Six days before the highly publicized rally planned for April 26, 2025 in Jenagoya, Bayersa State, there was a discussion on whether the event would be held as planned.
The rally organized by the New Employee Group is intended to go to the Federal Minister of Capital Territory, New Vickbut internal disputes and legal challenges are threatening its success.
Rally coordinated by key members of Bayelsa People’s Democratic Party (PDP) George Turnerhas been disturbed by the split between organizers and court bans that have stopped the incident.
A high court in Bayelsa issued an order to restrict organizers from holding rallies on the grounds that it could undermine peace in the state.
Amid legal setbacks, reports of poor financial management within the organizational group have emerged. Comrade Ogedengbe, the main member of the group, believes that he is dissatisfied with the way the funds for the assembly are managed.
According to Vanguard, Ogedengbe revealed that political leaders and federal agencies from the Niger Delta region have made significant contributions, but the way they spend has attracted attention.
“We are not satisfied with the way the money is spent. We all know how much federal agencies in the region contribute, even leaders of federal agencies in the region. We found that the group was in the name of Minister Nyesom Wike, Nyesom Wike, New Associates. New employees. My team and others want to choose their own rally because someone will choose their own personal politics,” Indicate the incoming vote.
Tensions among organizers have been brewing, with some accusing others of trying to monopolize the rally. The dispute reportedly broke out on the group’s WhatsApp platform, with members demanding transparency.
The quarrel escalated when the former state chairman of the PDP initially supported the rally, keeping distance from the organization after being phased out during the planning process.
He expressed anger at the WhatsApp platform, saying: “It doesn’t work. Please forget me. I don’t want to be used and abandoned.”
In a statement released by Turnah, he accused the infiltration of undermining progress in the rally and noted that the weeding process had begun within the group.
The Yenagoa High Court further complicates that the PDP State Working Committee confirmed Turnah’s suspension, ruling that his removal from the party’s position as regional secretary is consistent with the party’s constitution. This ruling adds another layer of complexity to an already instability in the organizational group.
As the state government owns, the tombstone roundabout remains uncertain. Governor Dira Airlines Organizers have been warned not to use any state government facilities for activities on the grounds of safety concerns. Local security forces are reportedly on high alert and the site is expected to be blocked to prevent entry. Sources indicate that organizers are considering moving the rally to Kolo, a Turnah community in the Ogbia local government area outside the state capital.
Various stakeholders in Bielsa and Niger Delta have widely condemned the rally, which critics believe will only lead to chaos and exacerbate the already tense political situation in the region.
Some have compared to the infamous Nigerian association led by the late Senator Arthur Nzeribe, which played controversially amid political unrest in the Third Republic.
Critics argue that the rally is more harmful than good to the image of President Bra Tinub’s administration, rather than to promote it as expected.
The rally was originally scheduled to be postponed to April 12, 2025 until April 26, 2025 due to internal discrepancy and gradually decreasing support.