Wike’s Aide Slams Bayelsa Governor Over ‘Baseless’ Security Alert, Accuses Him Of Disparaging FCT Minister After ‘Kneeling Down’ To Beg For His Support
The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, has dismissed Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri’s recent security alert over a planned pro-Wike rally.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, has dismissed Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri’s recent security alert over a planned pro-Wike rally.
He described the claim as shamefully baseless.
Governor Diri had raised the alarm, claiming that a mega rally in support of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was being planned in Bayelsa, prompting him to convene emergency meetings with the State Security Council and Bayelsa Elders Council.
Diri, in a statement issued on Thursday through his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, warned that the state government would not condone any act that would disrupt the peace of the state.
According to the statement, the governor spoke on the issue at separate meetings with the Bayelsa Elders Council and at the 37th session of the state security council.
He warned that a planned mega rally and inauguration of a group loyal to Wike was capable of igniting an avoidable crisis in the state.
Diri noted that a suspended member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), George Turner, had been enlisted to create factions in the state chapter of the party.
Reacting in a statement on Friday, Olayinka described the governor’s action as a desperate attempt to cover up his “failure in governance and politics.”
“That alarm is shamefully baseless! It is so unfortunate that a governor with all the security apparatus available to him could go on national television on mere suspicion of people planning a rally, which is their right to hold,” Olayinka said.
He questioned why Governor Diri was allegedly afraid of Wike, asking, “Can the governor stop people from holding rallies in the state if they want to?”
Olayinka insisted that if Wike intended to attend any political rally in Bayelsa or elsewhere, he would personally inform security agencies, adding that the minister had nothing to fear.
“Is this how childish governance in Bayelsa State has become? Must he use Wike as a cover-up for his failure in governance and politics?” he asked.
The FCT minister’s aide also recalled how Diri had allegedly sought Wike’s support during his re-election bid, claiming the governor knelt before the minister to beg for backing.
“When he was seeking re-election, this same Diri was brought to Wike like a thief in the night. He was brought by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Lokpobiri. David Lyon came with him then,” Olayinka stated.
“As he was kneeling down, begging Wike to support him, Wike was telling him, ‘No, don’t do that, you’re a governor, don’t do that.’ Shamefully, the same Wike has now become someone he goes about disparaging just to cover up his inadequacies.”
Olayinka concluded by accusing Governor Diri of lacking conscience and using Wike as a distraction from his governance challenges.
