The Bayelsa State Government has once again reacted to the planned mega rally in support of President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in the State, emphasising that while the state recognises the constitutional right to free assembly, the timing of the rally was problematic given recent inflammatory statements made by Wike.
The State’s Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Kemepado, disclosed this while speaking on Arise News Channel’s The Morning Show on Tuesday.
The rally, spearheaded by PDP’s South-South Zonal Secretary, George Turnah, under his ‘The New Associates’ group, in support of President Tinubu and Wike, has been a subject of heated debate as to why a PDP faction was supporting the APC-led administration.
Kemepado pointed to Wike’s recent remarks on national television, in which the FCT Minister allegedly disrespected Ijaw ethnic group by stating that Ijaws can never be governor of any state aside Bayelsa State.
He stated that the state government was concerned that emotions were still high following the provocative comments and that any large gathering supporting Wike in Bayelsa State could escalate tensions.
“Political campaigns have timetables,” Kemepado stated.
“Coming to the real issue, you know that the Governor of Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri, is one of the most tolerant governors we have in this country. If there’s anything you can credit him with, it’s peace.
“We are not against any form of gathering as enshrined by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whether you are of the APC, PDP, New Associates, Old Associates, or anything. But we all know that, in recent times, the Minister of the FCT, His Excellency, former Governor of Rivers State, with due respect, made some reckless television statements on national TV, insulting and disrespecting people.”
He cited an incident where Wike was nearly attacked in Abalama following his comments about the Ijaw people, warning that similar reactions could occur if the rally proceeds.
He stressed that given the current atmosphere, postponing the rally would be in the best interest of maintaining peace.
“The Governor is not against anybody celebrating Governor Wike. It is that amidst these tempers, we are only saying, ‘Guy, let’s not promote any form of gathering because you can never be sure what comes out of it.’”
Kemepado also dismissed claims that the rally was about showing gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing Bayelsa indigenes to key government positions.
He clarified that the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was appointed before Wike became a minister, suggesting that the rally was more about political manoeuvring than appreciation.
“Late last year, the governor led a delegation to the Presidential Villa to thank President Tinubu for the appointments he made within the state. The MD of NDDC was MD of NDDC even before Wike became a minister. The rally that was put together at Tombia roundabout was not a rally of gratitude. Forget about George Turnah; it is not a George Turnah thing; it is those playing the music from behind.”
The commissioner highlighted the need to focus on governance and youth development rather than political distractions. He noted that 65% of the youth expected to attend the rally are citizens who should instead be engaged in constructive activities.
“Let me be very honest with you. We fear nothing, but we have the responsibility to provide governance, and one of the things we are all about is peace. 65 per cent of the youths you want to gather are citizens; we want to concentrate on governance. A state of emergency is not something we want in any form.
“People should take their distraction to another place.”
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