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… Says No Plot to Ignite Crisis in Bayelsa
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South zonal secretary, George Turnah, has dismissed the security concerns raised by Governor Douye Diri over a proposed mega rally in support of President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to be held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
He also defended his association with Wike, declaring that there is a right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly in Nigeria.
Governor Douye Diri, during a recent meeting with Bayelsa Elders raised alarm over the proposed rally being organised by The New Associates, noting that the rally was part of the plan to instigate chaos in Bayelsa.
However, Turnah, in a statement by his media assistant, Kelvin Loveday, expressed disappointment over Diri’s outburst, stating that there is no intention to destabilise Bayelsa State.
He assured the Ijaw nation of his respect, loyalty, and commitment as an Ijaw man, stressing that his political group is only interested in mobilising support for President Tinubu’s administration in the South South Zone, devoid of ulterior motives.
According to him, the political group, The New Associates be officially launched in Bayelsa on April 12, 2025, adding that arrangements are in top gear to ensure a hitch-free outing, including formal notifications to relevant security organizations in the state as required by law.
Turnah frowned at the undue politicalisation of the proposed rally, maintaining that ethnicity has no place in politics.
On his election as the PDP Zonal secretary, he queried why it was problematic if he occupied a position meant for a son of the soil of Bayelsa or Ijaw, wondering if he was not qualified to do so.
Turnah reminded Governor Diri that the Ogbia leaders and elders he has asked to call him to order were the same leaders who, in 2019, requested that he should not support the Governor’s ambition at the time, a request he respectfully ignored.
Turnah reiterated that he is not only a member of the PDP but also a serving Zonal Secretary of the Party in the South -South, wondering which other office the Governor was accusing him of occupying if he was truly not a member of the PDP.
He further expressed surprise at Diri’s anger over his association with Wike, adding that he has the constitutional right to freedom of association.
Turnah commended Diri on his many achievements and pledged his continued support for the prosperity administration led by Governor Diri.
He therefore called on the teeming youths, women, political class across party lines and all lovers of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come out en-masse, and show their appreciation to the President and FCT minister for their special love for the Bayelsa State and Ijaw nation, clearly demonstrated through the facilitation and appointment of notable Bayelsans into positions of trust in the renewed hope administration.
