In a significant political shift, Udengs Eradiri, the former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, has attributed his decision to leave the LP and consider joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the influence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and policies.
Eradiri, who contested in the 2023 Bayelsa governorship election and secured third place, announced his resignation from the LP in December 2024. In his resignation letter dated December 8, 2024, addressed to the state chairman in Yenagoa, he cited internal challenges within the party as a primary reason for his departure. He expressed gratitude to party members who supported his vision but lamented, “Unfortunately, we couldn’t scale through the intrigues and challenges implanted in the party leadership.”
Following his resignation, Tokoni Peter Igoin, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on ICT and Digital Innovation, extended an invitation to Eradiri to join the APC. During a meeting at Eradiri’s residence in Azikoro Village, Yenagoa, Igoin highlighted President Tinubu’s transformative leadership and commitment to youth empowerment. He stated, “I am not asking you to join the APC; I am rather begging you to join our party to support our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has shown the capacity to turn around the country.”
Igoin emphasized the positive impact of Tinubu’s reforms on the nation’s economy and noted the President’s penchant for working with talented and capable individuals. He praised Eradiri’s past contributions, including his roles as Secretary-General and President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Commissioner for Youths and Environment, and Special Adviser to the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
In response, Eradiri commended President Tinubu for his inclusive leadership style, particularly in appointing individuals based on merit, regardless of ethnic or religious backgrounds. He reflected on Tinubu’s resilience and the bold reforms he has implemented since assuming office, acknowledging their gradual positive impact. Eradiri remarked, “Gradually, we are beginning to see the positive impact of his reforms. We will do our best to give you support.”
Eradiri, who was received by a crowd of residents and APC members in his ward, said that through the Tantita Security Services and the NDDC backed by Tinubu, the Niger Delta region had experienced peace and steady progress in its infrastructural development.
For instance, he noted that recently, the President signed the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Bill into law, along with the bill establishing the University of Technology and Environment in Ogoni, which he believes will help deepen the already existing peace in the region.
Furthermore, he observed that through the Ministry of Petroleum, led by Minister Heineken Lokpobiri, there had been a consistent increase in oil production. As a former Commissioner for Youths and later Environment in Bayelsa, Eradiri also acknowledged the tremendous progress in the ongoing construction of the East-West Road.
While Eradiri has not officially declared his membership with the APC, he indicated that consultations are ongoing to determine his next political move. He assured that any decision would be aimed at advancing Bayelsa’s development and serving its people effectively. “We are consulting seriously and engaging all stakeholders to know the next political party to join. Our next party of interest will be such that will enable us to provide service to the people and move Bayelsa forward,” Eradiri affirmed.