The New Associates, a group loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said they will proceed with the mega rally slated for April 12 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, despite a State High Court restraining order.

The leader of the group, George Turnah, speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, accused the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, for using blatant falsehoods to turn him against the people and the Ijaw nation, inciting hatred and violence.

He clarified that the group never planned to host Minister Nyesom Wike in Bayelsa, noting that any federal minister visiting a state requires government-to-government communication and disclosure to relevant security authorities.

The proposed rally had sparked tension in Bayelsa State, while the governor made it clear on Tuesday during the 158th State Executive Council meeting in Yenagoa that he would not permit the event to proceed.

He explained that although his administration is not opposed to rallies in principle, it would be “unwise and counter-productive” to hold such an event at a time when peace efforts were underway to address the ongoing political crisis in neighboring Rivers State, which shares close ties with Bayelsa. I

On Thursday, Justice I.A. Uzakah of the Bayelsa State High Court granted an ex-parte motion in Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025, halting the proposed rally.

The enrolled court order states that: “An order of the interim injunction is hereby made or granted restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, associates, privies, representatives (or any person whatsoever acting at their behest), from conducting, convening, coordinating, engaging in, organizing, participating in, holding, hosting, or facilitating any political assembly, rally meeting, or gathering within Bayelsa State, forthe purpose of solidarity, hosting, and celebrating the 2nd Defendant in Bayelsa State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

In response, Turnah stated that their rally is not intended for the purpose outlined by the court and emphasized that they will only comply with a court order that accurately reflects the purpose of their rally.

“Our rally is not for these purposes. Our rally is for inaugurating a group called and known as the TNA Bayelsa State Chapter and to thank and appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing notable sons and daughters of Bayelsa State to positions of trust in the country.

“So, it is the purpose the court order captured. In fact, the purpose for which we want to hold our rally is not captured in this order. So, if you look at the order, it does not affect us. Therefore, we are going ahead with the rally.

“We are proceeding, pending when we see an order restraining us from showing solidarity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and for the purpose of inaugurating the TNA Bayelsa State Chapter. We will comply and know what to do. But as of today, there is no court order stopping the purpose for which our rally on April 12 is called.”


https://punchng.com/we-will-proceed-with-pro-tinubu-rally-in-bayelsa-pro-wike-group/