APC Assembly Candidate Says Diri’s Peace and Infrastructure Projects Deserve Support; Diri/Akpe Believers Pledge Grassroots Mobilisation
YENAGOA — The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Southern Ijaw Constituency 1, Dr. Coronation Edward Tokpo, has urged Bayelsans to support Governor Douye Diri and vote for APC candidates across the state in the 2027 general elections.
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Tokpo made the call on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, during a meeting with members of the Southern Ijaw Chapter of Diri/Akpe Believers, a political support organisation led by its Director-General, Hon. Douyi Willy, in Yenagoa.
The APC candidate identified peace, security and infrastructure development as major achievements of the Diri administration, urging party members and political stakeholders to close ranks ahead of the forthcoming elections.
According to him, the relative peace in Bayelsa State represents a significant departure from the insecurity and violent cult clashes that previously affected parts of the state.
“Governor Diri and his deputy deserve every atom of support that we, as Bayelsans, should offer. What we enjoy in this state now, we may not even fully appreciate because the past has been consigned to the dustbin of history,” Tokpo said.
He recalled a period when residents were afraid to walk freely on the streets or visit markets because of insecurity.
“But since Governor Diri became governor of Bayelsa State, we have seen a complete turnaround. Now, some of us have even taken the peace for granted. You can walk the streets of Yenagoa without fear of attacks or being caught by stray bullets from cult gangs chasing one another,” he added.
Diri’s Infrastructure Projects
Tokpo also commended the governor for investments in road infrastructure, particularly projects connecting previously inaccessible communities to the state capital and other parts of Bayelsa.
He cited the road network linking communities in Southern Ijaw, including Otuan, as an example of infrastructure development that he said had transformed the prospects of residents.
According to him, successive administrations had found the challenge of constructing a bridge across the Nun River daunting, but the Diri administration had demonstrated the political will to pursue the project.
“Governor Diri came and said no challenge is too big for God to overcome. Put God first and tackle the challenge. Today, I can drive to my Otuan community anytime, any day,” he said.
The APC candidate also recalled his experience working on a project in Ayamasa while consulting for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
He said the road network, which previously had limited access beyond parts of the Toru-Orua axis, had been extended towards Ayamasa, Aleibiri and Ekeremor, with further expansion towards Agge being pursued.
Tokpo further commended the administration’s investment in electricity infrastructure, including the state-owned gas turbine project, while acknowledging that electricity distribution challenges remained in some areas.
He expressed optimism that ongoing improvements to distribution infrastructure would expand access to electricity across Yenagoa.
The candidate also cited the ongoing construction of the new state secretariat complex, as well as road development towards Brass, as examples of projects he said would leave lasting legacies.
“These are all very important things that the governor has done, and these are legacies he will leave behind,” he said.
Peace as Diri’s Greatest Legacy
Tokpo described peace as the most important legacy of the Diri administration, arguing that sustainable development would be difficult to achieve without security and stability.
“For me, the best legacy His Excellency Governor Diri will leave behind for us is the peace we will continue to enjoy. Peace is very essential for development. Without peace, there will be no development. Even if there is development, it will be stunted and unsustainable,” he said.
He urged members of Diri/Akpe Believers to sustain their support for the governor, his deputy, Senator Douye Diri and Pastor Peter Pereotubo Akpe, respectively, and work towards the success of APC candidates in 2027.
Tokpo commended the organisation’s leadership and members for their commitment and personal sacrifices, expressing confidence that their efforts would be rewarded.
He also called on party members to resolve internal disagreements and avoid political arrangements that could divide the APC’s support base.
According to him, inconsistent voting choices across different levels of government could confuse voters and weaken the party’s electoral prospects.
“If a candidate from your area has offended you in the past, for which you want to work against him, please forgive him for the sake of the party. If we have offended you personally, forgive us. For the sake of the party, go and work for everybody,” he appealed.
He urged the organisation to mobilise support for APC candidates across constituencies, including Barr. Preye Yedeide in Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 2 and Tariere Gita in Ekeremor Constituency 1, as well as candidates for the National Assembly and the presidency.
Tokpo said the APC should aim for a comprehensive electoral victory in Bayelsa, including all 24 State House of Assembly seats and the state’s five House of Representatives seats.
He also called for support for the party’s senatorial candidates and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tokpo Defends Tinubu’s Reforms
Addressing concerns about the economic hardship facing Nigerians, Tokpo acknowledged that the government’s economic reforms had imposed difficulties on citizens but argued that the measures should be assessed against their intended long-term benefits.
A political scientist who said he taught politics from 2014 until March 2026, Tokpo maintained that Nigeria needed structural reforms to address longstanding imbalances in its political and economic systems.
