YENAGOA, Bayelsa State – Organizers of a rally in support of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike don talk say dem go carry on with the rally, despite concerns raised by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, about possible violence.
During a meeting with elders and security agencies on Wednesday, Governor Diri express worry say di rally fit trigger wahala, as e urge security agencies and stakeholders to avoid any action wey fit lead to breakdown of law and order.
In reaction, George Turnah, the South South Zonal Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and chief promoter of di rally, issue statement through his Media Assistant, Kelvin Loveday-Egbo. He say arrangements for di rally dey go well and dem dey prepare for a successful event.
Turnah show surprise at di governor’s comments, insisting say ethnicity no suppose enter politics. He add say di right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly na constitutional matter. Di rally go happen as a way to show solidarity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and di FCT Minister.
He countered di governor’s claims about working with a former governor to disturb di peace of di state. “I get no intention to destabilize Bayelsa or any state. I dey lead grassroots movement called New Associates wey wan support President Tinubu’s administration in di South South without any ulterior motive,” Turnah talk.
Details from a promo flyer wey Daily Trust reach for Yenagoa show say prominent Nigerians like Wike, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri, and NDDC Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku go attend di rally.
Turnah continue: “Di organization go officially launch for Bayelsa on April 12, 2025. We don arrange everything to make sure say di event no go get wahala, and we don notify di relevant security organizations as di law require.”
He remind Governor Diri say di Ogbia leaders wey e ask to calm him down na di same people wey in 2019 ask him not to support di governor’s ambition, a request wey he still ignore.
“I dey part of di PDP and I be serving Zonal Secretary for di Party for di South South. I dey wonder what other office di Governor accuse me of occupying if I no be PDP member,” Turnah add.
Expressing concern about di governor’s reaction to his political association with Wike, Turnah highlight his constitutional right to associate with whoever he choose. He also mention say this no be di first time he make personal political choices.
While he acknowledge say di disagreement within di PDP in di state na family matter, Turnah assure say dem go resolve di issues soon. He praise di Governor for his achievements and pledge support for di administration led by Governor Diri.
He call on youths, women, and di political class across party lines and all supporters of di President to come out in large numbers to show their appreciation to President Tinubu and Wike for di love dem show to Bayelsa and di Ijaw nation.
