Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has been advised to prioritize governance rather than raising what has been described as baseless security concerns over a planned rally in support of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Reacting to Governor Diri’s claim that a group loyal to Wike was organizing a rally and inauguration event in Bayelsa, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the concerns, labeling them as unfounded.
He criticized the governor for making public statements over an event that falls within the democratic rights of individuals to assemble and express their political support. Olayinka questioned why Diri appeared so unsettled by Wike’s influence, emphasizing that if the FCT Minister planned to attend any political rally, he would personally notify security agencies.
“It is surprising that a governor with access to security intelligence would go on national television over mere speculation about a rally. Is Wike’s influence so intimidating to him? Can he stop people from gathering in the state if they choose to?” Olayinka asked.
He further ridiculed the decision to convene a Security Council and Elders Council meeting over the matter, calling it a distraction from pressing governance issues.
“Is this what leadership in Bayelsa has been reduced to? Must Wike always be used as a scapegoat for political failures?” he added.
Olayinka also recalled how Governor Diri had previously sought Wike’s support during his reelection bid, noting how political allegiances shift over time.
“When he was running for reelection, he was introduced to Wike by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Lokpobiri, alongside David Lyon. He even went as far as kneeling in appeal for Wike’s backing, and Wike had to remind him, ‘You are a governor, don’t do that.’
“Now, that same Wike is the one he is trying to discredit to mask his own inadequacies. It is unfortunate how quickly people forget,” Olayinka concluded.
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