Governor Diri Faces Off Against Minister Wike's Supporters Over Rally In Bayelsa

Bayelsa's Governor Diri and Wike Supporters Clash Over Rally Plans

The political temperature in Bayelsa is heating up as Governor Douye Diri and supporters of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike are in a heated disagreement over a rally planned to back Minister Wike and President Bola Tinubu. This event also includes the inauguration of a new political group in the state. According to Naija News, Governor Diri has expressed concerns that this rally, scheduled for April 12, could spark unrest in the region.

In a strongly-worded statement, Governor Diri emphasized the potential dangers of holding such an event. "With political tensions already high in Rivers State, bringing this kind of rally to Bayelsa could easily escalate into unrest," he warned. "We will not tolerate any attempt to import the Rivers State crisis into our state. I urge all security commanders, parents, and traditional rulers to step in and prevent their children from being used as pawns in this dangerous game."

Diri further accused a faction within the Bayelsa Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), allegedly aligned with a former governor, of stirring up trouble. "There’s a rogue element within our party who has formed a parallel PDP in Bayelsa, closely working with an ex-governor," he explained. "This group participated in the discredited PDP South-South zonal congress that our National Working Committee rejected. Bayelsa is the heart of the Ijaw nation, and we will not allow unknown entities to disrupt the peace we've worked so hard to maintain."

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Rally Organizer Dismisses Diri's Concerns

On the other side of the argument, rally organizer George Turnah dismissed Governor Diri’s worries. "This rally is purely about showing support for President Tinubu and Minister Wike," Turnah clarified. "It’s not about destabilizing Bayelsa or any other state. The New Associates is a grassroots political movement committed to mobilizing support for President Tinubu’s administration across the South-South region."

Turnah also addressed the accusations that he was collaborating with a former governor to cause unrest. "I’m not only a proud member of the PDP but also the current zonal secretary of the party in the South-South," he stated firmly. "If I’m not a party member, as the governor claims, then I’d like to know what office he thinks I’m holding. These accusations are baseless and misleading."

Security Agencies Step Up Presence

In response to Diri's warning, security agencies in Bayelsa have ramped up their presence, conducting high-profile patrols on the main streets of Yenagoa. Led by personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under the Central Naval Command, the operation included officers from the Nigerian Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Immigration Service, and Correctional Service.

Commodore Omobamidele Akinbami of NNS SOROH reassured residents of Bayelsa, saying, "This show of force is intended to demonstrate to the people of Bayelsa that our security agencies are vigilant and prepared to act swiftly when needed. The peace of this state is a priority, and we are fully committed to maintaining it. Rest assured, we are here to ensure stability and harmony."