Lere Olayinka, media aide to Nyesom Wike, minister of federal capital territory (FCT), has criticised Duoye Diri, Bayelsa state Governor, over alarm about a planned rally in the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that Diri had alleged that a mega rally and the inauguration of a pro-Wike group were being organised in Bayelsa.
However, Wike’a aide dismissed the claim, saying they entirelessly baseless.
He said, “That alarm is shamefully baseless. It is unfortunate that a governor with access to all security apparatus would go on national television over mere suspicions about people exercising their constitutional right to hold a rally.”
Olayinka added that Nigerians are free to support any leader, and questioned whether Diri could stop people from organising rallies in Bayelsa if they wished to.
He said, “ Is this how afraid Governor Diri is of Wike? Can he stop people from holding rallies in Bayelsa if they want to?.”
Olayinka further said that if Wike planned to attend any political rally in Bayelsa, he would personally inform security agencies.
He added, “His presence would be obvious because he has nothing to hide.”
Olayinka criticised Diri for convening security and elders’ council meetings over the issue. He alleged that Diri had previously sought Wike’s support in secret ahead of his re-election campaign.
He said, “Is this how childish governance in Bayelsa has become? Must he use Wike as a scapegoat to cover up his failure in governance and politics?”
“When he was seeking re-election, this same Diri was taken to Wike in secret, like a thief in the night, by Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Lokpobiri; David Lyon was with him.”
“As Diri knelt, pleading for Wike’s support, Wike told him, ‘No, don’t do that, you’re a governor, don’t do that’. But now, the same Wike has become someone he goes about disparaging, just to cover up his inadequacies.”
“He said the governor’s actions expose a “lack of conscience”, calling it “unfortunate”.
