From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
As the 2027 general election campaign kicked off across the country, a party stalwart and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State Dr. Godspower Keku has said APC as a party win all the elective offices across the state in the forthcoming General Elections.
Dr. Keku who was the former state secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under former governor Henry Seriake Dickson before decamping to All Progressives Congress alongside governor Douye Diri and other members believes that APC has what it takes to defeat other candidates from other political parties.
While speaking with some selected journalists in his office in Yenagoa, Dr. Keku who is the commissioner of Arts and Culture said, there are many people involved in politics, and political outcomes are influenced by several factors. Saying a party is not just a name but the people within the party determine its strength and success.
“When a party has experienced, committed and politically active people who understand how to mobilise support, that party stands a better chance of winning.
Grassroots politics is especially important. You cannot win an election merely by sitting in an office or relying on political calculations. You must engage the people, build relationships and work with the grassroots.
“Therefore, I will not reduce the matter simply to one politician being a grassroots politician or another person having a particular political advantage. The grassroots themselves consist of people who must be mobilised and persuaded to support a candidate.
“Let me tell you something, a political party is more than just a name. The APC is a name, and the PDP is also a name. What determines the success of a political party is the people who make up that party and work for it.
A party cannot win an election simply because of its name. Its success depends on the quality, commitment and effectiveness of the people working within it”.
Answering questions about how he manage his relationship with former governor Dickson who is the current senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District said, he and Dickson are very good friend and they have come a long way together but that he cannot betrayed his party because of friendship.
“Let me make this clear, I belong to the APC, and my political decisions will be guided by my commitment to the party. Even if Dickson and I disagree politically, we will compete politically, and I will work to ensure that my party wins.
However, we must conduct our politics peacefully. Nobody should carry firearms or resort to violence. We must work together in a way that benefits the people and protects the democratic process
“Dickson knows me very well. He knows that I am a committed party man. Whatever I do politically, I do for the party. I do not abandon or betray my party. If Dickson decides to contest in an election today, I will continue to regard him as my brother. But politically, our positions may differ because we do not necessarily belong to the same party.I will observe the situation and see how things develop. This is not the first time I have faced political disagreements”.
Asking how well he knows the APC Bayelsa West Senatorial candidate for the 2027 general election and whether the candidate have a realistic chances of winning? Said,
“let me tell you something, a political party is more than just a name. As I said earlier, APC is a name, and the PDP is also a name. What determines the success of a political party is the people who make up that party and work for it.
“A party cannot win an election simply because of its name. Its success depends on the quality, commitment and effectiveness of the people working within it.
You are asking whether I know the candidate well. Although I may not know the candidate extensively on a personal level, I am prepared to work for the candidate because I am a committed party man.
“I will work for the APC candidate because that is my party. I cannot abandon my party to work for someone simply because that person is my relative or friend.
That is the principle I believe in. Personal relationships should not override political commitment.
“There are many people involved in politics, and political outcomes are influenced by several factors.
As I have explained, a party is not just a name. The people within the party determine its strength and success.
“I do not believe that anyone should abandon the party’s procedures simply because of personal relationships or political interests. I believe in loyalty to the party and in respecting the system through which candidates emerge.
My position is clear: I will work for the APC and do what I can to ensure that our candidate succeed”.
Talking about the performance of the current administration said, governor Douye Diri surprised many people with what it has achieved.
The governor has undertaken road construction, supported agricultural development and pursued legacy projects.These are significant achievements.
“From what I have observed, the governor has done a great deal, and I do not think there are many governors at this point whose performance is significantly better.
The government has demonstrated a commitment to development, particularly through infrastructure and projects that can benefit the people.
