At SEC Meeting, Diri Explains Stance On Rally By Wike’s Associates, Receives Report On Nembe Crisis

The Bayelsa State Executive Council meeting took place in Yenagoa on Wednesday, with the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, explaining why the state government is not comfortable with the planned rally organised by associates of Nyesom Wike.

The governor said the rally was coming at a time that the neighbouring Rivers State was yet to recover from the conflagration caused by the political differences between him and his political godson and suspended governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara.

A few months ago, Wike had vowed in a viral video, that any PDP governor who was supportive of Fubara in the face of the ongoing rift, would have him to contend with. He had vowed to set fire on that state.

Last month, the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended the governor and the legislature, citing insecurity as a result of an explosion that rocked an oil facility.

The fear of Bayelsa people is that Wike, who recently described Ijaw people as minorities in a minority region, may be plotting to set fire on the state through his visit to the state considered to be the heart of Ijaw land.

At the SEC meeting, Diri said his administration would always abide by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in respecting the fundamental rights of individuals but will ensure that the prevailing peace and security of the state was not compromised.

The governor explained that the administration would not stop any group from holding rallies in the state but emphasised that it would be unwise and counter-productive at a time lasting peace was being sought to address the political crisis in Rivers State.

He noted that Rivers and Bayelsa were sister states and that whatever happened in Rivers had a ripple effect in Bayelsa, and enjoined well-meaning Bayelsans to work with the government in maintaining law and order in the state.

His words: “Let me make this clear. We are not a government that goes against the rule of law. We cherish and protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And in so doing, we abide by every bit of the Constitution.

“A state of emergency has been imposed in Rivers State. President Bola Tinubu has the power to do so. All we can do from our end is to see how we can bring lasting peace to Rivers State.

“Bayelsa and Rivers are sister states and whatever happens there has some degree of effect on our state and vice versa. And then some persons say they want to hold a mega rally and all that here.

“We are not yet in a political season. l am not stopping anybody from exercising his fundamental human rights but as the chief security officer of the state and with information at my disposal, we must keep the peace of the state. Nobody should come and rock the peace and security of this state.”

The governor noted that the proper protocol for such rallies should be followed by first informing the state government just as wife of the President and First Lady had done about her visit to the state on Thursday on the invitation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Also at the SEC meeting, Diri received the interim report of the steering committee on resolution of the protracted crisis in Bassambiri community in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

The chairman, Vice Admiral Victor Ombu (rtd), presented the report during the 158th session of the state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa.

Ombu, a former Chief of the Naval Staff, said the committee was inaugurated six months ago on September 10, 2024 with a mandate to bring lasting and sustainable peace to Brassambiri.

He said the panel looked into the remote and immediate causes of the community’s prolonged crisis, conducted interviews and received memoranda as well as visited some sites to see damaged property.

He noted that the committee was in the process of achieving peace and had recorded genuine reconciliation efforts.

In his remarks, Diri commended the panel for its painstaking effort at enthroning lasting peace in the community and acknowledged that the committee had made considerable progress in reconciling warring faction.

The governor extended the panel’s tenure by four months to enable it complete its assignment. He also directed that every revenue accruing to Bassambiri, including receipts from oil companies operating in the area, be paid to the committee to enable it administer the community until further notice.

He said: “l thank you for the interim report and the painstaking effort that you have put into this assignment. Your committee will continue to work because you have shown to the state government that you have what it takes to bring lasting peace to Bassambiri. So your tenure has been extended by four months.

“I acknowledge that there has been some gaps in terms of funds and administration as a result of stoppage of funds going to anybody in that community. By this pronouncement, every revenue accruing to Bassambiri will be paid to the committee to enable it run the affairs of the community until further notice.”

The governor directed the State Security Coordinator and Coordinator of the Bayelsa Community Safety Corps and other relevant security agencies to work with the committee to enhance security in the community.

Diri further urged the committee to expedite action at ensuring that those displaced from the community as a result of the conflict be brought back as soon as possible.