Yenagoa, March 29, 2025
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has sparked a political firestorm after vehemently opposing a planned mega rally in support of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, warning that the event could destabilize the state amid escalating tensions in neighboring Rivers State. The move has drawn sharp rebukes from Wike’s camp, further exposing deepening rifts in the Niger Delta’s political landscape .
Governor’s Security Alert
During emergency meetings with the Bayelsa Elders Council and the State Security Council on March 27, Diri raised alarms that the rally organized by a suspended PDP member and an ex-governor could "import" Rivers’ political crisis into Bayelsa. Key points from his address:
- Threat of Violence: Diri linked the rally to Wike’s alleged threat to "cause crisis in PDP-governed states," citing the ongoing emergency rule in Rivers as a cautionary example .
- Ethnic Tensions: He emphasized Bayelsa’s status as the "cradle of Ijaw people," warning that the rally could provoke ethnic clashes, especially with Ijaw-backed Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara under suspension .
- Facility Lockdown: The governor barred use of state-owned venues without government approval and urged parents to prevent youths from being "used by unscrupulous elements" .
Wike’s Camp Fires Back
FCT Minister Wike, through his aide Lere Olayinka, dismissed Diri’s concerns as "shamefully baseless," accusing the governor of fabricating crises to mask governance failures. Olayinka’s rebuttal included:
- Rights Violation: Asserted Nigerians’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly and questioned Diri’s "childish" reliance on security meetings over "mere rumors" .
- Political Hypocrisy: Revealed Diri had previously "knelt before Wike" to seek re-election support, branding his current stance as betrayal .
Broader Political Context
The clash underscores:
1. PDP’s Fragmentation: Wike, though PDP, actively collaborates with Tinubu’s APC, while Diri condemns the Rivers emergency rule as anti-democratic .
2. 2027 Calculations: Analysts suggest Tinubu may leverage Wike to weaken PDP strongholds in the South-South ahead of the next polls .
Security Preparations
Bayelsa police and traditional rulers have heightened surveillance, though no formal rally permits have been revoked. The state’s security council reiterated zero tolerance for unrest .
Why It Matters: This confrontation tests Niger Delta stability, with potential spillover effects on national politics. Observers warn that unchecked rhetoric could escalate into violence .
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Key Takeaways:
- Diri frames the rally as an existential threat to Bayelsa’s peace, while Wike’s camp sees it as political persecution.
- The feud reflects wider PDP-APC power struggles and ethnic loyalties in the oil-rich region.
- Security agencies walk a tightrope between upholding free speech and preventing unrest.
