Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, Dr Sylbriks Obriki, has declared that the next senator representing Sagbama-Ekeremor Federal Constituency must, as a matter of fairness, come from Ekeremor.

Obriki made this known during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, explaining that for two decades, the Sagbama axis had held the Bayelsa West Senatorial seat, while Ekeremor had served for only eight years.

According to him, “For the past 20 years in this Fourth Republic, Sagbama has occupied that position for solid two decades, while we have only done eight years. By 2027, it is the turn of Ekeremor to produce the next senator.”

Speaking on Governor Douye Diri’s recent defection to the APC, Obriki described it as an act of selfless service, saying the move was aimed at attracting federal investments to Bayelsa.

He noted that the governor’s decision was widely celebrated across Nigeria and drew massive participation. “All members of Ijaw Nation from Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, and Delta were adequately represented at the defection ceremony,” he said.

Obriki described Governor Diri as “a God-sent leader” who is humble, development-driven, and widely accepted. “Diri is not a ceremonial leader. He believes in development and in improving lives. The people of Bayelsa are proud of him,” he stated.

He further explained that Diri’s defection aligns Bayelsa with the federal government’s development agenda. “The governor once said he met the President over the construction of the Brass Road, and that the federal government had pledged renewed partnership with the state. This is what Bayelsa needs,” Obriki said.

He added that Diri’s membership in the APC would strengthen this collaboration, especially with the federal government’s commitment to the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road, which he said would benefit the Ijaw people more than any other group.

Obriki dismissed comments made by Senator Seriake Dickson following the defection, saying the former governor “is on his own.” He noted that Diri had consulted widely before his decision and that the majority of Bayelsans support the move.

“The people of Bayelsa believe that being part of the federal government will bring more benefits. If Dickson chooses not to align with Diri, that is his decision. But the people are with Diri,” Obriki insisted.

On the zoning arrangement between Sagbama and Ekeremor, Obriki maintained that it was time for the senatorial seat to return to his local government. “When Senator Heineken Lokpobiri from Ekeremor served two terms, Dickson was among those who agreed that the two local governments should alternate the seat,” he recalled.

He argued that Dickson’s continued hold on the position was unfair and vowed that the people of Ekeremor would mobilise to ensure power rotation in 2027. “We will work with our allies to make sure Ekeremor produces the next senator,” he said.

Obriki also challenged Dickson to test his political strength independently. “Goodluck Jonathan and Douye Diri helped him rise politically. Now that he is in a different party, let him use his own structure to contest. We in Ekeremor are ready,” he concluded.