Senator Friday Benson Konbowei, representing Bayelsa Central, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing ongoing internal crises within the PDP. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced Konbowei’s defection during Thursday’s plenary session.
In contrast, Bayelsa State House of Assembly Deputy Chief Whip Ted Elemeforo vowed to remain with the PDP, expressing a lack of confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s APC administration.
Speaking on Arise Television on Wednesday, Elemeforo argued that the PDP offers a better alternative to address Nigeria’s challenges, accusing the APC of hypocrisy for implementing policies, like fuel subsidy removal, that it once criticized under former President Goodluck Jonathan. He called on Tinubu and APC leaders to apologize to Jonathan and Nigerians.
Elemeforo’s remarks followed Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri’s recent defection to the APC. The PDP has faced a series of defections since losing the 2023 election, with many members blaming FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for the party’s woes, though Wike insists on his loyalty since joining in 1999.
