Turnah Fires Back At Diri, Dismissing Security Fears As ‘Unsubstantiated’ In Bayelsa PDP Crisis

Turnah emphasized that there is no intention to incite unrest in the state over a planned rally aimed at rallying support for President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Governor Diri had previously suggested that the rally, organized by Wike’s political movement, was part of a scheme to disrupt the state’s peace.

In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Kelvin Loveday, Turnah expressed disappointment over Diri’s remarks and defended his relationship with Wike. He reassured the Ijaw nation of his unwavering loyalty and respect, asserting that the political movement’s only objective was to garner support for President Tinubu’s administration in the South-South Zone, without any hidden agenda.

Turnah criticized the unnecessary politicization of the rally and maintained that ethnicity should not be a factor in political discourse. He also reminded Diri that the Ogbia elders who the governor had urged to call him to order were the same leaders who, in 2019, had advised him not to back Diri’s gubernatorial ambitions, a request he respectfully declined.

“I am not only a member of the PDP but also serving as the Zonal Secretary of the Party in the South-South. I am unsure what other position the governor believes I am occupying if I am truly not a member of the PDP,” he stated.

Turnah expressed surprise at Diri’s objection to his association with Wike, highlighting his constitutional right to freedom of association. He also commended Diri for his accomplishments and pledged continued support for the governor’s administration.

Turnah called on Bayelsa’s youth, women, political figures, and supporters of President Tinubu across party lines to participate in the rally and demonstrate their gratitude to both the President and the FCT Minister for their significant contributions to the state and the Ijaw nation.