2027
Negerese Leads Massive Defection to APC, Hails, Lokpobiri, Diri’s Infrastructural Strides
– As Minister Lokpobiri Receives Thousands of Alabini Political Frontiers
– Promises More Support for Bayelsa Development
By: Derick Peretengboro
Yenagoa — In a significant political shift yesterday, the Alabini community in the Alabini Progressive Front(APF) in their hundreds of numbers in Ekeremor Constituency 3 Bayelsa state, under the leadership of Hon. Chief Berry Negerese, officially defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party(LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 13, 2025. The event took place in Tamara Hall Otiotio, Yenagoa, and highlighted the People’s commitment to aligning with the state’s vision of “Renewed Prosperity.”
This was contained in a statement released by Yenne Lucky Dennis, Director General, Media/Publicity to the Wind of Progress Forum, efficiently led by Negerese.
Hon. Chief Berry Negerese, in his address, expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Bayelsa State Sen Douye Diri for his recent infrastructural developments, particularly the gas turbine initiative and the three pivotal senatorial roads. The road connecting Brass in the East and Agge in the West was emphasized as a catalyst for economic empowerment among Bayelsans. “We, as a people, will continue to support Mr. President, the Governor, and the Minister for Petroleum State (oil) Sen Heineken Lokpobiri for their commendable efforts,” he stated, underlining the People’s optimism for the future.
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum, (Oil） welcomed the defectors, acknowledging their contributions and reaffirming his commitment as a “bonafide son of the Alabini.” He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting him with the ministerial role, vowing to continue supporting the Governor and Alabini people in their development journey.
The gathering was attended by notable figures, including: Hon. Israel Sunny-Igoli, former House of Representative member from Brass, Hon. Isaac Onniye, Executive Chairman of Ekeremor LGA,Dr. Sybriks Obriki,Hon. Peter Peroutubo, Hon. John Alla Commissioner for Tourism Development Bayelsa state,Hon. Thompson Amule, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, along with his wife, High Chief Ben Eyorokumoh Director of Collection, Bayelsa Board of Internal Revenue, Hon. Dein Benadoumene, Chairman Assembly Service Commission, Bayelsa State, High Christopher Tuduo (Boulowenewei) of Ezetu Pethington Kingdom, the Twelve (12) councilors of Ekeremor Legislative Assembly, Royal fathers, High Chief Job Ayiba DDG/ Chairman organizing Committee for Defectors, Hon. Victor Ebiyekon Secretary defectors committee, Hon. Chief Austine Lugbeinwei, High Chief Emmanuel Shopboy, CDC chairmen, Capt Joshua Oropere Chairman PiA Trust in EA host Community Development Truts, Traditional Rulers, CDC chairmen, Women Leaders, Youth leaders, Students leaders and other critical stakeholders.
The event marked a pivotal moment in Bayelsa’s political landscape, with echoes of “Yes to Renewed Prosperity!” resonating among community members. With hopes for further infrastructural growth and economic stability, the Alabini people are poised to embark on this new political chapter with optimism and determination.
By: Derick Peretengboro
Abuja, September 30, 2025 – The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced itself from a statement credited to its former National Chairman and ex-Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, who recently claimed that former President Goodluck Jonathan would emerge as the party’s Presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) clarion Monday that Gana had no mandate to speak on behalf of the PDP regarding its choice of candidate.
National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, speaking to journalists in Abuja, stressed that the PDP has many capable leader, particularly among its governors, who are more than qualified to contest the presidency when the time comes.
He said:
“Professor Jerry Gana doesn’t speak for the PDP. I don’t also speak for Professor Jerry Gana. People can express their opinion. But I will emphasise this. In this party, as we are on Tueday, President Jonathan is a member, he has not said he’s not a member.
“But I can tell you, today that this party has eminently qualified Nigerians, particularly at the governors level, who have done exceedingly well, that Nigeria can tap on that and say, step up the place and do the right thing, because their performances in their states show their capacity, which is the DNA of the PDP.
“So, I don’t speak for President Jonathan. I don’t speak for Professor Jerry, with all due respect. But our party is focused on our convention and when we get to that bridge, we’ll cross it. Those should be semantics.”
Gana had earlier, while addressing party members during the weekend in Mina after the Niger State PDP Congress, insisted that Jonathan would contest the 2027 elections on the PDP platform. He compared life under Jonathan with the years that followed, now desired his return.
According to him:
“In 2015, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said his ambition is not worth the blood of Nigerians. After another president ruled for eight years now another has ruled for two years.
“Nigerians have seen the difference and the difference is clear. “Nigerians are now asking us to bring back our friend, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
“I can confirm that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as PDP candidate and you will vote for him to return as President again.”
Meanwhile, the Presidency reacted sharply to the development, saying Jonathan had the right to run but warning that his record in office remained a burden.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Monday, titled “Former President Jonathan is welcome to the race. Nigerians will remember his dismal record in office,” said:
“President Jonathan reserves the right to run if he wishes. It is his inalienable right to contest the presidency again.
“But Jonathan will have his date in the court of the land…and will also have his encounter with the people as to whether he has anything new to offer after his disastrous six years, for which they voted him out in 2015.”
Onanuga further described the PDP’s move as “absurd,” arguing that Jonathan’s potential candidacy on the platform of a party that “bequeathed a legacy of economic ruins after 16 years of bad governance” would not sit well with Nigerians.