No plan to host Wike in Bayelsa – Turnah
Zonal Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) South-South, George Turnah, has denied allegations linking him to a purported plan to host the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, at a political rally in Bayelsa State, describing the claims as “entirely false and dangerous.” Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, […]
Wike
Zonal Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) South-South, George Turnah, has denied allegations linking him to a purported plan to host the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, at a political rally in Bayelsa State, describing the claims as “entirely false and dangerous.”
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Turnah said Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri falsely accused him of colluding with Wike to instigate insecurity in the state by organising a political rally in Yenagoa through a group known as the NEW Associates.
Turnah refuted the claims, which he said were based on an unverified Facebook report.
He said, “At no time has our group, the NEW Associates Bayelsa State Chapter, or any associated entity announced plans to host Minister Wike in Bayelsa or elsewhere,” describing the governor’s reliance on social media gossip as “the highest form of rumour-mongering.”
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He condemned what he called a deliberate attempt by the governor to incite public anger against him in Bayelsa.
“It is shocking that His Excellency, Governor Diri, could set me up against the Ijaw Nation and the people of Bayelsa State based on a Facebook post he did not bother to verify. That’s not leadership. That’s a dangerous political trigger,” Turnah said.
The former Executive Assistant on Public Affairs to Governor Diri insisted that any ministerial visit to a state should involve official communication and security arrangements.
The PDP chieftain expressed frustration over what he perceived as a systematic sidelining of his people and alleged that Governor Diri’s administration deliberately rendered him politically irrelevant.
“Politics is local. If my people who stood with you get nothing in return, what exactly are we doing? Kolo and Ogbia Ward 9 have been neglected in every sense. We have no projects, no appointments, nothing,” Turnah lamented.
He also linked the governor’s growing hostility toward him to their differing positions during the 2023 presidential race. While Turnah supported the Southern Governors’ call for a southern presidency, Governor Diri backed northern candidate Atiku Abubakar.
Meanwhile, a Bayelsa State High Court, sitting in Yenagoa, has issued an order restraining associates of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, from holding a mega rally in the state pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
The proposed rally is scheduled for Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on April 12, 2025.
Hon. Justice I.A Uzakah granted the Motion Ex-Parte in Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025 on Thursday, in a suit filed by the state’s Attorney General, Mr. Biriyai Dambo SAN.
Listed as first and second defendants/respondents in the suit are the lead convener of the NEW Associates, organisers of the rally, Mr. George Turnah, and the FCT Minister, Wike.
The other defendants are the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Police Command.
The matter is adjourned to April 11, 2025 for hearing.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and the organizers of the pro-Wike rally during the week engaged in disagreement over the proposed rally.