From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The South-South Zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), George Turnah, has said there is no going back on the April 12, 2025 rally being organised by the New Associates, Bayelsa State Chapter.
This was even as Turnah said it was speculative and cheap gossip talks that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was behind the group.
Turnah, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, said the ruling by a high court in Bayelsa did not stop the purpose for which the group is organising the rally.
Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, had frowned at the proposed rally said to be organised by supporters of Wike in the state. Diri, citing security concerns, said it was unwise and counter-productive to hold such an event at a time peace efforts were underway to address the on-going political crisis in neighbouring Rivers State, which shares close ties with Bayelsa.
Following the development, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Bayelsa State, Mr Biriyai Dambo (SAN), filed a suit at a Bayelsa State High Court and listed as the first and second defendants/respondents, the New Associates, Turnah and Wike.
The High Court, Friday, issued an order restraining the associates of Wike from holding a mega rally in the state, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The court was presided over by Justice I.A. Uzakah, who granted the motion ex-parte in Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025, stopping the proposed rally.
Turnah however said: “The court did not stop the purpose for which we had put up the rally. The court was very clear as to the purpose that they are stopping the rally.
“We had put out there and the public knows that the purpose of which we are converging on the 12th of April is to inaugurate the Bayelsa State Chapter of the New Associates and also to appreciate Mr President for his magnanimity towards the people of Bayelsa State, especially in the appointment of notable sons and daughters of Bayelsa State. It doesn’t correlate with the order that the court made.”