The pro-Wike rally planned for the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa, to honour President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and also inaugurate the state chapter of the NEW Associates, a grassroots political movement for the president’s second term, has been postponed.
The convener, George Turnah, addressing a press conference on Friday in Yenagoa, announced Saturday, April 26, as the new date for the rally, explaining that even some notable Bayelsans had impressed on him to shift the earlier date to avert loss of lives.
He explained that another reason the rally was postponed was that pro-Diri and pro-Tambuwal groups had also planned rallies for the same venue and time as the pro-Wike rally.
But, there are indications that the matter is far from resolved as the rallies in support of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and Aminu Tambuwal have also been postponed to Saturday, April 26.
Turnah had justified his support for Tinubu, saying that the success of the president was intertwined with the success of Nigeria and thanked the leaders, members and supporters of the NEW Associates for their solidarity and steadfastness.
He said, “This grassroots political movement is committed to rallying support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration. We strongly believe that President Tinubu’s success is intertwined with Nigeria’s success, and as citizens, we must support our leadership in achieving this vision.
“As a peaceful organization, we are dedicated to promoting peace, security, and the well-being of all Nigerians. Every single life, whether an Ijaw man or any other Nigerian, is precious and of utmost importance to us.
“In light of recent developments, you may recall that several Pro Diri and Pro Tambuwal groups have issued public notices expressing their intentions to hold solidarity rallies in support of their respective leaders, opting to do so on the same date and at the same venue we have chosen for our program. We are inclined to allow them the right and space to hold their events as scheduled, creating an atmosphere that will enable the entire country to witness their capacities and acceptance among the Ijaw people in Bayelsa State.
“As such, we will now hold our inauguration and mega rally on Saturday, 26th April 2025, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. This decision has been made in deference to notable leaders and fathers of the Ijaw nation who have, for various reasons, reached out to us to consider a shift in date.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Grand Patron, other patrons, matrons, leaders, associates, and the teeming members of The NEW Associates across the state for their unwavering support, encouragement, and solidarity during this time. We also extend our gratitude to the people of Bayelsa State and Ijaw nation for their interest and enthusiasm to be part of this mass movement aimed at the liberation of our land and empowerment of our people.
“We ask that we all keep the momentum going as we prepare even more efficiently for a successful outing on the new date.”
Later, while fielding questions from journalists, Turnah affirmed he remained the South South Zonal Secretary of the PDP and that he was yet to receive court summons in the cases initiated by the Bayelsa State Working Committee of the party.
He also questioned how a lower organ of the party could suspend a higher officer, referencing his suspension by the Bayelsa State Working Committee in light of a recent judgment of a Federal High Court.
Turnah assured that as a lawyer, he would follow the laid down legal procedures to defend himself in court if he was appropriately served.
His words, “Let me also use this medium to address the issue that Bayelsa State Hight Court has affirmed my suspension. It is proper to make it clear that no court can suspend a member of a party. But the court can look at the suspension of members of it proper.
“All Nigerians know that the South South Zonal Committee has set aside my suspension. That means the suspension never existed in the first place. So, the suspension has been set aside, and why I will not border myself to challenge that judgment is because those in authority are the ones that activated the court to say that a lower organ can suspend higher authorities.
“So let become a law that Bayelsa State said that lower organs can suspend higher officers of the party.”
But, following the announcement of the postponement of the pro-Wike rally, the Director General of New Media to Governor Diri, Dr Kolawole Oredipe, posted on Facebook on Friday that the proposed rally in support of the governor has also been shifted to Saturday, April 26.
Oredipe’s post reads, “Organisers of rallies in support of the good works of Prosperity Govt have since postponed their programme to April 26.”
A similar post by one Egberibin Diriakpo Lucky on Friday said the pro-Tambuwal rally has also been postponed to April 26, citing recent developments, and regretted the inconveniences caused.
It read, “Following recent developments, the New Democrats rally (Tambuwal mega rally team) earlier scheduled to hold tomorrow 12th April, 2025, has been postponed to 26th April, 2025.
“We regret any inconveniences this change of date might have caused our teeming stakeholders, members and supporters.”
However, in his briefing, Turnah had said that should the other groups also postpone their rallies to the same date, then it would be clear which group was asking for trouble.
