From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The NEW Associates, a pro-President Bola Tinubu political group, defied an attack by gunmen on Saturday to hold a rally in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The group praised Tinubu for his development efforts in Bayelsa and the Niger Delta.
Comprising supporters of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, the group also thanked Wike for facilitating key appointments of Ijaw individuals.
The event, held at the Church of God Mission Camp Ground in Igbogene, near the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Delta Safe headquarters, was disrupted by five gunmen. They entered from a forest behind the stage, firing shots that caused panic. Several people were injured while fleeing.
Police and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives engaged the gunmen in a 10-minute battle, forcing them to retreat. JTF soldiers later combed the area to prevent further attacks. A physically disabled man and a woman, both shot, along with other injured attendees, were taken to hospital.
Ebilade Ekerefe, secretary of NEW Associates and former Ijaw Youth Council spokesman, condemned the attack on a peaceful gathering. He vowed that no intimidation would deter their support for Tinubu’s re-election, citing his infrastructure projects in the Niger Delta.
Similarly, lead convener George Turnah expressed shock at the attack, alleging it was orchestrated by rally opponents. He revealed that his Yenagoa home, planned for guest reception, was also targeted. “There is no going back on the decision to support the re-election of President Tinubu and support Wike for their contribution to the development of Bayelsa and Niger Delta region,” Turnah stated.
Turnah, the South-South Zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bayelsa PDP caretaker committee chairman, listed key Ijaw appointments under Tinubu, including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (Minister of Petroleum), Dr Samuel Ogbuku (NDDC Managing Director), Dame Didi Walson-Jack (Head of Service), Emomotimi Agama (SEC Director-General), and Prince Ebitimi Amgbare (Niger Delta River Basin Authority MD/CEO). He praised Wike as a pragmatic leader and friend of the Ijaw nation, dedicated to development.
Furthermore, Turnah noted that Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River have declared support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election. He challenged Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri to clarify his stance. Senator Thompson Sekibo, represented by Hon Rowland Sekibo, and Chief Ferdinard Alabrabra, represented by Chief Henry Ogiri, condemned the attack and urged continued support for Tinubu and Wike.