2027: PDP chieftain backs Tinubu’s re-election, clashes with Diri over coalition plans.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alabh George Turnah, has declared that a second term for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 is vital for Nigeria’s unity and stability.

Turnah, who serves as the PDP South-South zonal secretary, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.

He revealed that his opposition to forming a coalition aimed at fielding a northern presidential candidate to challenge Tinubu has led to a rift between him and Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

According to Turnah, Diri is allegedly positioning himself for a vice-presidential slot in the proposed alliance—whether or not the PDP participates.

Turnah further disclosed that talks about Diri’s vice-presidential ambitions began circulating within the governor’s inner circle shortly after his second-term inauguration.

“I expressed my concerns about this idea, advocating that the South be allowed to complete its eight-year two-term tenure.

“Pursuing this ambition would represent a disservice to President Tinubu, whose supporters had just helped secure Diri’s re-election.

“I opined it would be a return of ingratitude to Mr President, and unknown to me, my colleagues secretly recorded me and shared the recording with the Governor, who became very upset and vowed that I would not receive any appointments or favours from his administration in the second term,” Turnah said.

He alleged that true to Diri’s word, he was entirely left out while his colleagues’ aides were quickly reappointed.

He said: “I spent nearly a year without any appointment in the second term. Just as I was contemplating distancing myself from the Diri political dynasty, the Governor ordered my reappointment letter to be issued, which I ultimately declined.

“At this time, plans to seize control of the Party (PDP) structure from the Zone to the National level to pursue his Vice Presidential ambition were already being finalised.

“Several meetings took place between February 25th and 28th, 2025, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, involving high-profile figures, particularly from Northern Nigeria.

“Notably, aside from the meetings of the Governors’ forum, the gatherings with senior PDP leaders were kept away from the media’s gaze.

“I can confidently say that it was in Yenagoa where the plot to impose Rt. Hon. S.K.E Udeh Okoye was conceived.

“Billions of naira were allocated to this plan, with the National Financial Secretary of the Party, a Diri ally, tasked with lobbying NWC members to support the initiative.

“Part of the agreed strategy included introducing Udeh Okoye to Governors across PDP states as the new National Secretary.

“This was the origin of the recent National Secretaryship crisis embroiling the Party. It’s crucial for Nigerians to understand that Governor Diri, not Wike, was behind this crisis.

“Furthermore, billions in taxpayers’ money from Bayelsa State were squandered to support this agenda, covering everything from hiring jets for NWC members to logistics and legal expenses.

“Additionally, I must disclose that the entire effort to impose Okoye as the National Secretary aims to facilitate the inclusion of the PDP in a proposed merger and establish a coalition party that will field a northern presidential candidate, with Governor Diri as running mate, aiming to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

“During a recent visit by the PDP NWC to Governor Diri’s home in Sampou, he explicitly stated his support for a coalition, indicating his involvement in forming a coalition party separate from the PDP to contest against President Tinubu.

“I was therefore not surprised when the former Head of Service in Rivers State mentioned Governor Fubara discussing the emergence of a coalition political party that would feature a northern presidential candidate, with the vice-presidential ticket allocated to the Ijaw people.

“Governor Diri is about the only prominent Ijaw figure of today capable of pursuing such an ambition, albeit potentially at the cost of Bayelsa State’s treasury, development and well-being.

“Bayelsans and Ijaw people must know that capital-intensive projects like the new Secretariat building, the sports stadium and others hurriedly embarked upon by the administration seem to be planned to finance this questionable vice-presidential quest.

“Let it be clearly stated that I dissociate myself from this misguided ambition, which threatens to undermine the anticipated eight years of a Southern presidency, an essential step for national unity and political stability of the country.

“The Southern part of the country deserves the opportunity to complete a full eight years in leadership, akin to President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.

“I earnestly urge the political leadership of Northern Nigeria to discourage the move to present a presidential candidate of Northern extraction for 2027.

“Supporting an uninterrupted eight-year presidency for the South, currently being held on our behalf by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is crucial for the unity and stability of our nation.

The Nigerian populace should remain vigilant and informed regarding these developments,” Turnah said.

According to him, the recent events leading to the press conference, particularly the unwarranted outburst by Governor Diri, were clearly intended to unjustly pitch him against the people of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation at large by placing his life and that of his family in serious jeopardy and security risk.

He expressed gratitude to the youth of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation, saying, “Out of respect and regard for my person, they have refrained from any violent actions against me or my interests since the controversial video in which Governor Diri attacked me emerged.”

He appealed to the youths to continue to stand by him even as he would also support them.

He also urged security agencies, especially the office of the National Security Adviser, to recognise the threat to his life allegedly posed by Governor Diri’s actions and to ensure his safety from this point forward.

He added: “I am thankful to God for the journey I have experienced in this world. I am not afraid of death; after all, it is appointed for everyone to die once, after which judgment.

“Should I die today, I would do so content, having spoken my truth and championed the cause of unity and political stability in this great nation, which I cherish deeply.

“Mr President, sir, if anything were to happen to me because of the truths I’ve shared, the ambitions and schemes I’ve revealed, and my defence of the South’s right to an 8-year presidency, please take care of my family.

“I plead that you ensure my wife and children do not suffer or regret my absence; they are my utmost priority and why I live.”
Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/2027-pdp-chieftain-backs-tinubus-re-election-clashes-with-diri-over-coalition-plans/
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What do you all think about this?
3 4

No second term for him
3 4

Hmmmm
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