Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, successfully obtained a court order halting the planned inauguration and mega rally of the Bayelsa State chapter of The NEW Associates, a group reportedly aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The event was scheduled for April 12, 2025, at Tombia Roundabout in Yenagoa.
Governor Diri had previously expressed concerns about the event, alleging during a meeting with the Bayelsa Elders Council and the State Security Council that it was intended to destabilize the state.
He had directed security agencies to prevent the program from proceeding and urged community leaders to maintain vigilance.
The court order aligns with Diri’s efforts to maintain stability in Bayelsa, reflecting his administration’s stance against activities perceived as threats to the state’s peace
This development follows reports of political tensions, including the suspension of George Turnah, a key figure linked to the planned rally, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa.
Turnah had defended the event as a peaceful show of support for President Bola Tinubu and Wike.
However, with the court’s intervention, the inauguration has been effectively stalled as of the current date, April 4, 2025