Soji Ajibola examines the developing situation in the oil-abundant Bayelsa State, where the governor and his deputy are following separate ...
Soji Ajibola examines the developing situation in the oil-abundant Bayelsa State, where the governor and his deputy are following separate political routes.
Gossip began circulating about the future of the Ofoni community's deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ehwrujakpor, once it was known that he would not follow his boss, Governor Duoye Diri, in switching allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Diri had declared three weeks ago that he was departing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC due to what he described as "clear reasons." Although this might not be unexpected, particularly as it has become common for governors to switch parties during this Fourth Republic, the revelation that Diri's deputy, Ehwrujakpor, would not follow his leader onto the defection path sparked much discussion.
Although Nigerian law allows a governor and their deputy to belong to different political parties, as confirmed by the Supreme Court in the case of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against President Olusegun Obasanjo, the situation we have observed is that the governor leads their deputies along whatever political path they decide. The reverse would result in immediate removal from office.
Currently, a unique form of tension is developing in Bayelsa, where the deputy is not only declining to switch sides like his superior, but is also remaining firm in his position, even in the face of possible removal from office.
To maintain his position as a PDP member and deputy governor, Ehwrujakpor filed a lawsuit against the Bayelsa State House of Assembly in the state high court, asking the judicial system to allow him to remain in his seat as a member of a rival party despite his direct superior's objections.
The choice of both Governor Diri and his deputy to pursue separate political paths is, nevertheless, causing instability within their respective political factions, the Restoration and Prosperity groups. These two groups have long held significant influence in Bayelsa's political landscape.
Diri and Ehwrujakpor are part of the Restoration team headed by Senator Seriake Dickson, with Ehwrujakpor having held the position of State Commissioner for Works between 2012 and 2020. Diri served as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Yenagoa/Kolokuna/Opokuma Federal Constituency.
The pair of Governor Diri and his deputy, Ehwrujakpor, were elected to represent the Bayelsa East and Bayelsa West senatorial districts respectively in 2019, later becoming governor and deputy in 2020. Their collaborative relationship prior to this led many to view Ehwrujakpor as the probable successor to Diri in 2028. Some argue that since each of the three senatorial districts in Bayelsa has produced a governor, the rotational system could begin with any of the districts in 2028.
Considering this, some influential figures believe that if the next zoning process begins in Bayelsa West, Senator Ehwrujakpor might have an advantage, despite the presence of other potential candidates such as Hon. Fred Agbedi, the current PDP Caucus leader in the House of Representatives and a five-term member of the Green Chamber representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency; the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, an APC member, among others.
Prior to the current political crisis, Lokpobori was reportedly associating with Diri in an effort to realize his goal of becoming the governor of Bayelsa State in 2028. Diri's switch to the APC might have removed obstacles for him. While Lokpobori's team sees Diri's move as a chance that could help the former Senator achieve his gubernatorial dream, another candidate, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sammy Ogbuku, is reportedly planning to use the same defection as a way to start his own bid for the governorship. However, some observers believe that either Lokpobori or Ogbuku's aspirations can only be realized through the support of Abuja connections and members of the House of Assembly, who could pressure the deputy governor to step down.
Certain members of the House of Assembly were reportedly holding secret meetings in Yenagoa and Abuja at night to finalize the impeachment plan before the situation was revealed, resulting in the deputy governor filing a legal action.
Although the plan was rejected, the deputy governor, not wanting to be taken by surprise, proceeded to submit a request for an interim injunction at the Federal High Court in Abuja, preventing the lawmakers from dismissing him from his position.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling issued on October 27, instructed the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and five other individuals to come before the court and explain why they should not be prevented from proceeding with the impeachment of the deputy governor due to alleged wrongdoing connected to his refusal to switch political parties.
Ewhrudjakpo, with his advice, requested an interim injunction order, asking the defendants to appear and explain why the temporary remedies requested in the main application should not be approved while the case is being heard and decided. He also requested a ruling preventing the defendants from removing or impeaching him as deputy governor of Bayelsa State, which would violate Sections 188 (5–11) and 36(1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended). He stated that his refusal to switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other political party before the end of his term should not serve as grounds for impeachment.
The deputy governor also requested the court to prevent the assembly from starting or carrying out any impeachment processes against him due to his choice to stay in the PDP. Although the case is still under consideration by the court, it has been reported that Gov. Diri is trying to convince his deputy to switch to the APC, as he has indicated that his decision to join the party was motivated by his concern for the state.
The governor remarked about his departure: "Someone had to make the choice (to exit the PDP), and I did it for the state's sake. I made it in what I believed was the best interest of the state. Some of you may not grasp it now, but in time, it will become evident to everyone."
When we took office as a government, our initial action was to complete the majority of the unfinished projects and introduce new ones. This alone is sufficient cause to give thanks to God. We also express our gratitude to God for the peace and security we currently experience.
Politics is aimed at progress, not at harming your sibling. The assembly here demonstrates the unity within the state.
Diri also maintained that peace can only be attained through conversation, prompting his deputy to reconsider his choice of not participating in the APC.
He also informed journalists that the talks with his deputy would lead to favorable outcomes. The governor stated, "I believe in dialogue instead of conflict. I will keep discussing this with my deputy. Although it is challenging for both of us to belong to different political parties, through continuous communication, the outcome will be beneficial. Our conversations have already begun to show results, as evidenced by the deputy governor's decision to halt the case at the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding the alleged impeachment plan."
Nevertheless, political analysts have been questioning what happens to the deputy governor following the withdrawal of the case in court, especially if he depends on the governor's guidance. It was noted that members of the APC in the state are pushing for a just distribution of political positions before the 2027 election, even though they have accepted Diri as their political leader.
There are also inquiries regarding the connection with former governor Seriake Dickson in the ongoing developments. Some observers have raised concerns about how the former political leader in the state, Senator Seriake Dickson, might feel witnessing his former godson leave the party that provided him with the opportunity to serve as a two-term commissioner for Works and as deputy governor of Bayelsa State. Questions are also being raised about whether Lokpobori and Ogbuku would hand over the APC's governorship nomination to the governor's faction in 2028. There are further questions about whether Diri will run against Senator Dickson in the 2027 senatorial election if he is given the APC's senatorial ticket for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District in 2027. On Ehwrujakpor's side, there are concerns about whether the House of Assembly might one day act on an impeachment plan if he stays in the PDP, particularly if he withdraws his case at the Federal High Court in Abuja. These are some of the key issues being discussed by Bayelsa political stakeholders regarding the fate of the deputy governor, the potential developments between the governor and his former boss, Dickson, and the possible scenarios that could unfold in 2027. The answers to these questions remain uncertain. It is also unclear whether the deputy governor will be able to navigate this challenging situation by staying in another party while his boss remains in the APC. For now, the situation continues to unfold.
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