As Pro Wike Rally Organisers Split Over Funds Management, Turnah Bows
The deepening cracks within the camp of those who spearheaded the rally in Bayelsa State under the canopy of the Nyesom Ezenwo Wike(NEW) Associates, over allegations of opaque management of the N150 million released for the event, may have forced George Turnah, a suspended member of the PDP, to bow and reschedule the controversial rally.
He had planned to hold the rally at the Tombia Roundabout on April 12, against the wishes of a great majority of Bayelsa people who felt that he was trying to set fire on the state by setting up a platform in a core Ijaw state for the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, some months after the minister had promised to set fire on any state that was supporting the suspended Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara.
Even when the state government secured a court injunction to bar Turnah from going ahead with the rally, he had claimed that the court never stopped him from organising a rally to thank the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing sons of the state into positions of influence.
An interview by TNN with one of the organisers, Chief Rufus Abadi, who opened up on the amount that had been released to Turnah for the rally and how he refused to sit with all the stakeholders to appropriate funds exposed the misgivings within their camp.
Abadi, a former chairman of the PDP in the state, had also disclosed that one of the intents of the rally was to deride the governor and cause him to get angry.
A few days ago, signals emerged that Turnah had decided to take the rally to his Kolo village. But it was learnt that elders and chiefs of the community also warned him against it, as that could attract trouble to the calm village.
About 12 hours to the event, Turnah issued a press statement rescheduling the rally, claiming to be doing so as a sign of respect to those who had warned against holding the event on the same day that other organisations had planned to use the same venue for their rally. Turnah said his own rally would now hold on April 26, but did not state the venue.
However, on the same Friday, the Yenagoa High court that issued the initial injunction renewed the order, urging all parties to maintain status quo and adjourned the matter to April 30.
In Turnah’s statement, he wrote that “as a peaceful organization, we are dedicated to promoting peace, security, and the well-being of all Nigerians. Every single life, whether an Ijaw man or any other Nigerian, is precious and of utmost importance to us.
In light of recent developments, you may recall that several Pro Diri and Pro Tambuwal groups have issued public notices expressing their intentions to hold solidarity rallies in support of their respective leaders, opting to do so on the same date and at the same venue we have chosen for our program. We are inclined to allow them the right and space to hold their events as scheduled, creating an atmosphere that will enable the entire country to witness their capacities and acceptance among the Ijaw people in Bayelsa State.
“As such, we will now hold our inauguration and mega rally on Saturday, 26th April 2025, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. This decision has been made in deference to notable leaders and fathers of the Ijaw nation who have, for various reasons, reached out to us to consider a shift in date.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Grand Patron, other patrons, matrons, leaders, associates, and the teeming members of The NEW Associates across the state for their unwavering support, encouragement, and solidarity during this time. We also extend our gratitude to the people of Bayelsa State and Ijaw nation for their interest and enthusiasm to be part of this mass movement aimed at the liberation of our land and empowerment of our people.”
