Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, Hon. Samuel Aredeh and Comrade Kenelayefa Stevens, have both disagreed with the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, over his comment on a possible implosion within the party in the state due to recent defections into the party.
Nabena stated in a published interview in a national tabloid that the party will implode due to recent defections at both the state and national levels.
Speaking in Abuja recently, the Bayelsa-born politician critically examined political issues in the country, particularly the implications of recent defections of several state governors to the APC, and warned that the ruling party might implode before the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Nabena explained why he believes President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term might be hindered by the perceived hostility from the North and the changing dynamics within the Bayelsa State chapter of the APC, especially considering Governor Douye Diri’s defection.
However, the duo of Hon. Samuel Aredeh, the former Vice Chairman of the APC in the Bayelsa West Senatorial district and a Chieftain from Sagbama Local Government Area, and Comrade Kenelayefa Stevens dismissed the claims of an implosion by Yekini Nabena as laughable.
They described Nabena as a disgraced political errand boy who is only qualified to be a stakeholder capable of gauging the feelings of the party at both the state and national levels.
Aradeh, in a statement, expressed suspicion that Nabena is speaking on behalf of some chieftains within the party, including a former Governor and the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, insisting that the only thing that has fractured the party in Bayelsa is Yekini Nabena’s political career.
He said, “Implode? That’s laughable. The only thing that has imploded is Yekini Nabena’s political career. He is a forgotten figure trying to crawl back into relevance by attacking those who are actually building the APC.”
“For years, he has allowed himself to be used like a disposable microphone by Chief Timipre Sylva and Chief Samuel Ogbuku, feeding from their political crumbs and echoing whatever propaganda they hand him.”
“Now that his masters have no use for him, he’s running to the press, hoping to be noticed again. Pathetic. That’s a lazy and ignorant analysis. What Nabena fails to understand, perhaps deliberately, is that the influx of new members is proof of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.”
“Governors and political leaders are not defecting out of fear or desperation; they are joining because they see results, the Renewed Hope Agenda is working. Nigeria is being restructured for growth, the economy is stabilising, and governance is becoming more pragmatic and inclusive.”
“The APC is not breaking; it is expanding. Only a man consumed by bitterness will see progress and call it a problem.”
In his comment, Stevens described Nabena’s claims that the party will implode due to recent defections in the state as unfounded and misleading.
He dismissed the alleged mischievous concern expressed by Nabena as serious, unfounded and misleading.
Stevens argued that Mr. Nabena’s political relevance is marginal at best: “It is difficult to take seriously the opinion of someone who, on election day, chooses the comfort of a hotel room over active participation in the field.”
“I challenge Mr. Nabena to publish his polling unit results from 2015 to date. Let the facts speak to his commitment—or lack thereof—to the APC. Politics is not a platform for empty rhetoric; it is a results-driven endeavour. And in this regard, Mr. Nabena has consistently underperformed.”
“It is no secret that Mr Nabena operates as a proxy for Chief Timipre Sylva and maintains close ties with the Managing Director of the NDDC, Chief (Dr) Samuel Ogbuku.”
“His recent comments are clearly part of a calculated effort to preserve the waning influence of his principal, driven by fears that Governor Diri’s entry into the APC may shift the balance of power.”
“Now, to address the claim that the APC does not need defecting governors: such a statement betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of political strategy.”
“Politics is, and always will be, a game of numbers. Governor Diri’s defection is a strategic gain, one that strengthens our party’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
“Contrary to Mr Nabena’s fears, Governor Diri has proven himself to be a unifier—an inclusive leader committed to working with all stakeholders for the collective good.”
“A quality that has endeared him to many across the state. His arrival has been met with enthusiasm by the majority of our party faithful, as it opens new avenues for electoral success both at the state and national levels.”
“It is also worth emphasising the competence of our current National Chairman. His administrative prowess and ability to harmonise diverse interests within the party have been evident since his emergence.”
“Under his stewardship, the APC is not only stable but also poised for continued victories.”
Comrade Kenelayefa Stevens also assured that the APC remains robust, inclusive, and forward-looking. “No amount of fear-mongering or self-serving commentary will derail the progress we are making,” he said.
He also described Governor Diri’s defection as a welcome development, “and we remain confident in the leadership of President Tinubu and our party’s national executives.”
