Ismaeel Aleem
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Sagbama Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, Comrade Kenelayefa Stevens, has vehemently rejected assertions by former Deputy National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena that the party faces imminent implosion due to recent defections.
In a statement issued on Monday, Stevens branded Nabena’s remarks as “unfounded and misleading,” accusing him of peddling mischief to safeguard fading influences.
Nabena, in a recent interview, had lambasted President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and the shifting tides within Bayelsa APC, particularly following Governor Douye Diri’s high-profile switch to the party. He warned of internal collapse at the state and national levels.
Stevens, however, dismissed Nabena’s political clout as “marginal at best,” mocking his absenteeism on election days.
“It is difficult to take seriously the opinion of someone who, on election day, chooses the comfort of a hotel room over active participation in the field,” Stevens quipped, challenging Nabena to disclose his polling unit results from 2015 onwards to prove his commitment.
Stevens alleged Nabena acts as a mouthpiece for Chief Timipre Sylva and maintains ties with the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief (Dr.) Samuel Ogbuku.
“His comments are a calculated ploy to preserve his principal’s waning influence, fuelled by fears that Governor Diri’s arrival will upend the power balance,” he charged.
Countering Nabena’s disdain for defecting governors, Stevens argued that politics thrives on numbers. “Governor Diri’s defection is a strategic boon, bolstering our prospects for 2027,” he asserted, portraying Diri as a unifier who fosters inclusivity and collaboration.
The influx has electrified APC faithful, unlocking pathways to electoral triumphs at the state and federal levels.
Stevens hailed the party’s National Chairman for his adeptness in harmonising interests, ensuring stability and future wins.
“The APC remains robust, inclusive, and forward-looking; no fear-mongering will derail our momentum,” he concluded, reaffirming faith in Tinubu’s stewardship.
