‘It can ignite crisis’ — Diri warns against planned rally by pro-Wike group in Bayelsa

Douye Diri, the governor of Bayelsa, says a planned rally by a group loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of federal capital territory, could ignite a crisis in the state. 

Diri spoke while addressing the Bayelsa Elders Council at the 37th session of the state security council on Thursday.

The governor claimed that a suspended member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa had been enlisted to create a faction of the party in the state.

He added that such gatherings in Bayelsa, along with the political crisis happening in neighbouring Rivers, could lead to unrest.

“Any attempt to import the Rivers state political crisis into Bayelsa will be resisted,” Diri said.

“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.

“As you are aware, we have threats from our sister state. The political crisis there is threatening us, and we will not allow what is happening there to come into Bayelsa state.

“We had in our party a renegade who has decided to form a parallel PDP in Bayelsa state, working with an ex-governor.

“The party in our state suspended him for gross misconduct, and for now he is not a member of our party in Bayelsa state.

“He was a part of the kangaroo PDP south-south zonal congress that was rejected by the national working committee of our party, and he is threatening the peace of this 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.

“Every public facility owned by the Bayelsa state government cannot be used except with the express approval of the state government.”

A prolonged political crisis in Rivers took a new turn early this month when President Bola Tinubu declared an emergency rule in the state.

The president also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, the state governor; Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and members of the state assembly.

Tinubu nominated Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, to administer the state.

The crisis has continued to threaten violence, with the police arresting suspects who were attempting to vandalise pipelines.

Diri is one of the handful of PDP governors who have condemned the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers.