From Efcc Convict To Diri’s Political Adversary: Ikuli Reopens Turnah’s Criminal Past, Questions His Alleged Ingratitude
By Passman Akpos
A Bayelsa political stakeholder, Chief (Hon.) Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, JP, has appealed to Governor Douye Diri not to be discouraged by what he described as the ingratitude of former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) aide, George Alabh Turnah, following Turnah’s alleged attempts to undermine the governor’s reputation.
In an open appeal dated October 30, 2026, Ikuli accused Turnah, whom he described as a purported factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, of displaying ingratitude towards the governor despite the alleged assistance and goodwill he received during his difficult moments.
The statement, titled “May the Sins of Ungrateful George Alabh Turnah Never Be Visited on Young People: A Humble and Passionate Appeal to Gov. Douye Diri,” also revisited Turnah’s controversial history with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), his former position at the NDDC and the political disagreements surrounding his recent activities.
Ikuli was particularly critical of a recent video allegedly released by Turnah, in which the former NDDC aide reportedly claimed that he stood alone at the INEC Collation Centre in Ogbia during an election amid intimidation.
Describing the account as misleading, Ikuli questioned how an individual could attribute the success of an electoral process to himself alone.
He argued that electoral victories are collective efforts involving candidates, party members, supporters, agents and other stakeholders, rather than the achievement of a single individual.
IKULI REVISITS TURNAH’S EFCC TROUBLES
A significant part of Ikuli’s statement focused on Turnah’s previous prosecution by the EFCC over allegations involving public funds during his time as Special Assistant to former NDDC Managing Director, Dan Abia.
Ikuli said he was among those who initially criticised the EFCC and participated in protests against Turnah’s prosecution because he did not fully understand the allegations and documents subsequently presented by the anti-graft agency.
He claimed that the revelations surrounding the investigations eventually changed his perception of the former NDDC aide.
Court records and media reports confirm that Turnah was prosecuted in connection with allegations involving approximately ₦2.894 billion in NDDC-related transactions.
In September 2023, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt convicted Turnah and two other defendants in a case involving obtaining money under false pretences, money laundering, conversion of funds and forgery.
The defendants were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment each, commencing from their respective dates of arrest, with additional financial restitution and forfeiture orders reported in connection with the case.
Separately, in May 2026, the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt upheld Turnah’s conviction and sentence in another aspect of the legal proceedings relating to his failure to fully disclose his assets to the EFCC.
The appellate court affirmed the findings of the Federal High Court concerning his undisclosed interest in Ashford Consult and Events Nigeria Limited.
Ikuli also made allegations concerning funds reportedly obtained for youth empowerment and water hyacinth projects, as well as transactions involving the names of prominent Niger Delta individuals and communities.
However, those specific allegations, including the suggestion that billions of naira intended for youth empowerment were diverted, require independent documentary verification and should not be confused with the specific offences established in the reported court judgments.
GOVERNOR DIRI’S ALLEGED SUPPORT FOR TURNAH
Perhaps the most politically significant aspect of Ikuli’s intervention was his claim that Governor Douye Diri stood by Turnah during his difficult period when several other individuals allegedly distanced themselves from him.
According to Ikuli, the governor extended personal goodwill to the former NDDC aide despite the controversies surrounding his prosecution.
He further alleged that Diri provided Turnah with shelter and financial assistance, including millions of naira purportedly intended to support his further studies abroad.
Ikuli expressed disappointment that someone who allegedly benefited from such assistance would subsequently engage in activities aimed at damaging the governor’s reputation.
These claims about the governor’s alleged financial assistance, accommodation and support have not been independently established in the material available to Tarakirivoice.
PRAISES DIRI’S FAMILY, CONTRASTS GOVERNOR’S HOUSEHOLD WITH PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS
Beyond the controversy involving Turnah, Ikuli devoted considerable attention to what he described as Governor Diri’s discipline in managing his family and preventing relatives from exploiting his political position.
He singled out the governor’s first son, whom he described as a successful legal practitioner who has maintained a relatively low public profile despite his father’s position.
According to Ikuli, the governor’s son has deliberately avoided using his father’s office to intimidate government appointees, secure contracts or exert political influence.
He contrasted this with what he described as the conduct of relatives of some former Bayelsa governors, who allegedly used their family connections to exercise influence over government institutions and public appointments.
Ikuli argued that Diri’s approach demonstrates the importance of personal discipline, responsible leadership and maintaining boundaries between public office and family interests.
‘DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED BY INGRATITUDE’
In the concluding part of his intervention, Ikuli appealed directly to Governor Diri not to allow the controversy surrounding Turnah to distract him from governance.
Describing himself as one of the beneficiaries of the governor’s goodwill, he said Diri should remain focused on delivering development to Bayelsa State and completing his administration’s responsibilities.
He maintained that political disagreements and personal attacks should not derail the governor’s commitment to the state.
Ikuli also expressed confidence that many young people would be disappointed by what he characterised as Turnah’s alleged failure to appreciate the assistance extended to him.
THE QUESTIONS BEHIND THE POLITICAL CONTROVERSY
Ikuli’s statement has introduced fresh political dimensions to the disagreement involving Turnah and the Diri administration.
Beyond the personal exchanges, several questions arise from the allegations:
- What specific assistance did Governor Diri allegedly extend to Turnah during his legal troubles?
- Were public resources or personal funds involved in the alleged financial assistance for further studies abroad?
- What is the substance of Turnah’s recent political criticisms of the governor?
- What is Turnah’s response to Ikuli’s allegations of ingratitude and his claims concerning the alleged assistance he received?
- Will the disagreements between the political figures develop into a wider confrontation within the Bayelsa PDP political structure?
As of the publication of this report, the specific allegations made by Ikuli concerning the governor’s financial assistance and Turnah’s alleged subsequent conduct had not been independently verified by Tarakirivoice. Turnah and Governor Diri’s responses were not contained in the statement.
For now, Ikuli’s central message to the governor is that personal disappointment should not overshadow public responsibility.
“May the sins of ungrateful George Alabh Turnah never be visited on young people,” he declared in the concluding message of his appeal.
