The South-South zonal secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), George Turnah, has assured that a proposed mega rally in support of President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, slated for Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, was not to cause chaos in the State.
He also defended his association with Wike, declaring that there is a right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly in Nigeria.
Turnah, in a statement by his media assistant, Kelvin Loveday, on Friday, allayed fears in government quarters over the rally, stating that there was no intention to destabilise Bayelsa State.
He assured the Ijaw nation of his respect, loyalty, and commitment as an Ijaw man, stressing that his political group was only interested in mobilising support for President Tinubu’s administration in the South-South Zone, devoid of ulterior motives.
According to him, the political group, The New Associates, will be officially launched in Bayelsa State on April 12, 2025, adding that arrangements were in top gear to ensure a hitch-free outing, including formal notifications to relevant security agencies in the State as required by law.
Turnah frowned at the undue politicalisation of the proposed rally, maintaining that ethnicity has no place in politics.
On his election as the PDP Zonal Secretary, he queried why it was problematic if he occupied a position meant for a son of the soil of Bayelsa or Ijaw, wondering if he was not qualified to do so.
Turnah reiterated that he is not only a member of the PDP but also a serving Zonal Secretary of the Party in the South-South zone, wondering which other office he was being accused of occupying if he was truly not a member of the PDP.
Turnah commended Govenor Douye Diri on his many achievements and pledged his continued support for the Prosperity administration led by Governor Diri.
He, therefore, called on the teeming youths, women, political class across party lines and all lovers of President Tinubu to come out en-masse, and show their appreciation to the President and FCT Minister for their special love for Bayelsa State and Ijaw nation, clearly demonstrated through the facilitation and appointment of notable Bayelsans into positions of trust in the Renewed Hope administration.
