2027 Election: Top Minister, Ex-Guber Candidate Absent As Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu

2027 Election: Top Minister, Ex-Guber Candidate Absent As Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu

  • The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's second term is a done deal
  • The party on Tuesday endorsed Tinubu's re-election and vowed to work for his resounding victory in the 2027 general elections
  • However, the absence of minister of state for petroleum (oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the 2019 governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon, raises questions in Bayelsa APC

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The Bayelsa state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general election on Tuesday, September 9.

Bayelsa APC declares support for Tinubu's re-election
Bayelsa APC has declared support for President Tinubu's re-election ahead of 2027. Photo credit: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Source: Facebook

As reported by The Punch, the endorsement took place at the APC’s 12th expanded stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

Members of the state's APC National Working Committee (NWC), led by deputy national chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, representing national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, were in attendance.

Read also

Breaking: INEC takes final decision on recognising David Mark-led ADC ahead of 2027 election

Ambassador Philip Ikrusi moved the motion for Tinubu’s endorsement, seconded by former House of Representatives member, Preye Oseke.

“I raise this motion in recognition of the outstanding leadership and vision that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated since assuming office in 2023,” Ikrusi said.

The party pledged to mobilise members, structures, and resources across all wards and local government areas in the state to secure a “resounding victory” for Tinubu in 2027.

Tinubu's minister Lokpobiri's absence stirs controversy in Bayelsa
Tinubu's minister Lokpobiri's absence stirs concern in Bayelsa APC. Photo credit: Lokpobiri
Source: Facebook

Lokpobiri, Lyon absence raises questions

Interestingly, the absence of two of the party’s most prominent figures, minister of state for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the party’s 2019 governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon, raised questions about the APC's unity in the state.

However, former governor and minister of state for petroleum resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, expressed regret over the absence of Lokpobiri and Lyon.

He noted that their participation would have demonstrated a united front before the NWC.

Read also

APC chairman predicts more governors will defect before 2027 elections

“The only thing we are lacking is the support of the national leadership. If we have the support, this party is stronger than any other party in the state,” Sylva said.

He added that 2027 would be “a done deal” if the state chapter received the needed backing.

Fayose storms APC rally with PDP-branded cap

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that former Ekiti state governor Ayodele Fayose endorsed Tinubu for a second term in office.

Fayose had stormed the APC rally with his branded PDP cap, adding that he remained a member of the PDP and would not dump the party for the APC.

Read more about Tinubu's endorsement, 2027 here:

Read also

Sherif Abdullahi: Jubilation as Nigerian governor rewards best graduating student with 2026 hajj sponsorship

2027: APC govs endorse Tinubu as party’s sole candidate

Legit.ng earlier reported that all APC governors on Thursday, endorsed President Bola Tinubu as the sole candidate of the APC, for the 2027 presidential election.

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state and chairman of the forum, announced the decision on Thursday, May 22, at the APC summit in Abuja.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Esther Odili avatar

Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institue of Journalism (NIJ), where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. In 2024, Esther obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.