Turnah Responds to Diri: Ethnicity Has No Place in Politics; Rights to freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly Constitutional

George Turnah, South South Zonal Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), expressed shock and sadness over Governor Douye Diri’s recent comments regarding a planned mega rally supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The Governor suggested that Turnah was collaborating with a former Governor to create instability in the state.

Turnah asserts he has no intention of politically destabilizing Bayelsa or any other state. He leads a grassroots political movement called NEW ASSOCIATES, aimed at mobilizing support for President Tinubu’s administration in the South South Zone, devoid of ulterior motives. The organization is set to officially launch in Bayelsa on April 12, 2025, and the arrangements are in top gear to ensure a hitch-free outing, including formal notifications to relevant security organizations in the state as required by law.

Condemning the politicization of the proposed rally, Turnah maintained that ethnicity has no place in politics while assuring the Ijaw nation of his respect, loyalty, and commitment as an Ijaw man. He questioned 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 reminded Governor Diri that the Ogbia leaders and elders he has asked to call him to order were the same leaders who, in 2019, requested him not to support the Governor’s ambition at the time, a request he respectfully ignored. He clarified that he is not only a member of the PDP but also a serving Zonal Secretary of the Party in the South South, questioning which other office the Governor was accusing him of occupying if he was truly not a member of the PDP.

Expressing concern over the Governor’s anger regarding his personal choice of political association with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Turnah noted his constitutional right to freedom of association. He reminded the Governor that this was not the first time he had made personal political choices.

While acknowledging that the current disagreements within the PDP in the state are a family affair, Turnah assured that the issues would be resolved in no time. He commended the Governor on his many achievements and pledged his continued support for the prosperity administration led by Governor Diri.

Turnah therefore called on the teeming youths, women, political class across Party lines and divides as well as all lovers of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come out en mass, and show their appreciation to President Tinubu and Minister Nyesom Wike 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

Kelvin Loveday-Egbo
Media Assistant to George Turnah, MON
28th March, 2025