YENOGOA, Nigeria – A rally organised by loyalists of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was briefly disrupted by gunshots on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, causing moments of panic among the attendees.
The rally, held at Igbogene, was attended by several chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa and the South-South zone.
It was organised by a pro-Wike group, New Associates, with George Turnah, a prominent PDP leader, serving as the convener.
The rally aimed to express solidarity with President Bola Tinubu and Minister Nyesom Wike for appointing notable sons and daughters of Bayelsa to key positions of authority.
However, shortly after the rally commenced, gunshots were fired from a nearby bush, creating moments of tension among the attendees.
Witnesses described the sounds of gunfire as coming from the surrounding area close to the venue, causing people to scatter for safety.
Once the gunfire ceased, the crowd cautiously returned to the venue, and the organisers, undeterred by the disturbance, decided to continue with the event.
This incident took place amid ongoing political tensions in the state.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa had raised concerns about the potential for violence due to the rally, which he believed could trigger unrest.
However, Wike’s supporters dismissed these warnings, asserting their right to hold the event and vowing to proceed with the rally.
The original date for the rally had been set for Friday, April 11, 2025, but it was postponed after an ex parte court order restrained Wike’s supporters from holding it at Tombia Roundabout, Yenagoa.
In response, Diri’s supporters had planned a counter-rally for the same time and location, further exacerbating the potential for conflict.
To avoid clashes, Wike’s group decided to reschedule the rally to Saturday, April 26, 2025.
