The political rivalry between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has assumed a dreadful dimension.
While Diri is unhappy with Wike for creating crisis that led to the suspension of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara by President Bola Tinubu for six months, Wike’s aide has reminded him kneeling and begging support from him for his second term bid as Bayelsa Governor.
The political cold war was renewed when Diri banned the hosting of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike by his supporters, in any part of Bayelsa state.
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At a security press conference on Friday, March 28, the governor said a certain George Turner, had announced plans to host Wike in the state.
The governor said ‘’Persons from this state, particularly one George Turner, is threatening the peace of this state. Recently, there is a Facebook report with his own number that he is going to host the Minister of FCT in Tombia roundabout in Bayelsa. The Minister is not from Bayelsa state. This is not FCT. This is Bayelsa state. All service commanders should be at alert. That meeting must not take place in Bayelsa state. He can host his Minister anywhere outside Bayelsa state.
”I direct further that no public place or school should be used by anybody except by the approval of the state government” the Chairman of PDP Forum, South South Region, said.
In a fist of anger, Wike criticized Bayelsa State Governor Diri over his concerns about a planned rally in support of Wike.
Wike, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, dismissed Diri’s alarm as “shamefully baseless.”
He argued that if Wike were attending a rally in Bayelsa, he would personally inform security agencies, making Diri’s concerns unnecessary.
“It is so unfortunate that a governor with all the security apparatus available to him could go on national television on mere suspicion of people planning a rally, which is their right to hold,” Olayinka said.
He stressed that Nigerians have the right to support anyone, anywhere, and at any time. “Is this how much the governor is afraid of Wike? Can the governor stop people from holding rallies in the state if they want to?” he asked.
Olayinka also ridiculed Diri for calling a Security Council meeting and consulting the Bayelsa Elders Council over what he described as mere speculation. “Is this how childish governance in Bayelsa State has become? Must he use Wike as a cover-up for his failure in governance and politics?” he questioned.
Furthermore, Olayinka accused Diri of hypocrisy, recalling how the governor had previously sought Wike’s support for his re-election. “When he was seeking re-election, this same Diri was brought to Wike, like a thief in the night. He was brought by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Lokpobiri. David Lyon came with him then.
“As he was kneeling down, begging Wike to support him, he (Wike) was telling him, ‘No, don’t do that, you’re a governor, don’t do that.’
“Shamefully, the same Wike has now become someone he goes about disparaging, just to cover up his inadequacies. So obvious that some people don’t have conscience and it’s unfortunate.”
Governor Diri had earlier raised concerns over the planned rally and the inauguration of a group loyal to Wike, warning that such a gathering could trigger tensions and lead to a crisis in the state.
The governor argued that holding such an event amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State could escalate ethnic tensions and spread unrest to Bayelsa.
Diri also referred to Wike’s previous remarks about putting fire in PDP-governed states.
He said, “Any attempt to import the Rivers State political crisis into Bayelsa will be resisted. 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.”
