- Diri: “It must Stop.Planned Rally for Wike ‘ll Ignite Unrest In Bayelsa”
- Wike’s Aide: “Your allegations are Baseless,… Face Your Failures”
By Abiola Olawale
Tension is brewing in Bayelsa State as Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike are currently engaged in a heated clash of words over an alleged plot to hold a pro-Wike rally in the State.
The New Diplomat gathered was gathered that the confrontation between the two political heavyweights centres on a planned mega rally and the inauguration of a political group loyal to Wike, known as NEW, which Diri has warned could ignite a spate of political unrest in Bayelsa State.
Governor Diri, speaking during separate meetings with the Bayelsa Elders Council and the State Security Council on Thursday, raised the alarm over what he described as a deliberate attempt to import the ongoing political crisis in neighbouring Rivers State into Bayelsa.
He specifically pointed to the planned rally being put together by allies of Wike as a potential flashpoint, accusing unnamed political actors of orchestrating division within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa
The governor stated: “We will resist any attempt to import the Rivers State political crisis into Bayelsa. I urge security commanders in the state to be on the alert.
“Parents and traditional rulers should discourage their wards and children from being used by unscrupulous elements to cause trouble in the state.
“This is not Rivers State. Bayelsa is the cradle of every Ijaw man. I have always said that being peaceful is not cowardice. We are very courageous, and we can stand up for the truth at all times.”
In a swift rebuttal, Wike, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, dismissed Diri’s concerns as “shamefully baseless” and accused the governor of using fake narratives name to mask his governance failures.
“Is this how childish governance in Bayelsa has become? Must he use Wike as a scapegoat for his inadequacies?” Olayinka questioned, adding that citizens have the right to hold rallies anywhere in Nigeria.
He further alleged that Diri had previously sought Wike’s support during his re-election bid, calling the governor’s current stance hypocritical.
The statement issued by Olayinka reads in part: “Unfortunately, a governor with all the security apparatus at his disposal would go on national television based on mere suspicion of people planning a rally.
“Nigerians have the right to express their support for anyone, anywhere, and anytime. Is this how much the governor fears Wike?
“Shamefully, the same Wike he once ran to for help has now become someone he disparages just to cover up his inadequacies. It’s unfortunate.”
Olayinka also questioned the need for Diri to convene both the State Security Council and the Bayelsa Elders Council meetings over what he described as “mere speculation.””