He argued that President Tinubu was pursuing changes intended to strengthen federalism and promote development at the grassroots level.
Among the measures he discussed were local government financial autonomy, the proposed establishment of state police and changes to the funding of petroleum exploration in frontier basins.
Tokpo expressed the view that greater financial independence for local governments could improve service delivery and ensure that more resources were directed towards grassroots development.
He also argued that state police could encourage healthy competition among states to improve policing standards, equipment and security.
On the economic reforms, he urged Nigerians to exercise patience, comparing the process to cultivating a mango tree, which requires considerable effort before yielding fruit.
“Tinubu may not be perfect. Yes, the reforms are touching our lives in a way that some of us feel he should not even attempt them again. But let us be patient. I am sure that if the president returns to power in 2027, a lot of things will change,” he said.
Tokpo further urged APC supporters to acknowledge the concerns of Nigerians experiencing economic hardship while explaining the administration’s policy objectives during their campaigns.
His assertions about the effects and implementation of federal policies represent his political assessment and were not independently verified for this report.
Promises Constituency-Wide Development
Tokpo assured his constituents that, if elected, he would pursue development initiatives intended to benefit communities across Southern Ijaw Constituency 1.
He cited access to potable water and other basic amenities as examples of interventions that could benefit residents regardless of their political affiliations.
“If there is potable water in Amassoma, Otuan or Amatolo, would anybody be excluded from benefiting? No. If I am able to attract development to those places, everybody will benefit,” he said.
He added that he would also consider personal assistance and social support for constituents while pursuing projects with broader community benefits.
Tokpo assured the organisation that he would remain committed to Governor Diri and his deputy, even after they leave office.
He also pledged to involve Diri/Akpe Believers in the APC campaign structure and promised to provide at least 50 campaign caps for the organisation.
The candidate specifically appealed to the organisation’s non-indigene coordinator to mobilise residents in Amassoma, promising to visit the community with relevant government officials to engage with them.
Diri/Akpe Believers Pledge Support
Earlier in his remarks, the Southern Ijaw Chapter Coordinator of Diri/Akpe Believers, Deacon Tobon Princewill, reaffirmed the organisation’s determination to take the message of unity, progress and the Assured Prosperity agenda to every ward, community and polling unit across the local government area.
“Our mission is clear: to galvanise support at the grassroots, consolidate our political structures and mobilise our people towards a resounding victory for our party,” Princewill said.
“We firmly believe that victory is built on unity, sustained by commitment and secured through effective grassroots mobilisation. With the cooperation of our leaders, the dedication of our executives and the collective support of our members, we are prepared to translate our shared vision into meaningful political action.
“Together, we stand united in purpose, resolute in commitment and focused on delivering victory for the APC and its candidates.”
Speaking to EMTV News after the meeting, the Director-General of Diri/Akpe Believers, Hon. Douyi Willy, described the engagement as a familiarisation visit intended to strengthen the relationship between the organisation and Tokpo ahead of the 2027 elections.
Willy expressed confidence in the candidate’s electoral prospects, citing what he described as strong grassroots support.
“It was a very fruitful interaction between us. We are sure he is going to win the elections because the demand is strong. He is loved by his people, and the support of Diri/Akpe Believers, campaigning for him and galvanising support from the grassroots, will help him win,” he said.
He commended Governor Diri and Deputy Governor Akpe for recognising Tokpo’s qualities and supporting his emergence as the APC standard-bearer for Southern Ijaw Constituency 1.
Willy also expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects across Bayelsa State, saying the organisation was committed to mobilising support for the party in the forthcoming elections.
On the group’s activities, the director-general described Diri/Akpe Believers as a growing political organisation with committed members and an expanding grassroots structure.
He said the establishment of polling-unit coordinators was among the group’s achievements, adding that its members remained determined to promote the interests of the governor, his deputy and the APC.
“Diri/Akpe Believers in Bayelsa State, we are doing well. We are strong. Our members are committed, very, very committed to the party. They are lovers of the governor and the deputy governor, and we are ready to do anything to promote them and support the APC in the forthcoming elections,” Willy said.
He acknowledged that the organisation had faced internal challenges but expressed gratitude for its progress and the support it had received.
Willy concluded by expressing optimism that the APC would win all 24 seats in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
Broad Representation at Meeting
The meeting brought together retired civil servants, experienced political actors, businesspeople, young people and other stakeholders who have aligned with Diri/Akpe Believers in support of Governor Diri and Deputy Governor Akpe.
Also in attendance was the Southern Ijaw Chapter Executives of Diri/Akpe Believers, Deacon Princewill Princewill, alongside the State executive team.
The meeting focused on strengthening political collaboration, expanding grassroots mobilisation and preparing the organisation to support APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Report by EMTV News
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