The Pro-Diri group, Izon Keme- Ama Assembly, which had served notice of a grand mega rally in Yenagoa on Saturday, April 12, has failed to hold its rally as scheduled.

Also, another political group, the New Democrats, which also stated that it was going to hold its rally on the same day, venue, and time, failed to show up.

The convener of Izon Keme- Ama Assembly, Mr Tony Nathan Ile had announced the decision to hold the rally at Tombia roundabout shortly after the New Associates, a pro-Tinubu grassroots group, announced its rally at the same venue and time.

However, both groups refused to proceed with their rallies, even though the New Associates had postponed its rally to avoid a clash with the other groups.

Investigations revealed that the Izon Keme- Ama group had requested and gotten approval from the state government and the Bayelsa State Police Command to hold the rally.

On Saturday at the Tombia roundabout, the proposed venue for the Pro-Diri and Pro-Tambuwal rallies, the place was deserted as there was no sign of gathering of members of the two groups.

A detachment of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and operatives of the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo were seen in strategic areas around the area.

The lead convener of the New Associates, George Turnah, had in a press conference in Yenagoa on Friday disclosed that the mega rally organised to appreciate President Bola Tinubu for his developmental efforts in Bayesla and appointments of notable Bayelsans into positions of authority in his government as well as appreciate the Minister of Federal Capital Territory. Nyesom Wike, for facilitating some of these appointments, was shifted to Saturday, April 26.

According to him, following pleas from notable Ijaw leaders in Bayelsa prevailing on the group, a decision was reached to postpone the rally to forestall crisis.

Turnah, however, warned that if any new group announced April 26 as the date of its rally with the same venue, its group would have no other option than to proceed with the rally.

He stated that if anything untoward happens on April 26 after his group had shifted its rally to the new date from April 12 to avoid crisis, then Bayelsans should know the group to hold responsible for any breakdown of law and order.

Ile, in a statement made available to newsmen, however, said the Pro-Diri rally had been put off, adding that a new date would be announced.

(The Sun)

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