Strategic Shift: Gov. Diri Joins APC, Reactivating Tinubu’s Political Investment In Bayelsa 

Reacting to Senator Douye Diri’s defection to the APC on Monday while exchanging views with newsmen in Lagos, Mr. Yakub, a media strategist, made reference to the Holy Scriptures from the book of Second Corinthians 9:6, emphasizing the principle of sowing and reaping, reiterating that: “President Tinubu’s political journey reflects this principle, as he is known for generously investing in people and building relationships, thereby reaping a bountiful harvest across the states.

“His legacy as a political mentor and builder of men is a testament to his abundant sowing, which has yielded significant fruits in his political career. President Tinubu’s approach to politics involves identifying and nurturing potential leaders across the country, often looking beyond immediate geographical boundaries.

“His strategy to achieve his presidential ambition led him to invest in Prince Ebitimi Amgbare in Bayelsa state, supporting his governorship bid in 2007 despite the challenges at the time. This exemplifies Tinubu’s willingness to sow seeds in promising individuals, fostering growth and building relationships that could help him achieve his goals at all times.

“Prince Ebitimi Amgbare was President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s governorship candidate in Bayelsa State in 2007 on the platform of the Action Congress (AC). With support from Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju backed Prince Amgbare through the Election Tribunal and at the Appeal Court, leading to the annulment of the Bayelsa Governorship Election, which was initially declared in favour of Chief Timipre Sylva as the winner, and subsequent rerun was ordered.

“Despite the fact that the rerun election did not yield the desired outcome for President Tinubu’s candidate (Prince Ebitimi Amgbare), he had planted a seed, and the law of cause and effect took its course. By the 2011 election cycle, Chief Timipre Sylva, who had won the rerun election and subsequently sworn in again in May 2008 thought he would be exempted from the governorship election, anticipating his tenure to end in 2012.

“In January 2012, the Supreme Court removed Governor Timipre Sylva from office, overturning the earlier court decisions in his favour. Then, the late Rt. Hon. Nestor Binabo, then Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, was sworn in as acting governor.

“The PDP’s internal dynamics led to Chief Timipre Sylva being denied the party’s ticket, paving the way for Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson to emerge as the PDP candidate. Dickson won the governorship election and served for eight years. Notably, he played a key role in Senator Douye Diri’s emergence as the PDP candidate, a testament to the enduring impact of Asiwaju’s earlier investment.

“Despite coming second in the governorship election, Senator Douye Diri was sworn in as Governor of Bayelsa State following a landmark Supreme Court judgment. Now serving his second term, Diri initially represented the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but has just defected the ruling All Progressives Congress becoming an APC governor, suggesting Bayelsa State is now aligned with the APC and the President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“This development underscores the principle that seed time and harvest time are perpetual cycles. President Tinubu, the prolific sower, continues to reap a bountiful harvest.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s investment in the 2007 Bayelsa governorship election, which Prince Ebitimi Amgbare contested on the platform of the Congress (AC), still remains an enduring political asset in Bayelsa State,” Bello Akinkunmi Yakub explained.