In a letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, George Turnah, a close ally of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, has raised alarm over alleged death threats made against him by supporters of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri. The letter, which details Turnah’s claims, accuses Diri’s supporters of orchestrating a series of intimidating and dangerous actions in an attempt to silence him.
Turnah, who has been a vocal critic of Governor Diri’s administration, claims that in recent weeks, he has received multiple threats on his life, linked directly to his outspoken political stance. According to Turnah, these threats have escalated to a point where he now fears for his personal safety and the security of his family.
In his letter to President Tinubu, Turnah outlined specific incidents that he believes were orchestrated by Diri's supporters. These include anonymous phone calls, veiled threats through social media channels, and confrontations at public events. Turnah has called for immediate intervention from the federal government, seeking protection and urging President Tinubu to take decisive action against the perpetrators of these threats.
The letter also touches on the wider political implications of the growing animosity between Turnah and Diri’s camp, noting that these threats may be a reaction to Turnah’s continued support for former Governor Wike and his political ideology.
Turnah’s appeal to the federal government has drawn attention to the fragile nature of political discourse in the Niger Delta, where tensions have often flared between rival political factions. Critics of Governor Diri’s administration have voiced concerns about the use of intimidation and violence as a means of silencing political opposition in the region.