Pro-Wike Rally in Bayelsa Stopped By Court

By Adesina Soyooye

The pro-Wike Rally By his associates, planned to hold in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital, on April 12, 2025, has run into a stormy weather.

A High Court in the State  sitting in Yenagoa, has issued an order which restrained associates of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, from holding the mega rally pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

The proposed rally, according to the organisers, is to show solidarity with, and support for President Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister.

But it is a rally the State Government is strongly against, submitting that given the political crisis in Wike’s Rivers State, his plan is to import same to Bayelsa. The once cordial relationship between Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri and Wike has since gone very sour.

The Honourable. Justice I.A Uzakah granted the Motion Ex-Parte in Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025 filed by Bayelsa State’s Attorney General, Mr. Biriyai Dambo, SAN.

Named 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 Wike.

Named, too, are the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Police Command.

The enrolled court order states that: “An order of the interim injunction is hereby made or granted restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, associates, privies, representatives (or any person whatsoever acting at their behest), from conducting, convening, coordinating, engaging in, organizing, participating in, holding, hosting, or facilitating any political assembly, rally meeting, or gathering within Bayelsa State, for the purpose of solidarity, hosting, and celebrating the 2nd Defendant in Bayelsa State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

The  Court adjourned the matter to April 11, 2025, for hearing.