A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Leader of the faction, George Turner, made the declaration on Monday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Turner, who doubles as the secretary of a factional PDP South-South zonal committee and Caretaker Chairman of the Bayelsa chapter of the PDP, insisted that his faction will support Tinubu regardless of where the governor stands.
According to him, almost all the governors from South-South zone across party lines, have resolved to support the President’s reelection.
Turnah called on the Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri, to publicly declare where he stands regarding Tinubu’s reelection.
Turner hinged his faction’s support for the President on his appointment of sons and daughters of the South-South into public offices.
“I want to formally call on Governor Douye Diri to immediately announce his stand regarding the 2027 presidency, so that Bayelsans can know where they stand.
“If he is supporting President Tinubu, he should come out and tell us. But if he wants to align with other candidates, let him say so. Then we will know whether to follow him or not.
“The leader who has openly declared support for President Tinubu is Nyesom Wike. If our governor comes tomorrow and says he supports Tinubu, we will work with him. If he says otherwise, we will galvanise support for Tinubu ourselves.
“In 2019, the Southern Governors met in Asaba and agreed that power should return to the South. Despite that agreement, some decided to act otherwise. But in all, Tinubu from Southern Nigeria became President.
“Tinubu is not from my party, PDP, but once a leader is elected, he becomes the President of Nigeria and we must support our leader.
“Opposition is not about plotting for leaders to fail. If a leader succeeds, the people benefit. Opposition should uphold leaders to deliver for the people. If a leader is performing, there should be no rush to remove him. When the time comes, PDP will make its decisions,” Turner said.
