Opinion:

APC Will Not Implode Over Defectors: A Rebuttal to Yekini Nabena

By Kemelayefa Stevens

I have observed with concern the recent interview granted by Yekini Nabena, former National Publicity Secretary of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), published in the Sunday Sun.

In the piece titled “APC’ll Implode Over Defectors,” Mr. Nabena made several unfounded and misleading remarks about the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the evolving dynamics within the Bayelsa State chapter of the APC, particularly in light of Governor Douye Diri’s defection.

Let me state categorically: Mr. Nabena’s political relevance is marginal at best. 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.

I challenge Mr. Nabena to publish his polling unit results from 2015 to date. Let the facts speak to his commitment—or lack thereof—to the APC. Politics is not a platform for empty rhetoric; it is a results-driven endeavour. And in this regard, Mr. Nabena has consistently underperformed.

It is no secret that Mr. Nabena operates as a proxy for Chief Timipre Sylva and maintains close ties with the Managing Director of the NDDC, Chief (Dr.) Samuel Ogbuku.

His recent comments are clearly part of a calculated effort to preserve the waning influence of his principal, driven by fears that Governor Diri’s entry into the APC may shift the balance of power.

Now, to address the claim that the APC does not need defecting governors: such a statement betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of political strategy.

Politics is, and always will be, a game of numbers. Governor Diri’s defection is a strategic gain, one that strengthens our party’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Contrary to Mr. Nabena’s fears, Governor Diri has proven himself to be a unifier—an inclusive leader committed to working with all stakeholders for the collective good.

A quality that has endeared him to many across the state. His arrival has been met with enthusiasm by the majority of our party faithful, as it opens new avenues for electoral success both at the state and national levels.

It is also worth emphasising the competence of our current National Chairman. His administrative prowess and ability to harmonise diverse interests within the party have been evident since his emergence.

Under his stewardship, the APC is not only stable but also poised for continued victories.

In conclusion, the APC remains robust, inclusive, and forward-looking. No amount of fear-mongering or self-serving commentary will derail the progress we are making.

Governor Diri’s defection is a welcome development, and we remain confident in the leadership of President Tinubu and our party’s national executives.

Comrade Kemelayefa Stevens is a Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and writes in from Bayelsa State.
[27/10, 08:23] Amos(NNS Bayelsa): 2027:

Bayelsa APC Chieftain slam Yekini Nabena over comment on possible implosion over defection

Former Vice Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Bayelsa West Senatorial district, Hon. Samuel Aredeh has slammed the former Deputy National Publicity Secetary of the Party, Yekini Nabena over his comment on a possible implosion in the party in the State over the recent defections into the party.

According to Hon. Samuel Aredeh, the claims of an implosion by Yekini Nabena is laughable and describing Nabena as a disgraced political errand boy and not a stakeholder that can gauge the feelings of the party in the state and at the national levels.

Aradeh, who was reacting to an interview granted in a National tabloid by Hon. Yekini Nabena, expressed the suspicion that Nabena is speaking on behalf of some chieftains of the Party including the Former Governor,Chief Timipre Sylva and the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, insisting that the only thing that has imploded in the party in Bayelsa is Yekini Nabena’s political career.

According to him, ” Implode? That’s laughable. The only thing that has imploded is Yekini Nabena’s political career. He is a forgotten figure trying to crawl back into relevance by attacking those who are actually building the APC.”

“Let’s not mince words Nabena is a disgraced political errand boy, not a stakeholder. For years, he has allowed himself to be used like a disposable microphone by Chief Timipre Sylva and Chief Samuel Ogbuku, feeding from their political crumbs and echoing whatever propaganda they hand him.”

” Now that his masters have no use for him, he’s running to the press hoping to be noticed again. Pathetic.That’s a lazy and ignorant analysis. What Nabena fails to understand perhaps deliberately is that the influx of new members is proof of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.”

“Governors and political leaders are not defecting out of fear or desperation; they are joining because they see results, the Renewed Hope Agenda is working. Nigeria is being restructured for growth, the economy is stabilizing, and governance is becoming more pragmatic and inclusive.”

“The APC is not breaking; it is expanding. Only a man consumed by bitterness will see progress and call it a problem.”

Hon. Samuel Aredeh also faulted the claims that the defectors may bring instability to the APC, describing Yekini Nabena as a failure that is associated with non-reality, “Again, that’s the kind of talk you expect from a man who has lost touch with reality.”

“Let’s ask Yekini Nabena one question what has he ever achieved politically on his own? He couldn’t even deliver his polling unit in Bayelsa when he was a national officer. He has no grassroots base, no structure, no followership.”

“So who made him the judge of other people’s political motives? He should be the last person to talk about instability when his own political career collapsed long before now. The truth is that the only instability Nabena knows is the one in his own camp of political irrelevance.”

