The political landscape of Bayelsa State was recently abuzz with planned rallies, creating a tense atmosphere and raising concerns about potential clashes. Initially, a pro-Wike rally was scheduled in the state capital, Yenagoa, to celebrate President Bola Tinubu, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, and inaugurate the NEW Associates, a grassroots political movement supporting the president’s second term bid. However, the convener, George Turnah, announced a postponement of the rally to April 26, 2025, citing concerns about potential violence and the fact that pro-Diri and pro-Tambuwal groups had also scheduled rallies for the same venue and time.
Turnah emphasized that the postponement was a gesture of peace and respect for prominent Ijaw leaders who had advised him to shift the date. He reiterated the NEW Associates’ commitment to a peaceful political process and the well-being of all Nigerians. While acknowledging the other groups’ right to hold their rallies, he expressed a desire to avoid any confrontation that could jeopardize public safety. He further stressed that the postponement would allow the public to gauge the true level of support enjoyed by each group within the Ijaw community.
Interestingly, following Turnah’s announcement, both the pro-Diri and pro-Tambuwal rallies were also postponed to the same date, April 26, 2025. This mirroring of the postponement raised questions about the true motives behind the initial scheduling conflict and suggested the possibility of deliberate attempts to escalate tension. Turnah had previously stated that if the other groups followed suit and postponed their rallies to the same date, it would become evident who was truly seeking to provoke unrest.
Adding another layer to the political intrigue, Turnah, while advocating for peace and supporting the president, also affirmed his continued role as the South South Zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He addressed his alleged suspension by the Bayelsa State Working Committee of the PDP, questioning the authority of a lower organ to suspend a higher-ranking officer. He cited a Federal High Court judgment and the South South Zonal Committee’s overturning of the suspension as evidence of his legitimate position within the party. He maintained that he had not received any formal court summons and, as a lawyer, would follow due process if served.
This complex interplay of political maneuvering highlights the intricate web of affiliations and rivalries within Bayelsa’s political scene. The postponement of all three rallies to the same date sets the stage for a potential showdown, with each group vying to demonstrate their strength and influence. The convergence of these events on a single day will undoubtedly draw significant attention and could serve as a barometer of public sentiment towards the various political figures involved.
The situation in Bayelsa State underscores the delicate balance between political expression and the maintenance of peace and stability. While the postponement of the rallies may have averted immediate conflict, it has also heightened anticipation and created a sense of uncertainty. The events of April 26, 2025, will likely shape the political landscape of Bayelsa State and could have ripple effects on the broader national political scene. The focus now shifts to how these various groups will conduct themselves on the new date and whether the spirit of peaceful assembly will prevail.
