Yenagoa, Bayelsa State – Governor Douye Diri don raise alarm about alleged plot to disturb peace for Bayelsa State, warning say government no go tolerate any form of political violence. Diri yan dis during meetings with members of the Bayelsa Elders Council and the 37th session of the Bayelsa State Security Council on Thursday.
Diri express concern say planned mega rally and inauguration of a political group loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, fit cause unrest for di state. “We go resist any attempt to bring Rivers State political saga come Bayelsa. I dey urge our security commanders to dey alert. Parents and traditional rulers, make una no allow their pikin dem turn tools for trouble,” Diri talk.
Di governor talk say one suspended member of the Peoples Democratic Party don recruit people to create division inside di party for Bayelsa. He add say di political tension wey dey happen for Rivers State dey pose serious threat to Bayelsa peace. “This no be Rivers State. Bayelsa na di home for every Ijaw person. I dey always talk say being peaceful no mean say person dey coward. We dey very bold, and we fit stand up for di truth,” he assert.
Diri also declare say any state-owned facility go need government approval before any gathering fit take place. In response, Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant to di FCT Minister, don dismiss Diri’s claims, calling dem “shamefully baseless.” Olayinka talk say di governor dey use Wike’s name to distract from him own governance issues.
“E dey unfortunate say governor wey get all di security apparatus go dey go national TV on mere suspicion of people planning a rally,” Olayinka talk for statement wey he issue on Thursday night. He add say if Wike wan attend any political event for Bayelsa, he go inform di relevant security agencies himself. “Na Nigerian right to support anybody, anywhere, anytime. E be like say na wetin di governor dey fear?” he ask.
Olayinka go on to question di need for Diri to gather di State Security Council and di Bayelsa Elders Council over “mere speculation.” He remind say Diri don seek Wike support for him re-election in di past, alleging say di Bayelsa governor don once kneel down beg Wike to help am.
“Di same Wike wey Diri once run to for help, now na him Diri dey use to cover him failings. E dey unfortunate,” Olayinka conclude. As di political drama play out, di people of Bayelsa dey watch to see how di situation go unfold.
