Less than 24 hours to its mega rally in Bayelsa State, key members of the NEW Associates, a nascent group loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, have been torn apart over allegations of misappropriation of funds by its convener, Mr. George Turnah.
Sources within the group disclosed that quarrel broke out on its WhatsApp chat platform over disbursement of funds to members for some activities.
They accused Turnah of shortchanging them.
It was learnt that after agreeing that an amount be disbursed, the Turnah unilaterally cuts it without any explanation.
“Turnah is acting like a sole administrator and does not consult anyone. Members are complaining about his attitude and how he handles funds meant for the rally. There is no transparency and openness in the group,” an aggrieved member stated in a WhatsApp chat.
He also alleged that Turnah had received funds from various sources and refused to declare this to the group.
On Wednesday, a major rift occurred when a former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rufus Abadi, dissociated himself from the group after appearing on national television to drum up support for the rally.
Abadi was said to have been heavily shortchanged by Turnah in the disbursement of funds.
He reportedly sent this message to the WhatsApp chat group: “It doesn’t work this way. Please forget about me. I don’t want to be used and dumped.”
Indications that all was not well with the NEW Associates also emerged on Wednesday when Turnah issued a terse statement that moles had infiltrated the group and that a weeding process had commenced.
A source said he called Abadi a mole and this angered the disgruntled former PDP chairman.
It was also gathered that an aggrieved Abadi embraced the group hoping that it could be used to get back at some individuals in the party that reportedly offended him over the handling of his property along the Tombia-Amassoma road in Yenagoa.
At the time of filing this report, this was uncertainty about Saturday’s rally following a Yenagoa High Court affirmation of Turnah’s suspension by the state working committee of the PDP.
The court ruled on Thursday that Turnah’s suspension was in order and that by the Constitution of the party, the state working committee had the power to sanction him.
It also restrained Turnah from parading himself as the party’s zonal secretary.
There is also speculation that the Tombia roundabout venue for the rally might not be available as it is owned by the state government.
The governor, Senator Douye Diri, had earlier warned the organisers not to use any state government facility for the event, citing security concerns.
Security commanders in the state are said to be on high alert and there are indications that the venue would be cordoned off to prevent access.
A source disclosed that the organisers are aware of the development and are considering moving the rally to Kolo, Turnah’s community in Ogbia local government area.
This could also meet a brick wall as some individuals from the local government that are angered by what they termed Turnah’s betrayal are mobilising to scuttle it.
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