Be grateful, declare support for President, group tells Diri
The Bayelsa State Government has expressed dismay over the shooting incident during a political rally organised in the state on Saturday by the New Associates, a group allegedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Gunmen suspected to be sponsored political thugs had disrupted the rally and inauguration of the New Associates group at the Church of God Mission Camp at Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Speaking shortly after the incident, the Secretary of New Associates and former spokesman of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Ebilade Ekerefe, accused the state government of trying to scuttle their peaceful rally.
He said they organised the peaceful rally to appreciate President Bola Tinubu for appointing sons and daughters of the state to positions of responsibility in his government, wondering why somebody should feel threatened by a peaceful rally.
However, the state government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Obiuwou Koku-Obiyai, on Saturday night, called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the police authorities in the state to unravel those behind the incident.
The government expressed concern that the shooting was not a coincidence, as the organisers had earlier threatened that “the good, the bad and the ugly” would attend the event.
It wondered why a gathering that was expected to be peaceful turned violent, with some persons reportedly injured.
The statement urged the police to immediately commence an investigation to bring anyone found culpable to book.
While noting that the event negated guidelines for political activities as stipulated in the Electoral Act and by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the government observed that it was held on the campground of a religious organisation.
It warned political groups in the state not to drag religious organisations into their partisan activities that desecrate sacred places of worship.
MEANWHILE, the convener of New Associates, George Turnah, has urged the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, to publicly declare his support for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, as he is the greatest beneficiary of his administration.
Speaking at the inauguration of the group at the Church of God Mission Camp Ground in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Turnah emphasised that Diri had gained more from the Tinubu administration than any other South-South governor and should show gratitude by aligning with the Renewed Hope administration.
Turnah, who is also the Zonal Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South region, told his supporters that if Diri declared support for Tinubu, they would rally behind him. However, he noted that if the governor chooses to align with another group, they are already working with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who is a staunch supporter of the President.