Bayelsa APC Dismisses Turnah’s Attack As Political Noise, Cites Court Convictions
The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its New Media team, has dismissed recent comments by Alabh George Turnah against the party’s leadership and political strength in the state as “political noise,” insisting that the electorate, rather than any individual or political coalition, will determine the outcome of future elections.
In a statement issued on September 19, 2026, the Bayelsa APC New Media said Turnah’s attempt to draw conclusions about the 2027 political direction of the state from the results of the 2023 presidential election was not sufficient to predict how Bayelsans would vote in the next general elections.
The party said political alliances and structures had changed since 2023, while new political actors and organisations had emerged.
“Votes are not inherited by political parties, coalitions or individuals. The electorate remains the ultimate determinant,” the statement said.
The APC also rejected Turnah’s assertion that the coalition he represents was indispensable to President Bola Tinubu’s electoral performance in Bayelsa, describing the claim as a political position rather than an established electoral fact.
The party said it welcomed every genuine supporter of the President but maintained that no individual or political group should claim exclusive influence over the decision of Bayelsa voters.
The statement further said the Bayelsa APC, under the leadership of Governor Douye Diri and State Chairman, Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, was concentrating on strengthening its structures, grassroots mobilisation and engagement with residents across the state.
The party also questioned Turnah’s comments on political integrity and credibility, drawing attention to his legal history.
According to court and media reports, Turnah was convicted by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in 2022 in a case involving non-disclosure of assets. The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt subsequently dismissed his appeal and affirmed the conviction and sentence in May 2026. The appellate court held that the prosecution had established that he failed to disclose his interest in Ashford Consult and Events Nigeria Limited in an asset declaration submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Turnah was also convicted in September 2023 by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in an EFCC-prosecuted case involving obtaining money under false pretence, money laundering, conversion of funds and forgery. Reports stated that the charges related to transactions valued at about N2.894 billion.
The APC cited the convictions while challenging Turnah’s comments on political morality and credibility. The party also questioned his political experience and rejected what it described as his attempt to portray himself as an authority on the political direction of Bayelsa State.
The statement further accused Turnah of overlooking past political relationships and goodwill while advancing his current political position.
“Gratitude should not become a casualty of political expediency,” the party said, arguing that political disagreements should not lead to what it described as “historical revisionism.”
The APC maintained that Governor Douye Diri and the party leadership were more focused on governance, infrastructure, economic opportunities, party organisation and grassroots engagement than on exchanging political statements with their critics.
It said Turnah was free to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), promote the Rainbow Coalition and make his own political projections, but stressed that Bayelsans would ultimately determine the political direction of the state.
The party concluded by reiterating its position that the Bayelsa APC did not require the Rainbow Coalition to deliver President Tinubu and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
“While others are busy writing about the election, we are preparing for it. While others are making assumptions about the people, we are engaging them,” the statement said.
Bayelsa APC New Media
September 19, 2026
