George Turnah, the convener of the NEW Associates, a pro-Wike grassroots support group backing President Bola Tinubu, has called on Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to openly declare his position regarding the 2027 presidential elections.

Speaking during the inauguration of the NEW Associates at the Church of God Mission Camp Ground in Igbogene, Yenagoa, on Saturday, Turnah emphasized that Diri had benefitted immensely from the Tinubu administration more than any other South-South governor.

Turnah, who also serves as the Zonal Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South, told his supporters that their alignment would depend on Diri’s declared support.

He stated, “His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, should declare to us now his stance on the 2027 election. We want him to tell us who he wants to support.

“If he says he will support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then we will align with him, but if he decides to support any other group, we are already supporting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, who is the number one supporter of the president.”

Turnah noted that other states in the South-South had already made their positions known. “Diri is the greatest beneficiary of Tinubu.

“Cross River has declared, Akwa Ibom has declared. Delta has declared, and of course, Edo is already there. Rivers State, something is going on, but Bayelsa, we don’t know,” he said.

“He should not delay. Let him tell us where Bayelsa is. If it’s Mr President, we will follow him, but if he wants to align himself with any other group, we will not support him,” Turnah added.

The event had earlier faced disruption when unknown gunmen shot into the gathering from nearby bushes.

However, a joint team of policemen, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps operatives, and the Department of State Security swiftly intervened to restore calm.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported, although a female participant narrowly escaped harm when a bullet grazed the back of her jacket after deflecting off an iron rod, according to eyewitness accounts.

Security around the Tombia Roundabout, originally announced as the venue for the rally on April 12, was visibly tightened with heavily armed policemen in riot gear.

Organizers had postponed the rally to April 26 to avoid clashing with planned pro-Diri and pro-Tambuwal rallies.

However, those alternative rallies also failed to hold, and no official reasons were given at the time of filing this report.

Ahead of the 2027 elections, leaders of the old Aba political division in Abia State, primarily from the Ukwa-Ngwa clan, have called on the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, to contest for the governorship seat.

Citing his impressive legislative track record, the leaders expressed their confidence in Kalu’s ability to transform the state.

Ukwa-Ngwa, a powerful political bloc, comprises nine out of Abia’s 17 local government areas, spanning Abia South and Abia Central zones.

The areas include Obingwa, Isiala-Ngwa South, Isiala-Ngwa North, Osisioma, Aba North, Aba South, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East, and Ukwa West.

During a courtesy visit to Kalu in Umuahia on Thursday, Elder Godwin Nna, a former commissioner and Chairman of Obingwa Local Government Council, highlighted the urgency for APC to take over Abia State.

“We want to beg you, the state chairman and other well-meaning Abians who are APC members that we all from Aba division, Ukwa la Ngwa have come here today to tell you that our people say that we want take over Abia State in totality.”

“APC wants to take over Abia State in totality. There is no way we can have people like you, and very many others that will make things happen without taking over this State. If there is any time APC will not govern this State, it will not be this time.”

“That is what we came here to tell you. We know you have the capacity in mobilizing the people of Abia State to get to the Promised Land. If there is any other person that is looking for this, that is not ready, let him give a chance for any other person that has the interest of this party. That’s the reason we came here. Thanks sir,” Nna said.

Supporting this call, Rt. Hon. Uzo Azubuike, a former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and former federal lawmaker, praised Kalu’s achievements and mobilization capacity.

“We, the Ukwa Ngwa people are very proud of you. As a former Legislator, I am in a position to assess your performance and I can tell the world that you are excellent in every aspect of it. Our Letter has named some people you facilitated their appointments.”

“We are grateful and if you do more, we will be more grateful. We give you the assurance that come 2027, by the grace of God, you can go and sleep as far as Ukwa Ngwa area is concerned. We are out to work and we are going to work,” Azubuike stated.

Also speaking, former Abia Commissioner for Information, Sir Don Ubani, expressed gratitude to Kalu for empowering people from the region.

