assembly, it came to the State House of Assembly and all other leaders.”
According to him, the consultation process took time, which explained the repeated speculation about the governor’s defection before it eventually happened.
Defending the benefits of the defection, Obuebite highlighted the ongoing Nembe-Brass road project, describing it as a long-standing aspiration of the people of the area.
He said the people of Nembe and Brass had waited for more than 60 years for improved connectivity between the two local government areas, adding that the Diri administration had commenced the project.
“For all these years, about 60 years and thereabouts, even before I was born, the yearning of our people has been how we can connect the two Nembe local governments. We have Nembe Local Government and Brass Local Government. We are all Nembe-speaking people,” he said.
He disclosed that the first phase of the project covers 21 kilometres, with construction ongoing on the road and bridges.
Obuebite said the state government had also secured federal government involvement in the second phase of the project after previous attempts to obtain federal support under the Buhari administration were unsuccessful.
He said, “Before now, the governor pushed during the Buhari government and approached the Federal Government to see how we could collaborate and build it. Several attempts were made. Letters were written, but nothing was done.”
He added that the situation changed after President Bola Tinubu assumed office, saying, “When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came in, the governor approached him. As I speak, that second phase of the project has been awarded, and work is ongoing.”
The APC candidate also cited the state’s independent power project as another benefit of the relationship between the Diri administration and the Federal Government.
According to him, Bayelsa had not enjoyed an operational independent power plant since its creation 34 years ago, until the current administration invested in electricity generation.
He said the project was necessary to support industrialisation, economic growth and improved living conditions in the state.
“For Bayelsa to be industrialised, for our people to partake in the economy and grow the economy of Bayelsa, something is very critical, and you all know it, and that is power,” he said.
Obuebite said the Federal Government, under President Tinubu, granted waivers for equipment, turbines and other materials imported for the project.
He added that the President personally commissioned the power plant, which he said had enabled Bayelsa to enjoy 24-hour electricity.
“By the help of Mr President, waivers were given for all the equipment, the turbines and every other thing that were brought into the state. As I speak, you are aware that the President himself came to commission that power plant, and Bayelsa is enjoying 24-hour electricity,” he said.
He further credited the President with ensuring a free and fair democratic process during Governor Diri’s re-election, dismissing concerns that the Federal Government would interfere in the state’s electoral process.
Obuebite also attributed the relative peace in Bayelsa to cooperation between security agencies and the state government.
He said, “Today, we have stability in Bayelsa State because all the security agencies are working in synergy with the state government to ensure that we maintain the peace. Bayelsa has never been this peaceful before.”
During the interview, ARISE NEWS anchor Rufai Oseni challenged Obuebite over his previous criticisms of the APC when he was a prominent PDP member and spokesperson.
Oseni recalled that Obuebite had previously accused the APC of using propaganda, promoting violence and engaging in electoral malpractice.
Responding, Obuebite acknowledged his previous role as a strong PDP member and spokesperson but maintained that his statements were made while representing his former party.
He also described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a father figure who had contributed significantly to his political development.
“The former President, Goodluck Jonathan, is my father. He has done a lot. I am a product of a lot of leaders, and I respect the investment they have put in my life,” he said.
He explained that his political position had changed alongside developments in the country and the PDP.
“Bayelsa had always been a PDP state before now, but the situation has changed. Even if you have a child today, that child will grow,” he said.
Obuebite, however, disputed some of the allegations raised by Oseni about his previous statements, insisting that many of the claims were inaccurate.
He said, “Most of those things you are saying never happened. But as somebody who is very factual, as somebody who always speaks the truth, I am a politician by conviction. I am not a politician by what I see.”
He added that his loyalty to the PDP at the time informed his defence of the party.
“As a party person, I spoke and marketed my party. I know I am a good product, and I marketed that product, and you can see the result,” he said.
Boluwatife Enome
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