••Turnah Appointment Signals Wike’s Growing Influence, Deepens Rift with Bayelsa Governor.
By John Samuel.
George Turnah, a staunch ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has been appointed chairperson of the caretaker committee tasked with overseeing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, escalating the existing political tension between Mr. Wike and Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri.
The PDP South-South Zonal Working Committee, in a statement released Tuesday, announced Mr. Turnah’s appointment, citing “various acts of gross misconduct” by the dissolved State Working Committee as the reason for the dissolution. The statement, signed by PDP zonal spokesperson Prince Isong, also detailed the appointment of a new caretaker committee for the party in Edo State.
“The Zonal Working Committee took these decisions in the best interest of the Party after a careful review of the activities of the Party in both States in line with the Constitution of the Party as amended in 2017,” Mr. Isong stated, emphasizing the committee’s commitment to strengthening the party’s foundation and ensuring effective leadership.
Mr. Turnah, who previously served as an executive assistant to Governor Diri, has since aligned himself with Mr. Wike. His appointment is seen as a significant demonstration of Mr. Wike’s expanding influence within the PDP, particularly in the South-South region. Notably, Mr. Turnah was the driving force behind a planned mega rally in Bayelsa for the FCT minister, which was ultimately postponed.
This appointment further fuels the ongoing political discord between Mr. Wike and Governor Diri. Prior to his appointment, Governor Diri had publicly declared that Mr. Turnah was no longer a member of the PDP in Bayelsa and vehemently opposed Mr. Wike’s planned rally, citing concerns about importing the political instability of Rivers State into Bayelsa.
“As you are aware, we have threats from our sister state. The political crisis there is threatening us, and we will not allow what is happening there to come to Bayelsa State,” Governor Diri stated last month, urging security agencies to remain vigilant.
Mr. Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, dismissed Governor Diri’s security concerns as unfounded, asserting the right of Nigerians to express their political support freely.
The political dynamics between the two states are historically intertwined, as Bayelsa was carved out of Rivers State in 1996. Mr. Wike’s ongoing political battle with his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, in Rivers State has drawn widespread condemnation, including criticism from Governor Diri, who objected to President Bola Tinubu’s proposed intervention.
The appointment of Mr. Turnah as Bayelsa PDP caretaker chairperson raises questions about the future of the party in the state and the potential for further escalation in the existing political rift between the two influential figures.
