Bayelsa gov reacts to call to be Atiku’s running mate

Ahead of the 2027 general election, governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri has reacted to a recent call to become the running mate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in 2023, Atiku Abubakar.

Politics Nigeria reports that a group under the auspices of ‘Diri Angels’ suggested that Atiku should pick Diri as his running mate if he emerges the party’s candidate again in 2027.

In a swift reaction, Diri turned down the call.

Diri, speaking through his chief press secretary, Daniel Alabrah, described the suggestion as a Greek gift from political jobbers.

The governor said the group’s aim, which he believes is non-existent, was to cause disaffection in some quarters and that the plot had failed.

Diri said God had always guided him on his political journey and that he was not swayed by any advocacy that was inconsistent with his godly and political principles.

“I am not swayed by such calls. In my political journey, I have always relied on God and not on political jobbers with devious intentions,” he said.

Diri assured the people of Bayelsa State of his commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy based on the mandate they first gave him in 2019 and re-affirmed on November 11, 2023.

He urged the people of the state not to worry about the antics of political buccaneers who intended to distract him.