The political atmosphere in Bayelsa State is currently charged following a public disagreement between Governor Douye Diri and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The contention stems from a planned rally by supporters of Mr. Wike in Bayelsa, which Governor Diri views as a potential security threat.

Governor Diri voiced his concerns on Thursday, asserting that the Bayelsa State Government would not tolerate any actions that could destabilize the peace within the state. He urged security agencies, youths, elders, and traditional rulers to remain vigilant. This announcement followed reports of a planned mega rally and the inauguration of a support group for Minister Wike.

In response, Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for Mr. Wike, dismissed Governor Diri’s concerns as unfounded. In a statement released in Abuja, Olayinka defended the rights of Nigerians to express support for any individual, at any time, and in any location. He questioned why Governor Diri, with the extensive security resources at his disposal, would address the nation based on mere suspicion of a planned rally.

Olayinka argued that holding a lawful rally is a constitutional right and stated that if Mr. Wike intended to attend any political rally in Bayelsa or elsewhere, he would duly inform the security agencies. He criticized Governor Diri for convening meetings of the state’s Security Council and Bayelsa Elders Council to discuss what he deemed a mere suspicion.

The spokesperson advised Governor Diri to focus on the serious matters of governance rather than raising what he described as baseless security alarms over a rally. Olayinka also alluded to past instances where Diri had secretly sought Wike’s support during his re-election campaign, suggesting a change in Diri's attitude towards Wike.

Historically, Bayelsa State was carved out of Rivers State on October 1, 1996, under the Sani Abacha military regime. The two states share cultural and political similarities. Mr. Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, is currently embroiled in a political conflict with his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, over control of political structures in Rivers State, a situation that has drawn widespread criticism.

Governor Diri has previously condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, which was seen as a consequence of the Wike-Fubara political feud. Both Diri and Wike are members of the opposition PDP, though Wike has been openly working with President Tinubu and the ruling APC, leading to speculation that Tinubu intends to leverage Wike's influence for his 2027 re-election campaign in the South-South region.

The exchange between Governor Diri and Minister Wike’s spokesperson highlights the complex political dynamics at play and raises questions about the future of political alliances and stability in the region.