Pro-Wike Faction of PDP in Bayelsa Heightens Political Tensions, Demands Governor Diri’s Expulsion Amid Ally’s Detention
A group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to expel Governor Douye Diri from the party.
This threat stems from the recent arrest and ongoing detention of Miss Awudumu Reigneth, a prominent social media influencer and political activist affiliated with their faction.
Reigneth was apprehended following allegations tied to a social media post where she claimed Governor Diri was involved in a shooting incident during the launch of NEW Associates, a pro-Wike political organization, last month.
Her detention has intensified internal conflicts within the Bayelsa PDP, potentially undermining the national party’s attempts to promote unity and resolve disputes.
In a forceful statement released on Sunday by the faction’s acting Publicity Secretary, Derri Alasuote Wright, the group denounced Reigneth’s arrest as baseless, labeling the charges—such as cyberbullying—as fabricated. They insisted on her prompt and unconditional liberation.
“We refuse to remain passive while the basic rights of our members and Bayelsa residents are violated,” the statement declared. “We call on Governor Diri to reverse this course immediately.
If our demand for Miss Awudumu’s release is ignored, we will be forced to take stronger measures, up to and including his removal from the party.”
The faction further claimed that Reigneth’s arrest is politically driven, linked to her role as Director General of the NEW Associates’ Media Team, which supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and remains loyal to Wike.
They accused the Diri administration of systematically targeting their members and deliberately weakening the PDP in Bayelsa, allegedly in preparation for the governor’s rumored switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Highlighting what they described as a pattern of authoritarian behavior, the group pointed to Diri’s previous actions, including the dismissal of 27 aides from the Bayelsa East Senatorial District and the earlier detention of social commentator Dr. John Idumange. These incidents, they argued, reflect a broader effort to silence opposition and erode democratic principles in the state.
The statement urged civil society organizations, advocacy groups, and the general public to rally in support of Reigneth’s release and to protect fundamental freedoms. “We implore all conscientious individuals, NGOs, and activists to stand with us in opposing such oppression and preserving the ideals of free expression and democratic governance,” it emphasized.
When approached for comment, Governor Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, acknowledged the arrest but directed inquiries to the police, stating it was a law enforcement issue. He avoided discussing the expulsion threat, describing it as an internal party matter.
Attempts to contact the Bayelsa State Police Command spokesperson, Mr. Musa Mohammed, was unsuccessful, as he was unavailable during the inquiry.
