Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has vowed to resist any attempt to bring the Rivers State political crisis into Bayelsa. He accused certain individuals of trying to spread instability and promised to crush such efforts.
In a statement on Thursday, his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, warned that the state government would not tolerate any threat to peace. He urged security agencies, traditional rulers, and youth leaders to remain vigilant and expose any plans to incite unrest.
Diri’s warning followed intelligence reports about a planned rally and the inauguration of a group loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. He cautioned that such activities, given the rising ethnic tensions in Rivers, could trigger unnecessary conflicts in Bayelsa.
“Any attempt to import the Rivers State crisis into Bayelsa will be resisted,” Diri stated. “I urge security commanders to stay alert. Parents and community leaders must also prevent their children from being used to cause trouble.”
Additionally, he stressed that no state-owned facility could host political gatherings without government approval.
Bayelsa’s Peace Should Not Be Mistaken for Weakness
Diri emphasized that the Ijaw people value peace but will not tolerate threats to their homeland.
“This is not Rivers State. Bayelsa is the heart of the Ijaw nation. We are peaceful, but that does not mean we are weak. We will always stand for the truth,” he asserted.
He also accused the FCT Minister of threatening PDP-led states and attempting to divide the party in Bayelsa.
“We have a renegade within our party, George Turner, who is trying to create a parallel PDP structure with support from a former governor,” Diri revealed. “The party suspended him for gross misconduct, yet he continues to push a destabilization agenda.”
Reaffirming his commitment to maintaining stability, Diri warned that any external interference in Bayelsa’s politics would face strong resistance.
