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Dr Jonathan Obuebite, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State, has defended Governor Douye Diri’s decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling party, saying the move has helped attract federal support for development projects.
Obuebite said Diri’s defection was motivated by the need to secure more federal government involvement in the development of Bayelsa State.
He made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on ARISE NEWS while responding to allegations by former governor and National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman, Seriake Dickson, that the APC had done nothing for the state.
According to Obuebite, Diri consulted political stakeholders, including members of the National Assembly and the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, before making the decision to join the APC.
“Before His Excellency, our governor and leader, moved to the APC, I want it to be clear to all Nigerians that there was wide consultation. It started from the National Assembly, and from the National Assembly, it came to the State House of Assembly and all other leaders,” he said.
He explained that the consultations took considerable time, contributing to repeated speculation about the governor’s possible defection before it eventually happened.
Obuebite also maintained that Diri had sustained an inclusive style of governance by bringing politicians from different parties into his administration.
He said the governor had instructed his political associates not to disrespect past or present leaders in the state, regardless of their party affiliations.
Defending the benefits of the defection, the APC candidate pointed to the ongoing Nembe-Brass road project, describing it as a long-standing demand of residents of the two local government areas.
He said the first phase of the project covers 21 kilometres, with construction work ongoing on the road and bridges.
According to him, previous efforts by the state government to secure federal support for the second phase during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration were unsuccessful.
However, he said the project received federal backing after President Bola Tinubu assumed office.
“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came in, the governor approached him. As I speak, that second phase of the project has been awarded, and work is ongoing,” Obuebite said.
He also cited Bayelsa’s independent power project as another example of the benefits of cooperation between the state and Federal Government.
Obuebite said the state had lacked an operational independent power plant for 34 years before the current administration invested in electricity generation.
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He explained that reliable electricity was necessary to support industrialisation, economic activities and improved living conditions in Bayelsa.
The APC candidate further said the Tinubu administration granted waivers for equipment, turbines and other materials imported for the project.
He added that the President personally commissioned the power plant, which he claimed had enabled the state to enjoy 24-hour electricity.
Obuebite also credited the Federal Government with supporting a peaceful political environment in Bayelsa, saying security agencies had been working with the state government to maintain stability.
During the interview, ARISE NEWS anchor Rufai Oseni questioned Obuebite about his previous criticisms of the APC when he was a prominent PDP member and spokesperson.
Oseni recalled that Obuebite had accused the APC of using propaganda, encouraging violence and engaging in electoral malpractice.
In response, Obuebite acknowledged his previous role as a PDP spokesperson but said his comments at the time reflected his loyalty to the party.
He also described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a father figure who had contributed to his political development.
“The former President, Goodluck Jonathan, is my father. He has done a lot. I am a product of a lot of leaders, and I respect the investment they have put in my life,” he said.
Obuebite explained that his political position had changed alongside developments in Bayelsa and the PDP.
“Bayelsa had always been a PDP state before now, but the situation has changed. Even if you have a child today, that child will grow,” he said.
He, however, disputed some of the allegations raised by Oseni concerning his past statements, insisting that several of the claims were inaccurate.
The APC candidate maintained that his previous defence of the PDP was based on his position as a party loyalist.
“As a party person, I spoke and marketed my party. I know I am a good product, and I marketed that product, and you can see the result,” he added.
