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President, Ijaw National Congress(INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba has advised the South-South zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party/Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Party, Barr. Alabh George Turnah to sustain his relationship and support for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike.
He gave the advise Tuesday during an ”Apology’ visit by the latter to him Tuesday in his Yenagoa residence, Bayelsa State.
Okaba praised the PDP stalwart for his resolve to tender an apology, describing it as a demonstration of strong leadership and not weakness.
“Maintain your support and collaboration with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON. Ijaw nation can not afford to put its eggs in one basket politically”, the INC President said.
National Wire gathered that the PDP Chieftain had visited Okaba to pay homage and extend his personal apologies and regrets over some of his public comments regarding the person and office of the INC President.
Turnah who is also the Lead Convener of the State chapter of the Pro-Wike group, the ‘New Associates’ said he was clearly misunderstood and misconstrued by many.
The party chieftain commended Okaba for his dedicated leadership of the INC and called for greater support, noting that ethnicity has no place in politics and urged the socio-cultural leader of the Ijaw race to find means to address political issues without involving the INC as an institution.
He said: “The INC, Sir is a revered Socio-cultural organization that represents the Ijaw interest and speaks for the Ijaw people.
“I like to call on you my leader and the rntire INC leadership to initiate robust peace moves in order to facilitate the restoration of suspended Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara back to office in no distance time.
“It’s only sincere apology and genuine reconciliation can yield positive results in the current Rivers political crisis”.
Meanwhile, the INC President has advised Turnah to pay similar visit to the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri for reconciliation.
Okaba described the State Chief Executive as Governor-General of Ijaw nation, reiterating such visit was essential for the greater good and unity of Ijaw nation.
He cautioned against divisive behaviours amongst the Ijaw political class, and noted that the current calm in Ijaw nation regarding the situation in Rivers State was intentional and deliberate to allow for peace and enable Governor Sim Fubara to pursue genuine reconciliation with his benefactor and political father, Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Highpoint of the visit was Turnah’s tender of his apologies on bended knees, reiterating that his remarks on Okaba were misunderstood.
In another development, information made available to our Source revealed that baring any last minute, reorder in schedule, the Turnah-led Caretaker Committee of the State chapter of the PDP has indicated its preparedness to unveil a new Secretariat complex for the Party in the State.
The Party also said new entrants into the party and defectors would be received into the the State PDP May 26th, 2025.
A Statement by the Publicity Secretary of the Party’s CTC, Mr Derri Alasuote Wright says that these decisions and others were reached Tuesday 6th May, 2025 during a meeting of the State Working Caretaker Committee in Yenagoa, the State capital.
The Party’s Statement read in parts: “After thorough discussions on pressing matters affecting the Party in Bayelsa State, as well as the critical need to revitalize and redirect the Party in alignment with the objectives of the State Working Caretaker Committee led by Acting State Chairman, George Turnah (MON), the members convened and reached the following resolutions:
“STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, NEW STATE SECRETARIAT COMMISSIONING, AND WELCOMING DEFECTORS: The Committee has resolved to convene a meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) on Monday, May 26th, 2025, to facilitate the reorganization and strengthening of the Party. Additionally, the commissioning of the new State Secretariat and the welcoming of new members into the Party is fixed for the same date.
“SETTING UP OF RECONCILIATION AND DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEES AND ELDERS ADVISORY COUNCIL: The Committee approved the establishment of a reconciliation committee and the reconstitution of the previously dissolved Disciplinary Committee and Elders Advisory Council for the Party in the State.In this regard, the Acting State Chairman is authorized to appoint Party members with proven integrity, honesty, and commitment to these Committees and the Elders Advisory Council.
“AD HOC COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND WARD EXECUTIVES: The Committee has constituted an ad hoc committee, headed by the State Acting Deputy Chairman, to review the activities of the eight Local Government Areas and 105 Wards Executives of the Party.
“This committee is tasked with providing a report at the next meeting of the State Working Committee Committee scheduled for May 8th, 2025. Also set up is another ad hoc committee Chaired by the State Acting Deputy Chairman to assess and review the salaries and allowances currently paid to Party officials at all levels, from State to Ward, and to make recommendations for upward review to enhance the welfare and living conditions of Party officials, staff and political appointees.
“The Committee is expected to present a harmonised salary structure for Bayelsa State PDP for consideration at the next adjourned date of May 8th, 2025.
“The Committee on review of the activities of LGA and Ward Executives has the Acting State Organizing Secretary, the Acting Woman Leader, the three Senatorial District Acting Vice Chairmen as members with the Acting State Legal Adviser as Secretary, while the Committee on review of salary structure has the Acting State Treasurer, the Acting Financial Secretary, the Acting Auditor and the Administrative Officer of the Party as members with the Acting State Legal Adviser serving as Secretary”.
