Former deputy governorship aspirant sounds alarm over impending mass exit from Bayelsa's APC chapter

Great MacIver, a former deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 general elections in Bayelsa State, has voiced concerns about an impending implosion in the state chapter of the party due to unresolved internal disparities.

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MacIver, an APC chieftain, warned that the party may lose key stakeholders after the state, National Assembly, and governorship primaries if the issues are not addressed, citing injustice in the way the party is being run as the primary cause.

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In a statement released on Saturday, titled ‘Bayelsa APC Congresses: Going forward, a call to look inwards’, MacIver expressed concern over the party's internal dynamics, particularly after Governor Douye Diri's involvement.

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MacIver noted that before Governor Diri joined the APC in the state, there were two distinct political blocs within the party, with a population ratio of approximately 95 per cent to 5 per cent, which has since become imbalanced.

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The current party structure, according to MacIver, favours the minority bloc, which could lead to dissatisfaction among members and potentially fuel anger within the party.

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MacIver alleged that since Governor Diri's entrance into the party, only the smaller bloc has been considered in party affairs, leaving the larger percentage of members to fend for themselves.

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This situation, MacIver stated, has the potential to build anger and dissatisfaction within the party, which could have severe consequences.

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MacIver linked the recent defections within the party to this development, cautioning that more defections may follow if urgent steps are not taken to address the issue.

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The consequence of not addressing the issue, according to MacIver, would be a high level of defection, with the possibility of more members leaving the party if it does not put its house in order.

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MacIver further warned of a possible fallout ahead of key political processes, including the State and National Assembly primaries, as well as the gubernatorial primaries.

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If the party does not unite, MacIver warned, it may lose key stakeholders, which would be detrimental to its chances in the upcoming elections.

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Despite his concerns, MacIver maintained that the APC remains a strong contender in the 2027 elections, but urged leaders to close ranks and work together.

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MacIver emphasized that the party cannot afford to create divisions or loopholes in its unity, which could be exploited by other political interests in the state, and that it cannot underestimate anyone's influence.

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MacIver declared his support for the re-election bid of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, describing the project as “non-negotiable”.