Convener of the political pressure group New Associate in Bayelsa State, Barr. George Turnah has called on the people of Ijaw nation to throw their weight behind the reelection bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.

Turnah who doubles as the South South Zonal Secretary and acting Chairman, Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP made the call while speaking at the inaugjuration of the New Associate and “thank you” rally for the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

According to him, the love for the Ijaw people by President Tinubu led to the appointment of prominent sons and daughters of Ijaw ethnic nationality in juicy positions as well as the development of the area, adding that the people have never had it so good under any government.

He also thanked the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike for facilitating the appointment, adding the it is an indication that Wike truly loves the Ijaw people.

Turnah said: ” But for the love of the duo for the Ijaw people from various extractions, the Presidency would not have given preferential political portfolios in the federal government’s ministerial Departments and agencies(MDA) to Ijaws even though the ethnic nationality produced bulk of the natural resources for the economic mainstay of the nation, noting that the reason for the event was which was attended across party lines was to say ‘thank you’ to the two political leaders, stressing that to ‘whom much is given, much was expected’.

“I’m of the PDP, but I’ve decided to support and work for President Tinubu for what he is doing for the Ijaw nation, Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general. President Tinubu has given Bayelsans and other Ijaws across the Niger Delta region several juicy political appointments. He appointed our brother and son, Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of Petroleum even though former President Mohammadu Buhari had appointed a Bayelsans as Petroleum Minister in his government.

“Apart from the Petroleum Minister, Tinubu has also appointed Ijaw sons, Chief Boma Iyaye as Execution Director Finance, and Dr Samuel Ogbuku as Managing-Director and CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission”, he said. Though former President Buhari had appointed Ogbuku initially in acting capacity, but when President Tinubu came, even after sacking all board members of the Commission, he still kept our brother, the MD and upon the completion of his tenure in Acting capacity, the President again reappointed him as substantive MD/CEO.

“But there’s one Man who has made all these appointments for Ijaws possible. He is the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Ijaw people, Bayelsans are we not enjoying these appointments? Has the NDDC not lite up the entire Niger Delta region? Are you not feeling the impact of the Ogbuku-led NDDC? So for me and all the members of the New Associates we’ve decided to support President Tinubu for a second tenure so that our state and region can benefit more from his government.

“We want Governor Douye Diri to tell us his stand on the forthcoming 2027 General election. He should tell us whether he is supporting the President or not. If he’s supporting the President, we’ll work with him. After all Diri was the first Governor from the South-South zone that has benefitted from the President’s magnanimity during the 2023 elections and even in terms of infrastructure projects and appointments of Bayelsans at the Federal level”.

Turnah condemned in strong terms the invasion of the inaugjuration/ thank you rally ground by yet to identified gunmen.

He commended security operatives for their timely response, noting that the plan of detractors has been defeated as forces loyal to certain individuals in the state never wanted the rally to hold as scheduled.

Trouble started at the preparatory points to commence the event, when gunmen unleashed terror through sporadic gunshots from a farm close to the venue of the event, maiming unsuspecting spectators and party faithful across party lines.

Calm was however restored after swift response by the Nigeria Police force and other security agencies which enabled the event to go on.

In his speech, Chairman of the occasion, and leader, Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress(RIPCO), Senator George Sekibo, lauded President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for their love and friendship with the Ijaw People.

Senator Sekibo was represented by former Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Dr Roland Sekibo, saying the ‘New Associates’political forum was to galvanize support for the President for his 2027 election.

He said while President Tinubu has performed well as Nigeria’s leader, the FCT Minister, Wike has continued to show leadership from the federal level after showing the same in Rivers State while serving as Governor.

He said: ‘I like to thank the convener of the New Associates political forum in Bayelsa State, Barr. George Turnah, MON and the Coordinators for standing firm in spite of threats from highly placed political leaders not to hold this event.

“Love is not theoretically but must be expressed which explains why they have gathered to celebrate their Excellencies, President Tinubu and Barr. Ezewon Nyesom Wike for the various roles they have played and have continued to play to ensure the appointment of Ijaws sons and daughters to positions of trust and authority at the federal level.

“The New Associates is in synergy with President Tinubu and will continue to follow directives from the FCT Minister who has openly declared support for Mr. President”