From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has offered Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, some economic tips to address worsening living conditions of residents of Bayelsa State as part of efforts to rescue the state from collapse.
Turnah, who dismissed Diri’s boasting of an effective political machinery to subdue all opposition parties, stated that Bayelsans would determine the outcome of the 2027 elections in the state.
According to Turnah, the Diri administration should be concerned about addressing the worsening living conditions of Bayelsans instead of dissipating energy on irrelevant policies that do not improve the welfare of Bayelsans.
He has therefore urged the government to immediately implement the comprehensive package of economic and social intervention programmes aimed at addressing what he described as the worsening hardship confronting the people of the state.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday 5th August 2026, shortly after arriving at the Port Harcourt International Airport from Abuja, Turnah urged Governor Douye Diri to prioritise policies that directly improve the welfare of Bayelsans rather than projects which have limited immediate impact on the daily lives of citizens.
He specifically called on the state government to immediately clear outstanding pension and gratuity arrears, restore and pay bursaries to Bayelsa students, subsidise healthcare services, introduce measures to reduce the cost of transportation, and recruit 20,000 youths into the Bayelsa Volunteer and Bayelsa Vigilante Schemes with a proposed monthly stipend of N150,000.
According to the PDP Chairman, the proposed youth empowerment initiative would cost approximately N3 billion monthly, which he argued was affordable when compared with the state’s monthly allocations from the Federation Account.
Turnah maintained that the greatest challenge facing Bayelsa today is not the absence of financial resources, but misplaced priorities in public spending.
He argued that a government genuinely committed to improving the living conditions of its people would prioritise programmes that directly tackle hunger, unemployment and poverty while providing relief to families struggling with rising living costs.
He further suggested that government investment in a fleet of modern mass transit buses would significantly reduce transportation costs for residents and stimulate economic activities across the state.
Turnah noted that the real contest in the forthcoming elections would not merely be between political parties but between Bayelsans seeking improved living conditions and the prevailing economic realities confronting many households.
“The issues before Bayelsans are clear. The people desire leadership that places their welfare first, creates jobs for young people, supports students, protects senior citizens, strengthens healthcare, and grows the economy. The PDP under my leadership will mobilize Bayelsans to defeat hunger, poverty, unemployment, and economic conditions.”
He further stated that the PDP would continue to engage the government on issues affecting the wellbeing of citizens while presenting what he described as practical alternatives for economic recovery and inclusive development.
Turnah also disclosed that consultations among opposition political parties and stakeholders were progressing, adding that an opposition coalition would soon be inaugurated in Bayelsa State with the objective of providing what he described as a credible and people-focused political alternative.
He reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to peaceful democratic engagement and expressed confidence that Bayelsans would ultimately determine the future direction of the state through the ballot.
