By Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa

Ahead of Elections
Politics in Bayelsa State appears to be entering a new phase of strategic alignment as Governor Douye Diri used the conclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary to send a strong message of unity, loyalty and electoral mobilisation in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The atmosphere at the APC presidential primary collation in Yenagoa was not merely about announcing figures. Beyond the declaration of President Tinubu’s overwhelming victory in the state, Governor Diri seized the moment to encourage party faithful and Bayelsans to close ranks and prepare to deliver victory for the President and the APC in future elections.
With Tinubu polling 277,192 votes against five votes recorded by his challenger, the outcome reflected a near-total endorsement of the President within the party structure in Bayelsa. Yet, for Governor Diri, the significance of the exercise went beyond numbers.

Addressing party leaders, delegates and supporters after the collation, the governor praised members for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the primaries and contrasted the exercise with the bitter divisions that once characterised political contests in the state.
“You have conducted yourselves so well. The exercise has been peaceful, calm,” Diri said.
The governor acknowledged that APC primaries in Bayelsa were previously known for conflict and internal rancour but said the party had now turned a new page.

“You know how toxic our party primaries used to be in this state, particularly in this our party. And today, all of that toxicity has been wiped away by God,” he declared.
The statement drew applause from party supporters and reflected an attempt to project the APC as a more united and disciplined political force ahead of major elections.
For Diri, however, peace within the party must translate into electoral victory. He urged members who contested and lost in earlier primaries to remain loyal and continue supporting the party, stressing that political success depends on teamwork rather than individual ambition.

“And to all of those who contested and lost, you still have to be a party man,” he said.
The governor reinforced this appeal by reminding party members that victory cannot be achieved through isolated efforts.

“There is no one person that is good enough to win an election without the support of the other person. No one person. And we need each other to deliver our party,” Diri stated.
His message was particularly directed at grassroots mobilisation. According to him, real political strength lies not in social media debates but in ward-level organisation and voter engagement.

“Social media is different from what is on ground,” the governor said, urging supporters to return to their communities and consolidate support for the party.
Diri expressed confidence that Bayelsa APC possesses both the numerical strength and strategic experience needed to secure victory for President Tinubu.
“If all of us go back to our wards, can we deliver Bayelsa State? Can anybody beat APC in Bayelsa State? No,” he declared.

Projecting confidence in the party’s chances, the governor concluded with a bold political prediction.
“My dear brothers, it’s game over in Bayelsa State,” Diri said, before leading party supporters in chants of “APC goal.”
His remarks underscored not only support for President Tinubu but also a broader call for unity and political mobilisation as Bayelsa prepares for the next electoral contests.