The Wisest And Bravest Political Decision Of Gov. Douye Diri: The Untold Story Of Defection 

WISDOM ONIEKPAR IKULI 

When I wrote about the need for our God-sent miracle and prosperity Gov. Douye Diri to defect from PDP to the ruling APC, I received unimaginable insults and abuses.

It was worst when I held a World Press Conference to call on the governor to move. Beyond the unprintable names that some called me, I received several threats from different quarters, yet I was not discouraged because of my conviction.

Let it be on record that most of the persons who were vehemently opposed to the defection never did it because of their love for the PDP or the governor. They actually had ulterior motives. They wanted the governor to remain in a collapsing party and become stranded, while they were making their own alternative plans.

When you are sick and you approach a good medical doctor, the prescribed medications are always potent. It is so because he or she studied how to manage human body. The above can also be likened to a Political Scientist who studied politics. Every real scholar who studied political science is a master of politics. Gov. Douye Diri is a political scientist, a social scientist, a philosopher king, and a political engineer.

As a listening leader who believes so much in consensus building, Gov. Douye Diri spent weeks consulting critical stakeholders on the issue of defection. He never wanted to make a sole decision. Inspite of his genuine intentions, some persons queried what was pursuing him from the PDP.

They failed to understand that public servants are like hunters. In the process of carrying out their functions and responsibilities, they see and also know a lot of things that ordinary people do not know or see. Professional hunters that go to the forest for hunting of games see a lot of strange and very mysterious things, but keep quiet for obvious reasons.

The broad difference between the leader that is seated on the driver’s seat and the follower can be likened to the difference between empathy and sympathy.

Presently, APC is controlling 31 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, while PDP has only 2 governors. Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State are still in PDP due to failure of their respective bargains and negotiations with the Presidency.

Let us imagine the level of betrayal that Bayelsa State would have suffered if it had remained in PDP for whatever reason(s).

Since the inception of our contemporary democracy, Bayelsans have never been so united under one political party the way it is today.

Before now, political seasons were full of tension, blackmail, antagonism, and so much disunity. But the story is different today because of the consensus building strategy of Gov. Douye Diri.

Under the watch of Gov. Douye Diri, Bayelsa State, is emerging first in most areas. Bayelsa is presently the SAFEST STATE in the country. It is one of the leading states in terms of road infrastructure. It is competing in the first position with Delta State in the area of sports. It is doing very well in the areas of health and education, too.

Today, majority of Bayelsans are applauding the wise and brave decision that the governor made, and this is evident in the multitudes who are queuing behind him.

Those of us who started the campaign for defection saw what many never saw. PDP is not on the ballot in the forthcoming Osun State Governorship election. It may not have a presidential candidate and even Governorship, State and National Assembly candidates during the 2027 general elections.

I foresaw this long ago before things started playing out. I was condemned, demonized, vilified and called several unprintable names. But I am happy that unfolding events have vindicated my stance.

Politics requires smartness, critical thinking, wise permutations, courage, and decisiveness.

Gov. Douye Diri is a towering political giant cum iroko. We are queuing and standing solidly behind him. He directs, and we follow. He is the only confirmed and constitutionally recognized Captain of the Bayelsa Ship. He alone reserves the commanding, navigational right, while we obey and follow loyally and obediently.

– Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli
Technical Adviser to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State on Media and Public Affairs.