From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

The group stated that the event would also be used to inaugurate the group in Bayelsa and unveil its officials.

According to the organisers, the mega rally, aside from drumming up support for President Tinubu, is also geared toward expressing appreciation and solidarity with Wike.

They noted that Wike has been a good leader that deserves to be celebrated for his honesty, bluntness and good leadership.

The organisers stated that as Nigeria moves gradually towards the 2027 election, there is a need to mobilise the South South youths to support the President.

They pointed out that the group, which is grassroots-oriented, was created by Wike to be used as a mobilisation for the President’s re-election.

The organisers added that part of the strategies to be adopted by the group is to showcase projects the President Bola Tinubu government has initiated in the South-South geo-political zone.

One of the organisers and former spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council, Ebilade Ekerefe, disclosed that the group has been activated in Bayelsa to galvanise support for President Tinubu in the rural communities.

He said the goal is to ensure the people of South-South are enlightened on the achievements of the current administration of President Tinubu and support his re-election.

“The New Associates is a grassroots-based political movement set in motion by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to mobilise grassroots support across the states of the South-South geo-political zone for the election of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office in 2027,” he said.