Bayelsa’s next Deputy Gov: Behind-the-scenes moves, political calculations, intrigues.
Bayelsa State is currently in a state of high-wire political drama following the sudden vacuum created by the late Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
In the corridors of power in Yenagoa, the “Prosperity Government” is facing its biggest test yet. The search for a successor is no longer a quiet affair; it has become a full-blown “clash of interests” where zoning, loyalty, and future ambitions are colliding.
As a professional editor who has followed the “creek politics” of Bayelsa for years, I can tell you that what we are seeing is more than just filling a vacancy. It is about who controls the soul of the state as we move toward the next political cycle.
The stakes are incredibly high, and Governor Douye Diri is currently at the centre of a political storm that requires him to balance a thousand different interests without breaking the peace or losing his grip on the state’s structure.
The vacuum left by Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the Sagbama factor.
The passing of Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has left a massive hole in the Sagbama political structure. For years, Sagbama Local Government Area has held the ace in the deputy governorship position, and stakeholders from the area are not ready to let go.
They are insisting that for the sake of equity and fairness, the replacement must come from their “pocket.” There is a strong feeling that moving the position away from Sagbama would be a betrayal of the existing zoning arrangement.
However, some political analysts are arguing that the Governor might need to look beyond sentiment and focus on someone who can bring a fresh “vibe” to the administration.
This tension between tradition and pragmatism is the first hurdle Diri has to cross. It is a “no be small thing” situation because any wrong move could alienate a very powerful voting bloc that has always been the backbone of the state’s leadership.
The silent influence of Jonathan and the Dickson connection.
In Bayelsa politics, you can never ignore the “big masquerades.” Former President Goodluck Jonathan and the former Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, are two figures whose influence can tilt the scales at any moment.
While Jonathan has remained largely silent, his silence is being decoded by political watchers as a calculated move. Many believe that his “blessing” is essential for whoever will take that seat, as he remains the ultimate father figure in the state. On the other hand, Seriake Dickson still commands a massive following within the state’s PDP structure.
The “Dickson boys” are watching closely to see if their interests will be protected or if the Governor is looking to “wash his hands” off the old structure. Diri now has to navigate a path that keeps both masters happy while also asserting his own authority as the sitting Governor. It is a delicate dance of loyalty that requires a lot of “sense” and political maturity.
Peter Akpe and the old guard APC contenders.
If you look at the names currently being “paraded” in the media, one name that stands out is Pastor Peter Akpe, the current Chief of Staff to the Governor.
Being Diri’s maternal cousin and a trusted ally, his emergence would represent total loyalty and continuity. He knows the system inside out and has been the “engine room” of the administration. But there is a twist.
With talks of Diri’s potential shift in political alignment gaining ground, some “old guard” figures like Prince Ebitimi Amgbare are also in the conversation. The idea is to pick someone who can serve as a bridge between the various political factions, especially as the Governor looks toward a smoother relationship with the federal government.
There is even talk of Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, the late deputy’s elder brother, as a way to “console” the family and maintain the Sagbama line. This field is crowded, and the lobbying is happening both in Yenagoa and the “Abuja front.”
Why Diri’s 2027 permutations will decide the final winner
At the end of the day, everything boils down to the “long game.” Governor Douye Diri knows that whoever he chooses as his deputy will either be a stepping stone to his next political destination or a potential rival.
He needs someone he can sleep with “both eyes closed” while they handle the affairs of the state. The growing visibility of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, is also a factor in these calculations. Lokpobiri’s federal leverage means that Diri cannot afford to pick a deputy that gives his opponents an edge.
The next few weeks will be crucial as the permutations become even thicker. As an editor, my advice to Bayelsans is to stay alert; the person who finally emerges will tell us exactly where the state is headed. It is a game of chess, and every move is a “calculation” for survival and power.
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