Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri recently cautioned against importing Rivers State’s political turmoil, specifically addressing a planned rally by allies of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
During Thursday’s 37th Security Council meeting, he prioritized protecting Bayelsa’s stability, urging vigilance against destabilizing forces.
Furthermore, Diri accused a suspended PDP member of collaborating with a former governor to fracture the party.
He warned that such factionalism, combined with Rivers’ ongoing crisis, risks triggering chaos in Bayelsa.
“Any attempt to replicate Rivers’ conflict here will face resistance,” he declared, directing security agencies to monitor threats closely.
Additionally, the governor urged parents and traditional leaders to dissuade youths from participating in violence.
“Bayelsa’s peace is non-negotiable,” he asserted, stressing that public facilities require state approval for gatherings.
Detailing the suspended member’s actions, Diri condemned an unauthorized PDP zonal congress, which the party’s national committee later rejected.
Meanwhile, Rivers State’s crisis intensified after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspending
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and lawmakers.
Tinubu appointed retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas to administer the state, escalating tensions marked by pipeline vandalism threats and arrests.
However, Diri emphasized Bayelsa’s distinct identity: “We are Ijaw’s homeland.
Peace reflects strength, not weakness.” He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to block external conflicts, stating, “We defend truth courageously.”
Criticizing the federal government’s emergency rule in Rivers, Diri joined PDP leaders in condemning the move as overreach.
He argued such interventions risk normalizing political instability across the Niger Delta.
As tensions persist, Bayelsa’s government remains focused on dialogue and preemptive security measures.
Diri reiterated partnerships with law enforcement to isolate agitators, ensuring crises “remain confined to their origins.”
The governor’s warnings highlight broader regional anxieties, as political rivalries increasingly threaten communal harmony.
By addressing factional plots and external interference, Diri aims to insulate Bayelsa from destabilization.
Ultimately, his stance underscores a critical challenge: balancing democratic dissent with collective security.
While upholding free expression, Bayelsa’s leadership draws clear lines against violence, asserting that cultural pride and peacemaking define its identity.
This proactive approach reflects lessons from Rivers’ turmoil, where delayed action fueled chaos.
By preemptively engaging stakeholders—security agencies, traditional institutions, and citizens—Diri seeks to model crisis prevention.
In conclusion, the governor’s message resonates beyond Bayelsa, urging Nigeria’s political class to prioritize stability over factional gains.
As Rivers grapples with emergency rule, neighboring states watch closely, aware that unchecked conflicts rarely stay contained.
