The Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa has issued an ex-parte order preventing allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from holding a planned mega rally in the state, scheduled for April 12, 2025.
Justice I.A. Uzakah, ruling on Thursday, barred the rally’s lead convener, George Turnah, and other participants from hosting or engaging in any political gathering in Bayelsa until the hearing and determination of a Motion on Notice.
The court’s decision came after Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025 was filed by the Attorney-General of Bayelsa State, Biriyai Dambo (SAN), who argued that the rally posed a significant threat to the peace and security of the state. “An order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants… from conducting, convening, coordinating, engaging in, organising, participating in, holding, hosting or facilitating any political assembly… for the purpose of solidarity, hosting and celebrating the 2nd Defendant in Bayelsa State,” the judge ruled.
The defendants in the suit include Turnah, Wike, the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command. The matter has been adjourned to April 11 for substantive hearing.
Turnah, a suspended member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had announced plans to hold a solidarity rally in support of Wike. He recently emerged as Secretary in a controversial South-South Zonal Congress held in Calabar, which was quickly disowned by the PDP’s national leadership. Subsequently, the party formed a caretaker committee, appointing Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller as secretary.
Governor Douye Diri has raised concerns about the proposed rally, describing it as a destabilizing move by suspended party figures allegedly seeking to disrupt the state’s peace. He highlighted recent unrest in Kalabari, Rivers State, during a similar pro-Wike event, where security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters. Diri warned that Bayelsa should not become the next flashpoint of political unrest.
“Any attempt to import the Rivers political crisis into Bayelsa will be resisted,” Diri stated after an emergency meeting with the Bayelsa Elders Council and the State Security Council. He also urged security agencies to remain vigilant and called on parents and traditional rulers to caution youths against being used to incite unrest.
Diri accused Turnah of participating in a “kangaroo PDP South-South Zonal Congress” and of jeopardizing the state’s peace for political gain.
