By Samuel Oyadongha

Hon. Fred Agbedi is the lawmaker representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. He is a ranking member of the House, having begun his legislative career in 1992 in the old Rivers State House of Assembly. He currently leads the PDP caucus in the House of Representatives, heads the South-South caucus, and also presides over the Bayelsa State caucus in the House. In this interview, the Aghoro-born politician and former Bayelsa PDP chairman describes himself as a stable politician who has remained loyal to one party. He speaks on the crisis in the PDP, his ambition to represent Bayelsa West in the Senate, and his stewardship in the House of Representatives.

What is your take on the crisis rocking your party, the PDP?

You are all aware of the PDP’s challenges. You are also aware of the judgments of both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which went as far as declaring the Ibadan convention null and void because it was held in defiance of a lawful court order.

The judiciary will not encourage actions that disobey lawful judgments and orders. Both courts, in separate decisions, annulled the convention that produced the leadership of Taminu Turaki, SAN, as the substantive National Executive Committee of the PDP.

The judgments also upheld the positions of Ajibade, SAN, the former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, and four others who had been suspended. That was where the party’s leadership vacuum emerged. In essence, the PDP became a party without a head, though it still had a body and a tail.

As a result, former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara assumed leadership through the Board of Trustees, BoT, convened a meeting of the BoT, and subsequently nominated an interim National Working Committee, which was later communicated to the National Executive Committee, NEC. 

Even though there is no substantive National Working Committee in line with the Supreme Court judgment, there are statutory members of the party’s executive structure who make up the NEC. I am one of them by virtue of my membership in the House of Representatives.

The House nominated 21 members across the zones to represent it in the PDP NEC. The Senate, BoT members, former ministers, former governors, and other statutory members are also part of the NEC.

The BoT, with the support of over two-thirds of NEC members, ratified the decision to establish the interim National Working Committee led by Taminu Turaki, SAN. That remains the current leadership of the PDP.

We understand you are contesting for the Bayelsa West Senate seat.

The PDP is a party I hold dearly and one under which I am seeking election to represent Bayelsa West Senatorial District after spending more than a decade in the House of Representatives.

I believe I have rendered quality service to the people of Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency. I have made my mark in the House and have enjoyed the privileges that come with service. I now believe it is time to move from the Green Chamber to the Red Chamber.

I obtained and submitted my nomination forms through the PDP and was screened on May 19 by the committee sent from Abuja for the 2027 elections. I have been cleared to contest.

To the best of my knowledge, no other aspirant has obtained a PDP form to contest the Bayelsa West Senate seat against me. As things stand today, I am effectively an unopposed and consensus candidate.

Under the Electoral Act, parties now have two options for candidate selection—consensus or direct primaries. Some of us preferred the retention of indirect primaries, but in a democracy, the majority has its way while the minority has its say.

I am therefore preparing for January 16, 2027, which INEC has scheduled for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

With the crisis in the PDP leading to factions, what gives you confidence to run on the party’s platform?

My confidence comes from three things. First, the judgment of the Court of Appeal. Second, the judgment of the Supreme Court. Third, if Nyesom Wike claims to lead a faction and yet could not independently sponsor candidates under that platform, then it shows he has no viable party structure. That tells me there are no valid factions.

But there were two factions selling forms in Bayelsa State…

Solomon Agwana was elected in a congress long before these issues arose. The question is: at what point did George Turnah and Wike become relevant to the party structure in Bayelsa?

The truth is that if the officers who purportedly created those factions were lawfully suspended and that suspension was upheld by the courts, then whatever exists on that platform is unknown to law.

Perhaps some people acted out of misinformation. Others may have chosen to align themselves deliberately. Whatever the case, some people have spent money where they should not have.

As one of the most senior members of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa, I know the legitimate political structure in the state. Wherever you do not find me, you should question its legitimacy.

There have been massive defections from the PDP in Bayelsa State. Are you worried?

It would be wrong to say I am not worried. However, defections have unfortunately become a defining feature of Nigerian democracy.

People move from one party to another with ease. For many who left the PDP, it was driven by fear of the unknown. Some simply did not want to face the challenge before them.

But challenges are part of political life. When difficulties arise within an organisation, you should stand up and confront them.

Many of those defecting today have a history of moving from one party to another. As for some of us, we have remained loyal to the PDP.

I was once chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa. I cannot abandon a party that has shaped my political career and contributed significantly to the achievements of many of its members.

The PDP has the capacity to rejuvenate very quickly because it is a party of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Some of those who left are already finding difficulties in their new political homes. Some have returned, and others will return.

Nigerians must stand up for what is right if we are to build a country we can all be proud of. We have lost a measure of respect internationally, and some of us are committed to helping restore it.

Are you not taking a risk with your political career?

Life itself is a risk. Only those who take risks can achieve success. Anyone who is afraid of taking risks cannot make meaningful progress. Yes, there are risks, but I am confident I will overcome them.

What about some political heavyweights, including former Governor and serving Senator Seriake Dickson?

As of today, I am not aware that he has formally declared his intention to contest.

What I know is that he is the current senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District. I have stated clearly that I am qualified to succeed him, and I believe that will happen.

In politics, nobody makes himself. The people make leaders. As a former governor, he knows the role many of us played in his emergence.

Ultimately, the decision lies with the voters. No candidate is greater than the electorate.

As I speak, many voters in Bayelsa West believe they need a different kind of representation. By January 16, 2027, the people will make their choice. I sincerely hope he contests so the people can decide.

What are your achievements in your federal constituency?

I am one legislator who takes time to commission projects personally across my constituency. I have done that on no fewer than three occasions. Even tomorrow, I will be in Adagbabiri, Aleibiri, Eriama and other communities to inspect ongoing projects.

I currently have projects spread across many communities, including health centres, markets, schools, solar electrification projects and road infrastructure.

I have completed projects in about two-thirds of the communities in my constituency. These include three concrete landing jetties, school construction and renovation projects, empowerment programmes, agricultural support schemes, solar lighting initiatives and medical outreaches.

Through cooperative societies, women have received grants ranging from N300,000 to N2 million over several budget cycles.

One project particularly close to my heart involved a child from Obrigbene suffering from a serious eye condition. We facilitated treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, funded chemotherapy and other medical interventions, and spent more than N2 million on the child’s care.

Today, the child is healthy. I subsequently awarded the child a scholarship covering education from kindergarten through university.

I have also proposed free healthcare services for about 2,000 constituents under the 2025 budget. Although funding has not yet been released, I remain hopeful that the programme will commence.

Beyond this, I have executed roads and other critical infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and reducing hardship in riverine communities.

My priority remains the people of my constituency and the development of the area.

Do you have confidence in INEC?

It is not necessarily about confidence. The reality is that INEC remains the only electoral umpire we have. What is important is for voters to come out, cast their votes, protect those votes and ensure they are not manipulated by anyone—whether INEC officials, security agencies or political actors.

Our votes must count. Nigerians must insist that their votes count.

If elected to the Senate, will you initiate bills to address environmental challenges?

Even as a member of the House of Representatives, I have sponsored several bills. Some succeeded, while others reached advanced stages without becoming law. Going to the Senate will provide an opportunity to continue pursuing these issues.

I have personally visited communities such as Agge, Asambiri and Isampou and witnessed the extent of environmental degradation firsthand. Although some interventions have not yet produced the desired results, I remain committed to finding lasting solutions.

I always tell my people that whether I am elected under a majority or minority party, I will remain a principal actor in the Senate. That position will enable me to influence decisions that bring greater dividends of democracy to my constituency. That is why I believe I am well qualified to represent Bayelsa West in the Senate.