The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South zonal secretary, George Turnah, has debunked insinuations that the proposed mega rally in support of President Bola Tinubu was a plot to ignite crisis in Bayelsa state.
He also defended his association with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declaring that there is a right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly in Nigeria.
Governor Douye Diri had recently put security agents on alert over the proposed rally being organised by The New Associates, a political group affiliated with Wike, noting that the rally was a plot to import the Rivers State political crisis into Bayelsa.
However, Turnah, in a statement by his media assistant, Kelvin Loveday- while expressing disappointment over Diri’s outburst on the mega rally stated that there is no intention to to create instability in the state.
According to him, his political group is only interested in mobilising support for President Tinubu’s administration in the South South Zone, devoid of ulterior motives.
He disclosed that the group would be officially launched in Bayelsa on April 12, 2025, stressing 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, who frowned at the undue politicalisation of the proposed rally, maintained that ethnicity has no place in politics and assured the Ijaw nation of his respect, loyalty, and commitment as an Ijaw man.
Nonetheless, he questioned 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 on 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.
