- Party secretariat deserted
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Chairman, caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State, George Turnah, has vowed to reposition the party towards cohesion.
Turnah, who also doubles as the South-South zonal secretary, stated this while accepting his role as the caretaker committee chairman, promising to implement substantial reforms, including an enhanced welfare package for members of the State Working Committee, local government, and ward executives.
Turnah, in a press statement by his Media Assistant, Kelvin Loveday—Egbo, expressed gratitude to the National Vice Chairman of the Party in the South-South, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, and the South-South Zonal Working Committee for the trust placed in him.
While assuring that he would carry out his responsibilities with utmost respect, humility, and sincerity, he emphasised that his primary focus would be to reposition the party to secure victories in all elections in Bayelsa State in 2027.
Turnah indicated that he would consult with stakeholders regarding the need for a more suitable state Secretariat for the party, stressing that he would not be operating from the Super Lodge in Government House, Yenagoa, where his predecessor had been based for the past five years.
According to him, operating from within the Government House Lodge would restrict his accessibility to party members seeking his attention daily and hinder stakeholders’ engagement needed for effective party coordination.
He also emphasized that his leadership will prioritize increased engagement and consultation with stakeholders while fostering discipline within the Party.
Turnah pledged to maintain an open-door policy aimed at uniting the Party and enhancing collaboration among its members.
Meanwhile, at the party secretariat along Isaac Boro Express Road was deserted as the usual human traffic was missing.
Aside from the party’s bus used to convey members for events, which is normally parked at the secretariat, there were four other cars belonging to some visitors inside the premises.
A source said party officials are at another venue holding a meeting on the state of the party, especially with the news of the dissolution of the State Working Committee.
Investigations revealed that the push back by the embattled Solomon Agwana led State Working Committee to label the Dan Orbih led Zonal Working Committee illegal, which lacks the powers to dissolve it has been punctured by the Court Judgment delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo on April 4th, which listed the Dan Orbih led ZWC as the authentic zonal leadership.