The South-South Zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), George Turnah, has dismissed the security concerns raised by Governor Douye Diri over the proposed mega rally in support of President Bola Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, scheduled for Yenagoa, the 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.
Gov. Diri, during a recent meeting with Bayelsa Elders, raised the 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 Gov. 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 any ulterior motives.
According to him, the political group, The New Associates will 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.
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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 Gov. 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.
The PDP stalwart 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 Gov. Diri’s anger over his association with Wike, adding that he has the constitutional right to freedom of association.
Turnah commended Gov. Diri on his many achievements and pledged his continued support for the administration led by the governon.
He therefore called on the youths, women, and the political class across party lines, and all lovers of President Tinubu to come out en-masse, and show their appreciation to the president and the FCT minister for their special love for Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation.
