Several prominent members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Bayelsa State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move that further reshapes the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors were led by Deacon Felix Wilson, who emerged as the winner of the NDC House of Assembly primary election for Sagbama Constituency II. They were formally received into the APC during a ceremony at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa by Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Wilson attributed his decision to leave the NDC to what he described as injustice during the party’s candidate selection process.
According to him, although he won the party’s primary election for the Sagbama Constituency II seat, his name was allegedly replaced with that of another aspirant, Michael Magbisa, despite the outcome of the primary.
Wilson said the development eroded his confidence in the party’s leadership and compelled him to return to the APC, which he described as his former political platform.
“I have now returned to my former political family, the APC, which is a party of progress,” he said, while pledging to work with party leaders to strengthen the APC’s presence in his constituency.
Also among the defectors was Saheed Umar, the NDC’s Vice Chairman in Ogbia Local Government Area, who said he joined the APC because he believed it offered a better platform to contribute to governance and the development of Bayelsa State.
Other party stalwarts who switched allegiance include Victor Egba, Gilbert Alawei, Agidi George, Azibola Oru, Solomon Etor, Fineman Eseimokumo and Munteuma Clifford, alongside their supporters.
Welcoming the new members, Deputy Governor Peter Akpe described the defections as a significant boost for the APC in Bayelsa. He assured the defectors of equal opportunities within the party and urged them to integrate with existing members while working towards the party’s growth and electoral success.
The latest defections come at a politically significant moment for the NDC, following recent legal and internal challenges that have affected the party nationally. Political observers say the movement of key figures could influence political alignments in Bayelsa as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
