Ijaw Leader Urges Govs Diri, Fubara to Join APC for South-South Development
A prominent Ijaw leader and Convener of the South-South Reawakening Group (SSRG), Joseph Ambakederimo, has called on Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to accelerate development in the South-South region.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Ambakederimo criticized the PDP, claiming it no longer serves the interests of the Ijaw people or possesses the political strength to resolve the region’s lingering infrastructural challenges. He argued that only by aligning with the APC-led federal government can the South-South, especially Bayelsa—the only homogeneous Ijaw state—achieve meaningful economic transformation.
“Politics is a game of interest. Governor Diri should dump the PDP and join the APC because the Ijaw people no longer have a stake under the umbrella,” Ambakederimo declared. “There is no forward pathway for us in the PDP or even the African Democratic Congress (ADC).”
He stressed that Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation at large cannot afford to be isolated from the national power structure. For him, integration into the APC is essential to securing the region’s rightful share of infrastructure, appointments, and development opportunities.
“Our people need to understand that to benefit substantially and have our interests protected in politics, we must have a seat at the table where decisions are made. Anything less is illusionary,” he added.
Ambakederimo acknowledged Governor Diri’s development strides but insisted that defecting to the APC should not be seen as a betrayal, but a bold step in the collective interest of the Ijaw people.
“This is not a time for cautious steps but for courageous leaps,” he said. “The Ijaw people have been left behind and in the cold for too long. We must galvanize ourselves for a greater economic renaissance.”
He further emphasized that a political shift to the ruling party would secure deeper federal representation for Ijaws and greater influence in shaping national policies. Drawing from history, he cited Ijaw figures such as Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye and Chief Melford Okilo, who aligned with the then-ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) during the Second Republic and rose to national prominence.
“In the past, when the Ijaws aligned with the ruling party, they advanced. It’s a proven formula,” he said. “So, my call on Governor Diri is not out of place. The well-being of our people must be the overriding motivation.”
Ambakederimo’s appeal comes amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as regional and national actors reposition for influence and access to federal resources.
