By George Omagbemi
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, High Chief Alabh George Turnah, has challenged the claim that the All Progressives Congress (APC) possesses sufficient structures and grassroots support to deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Bayelsa State in the 2027 presidential election without the support of the Rainbow Coalition associated with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
Turnah made the position known in a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, 2026, through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Kelvin Loveday-Egbo. His comments followed remarks by the Bayelsa APC Chairman, Warman Weri Ogoriba, who maintained that the APC had the structures and grassroots strength required to secure victory for Tinubu and other APC candidates in the state.
Turnah argued that the APC’s claim should be tested against the voting figures from the 2023 presidential election in Bayelsa State.
According to him, the PDP secured 65,145 votes, the Labour Party recorded 45,645 votes, while the APC polled 40,417 votes across the eight local government areas of the state.
He noted that the combined PDP and Labour Party figures amounted to 110,790 votes, compared with the APC’s 40,417 votes.
Turnah said the figures demonstrated the importance of building a broad political coalition rather than relying solely on party structures.
He also pointed to the emergence of Peter Obi as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), noting that the party was founded by former Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.
According to Turnah, the political landscape ahead of 2027 differs significantly from 2023 and could require wider political mobilisation.
He further argued that the defection of Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri from the PDP to the APC, as well as former Governor Timipre Sylva’s departure from the APC, had altered the political configuration in the state.
Turnah maintained that the PDP and the Rainbow Coalition should not be dismissed by the APC, arguing that their structures could become significant in any broader political arrangement aimed at supporting Tinubu.
The comments come amid a growing disagreement between Wike and several APC governors over the Rainbow Coalition. Wike has maintained that his support is specifically for Tinubu’s re-election, while the coalition remains separate from the APC and does not prevent other parties from fielding candidates for legislative and state-level positions.
The political debate is unfolding as parties and political blocs intensify preparations and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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