28/05/2026
Agbedi Backs PDP Leadership, Declares for Bayelsa West Senate Seat
Yenagoa_____A four-term member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Fred Agbedi, has reaffirmed his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressing confidence in the party’s leadership despite ongoing internal disputes while formally declaring his ambition to represent Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the Senate in 2027.
Agbedi, who represents Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency and serves as Chairman of the House Committee on House Services, said he remains one of the highest-ranking PDP lawmakers in the National Assembly. He currently leads the PDP Caucus in the House of Representatives, the South-South Caucus, and the Bayelsa Caucus in the Green Chamber.
Speaking during an interview, Agbedi traced his legislative career to 1992 in the old Rivers State House of Assembly and described himself as a longstanding leader of the PDP at both state and national levels.
PDP Crisis and Leadership
Addressing the lingering crisis within the PDP, Agbedi maintained that recent court judgments had clarified the party’s leadership structure.
According to him, decisions of both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court invalidated the Ibadan convention that produced a previous national leadership of the party, creating a vacuum that necessitated intervention by the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT).
He explained that the BoT, led by former Senate President Senator Ken Wabara, subsequently nominated an interim National Working Committee (NWC), which was later ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
Agbedi said the 13-member interim NWC headed by Tamu Turaki, SAN, remains the legitimate leadership of the PDP.
Senate Ambition
The lawmaker confirmed that he has obtained, completed and submitted his nomination forms to contest the Bayelsa West Senatorial District seat under the PDP.
He disclosed that he was screened by the party’s screening committee on May 19 and subsequently cleared to contest.
Agbedi further stated that, to his knowledge, no other aspirant has obtained PDP nomination forms for the Bayelsa West Senate race, making him effectively an unopposed aspirant and consensus candidate.
Having spent more than a decade in the House of Representatives, he said the time had come for him to transition from the Green Chamber to the Red Chamber.
“I believe I have rendered service to the people of Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency and made my mark in the House of Representatives. It is now time to migrate to the Senate,” he said.
Confidence in PDP Despite Factional Crisis
Responding to concerns about contesting under the PDP amid factional disputes, Agbedi said his confidence stems from the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
He dismissed claims of parallel PDP structures in Bayelsa State, insisting that the leadership headed by Solomon Agwana remains the legitimate state executive.
According to him, any faction established by suspended party officials lacks legal standing and recognition.
He argued that politicians aligning with rival structures were either misinformed or deliberately choosing a path that could ultimately prove politically costly.
On Defections from PDP
Agbedi acknowledged concerns over the wave of defections from the PDP but described the phenomenon as a broader challenge facing Nigeria’s democracy.
He said many politicians who left the party did so out of fear and political uncertainty rather than conviction.
The lawmaker insisted that the PDP would recover from its current challenges, describing it as a party deeply rooted among the people.
“Some of those who defected may eventually return. We chose to stay and fight for the survival of the party because the PDP remains the platform that gave many of us our political identity,” he said.
Ready to Take Political Risks
Asked whether remaining in the PDP posed a risk to his political future, Agbedi responded that politics naturally involves risks.
“Life is made up of risks and only those who take risks can succeed. I know it is risky, but I will overcome the risk,” he stated.
He also dismissed concerns about potential competition from political heavyweights, including a former governor and the incumbent senator representing Bayelsa West, insisting that voters ultimately determine electoral outcomes.
“The people make leaders. No aspirant is above the electorate,” he said.
Highlights of Constituency Projects
Agbedi listed several projects executed across Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government Areas as evidence of his legislative performance.
According to him, projects undertaken during his tenure include:
Construction of three concrete landing jetties.
Renovation and construction of schools across various communities.
Establishment of health facilities and medical outreach programmes.
Solar street lighting projects in riverine communities.
Empowerment programmes involving vocational training, agricultural support, grants and equipment distribution.
Construction and rehabilitation of roads linking remote communities.
Installation of off-grid solar power systems for health centres.
He also cited intervention in the medical treatment of a child diagnosed with cancer, including funding treatment and awarding the child an educational scholarship from primary school to university level.
The lawmaker said development of riverine communities remains a major priority, stressing that improved connectivity and healthcare access are critical to the welfare of residents.
INEC and Electoral Integrity
On confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Agbedi said Nigerians have no alternative institution responsible for conducting elections.
He urged voters to not only cast their ballots but also protect them against manipulation.
“Our votes must count, and Nigerians must insist that their votes count,” he said.
Environmental Challenges
Agbedi pledged to intensify efforts to address environmental degradation in Bayelsa State if elected to the Senate.
He said he had previously sponsored initiatives aimed at tackling ecological challenges in oil-producing communities but admitted that many had yet to achieve the desired outcomes.
The lawmaker expressed confidence that his seniority and experience in the National Assembly would enable him to attract greater developmental projects and influence policy decisions beneficial to Bayelsa West.
“I have seen the environmental devastation in several communities across my constituency. Addressing these challenges remains a work in progress, and I will continue to pursue solutions in the Senate,” he said.
Agbedi concluded by expressing confidence that voters in Bayelsa West would decide the district’s future during the 2027 general elections, maintaining that he possesses the experience and legislative capacity to represent the district effectively in the Senate
