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.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally handed over Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, for proper induction into the ruling party, marking a major political realignment in the North-East region.

Governor Kefas disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting with APC youths and stakeholders held at the T.Y. Danjuma House in Abuja. He revealed that President Tinubu had personally endorsed his decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC and had introduced him to the party’s national leadership for formal integration.

According to Kefas, the President not only welcomed his move but also described it as a step toward strengthening collaboration between the federal government and Taraba State. Preparations, he said, were already underway for his formal reception into the APC in Taraba, where he would be officially unveiled to party members and supporters.

Speaking after the meeting, Comrade Abubakar Gembo, a prominent APC youth leader, described Governor Kefas’s planned defection as a “major political boost” for the ruling party in Taraba State.

“Governor Kefas informed us of his readiness to join our great party, the APC. He told us he had met with President Tinubu, who received him warmly and handed him over to the national chairman,” Gembo said.

He added that the governor assured youths of inclusiveness and continued empowerment, stressing that Kefas had maintained a youth-friendly governance style even while serving under the PDP platform.

Similarly, Idris Ayuba, Chairman of the APC Youth Vanguard, Taraba State chapter, confirmed that arrangements for the governor’s defection had been concluded at the national level. According to him, only the formal reception ceremonies at the ward, local government, and state levels were pending.

Ayuba called on party members and supporters to rally behind the governor, describing him as a leader committed to youth development, education, and inclusive governance.

In a separate statement, the Vanguard’s Publicity Secretary, Rikwense Muri, affirmed the development, noting that Governor Kefas had met with key APC youth leaders and political influencers to strategize on building a united front capable of driving accelerated development in Taraba.

“Governor Kefas said Taraba can no longer afford to remain isolated from the mainstream of national politics. He explained that his decision to realign politically was motivated by the need to drive greater development, enhance security, and attract more federal presence to the state,” Muri said.

The governor was further quoted as saying, “I am guided by the need to put Taraba first. Our state must take its rightful place in national development, and that can only happen when we work hand in hand with the centre.”

APC youth stakeholders applauded the governor’s decision, commending his courage, pragmatism, and foresight in prioritising the interests of Tarabians over partisan affiliations.

Governor Agbu Kefas was elected in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has governed Taraba State since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. His defection, observers say, could signal a major shift in the political landscape of the North-East, where the APC continues to strengthen its foothold.

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.