TURNAH SWORN IN AS SUBSTANTIVE BAYELSA PDP CHAIRMAN, VOWS TO RECLAIM PARTY’S MANDATE IN 2027

Yenagoa, Bayelsa State - Bayelsa State Caretaker Committee Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Alabh George Turnah, MON has been elected and sworn in as the substantive Chairman of the Party in Bayelsa State.

This followed a successful State Congress of the party in Yenagoa, where 19 others where also elected by affirmation.

The congress also featured the commissioning of the party’s new State Secretariat and the inauguration and swearing-in of elected Ward, Local Government Area (LGA), and State Executive Committee members.

In his acceptance speech, Turnah described his emergence as a new chapter for the party in the state and expressed confidence in the PDP’s strength and future prospects.

“It is a new dawn for PDP in Bayelsa State. PDP is Bayelsa and Bayelsa is PDP,” he said.

He dismissed suggestions from some quarters that the party had lost its dominance in the state, insisting that the PDP remains the majority party among the people of Bayelsa.

“Don’t be deceived by what seems to look like PDP is an opposition in Bayelsa State; that is theoretical. What is practical is that PDP is the majority party in Bayelsa State,” he stated.

Turnah also expressed optimism that the party would reclaim its mandate in the state in the next electoral cycle.

“Come 2027, PDP under our leadership will not only make strong statements, we will also deliver to the expectation of the world. Bayelsa Creek Haven belongs to PDP,” he added.

The new chairman assured party members of an inclusive and transparent leadership, pledging to run an open-door administration.

“I assure you of our loyalty and commitment. We will run an open-door administration. PDP will stand for you and we also expect that you will stand for PDP,” he said, while calling for unity and cooperation among party members.

Earlier, while commissioning the new PDP State Secretariat, Turnah thanked party members and leaders for their support during his tenure as Chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, noting that the leadership successfully steered the party through a challenging period.

He also expressed appreciation to the national leadership of the party and acknowledged the support of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his contributions to the survival of the PDP.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to monitor the exercise, alongside zonal and national officers of the party.

With the formal inauguration of Turnah and other members of the State Working Committee as the substantive leadership of the Bayelsa PDP, coupled with the recent Court of Appeal judgment affirming the party’s authentic national leadership, stakeholders say the party is now better positioned to strengthen internal unity and focus on its mandate ahead of future political engagements.