, Nyesom Wike.){kind=link}
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has been urged to concentrate on governance rather than raising unfounded security alarms over a planned mega rally in support of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Reacting to Governor Diri’s claim that a rally and the inauguration of a group loyal to Wike were being organized in Bayelsa, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the concerns as baseless.
He criticized the governor for making public security alerts over an event that, according to him, falls within the rights of individuals to assemble and express their support for any leader.
Olayinka questioned why the governor would be so concerned about Wike’s influence, stating that if the Minister intended to attend any political rally, he would personally inform security agencies.
“It is surprising that a governor, with all the security resources at his disposal, would go on national television over mere speculation about people planning a rally. Is this how afraid he is of Wike? Can he stop people from holding rallies in the state if they choose to?” Olayinka said.
He further mocked the decision to convene a Security Council and Elders Council meeting over the alleged rally, describing it as a distraction from real governance issues.
“Is this what governance in Bayelsa has been reduced to? Must Wike always be used as a scapegoat for political failures?” he asked.
Olayinka also recalled that Governor Diri once sought Wike’s support during his reelection bid, emphasizing that political relationships can shift over time.
“When Diri was seeking reelection, he was brought to Wike by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Lokpobiri, along with David Lyon. He even knelt down begging for Wike’s support, and Wike had to tell him, ‘You are a governor, don’t do that.’
“Now, the same Wike has become someone he is trying to discredit just to cover up his own shortcomings. It is unfortunate how some people quickly forget their past,” Olayinka concluded.