Tensions Soar As Pro-Wike Rally In Bayelsa Faces Legal Storm And Party Rift!

With just six days to go before the highly anticipated pro-Wike rally slated for April 26, 2025, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, uncertainty looms over whether the event will proceed as planned.

The rally, organised by the NEW Associates—a group backing Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike—has been rocked by internal wrangling and legal obstacles threatening to derail it.

Spearheaded by George Turnah, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa, the rally has faced serious setbacks, including a court injunction and growing rifts among its organisers. A High Court in Bayelsa recently issued an order halting the event, citing concerns over potential disruption of public peace.

Amid the legal hurdles, financial controversies have also emerged. Comrade Ogedengbe, a notable figure within the organising team, expressed dissatisfaction over alleged mismanagement of funds. According to Vanguard, Ogedengbe disclosed that substantial donations from regional political leaders and federal agencies had been received, but concerns are mounting over how the funds are being handled.

“We are unhappy with how the money is being spent. Significant contributions have come from top figures and institutions, but someone is clearly trying to hijack the movement for personal political gain,” Ogedengbe claimed. He further alleged that the group was formed in Wike’s name—NEW Associates—without proper transparency or consensus. “My group and several others are pulling out,” he added.

The tensions intensified on the group’s WhatsApp platform, where heated debates over fund disbursement led to calls for accountability. One former PDP State Chairman, who initially supported the rally, publicly withdrew after being excluded from planning activities. Venting on the platform, he wrote: “It doesn’t work this way. Please count me out. I won’t be used and dumped.”

Turnah, in a statement, blamed “infiltrators” for attempting to sabotage the rally and announced that a cleansing process was underway to restore unity.

In a separate blow, the Yenagoa High Court upheld Turnah’s suspension from his role as PDP Zonal Secretary, backing the PDP State Working Committee’s decision and further deepening the crisis within the organisers’ camp.

Complications over the rally’s venue also persist. The original site—Tombia Roundabout—is state-owned, and Governor Douye Diri has warned against using any government facility, citing safety risks. Security forces are reportedly on standby, and the venue may be sealed off. Organisers are now considering moving the event to Turnah’s hometown, Kolo, in Ogbia Local Government Area.

The rally has drawn sharp criticism from stakeholders across Bayelsa and the Niger Delta, who argue it could spark unrest and inflame existing political tensions. Some have compared the movement to the infamous Association for Better Nigeria, led by the late Senator Arthur Nzeribe, which contributed to the political chaos of the Third Republic.

Critics warn that rather than bolstering President Bola Tinubu’s image, the rally could backfire and damage the administration’s credibility.

Originally slated for April 12, the event was pushed to April 26 due to internal conflicts and waning support.