Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, is poised to officially defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, in what is shaping up to be one of the most significant political realignments in Nigeria’s South-South region since 2023.

According to Party sources, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC governors, and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) are expected to be on hand to formally receive the Bayelsa governor into the ruling party during a high-profile ceremony.

Information has it that Diri, who resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15, has been in discreet negotiations with key APC figures to finalize his move. The talks, described as “strategic and delicate,” reportedly centered on ensuring a smooth integration of Diri’s political bloc into the APC’s structure in Bayelsa State.

A senior APC insider revealed that the delay in announcing the defection was deliberate, designed to “ensure seamless alignment and prevent internal friction within the state chapter,” particularly as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Political observers see Diri’s defection as a major coup for the APC, marking a significant expansion of its influence in the oil-rich South-South, a region that has historically remained a stronghold of the PDP.

The governor’s move also underscores President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to consolidate political dominance nationwide, with several former opposition leaders recently defecting to the ruling party.

With Diri’s entry, analysts say the political landscape in Bayelsa — and the broader Niger Delta — could experience a dramatic shift, potentially reshaping alliances and strategies ahead of the next election cycle.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is poised for a major political shake-up as at least four sitting governors from opposition parties are reportedly in advanced talks to defect to the ruling party before the end of 2025

A move insiders say could further consolidate APC’s dominance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, APC’s National Vice Chairman (South-East), revealed the development in an exclusive interview, naming the governors of Plateau, Taraba, Rivers, and Abia (Labour Party) as those being courted by the party.

According to Arodiogbu, discussions with the governors have reached an advanced stage, and their defection to the ruling party is “highly possible” in the coming weeks.

“It is a possibility that the Plateau governor will join us, likewise his Taraba counterpart. We are also looking forward to receiving Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State into our midst,” Arodiogbu stated confidently.

He further hinted that the defections are expected to take place before the party’s congresses, stressing that the APC is positioning itself as the most organised and dominant political structure in the country.

“These are all high possibilities. We expect that to happen in the coming weeks before our congresses. Most of these defections should happen before the end of the year. Once they do, it will further confirm that the APC remains the dominant and most organised political platform in Nigeria,” he added.

Arodiogbu attributed the growing attraction to the APC to the party’s reform-driven leadership and its open-door policy, which he said have created an inclusive environment for dialogue and participation.

“The truth is that the APC has become a home for all progressives. We are not just expanding in numbers but in quality leadership. Many political leaders now see that this is the platform that offers stability, direction, and a clear vision for Nigeria’s democracy,” he explained.

The APC vice chairman also noted that the party’s leadership under the current national chairman has aligned closely with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which continues to define the party’s policy direction and national outreach.

“The national chairman has made it clear that the APC is not closing its doors to anyone. We are reaching out to people of goodwill who believe in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Arodiogbu affirmed.

Political observers believe that if the anticipated defections materialise, the APC’s numerical and strategic advantage will be further strengthened, giving it a significant edge as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Anambra State 99 percent ready for the November 8 governorship election.

This followed a weeklong assessment tour across the 21 local government areas of the state by a high-level INEC delegation led by the National Commissioner for Election Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Rhoda Gumus.

Addressing journalists at the end of the tour on Sunday, Prof. Gumus said the Commission had completed major operational, security, and logistical preparations for the exercise.

“Our visit has shown that Anambra is ready, INEC is ready, and the people are ready,” she said, assuring that the Commission was committed to delivering an election that reflects the true will of the electorate.

The delegation inspected the batching and deployment of non-sensitive materials, monitored the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and supervised a mock accreditation exercise using the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which was adjudged successful.

Other members of the team included Mr. Sam Olumekun (mni), Dr. Kenneth Ukeagu, and Dr. Baba Bila. They also met with the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, transport union leaders, and security chiefs under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

Security agencies — including the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and the military — assured of adequate deployment to guarantee a peaceful and credible election.

“Our goal is simple — peaceful, credible elections across all polling units,” the security chiefs said.

Dr. Agwu commended the cooperation among security agencies, saying it had strengthened the Commission’s confidence in conducting the polls without fear.

“The cooperation we see today gives us confidence that materials, personnel, and voters will move freely and safely,” she said.

INEC said final preparations would focus on deploying staff and sensitive materials to registration area centers ahead of election day.