Senator Benson Agadaga, representing Bayelsa East and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Oil and Gas Host Communities, has explained that his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by the need to secure Bayelsa’s political future and expand development opportunities for the state.
Speaking during an interactive session with the members of National Assembly New Media Forum on Wednesday, the senator said growing internal divisions and weakened leadership within the PDP created uncertainty about the party’s direction. He noted that Bayelsa, traditionally considered a PDP stronghold, could no longer afford to remain isolated as both a minority state and a minority party in national politics.
Agadaga said the decision to realign politically was aimed at ensuring that Bayelsa is better positioned to benefit from the centre of power. He praised Governor Douye Diri for taking what he described as a strategic and forward looking step in aligning with the APC, argued that the move placed the state in a stronger position to attract federal development initiatives.
He also dismissed suggestions that he acted without due consultation. According to him, he met with political leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, party executives and former President Goodluck Jonathan before making the final decision, noting that no stakeholder opposed the move.
The senator added that the political realignment has reduced long-standing tensions between the PDP and the APC in the state, creating a more peaceful and cooperative political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections. He said major actors who previously worked at cross purposes now understand they operate within the same political framework, which has helped restore calm.
Agadaga further noted that the frequent pattern of defections across Nigeria reflects the absence of strong ideological boundaries between political parties. He explained that representatives often gravitate toward platforms that offer greater opportunities for their constituents, adding that Nigeria is still evolving politically and will, in time, develop clearer ideological divides.
On security, the senator maintained that Bayelsa remained one of the most peaceful states in the country, crediting the state government and security agencies for sustaining stability. He argued that most cases of banditry in the South-South originated from outside Bayelsa and stressed that the joint efforts of the federal and state governments continue to keep the situation under control. He reminded Nigerians that Bayelsa’s peace is crucial to the nation’s wider stability because of the state’s central role in Nigeria’s oil economy.
