Diri Accused by PDP Faction of Firing Aides for Attending Pro-Wike Rally

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By John Obe.



The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee in Bayelsa State has accused Governor Douye Diri of firing his aides for attending the rally of New Associates, a political platform advocating for the FCT minister and President Bola Tinubu's second term. 

George Turnah, a former aide of Mr. Diri, is the South-South zonal secretary of the PDP and the chairperson of the party's caretaker committee in Bayelsa. 

The governor is also a member of the PDP and is acknowledged by the party headquarters as the party's Bayelsa leader. Mr. Diri does not acknowledge Mr. Turnah's faction of the PDP.

Since Rivers State, where Mr. Wike is from, is under emergency rule, Mr. Diri had barred the protest on the grounds that he did not want the turmoil there to spread to his state.  

However, Mr. Turnah redoubled his efforts to hold the demonstration.  He changed the rally's original date, stating that he was following the request of several state elders to do so after "several pro-Diri and pro-Tambuwal" groups sent out notices of a rally in support of their leaders at the precise time and location set aside for Mr. Wike's rally. 

The gathering was eventually held last Saturday despite gunmen's attempts to break it up.

According to witnesses, security personnel repulsed the gunmen who fired rounds at the event when they emerged from the surrounding bushes.

Derri Wright, the state's PDP Caretaker Committee Secretary, claimed in a statement on Thursday that Mr. Diri fired his aids for attending the New Associates rally. He sent the governor a list of 27 aides he claimed Mr. Diri had fired for attending the pro-Wike event.  "The Bayelsa State PDP firmly condemns Governor Diri's recent decision to fire his political aides after they took part in the opening of the Bayelsa State Chapter of The New Associates, a grassroots political movement.

“This unjust action is an alarming demonstration of intolerance and high-handedness that undermines the democratic values we hold dear,” he said.

"A severe breach of trust and an affront to democratic participation" is how Mr. Wright characterized the dismissal.  He urged the governor to change his "troubling decision" and adopt the values of open communication, respect, and inclusivity.  Irorodamie Komonibo, Mr. Diri's deputy chief of staff, instructed the secretary to the state government in the letter of termination of appointment dated April 23 to suspend all benefits for the fired aides and to take back any government property they may have.  The appointments were terminated without explanation.  

Mr. Diri has claimed on multiple occasions that Mr. Turnah was not a PDP member in the state, citing the suspension of his former assistant by the party.

Daniel Alabrah, his spokesperson, added that Mr. Turnah was prohibited by a state court from posing as a PDP member.  According to him, the court upheld Mr. Turnah's suspension while the case was being decided.  Additionally, Mr. Alabrah stated that a court had prohibited Mr. Turnah from hosting the state's pro-Wike demonstration until the case was resolved.

John Obe

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