“Your Excellency, we came to say thank you. We have seen our people you have empowered and that has brought honour to Abia State and indeed, Igbo land. We appreciate it. But we also want to play Oliver Twist,” Ubani said.

Responding, Deputy Speaker Kalu called for the full backing of Ukwa-Ngwa people, assuring them of his commitment to leading the APC to victory in the coming election cycle.

Meanwhile, another political group, the Uwaoma Support Group, led by Hon. Abraham Obah, a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly, also pledged their loyalty and support during a separate courtesy visit.

“We have heard what you said. You want us to support the party fully especially at the national level. You want us to vote for President Tinubu.’

“The assurance I will give you is that we are going to support you fully. I am 100% sure APC will do well in Aba North and Aba South Local Government Areas this time around based on your performance,” Obah declared.

Kalu, while responding to the group, assured them of his full support toward strengthening APC’s base in Aba.

“The strategic movement to reposition APC in Aba is a step in the right direction. We will support you to make sure that APC is stronger in Aba. I grew up in Aba. I am an Aba boy. I schooled there, did business there. We will shutdown Aba when the time comes,” he said.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has downplayed the significance of recent defections from the party, stating that there is no cause for alarm following the departure of the PDP’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and other party stalwarts to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While acknowledging that the PDP would “surely miss” those who have left, the former Senate President maintained that their exit would not weaken the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.

Describing the defections as “a blessing in disguise,” Wabara predicted that the APC would face internal crisis soon.

“The PDP will laugh last because very soon, there will be implosion in the APC. Those people joining the APC will soon want to displace the party members who have built the APC over the years. The displaced APC members will look for where to go, and they will simply come over to the PDP,” he said.

Speaking with Vanguard, Wabara said he was unsurprised by the high-profile defections, noting that “decampment in politics is not unusual.”

He attributed the departures to various factors such as political survival, disillusionment with the electoral process, and the desire for a second term.

“It was expected, and I think we should expect more. But there’s nothing to worry about. That’s politics. We long expected such defections and we know the reason: Some are doing so for second tenure, and some for protection,” Wabara explained.

He stressed that despite the movements, the 2027 elections would not be a walkover for the APC. According to him, Nigerians have suffered enough and would use their votes wisely to demand change.

“It’s a movement of the leadership and not the followership. Even at that, I have it on good authority that not all the leaders are moving to APC. At the fullness of time, Nigerians will decide. Nigerians will decide the 2027 presidential election, not parties,” he asserted.

Wabara further argued that the lack of confidence in the electoral umpire is also driving political figures towards the ruling party, as they seek to safeguard their political ambitions.

“Those people defecting know that in 2027, the outcome of the election may not reflect the true will of the people. They may be afraid that the results of the elections may be compromised but Nigerians will not allow such broad-day robbery again.”

“The idea of the electoral body writing and announcing any results and asking aggrieved parties to go to court will not work again.”

“Nigerians will vigorously resist anything undemocratic because this country must be made to work for the good of all,” he warned.

He suggested that some defectors believe the APC may allow a token number of opposition victories to give an illusion of electoral credibility, but maintained that the 2027 contest would essentially be a battle between Nigerians and the APC.

“The fear of the decampees is that the APC might want to give one or two states to the opposition to create the impression that the election was democratic.”

“But the bitter truth is that the 2027 election will be between the APC and Nigerians determined to rescue their country from political hijackers,” he said.

Reflecting on the political shifts in Delta State, Wabara lamented that such defections might not have occurred if the late Ijaw elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark, were still alive.

“I really mourn the death of Pa Edwin Clark because if he were to be alive, this political rascality in Delta wouldn’t have taken place. Even though Pa Clark was not a card-carrying member of the PDP, he was not in support of the APC policies and Government.”

“The Ijaws in Delta PDP wouldn’t have disrespected Pa Edwin Clark by taking that decision,” he stated.

Despite the setbacks, Wabara remained optimistic about the PDP’s future.

