Bayelsa PDP coalition kicks off Tinubu campaign with fasting and prayers

The Peoples Democratic Party-led Rainbow Coalition in Bayelsa State has announced its campaign plan for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. They aim to mobilise support from their grassroots base to ensure victory in the upcoming elections.

The coalition plans to use the party’s strong presence in the state’s 105 wards to gather voters for Tinubu. They have also asked the All Progressives Congress leadership to view them as partners, not rivals, in Tinubu’s re-election efforts.

Ikaebimo Mark, the state PDP Publicity Secretary, shared this news in a statement on Tuesday. The statement included the campaign schedule, which was signed by T. Godspower, the coalition’s State Organising Secretary.

According to the timetable, the campaign will kick off with three days of fasting and prayers from November 5 to 7. This will be followed by a campaign dedication and thanksgiving service on November 8.

The official start of campaign activities is set for November 9. This will include the launch of the Bayelsa State Rainbow Coalition Campaign Council, the opening of the coalition’s campaign office, and the unveiling of campaign buses donated by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

From November 10 to 15, the coalition will distribute campaign materials, such as T-shirts, face caps, and banners, across local government areas.

After that, they will hold campaign flag-offs for the senatorial districts. They will present flags to candidates in Bayelsa Central, Bayelsa West, and Bayelsa East from November 17 to 21.

The grand finale will take place on December 12. It will feature the formal adoption of Tinubu as the presidential candidate for the Bayelsa PDP and other parties in the coalition.

Chief Alabh Turnah, the Bayelsa PDP leader, reacted positively to the timetable. He believes the coalition can mobilise voters across the state for Tinubu’s re-election and for candidates aligned with the coalition.

Turnah described Tinubu’s decision to include the Rainbow Coalition in his campaign as a smart political move. He thinks this could boost Tinubu’s chances across different parties.

He praised Nyesom Wike’s role in the presidential campaign. Turnah said Wike's influence could help gather support for Tinubu in many states, including Bayelsa.

Turnah added that the coalition would focus on highlighting the benefits of Tinubu’s development agenda. This includes projects done by the Niger Delta Development Commission in Bayelsa State to win voter support.

He stated, “President Bola Tinubu has shown practical leadership by including our national leader and patron, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, in the national Presidential Campaign Council.

“His inclusion shows President Bola Tinubu’s trust in the Rainbow Coalition to gather votes for him across party lines in the January 16 presidential election.”

Turnah confirmed that the Bayelsa chapter of the coalition would show its appreciation for Tinubu’s trust by activating its political networks across the state.

“Here in Bayelsa, we will show President Bola Tinubu’s trust by mobilising all our members across the 105 wards to ensure he gets massive votes for re-election,” he said.

The PDP leader insisted that his party has the strongest grassroots support in the state. He is confident that their supporters will back Tinubu under the Rainbow Coalition.

He mentioned, “It is important to note that no other party in Bayelsa has the grassroots appeal of the PDP. Bayelsans love the PDP, and they are ready to vote for President Tinubu under the Rainbow Coalition.”

Turnah warned that leaving Tinubu’s re-election solely to the Bayelsa APC could harm the ruling party’s chances in the state.

“We know it is risky to leave President Tinubu’s re-election to the APC leadership in the state because they lack grassroots support in many of our communities. This is why we are starting the campaign for President Tinubu’s re-election.”

He urged the APC leadership to work with the coalition instead of viewing them as opponents.

“We appeal to the APC leadership not to see us as adversaries but as partners ready to work together to ensure President Bola Tinubu wins in Bayelsa State,” he said.

He added that the APC leadership should show their commitment to Tinubu’s re-election by collaborating with the coalition to defeat opposition parties in the state.

This move shows a rise in political activities in Bayelsa as the 2027 general elections approach. The PDP-led coalition is positioning itself to help Tinubu, despite being part of a party that usually opposes the APC.

Still, the coalition’s claims about its grassroots strength and ability to deliver votes for the President will be tested in the elections.