KEY POINTS

• Tensions within Bayelsa State continue to grow ahead of a planned group rally led by George Turnah.
• The governor of Bayelsa warns that the state should not receive political turmoil that currently plagues Rivers State.
• The rally’s organisers state it exists to show Tinubu gratitude but several Bayelsa residents strongly oppose this event.

The state of Bayelsa faces heightened tension because of upcoming rally activities planned by The New Associates under PDP’s South South Zonal Secretary George Turnah.

The coming April 12 rally initially envisioned Nyesom Wike as a key participant yet this announcement created strong negative reactions from residents of the state where Ijaw speakers predominate.

Governor Diri’s warning and heightened tensions

Shoulder the public unrest the organizers published a new flier which included Bola Tinubu as president alongside Nyesom Wike, Heineken Lokpobiri as oil minister, Samuel Ogbuku as the NDDC leader to restore public safety.

During his statement regarding the forthcoming rally Governor Douye Diri declared that a “PDP renegade” had contrived it to produce instability in Bayelsa. According to Diri there should be no political turmoil from Rivers State transported into Bayelsa.

The governor instructed security officers and community leaders that he would not permit Rivers State chaos to infect his territory.

Anxiety grips Bayelsa as security forces step up patrols

Security forces in Bayelsa staged a display of military power through combined personnel from the Nigerian Navy, Army, Police and other agencies during a motorcade patrol on Saturday.

Anxiety grips Bayelsa, as Security patrols in Yenagoa operated intensify under the mission to protect both lives and possessions as the state capital’s main settlement.

Organisers under Turnah’s leadership decided to continue the rally because they implemented security protocols and invited guests exclusively while deterring unanticipated participants.

Rally for Wike and Tinubu’s appointments

Turnah stated the rally aimed to honor both Wike and Tinubu because they appointed natives of Bayelsa State to important posts. The traditional performances of the Ijaw people would be a main attraction at this event according to his statement. In his assessment Turnah identified PDP Bayelsa’s internal fighting as a family dispute which would be settled in the near future.

Opposition and concerns over timing

Alfred Kemepado together with other critics expressed doubt about when to organize the rally since Wike’s speeches and Turnah’s stance made tensions higher. Kemepado challenged the political significance of the event while refusing to accept that gratitude toward Tinubu served as its main purpose.