The Bayelsa State Government has dismissed calls for Governor Douye Diri to openly declare support for President Bola Tinubu\u2019s 2027 re-election, insisting that no one can force the governor to take a political stance prematurely.<\/h2>\n
Speaking in an interview with Premium Times, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Daniel Alabrah, said Diri would not be pressured into making political declarations that do not align with the interest of the Bayelsa people.<\/p>\n
Alabrah said, \u201cAt the appropriate time, if the governor wants to support the president, he will say so. He is a very courageous man. He will speak at the right time.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Naija News<\/strong> reports that he insisted that Diri would act only when he deems it necessary and in the best interest of the state.<\/p>\n \u201cNobody can compel him to speak before that time. The governor will only speak when he believes that this is what will serve the interest of Bayelsa State and the people,\u201d<\/em> he stated.<\/p>\n His remarks come amid growing political pressure from former governor aide, George Turnah, who recently challenged Diri to declare his support or lack of it for President Tinubu\u2019s second-term bid.<\/p>\n Turnah, a former Executive Assistant on Public Affairs to Governor Diri, recently defected from the Diri camp to align with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, under whom he is now mobilising support for President Tinubu.<\/p>\n Turnah, who is also the South-South zonal secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been vocal in his criticism of Governor Diri\u2019s political silence, particularly during a pro-Wike rally organised in April by his group, The NEW Associates, in Bayelsa State.<\/p>\n Despite Diri\u2019s clear opposition to the rally and concerns over importing the Rivers political crisis into Bayelsa, Turnah and his supporters proceeded with the event, further escalating political tensions in the state.<\/p>\n