Great Joshua MacIver declares Bayelsa governorship bid

Great Joshua MacIver has formally declared his intention to contest the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket for the November 2027 election in Bayelsa State. In a letter to the Bayelsa PDP State Working Committee, MacIver stated that his candidacy is based on competence, experience, and transparency rather than political zoning.

To support the party’s rebuilding efforts, MacIver pledged to donate ₦70 million monthly to the PDP starting in August 2026. If sustained for one year, this contribution would total ₦840 million.

MacIver, a former chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government and the 2023 deputy governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), defected to the PDP earlier this year. He cited marginalization by Governor Douye Diri following the governor's own defection from the PDP to the APC. MacIver suggested that more APC members may defect to the PDP ahead of the 2027 polls due to dissatisfaction with the current leadership.