Bayelsa APC chieftain urges unity to curb defections
Chief Joshua MacIver, the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 Bayelsa election, has called for urgent action to address internal imbalances within the party to prevent further defections.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Yenagoa, MacIver urged party leaders to “look inwards” and tackle lingering divisions following the conclusion of the state congress.
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Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
Chief Joshua MacIver, the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 Bayelsa State election, has called for urgent action to address internal imbalances within the party to prevent further defections.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Yenagoa, MacIver urged party leaders to “look inwards” and tackle lingering divisions following the conclusion of the state congress.
He congratulated party leaders and members on the successful conduct of the congress and extended his best wishes to the newly elected state chairman, Warman Ogoriba, and his executive.
However, the APC stalwart warned that unresolved internal disparities could undermine the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
MacIver noted that prior to the defection of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, to the APC, the party had been largely dominated by a major bloc comprising about 95 per cent of its membership, alongside a smaller faction.
He alleged that since the governor’s entry into the party, its affairs have increasingly favoured the smaller bloc, leaving the larger faction marginalised.
According to him, the imbalance has already triggered a wave of defections and could lead to further exits if not urgently addressed.
“The consequence of this has been the high level of defections we have witnessed recently, and more may follow if we do not put our house in order,” he said.
MacIver also cautioned that key stakeholders might leave the party after the forthcoming primaries if their grievances remain unresolved.
Despite his concerns, he reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, describing loyalty to the president as “non-negotiable”.
He stressed that unity within the party would be crucial to achieving that objective, warning against creating “loopholes” that could be exploited by rival political interests.
“Our core interest remains the re-election of Mr President.
“But we must ensure that we do not create conditions that will impede our collective ambition,” he said.
MacIver advised APC leaders in Bayelsa to adopt a more inclusive approach in managing party affairs, emphasising the need to consolidate internal cohesion to remain competitive in future elections.
