Bayelsa PDP Questions Diri’s Anniversary Spending, Cites ₦25bn Reports
By Jonah Fubara, YENAGOA – The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has questioned the expenditure on the state’s 30th anniversary celebrations, citing conflicting reports of between ₦15 billion and ₦25 billion and demanding a full disclosure of the actual cost by Governor Douye Diri’s administration.
The party’s state chairman, Chief George Turnah, Esq (MON) made the demand on Wednesday in Yenagoa during the PDP State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting, insisting that the government must publish the exact amount spent and identify the budgetary provision authorising the expenditure.
“We demand that the Diri administration urgently publishes in naira and kobo exactly how much was spent on the Bayelsa at 30 celebration and shows the budget line that authorised that spending,” he said.
Turnah argued that the anniversary, which marked 30 years since Bayelsa State was created in 1996, should not be used to justify lavish spending while residents struggle with economic hardship.
He cited difficulties faced by families in meeting basic needs, including feeding and school fees, as well as reported shortages of drugs in hospitals and poor road conditions.
The PDP chairman questioned the conflicting reports on the cost of the celebrations, saying the government should clarify the figures and account for the expenditure.
He further alleged that the 2026 Bayelsa State Appropriation Law made no provision for the anniversary celebrations, raising questions about the authorisation of the spending.
Turnah also criticised the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, accusing it of failing to provide effective oversight of the executive.
The opposition leader used the occasion to defend his public service record, challenging anyone with evidence that he received contracts from the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to make it public.
He also rejected allegations of criminal wrongdoing, urging anyone claiming that he had been convicted of money laundering, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery or conspiracy to produce evidence of such a conviction.
Turnah accused political opponents of trying to tarnish his reputation through social media attacks, but said he remained committed to holding the Diri administration accountable and rebuilding the PDP as an alternative platform for Bayelsa’s development.
