By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Culture, Chief God’spower Keku, has declared support for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing reservations about the presidential ambitions of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.
Keku, who served as Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State during the administration of former Governor Seriake Dickson, made his position known while speaking with journalists in Yenagoa at the weekend.
The commissioner argued that the 2027 presidential contest should take cognisance of the principle of power rotation between the North and South, urging Atiku to consider the need for continuity of southern leadership after Tinubu’s emergence in 2023.
He noted that former President Muhammadu Buhari, from the North, completed eight years in office before handing over to Tinubu, who is from the South.
According to Keku, political leaders should demonstrate statesmanship by respecting the zoning principle and supporting the completion of the South’s turn in the presidency.
On Obi’s presidential ambition, the commissioner expressed doubts about the former Anambra governor’s political strategy, particularly his movement across political platforms.
Keku also recalled that Dickson had reportedly indicated, before Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), that the party would focus on producing candidates for state Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly and governorship elections, while working with Tinubu’s administration.
The commissioner, however, did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the party’s subsequent decision to accommodate presidential ambitions.
Reaffirming his allegiance to the APC in Bayelsa State under the leadership of Governor Douye Diri, Keku said he remained committed to mobilising support for the party and its candidates in his political constituency.
He stressed that his political loyalty remained with the APC, despite his longstanding relationship with Dickson, who is associated with the NDC.
“I am a party man, and even my brother and friend, Senator Dickson, will attest to that. I don’t betray and I don’t relent in my support for any party I belong to. The APC is my party, while Dickson is an NDC member,” he said.
Keku attributed his previous appointment as PDP state secretary during Dickson’s administration to his commitment to party discipline and loyalty.
He expressed confidence that the APC would secure electoral victories in his political constituency, citing the need for grassroots mobilisation and effective party organisation.
The commissioner also said the infrastructural and human capital development initiatives of the Diri administration would help strengthen the APC’s appeal to voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
He urged political parties, candidates and the electorate to maintain peace and conduct themselves responsibly during the forthcoming polls.
Keku maintained that electoral success would depend largely on the ability of political parties to mobilise their supporters and convince voters to support their candidates.
