Court halts Pro-Wike rally in Bayelsa

By Tapre Timine, Bayelsa

A High Court sitting in Yenagoa has issued an interim injunction preventing a political rally in support of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, from taking place in Bayelsa State.

The order was granted on Thursday by Honourable Justice I.A. Uzakah following an ex parte application filed by the Attorney General of Bayelsa State, Mr Biriyai Dambo SAN. The application forms part of Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025.

Mr George Turnah, lead convener of the NEW Associates and principal organiser of the proposed rally, was named as the first defendant, with Chief Wike listed as the second.

It was revealed that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police were also cited as defendants

The rally, originally planned for 12 April 2025 in Yenagoa, has now been placed on hold according to the court’s ruling which stated that all parties connected to the event have been restrained from organising or participating in any form of political assembly intended to celebrate or show solidarity with Chief Wike in Bayelsa, pending the determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

The court order read:

“An order of the interim injunction is hereby made or granted restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, associates, privies, representatives (or any person whatsoever acting at their behest), from conducting, convening, coordinating, engaging in, organizing, participating in, holding, hosting, or facilitating any political assembly, rally meeting, or gathering within Bayelsa State, for
the purpose of solidarity, hosting, and celebrating the 2nd Defendant in Bayelsa State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

The matter has been adjourned until 11 April 2025 for hearing.