Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has counselled the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, to focus on the serious business of governance and stop raising baseless security alarms over a mega rally in support of the FCT Minister.
This comes as Wike’s aide stated that the Minister would have informed security agencies himself if he were planning to attend any rally.
Olayinka, reacting to the claim by the Bayelsa State Governor that “a mega rally and inauguration of a group loyal to the FCT Minister was being planned to hold in the state,” said: “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,” he stated.
He added that Nigerians are free to express their support for anyone, anywhere, and at any time, asking, “Is this how much the Governor is afraid of Wike? Can the Governor stop people from holding rallies in the State if they want to?”
Olayinka said that if the FCT Minister were planning to attend any political rally in Bayelsa State or elsewhere, he would inform security agencies himself, and his involvement would be evident because he is not afraid of anything.
He noted that it was ridiculous for a Governor to call Security Council and Bayelsa Elders Council meetings to discuss the suspicion of people planning a rally for Wike, asking, “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?”
Speaking further, Olayinka said it was ironic that Governor Diri did not remember that Bayelsa was not Rivers State or the FCT when he was seeking Wike’s support for his re-election.
“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.
“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. It is so obvious that some people don’t have a conscience, and it’s unfortunate.”
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