Former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan’s declaration that her husband, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, is not eyeing a return to Aso Rock in 2027 has redefined the political equation in Bayelsa State, intensifying pressure on Governor Douye Diri and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
As the only PDP governor left standing in the South-South’s BRACED bloc (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta), Diri is facing a potent wave of political realignment, triggered by defections into the All Progressives Congress (APC) and reinforced by federal influence.
Diri’s Defiant Stance
Diri, who came to power in 2020 after a Supreme Court verdict nullified APC’s David Lyon’s election over a certificate forgery scandal involving his running mate, has remained loyal to PDP, despite mounting pressure to defect. Political analysts say his emergence remains one of the most remarkable upsets in Nigeria’s electoral history—earning him a reputation for political resilience.
Recognising that PDP had once delivered the presidency to Bayelsa through Goodluck Jonathan, Diri has refused to jump ship, even as former South-South allies have crossed to the APC.
Supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have even floated Diri’s name as a potential 2027 vice-presidential candidate, citing his loyalty and appeal in the region, especially following the defection of ex-Delta governor Ifeanyi Okowa to the APC.
NEW Associates vs Diri
Tensions recently escalated when the NEW Associates—a political bloc comprising allies of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Petroleum Minister Heineken Lokpobiri—attempted to hold a reception for Wike in Yenagoa. Diri interpreted the move as a provocation and an effort to undermine his influence in Bayelsa.
The reception was widely seen as a subtle power play aimed at paving the way for APC’s inroads into the state ahead of 2027, with Lokpobiri likely being positioned for a gubernatorial run. Diri swiftly warned against any action that could disturb the state’s peace and questioned why Wike, a Rivers native, should be honoured in Bayelsa.
Patience Jonathan’s Bombshell
Adding to Diri’s challenge is the open support Patience Jonathan pledged to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. Speaking at an event in Abuja, the former First Lady dismissed speculation about her husband’s return, insisting, “I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa.”
She also made it clear that she would campaign alongside First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, saying Nigeria’s presidency was “turn by turn” and that it was currently Tinubu’s turn.
Her comments effectively crushed any remaining hopes within the PDP that the Jonathans would play a unifying role in resolving the party’s leadership tussles between Atiku and Governor Nyesom Wike.
APC Eyes Bayelsa, PDP Holds Breath
While Bayelsa’s voter population may not tip national elections, the symbolic value of capturing the last South-South PDP stronghold is huge for the APC. For the PDP, retaining Bayelsa is crucial to maintaining regional relevance.
Dame Jonathan’s remarks have signalled the former first family’s disengagement from opposition politics, possibly freeing her supporters to align with APC. Meanwhile, Diri’s unyielding support for PDP may soon become his biggest test yet.
As political tides shift in the Niger Delta, Bayelsa’s future may hinge not just on ballots, but on how well Governor Diri navigates the turbulent waters of loyalty, pressure, and survival.