He also dismissed the relevance of Yekini’s position as the Deputy National Publicity Secetary of the Party, warning that the position is no longer recognised nor relevant in the Party.

According to him, “Nabena stopped being relevant the day he left office. He holds no position, commands no loyalty, and speaks for nobody but himself”

“The APC today is driven by leaders of vision and competence men and women who believe in the President’s reform agenda. Nabena is simply bitter because those days of being used as a mouthpiece for mischief are gone.
If he has any message, he should take it to Abare in Delta, where maybe a few of his old friends will still pretend to listen.”

Aradeh also explained that the reward system of the party under President Bola Tinubu is already providing direction,coordination and leadership which is needed by the ruling party,

He said despite the confused status of Nabena Yekini and his cohorts, ” The President is providing direction, coordination, and leadership, exactly what a ruling party needs.
The APC has moved beyond the era of empty noise-makers.”

” We are now focused on governance, delivery, and national progress. People like Nabena, who thrived in confusion and gossip, can’t stand that there’s a new discipline and structure in the party. So, they run to the media, hoping to stir controversy. But Nigerians have grown wiser they can see through his bitterness.”

He assured the supporters of the party at the stat and national levels to discountenanced the unfortunate outburst of the likes of Nabena Yekini, “The APC is too big to be distracted by political leftovers. We are focused on nation-building, not media gossip.
Let Nabena keep talking that’s all he has left. The rest of us are busy making history.”

He affirmed that the outburst of Yekini Nabena is allegedly influenced by the likes of the Former Governor,Timipre Sylva and NDDC boss, Samuel Ogbuku, “it’s a known fact that Yekini has and is the attack dog of Chief Timipre Sylva and Samuel Ogbuku, Yekini’s wife works as Chief Samuel Ogbuku’s aide, and Yekini himself acts as Ogbuku’s unofficial assistant — always moving with him and permanently around the NDDC Guest House in Abuja.”

“That is obvious where his loyalty lies.
They are afraid that if Governor Douye Diri eventually defects to the APC, because of Ogbuku’s 2027 governorship ambition. The Governors coming into the party will not stop anyone from contesting election to any office including office of Governor in 2028.”

“Therefore needless to hide under any disguise to attack Mr President and the Leadership of the APC, which is the real motive behind this needless outburst.Let’s also be clear: Yekini Nabena is not even from Bayelsa State. He hails from Abare in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State. So, he has no moral justification whatsoever to speak authoritatively about Bayelsa politics.”

“Building Bayelsa is bigger than any individual’s ambition. Our focus is Bayelsa first, and Mr. President’s vision to reposition Nigeria and lead it to its rightful place in the comity of nations is what we are committed to supporting.”

“This whole issue of party leadership and its attendant commotion should be put to rest with the coming in of Governor Douye Diri, whose leadership style and political prowess will further stabilize and unify the APC in Bayelsa State.”

“You will agree with me that as it’s stands now Bayelsa doesn’t have Party Executives, Denis Otiotio, is actually parading himself against valid Court judgment nullifying his entire executive and against contempt proceeding at the state High Currency in motion against Him and the National for Recognizing him.”

“The Party has moved beyond the era of empty noise-makers. We are now focused on governance, delivery, and national progress. People like Nabena, who thrived in confusion and gossip, can’t stand that there’s a new discipline and structure in the party. Unlike when Chief Timipre converted the Party to his private business, you know the result and the state of the party today.”

“So, they run to the media, hoping to stir controversy. But Nigerians have grown wiser they can see through his bitterness.”

He also described Yekini Nabena and his cohorts as ingrates as they have decided to undermine genuine efforts by of Governors, Ministers and legislators who are joining hands with the President to build a stronger nation.

“Yekini Nabena is the last person qualified to lecture anyone about party unity or loyalty. He lost his own credibility a long time ago. What he’s doing now is chasing clout, and frankly, it’s embarrassing.”

“.Yekini Nabena should not abuse the magnanimous nature of the people of Trofani who graciously accepted him from Abare in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State where he hails from, by assaulting their sensibilities.”

“Moreover, his adopted village has two units courtesy of the people of Trofani.He is not in any position whatsoever to influence anything and anybody in any ijaw community anywhere in the globe, politically and otherwise and should be totally ignored.”

Hon. Samuel Aredeh however called on party faithfuls in the State and the national levels to ignore Yekini Nabena and his sponsors,”. He is a voice from the past, echoing irrelevance. The APC is united and strong under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

“Those defecting into the party are joining the winning team because they see hope, performance, and direction. No amount of frustrated noise from washed out politicians will stop that momentum.”

“The only implosion happening is in Nabena’s own interest — an interest of solo and selfish destructive agenda with His pay masters.”