He said that the party would rebound and rebuild its structures with the commitment of those who have remained loyal.

“There’s no stopping anybody who wants to leave the PDP. We know their reasons. They bother on protection and second term. But those who remain will support the on-going genuine efforts to rebuild PDP into a winning force before 2027,” he affirmed.

Again accusing President Bola Tinubu of attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, Wabara warned that undermining the opposition would endanger the country’s democracy.

“I have earlier warned against Tinubu turning Nigeria into one-party state and it’s all coming to pass now. He has no apologies for that, and this is not good for our democracy,” he said.

He urged PDP members nationwide to stay resilient and focus on strengthening the party’s structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

Gunmen suspected to be politically sponsored thugs disrupted the pro-Wike rally and inauguration of the NEW Associates group on Saturday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The rally, organized by supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was aimed at appreciating President Bola Tinubu for appointing sons and daughters of the state to key positions, while also declaring support for Wike, who serves as the group’s grand patron.

Initially scheduled for April 12, the event had to be postponed to April 26 after supporters of Governor Douye Diri fixed their own rally for the same date and venue. Although both groups later rescheduled, tensions remained high.

Supporters of the NEW Associates, who had gathered early at the Church of God Mission Camp arena by 8am, were already seated when gunmen suddenly emerged from the nearby creeks and bushes, firing sporadically.

The sudden attack caused panic as supporters fled for safety.

Security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) quickly engaged the assailants, pushing them back and combing surrounding areas to prevent further incidents.

Following the attack, the Secretary of NEW Associates and former spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, blamed the state government for attempting to disrupt their peaceful gathering.

He vowed that the rally would continue.

He said “How will somebody go after the law abiding citizens of Nigeria, particularly Ijaw youths, who have gathered to associate politically, we are not here to cause any trouble, we are here to express our supports, solidarity to the President and Commander-in-Chief.”

Similarly, Dr. Pabara Igwele, the immediate past Commissioner of Health in Bayelsa State, described the gathering as a peaceful event and accused those trying to instill fear of doing so for political motives.

He vowed to continue the rally despite the earlier attack.

Meanwhile, undeterred supporters have regrouped and continued with the rally.

Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, representing Yobe South Senatorial District, has dismissed allegations of irregularities concerning the execution of constituency projects in his district.

The senator reacted after officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), led by Mr. Laban Emmanuel, visited the site of a borehole project and a 300KVA/11KV transformer facilitated under his constituency initiatives.

According to the ICPC team, the borehole, supposedly located in Sabongari, Nangere Local Government Area, and the transformer donated to the College of Administration, Potiskum, might have been stolen.

Responding through his Legislative and Media Aide, Abubakar Madu Bukar, Senator Bomai maintained that he bore no responsibility for any alleged irregularities.

‘‘For the avoidance of doubt, a handover note shows the Contractor Giohen Global Concept Nig. Ltd. that handled the ICT Project at CAMTECH Potiskum has duly supplied and delivered the 300 KVA/11KV transformer facilitated by Senator Ibrahim Mohammad Bomai.”

‘‘However, after the delivery of the transformer, the College realizing that its capacity was not compatible with the power supply to its ICT Centre agreed with the Yobe State Rural Electrification Board (REB) to exchange the transformer with one that is compatible with the power supply to the ICT Centre.

‘‘The decision and action on the exchange of the transformer were solely between CAMTECH and the Yobe State REB, and Senator Bomai was not either involved or privy to this arrangement.

‘‘On the borehole-related issues regarding the report by the paper on incomplete work, installation of under-capacity generators (6.5KV instead of 12.5KV), and misplacement of project locations, are the responsibility of the contractor and that has also nothing to do with the Senator.

‘‘It is therefore spurious to link the irregularities on those water projects to Senator Ibrahim Bomai as those projects were awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works and have nothing to do with constituency projects of the Senator and he bears no responsibility for these irregularities’’ Senator said.