“Last Piece of the Jigsaw in South-South Joins APC”: Keyamo Celebrates Governor Diri’s Defection

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has praised what he calls the completion of a political “jigsaw puzzle” in the South-South region of Nigeria, following Governor Duoye Diri’s decision to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement shared on his official social media account, Keyamo stated: “Finally, the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle in the South-South has moved into place! Officially, five of the six states in the South-South are now in APC, while the sixth has a leader and minister who actively and openly supports Mr President. From a position of absolute weakness in 2015, 2019, and 2023, we are now in a position of absolute advantage and strength ahead of 2027! Welcome home, Governor Duoye Diri!”

Keyamo’s comments followed the announcement that the Bayelsa State Governor, traditionally seen as part of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has joined the APC.

On his official page, Governor Diri expressed: “The time is here! We have made our decision to join the Renewed Hope family,” indicating that his alignment with the APC is intended for the benefit of the people of Bayelsa State.

However, many Nigerians have criticised Keyamo’s celebration, pointing out that the country is currently facing severe insecurity issues and potential threats, while the Minister seems focused on the Governor’s defection.

Nigerians Luke @gbovo123 write “A former activist lawyer who became a Senior Advocate (SAN) and later a politician — now thrilled at the prospect of Nigeria becoming a one-party state, even as the U.S threatens military action over the government’s failure to protect Christians. You really can’t make this up.”

@CLawreignz said “This isn’t an achievement; it’s a reflection of how unserious and self-serving our political class has become. While the American president is busy fighting for the rights and welfare of his citizens, Nigerian leaders are celebrating defections as if it feeds the hungry or fixes the economy. Power without purpose is useless and that’s exactly what we’re seeing here”

@UcheDec_ wrote “What a shame. Nonsensical decampment by these governors into the APC Tinubu fold, especially the South South and South East, will not and can never save Tinubu from being ousted in 2027. The truth of the matter is, they are decamping not because any other anything else but because they were forced, tribalistically coerced and enticed with hopeful billions into their private pocket.

This is what Tinubu has been focusing on, abandoning governance, which has landed Nigeria in this global disgrace, and Trump threatened us with the US army invasion.”

@Vicbersong said “One will expect you to know better Sir. While I admire your current work within the aviation space, this is not the time to be celebrating party defections, especially with the burning issues of insecurities in the country.”