Bayelsa APC Ward Congress: Sagbama, Southern Ijaw Stakeholders Reject Zoning Plan

‎Diri, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC last October, now bears the responsibility of uniting the party as its leader in the state.

‎The national leadership of the APC fixed Wednesday, February 18, for the ward congresses, while the exercise at the various local government levels is slated for Friday, February 20, 2026.

‎Sylva’s Loyalists Cry Foul

‎Members loyal to former Governor Timipre Sylva have alleged that they are being sidelined in the build-up to the congresses.

The group, which described itself as the original APC members who worked for the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general election and other party successes since 2015, claimed that undue favours were being extended to those who defected alongside Governor Diri.

They warned that allowing such “abnormalities” to persist could threaten the unity of the party in the state.

Sylva, regarded as the founding leader and former face of opposition politics in Bayelsa before Diri’s defection to the APC, has been locked in a running battle with the government. He had earlier accused some elements of sponsoring a coup against the APC-led Federal Government.

‎EFCC Probe

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been investigating Sylva over alleged financial crimes. The former governor has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

According to Daily Trust, sources within the party said the development has weakened Sylva’s political influence in the state, leaving many of his loyalists feeling politically stranded ahead of the congresses.

Sagbama, Southern Ijaw Reject Arrangements

‎In Sagbama Local Government Area, stakeholders and ward executives of the party have reportedly rejected the modalities put in place for the conduct of the ward congresses.

‎Similarly, in the Bomo clan of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, a socio-political group known as the Bomo Mandate Forum kicked against an alleged zoning arrangement concerning the office of the APC chairman in the council.

The group rejected what it described as a resolution zoning the chairmanship position to Constituency Three ahead of the congress.

‎In a statement issued in Yenagoa, the Chairman of the forum, Chief Elder Dominic Richard Bafagha, and the Secretary, Chief James Jonah-Alu, described the alleged decision as a “kangaroo arrangement.”

‎They alleged that the resolution was orchestrated by a few individuals without the knowledge or consent of critical stakeholders in the area.