By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Governor Douye Diri has warned those planning a mega rally in support of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike to stay away from Bayelsa State as that is capable of breaching the peace in the State.
In response, Wike urged the Governor to stop crying wolf where there is none.
The Source reports that some nebulous groups, in the last few days, have been drumming up support for a rally and inauguration of a body loyal to the FCT minister in Yenagoa the Bayelsa state capital.
The planned rally is coming up amidst the tension created in Rivers state, and the entire Niger Delta region by the increasingly unpopular declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu.
The President had on Tuesday March 18, 2025, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly, after proclaiming an emergency rule.
The action has since turned out to be an albatross of sorts, as it has incurred the wrath of overwhelming majority of Nigerians, and even global audience.
On personal level ,Wike has unarguably become the biggest casualty as his image has taken a hit,owing to his role in events which led up to the emergency declaration in his home State, Rivers.
But speaking after the State Security Council meeting on Thursday evening, March 27, Governor Diri warned that such a gathering in the state capital, at this critical moment has the potentials to severely disrupt not just the peace of the State, but escalate tension in the entire Niger Delta region.
Bayelsa is the only State in the country wholly belonging to the Ijaws whose son, Fubara, is being hounded by the Wike’s political machine.
Holding a mega rally in the State capital in support of Wike is being perceived by not a few as a direct confrontation with the already injured Ijaw people.
Governor Diri, expressed serious concern about an alleged plot to cause chaos in the state ,by those behind the mega rally.
He charged security Chiefs, Commanders, community Traditional Rulers and Youth Leaders in the State to be on high alert, to abort any orchestrated plan by any misguided group to disrupt the peace and security of Bayelsa.
According to the Governor, staging such a rally at a time the political crisis in neighbouring Rivers is at a boiling point could lead to some serious consequences on the security architecture of Bayelsa.
Governor Diri. noted that the alarm has become highly imperative given that the Wike, had recently vowed to stoke crisis in Bayelsa.
But he also cautioned those harbouring the idea of brewing crisis in Bayelsa to have a rethink as the people are determined to resist any such move.
“Any attempt to import the Rivers State political crisis into Bayelsa will be resisted. I, therefore, urge Security Chiefs in the State to be on the alert.
“Parents and Traditional Rulers should discourage their wards from being used by unscrupulous elements to cause trouble in the state.
“The peaceful disposition of of the people should not be mistaken for cowardice. We will not allow some faceless group to foment trouble in Bayelsa which is the home land of all Ijaw people.
“As you are aware, we have threats from our sister State, Rivers. The political crisis there is threatening us, and we will not allow what is happening there to come into Bayelsa state.
“We have in our party a renegade who has decided to form a parallel PDP in Bayelsa State ,working with an ex-Governor.
“The party in our state suspended him for gross misconduct and for now he is not a member of our party in Bayelsa state.
“He was part of a kangaroo PDP South-south Zonal Congress that was rejected by the National Working Committee, NWC, of our party, and he is threatening the peace of the State.
“Well, this is not Rivers state. Bayelsa is the cradle of every Ijaw man. I have always said that being peaceful is not cowardice.
“We are very courageous, and we can stand up for the truth at all times. Any public facility belonging to Bayelsa state cannot be used, except with express approval of the State Government”,
Governor Diri said.
However, the Minister of the FCT described Governor Diri’s security alarm as shamefully baseless.
A statement by Lere Olayinka ,his Media Aide, noted that Wike could have contacted Security Agencies personally if actually there was a plan to hold a rally for him in Bayelsa State.
The statement further advised the Governor to pay more attention to the issues of governance, rather than dissipating energy and chasing shadows.
“It is so unfortunate that a Governor with all the security apparatus available to him could go on national television on mere suspicion of people planning a rally which is their right to hold”, Olayinka stated.
Olayinka noted that as a fearless person, the FCT Minister will always show his face in any project or event in which he is interested, rather than hide under any group.
The statement expressed regret that the Governor could call a security council meeting just to discuss rumoured planned rally for Wike.
“Is this how childish governance in Bayelsa state has become? Must he use Wike as a cover up for his failure in governance and politics?”, he queried.
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