The Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC) Equity Group has accused Governor Douye Diri of fostering nepotism and centralizing political power, alleging that both the Ijaw Nation and residents of Bayelsa State are increasingly rejecting his leadership style and political plans ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement issued on April 13, 2026, the group claimed that dissatisfaction with the governor’s administration has intensified across the state. It said concerns are mounting over what it described as an entrenched system that favors individuals from the governor’s immediate family and local government area.
The group pointed to recent developments within the Ijaw National Congress (INC) as evidence of growing resistance. It alleged that Governor Diri attempted to influence the emergence of Rear Admiral Woyengidinikpete Yanga as INC president, noting that Yanga hails from the same Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area as the governor.
According to the statement, this attempt was rejected by members of the Ijaw Nation, who instead elected High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwei. The group further alleged that political forces were mobilized against another aspirant, Elder Timi Kaiser-Wilhelm Ogoriba, whom it described as a credible candidate.
The APC Equity Group argued that the governor’s political structure is heavily concentrated in Kolokuma/Opokuma, creating what it called a perception of exclusion and marginalization among other parts of the state. It contrasted this approach with that of former governor Seriake Dickson, whom it credited with maintaining broader inclusivity in governance.
The statement also framed the situation as a warning signal, asserting that Bayelsa State cannot operate under what it described as a governance model similar to that associated with Cameroon’s President Paul Biya. It said the growing discontent reflects a broader rejection of centralized and family-based political control.
The group further claimed that dissatisfaction has spread within the APC itself. It alleged that party stakeholders have begun expressing anger over the leadership of the state party chairman, Warman Ogoriba, whom it described as a kinsman of Governor Diri from Kolokuma/Opokuma.
It characterized this development as unprecedented, suggesting it reflects deep internal divisions and frustration within the party’s structure in the state.
The APC Equity Group also accused the governor of running the state “like a family enterprise.” It cited the appointment of Dr. Peter Akpe, described as the governor’s cousin, as deputy governor, claiming this makes Diri the only governor in Nigeria to have appointed a close relative to such a position.
The statement further alleged that governance and resource allocation in the state are concentrated in Sampou, the governor’s paternal community, and Ayamasa, his maternal community. It claimed that these areas have received a disproportionate share of appointments, projects, and empowerment initiatives.
In Ekeremor Local Government Area, the group alleged that more than 500 appointments have been given to individuals from Ayamasa. It also claimed that the community has benefited from a higher number of construction projects compared to other areas within the local government.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the group accused the governor of positioning another relative, Retired General Henry Ayamasaowei, as a preferred candidate for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District. It said this alleged move has been rejected by APC stakeholders in Ekeremor and across the state.
The statement added that some party members view the retired general as disconnected from the local political structure. It also alleged that credible aspirants are being sidelined in favor of candidates linked to the governor’s maternal community.
The group raised concerns about the potential misuse of state resources, security agencies, and electoral institutions to influence future elections. It warned that such actions could lead to unrest, including violence and destruction of property.
It further alleged the existence of a broader political strategy aimed at maintaining control beyond the governor’s tenure. This, it claimed, could involve positioning Retired General Ayamasaowei as a successor or sustaining influence through the continued role of the deputy governor, Dr. Akpe.
Describing this as the “Ayamasa agenda,” the group accused the administration of advancing the interests of specific communities, including Ayamasa, Sampou, and Ebedebiri, at the expense of the wider population.
The APC Equity Group concluded by warning that the continuation of what it described as a nepotistic and centralized political system could destabilize the state as the 2027 elections approach. It reiterated its rejection of such a leadership model, emphasizing that Bayelsa State should not be governed in a manner it likened to Cameroon’s political system.
