George Turnah, the convener of the NEW Associates, a pro-Wike grassroots support group backing President Bola Tinubu, has called on Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to openly declare his position regarding the 2027 presidential elections.
Speaking during the inauguration of the NEW Associates at the Church of God Mission Camp Ground in Igbogene, Yenagoa, on Saturday, Turnah emphasized that Diri had benefitted immensely from the Tinubu administration more than any other South-South governor.
Turnah, who also serves as the Zonal Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South, told his supporters that their alignment would depend on Diri’s declared support.
He stated, “His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, should declare to us now his stance on the 2027 election. We want him to tell us who he wants to support.
“If he says he will support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then we will align with him, but if he decides to support any other group, we are already supporting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, who is the number one supporter of the president.”
Turnah noted that other states in the South-South had already made their positions known. “Diri is the greatest beneficiary of Tinubu.
“Cross River has declared, Akwa Ibom has declared. Delta has declared, and of course, Edo is already there. Rivers State, something is going on, but Bayelsa, we don’t know,” he said.
“He should not delay. Let him tell us where Bayelsa is. If it’s Mr President, we will follow him, but if he wants to align himself with any other group, we will not support him,” Turnah added.
The event had earlier faced disruption when unknown gunmen shot into the gathering from nearby bushes.
However, a joint team of policemen, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps operatives, and the Department of State Security swiftly intervened to restore calm.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported, although a female participant narrowly escaped harm when a bullet grazed the back of her jacket after deflecting off an iron rod, according to eyewitness accounts.
Security around the Tombia Roundabout, originally announced as the venue for the rally on April 12, was visibly tightened with heavily armed policemen in riot gear.
Organizers had postponed the rally to April 26 to avoid clashing with planned pro-Diri and pro-Tambuwal rallies.
However, those alternative rallies also failed to hold, and no official reasons were given at the time of filing this report.
