Category: South East

There is unease among members of parties in Bayelsa State over the alleged plan by Governor Douye Diri to postpone the council election scheduled for May 14.

The alleged planned postponement, according to sources, was based on the advice to Diri that those that would be elected at the proposed council poll would not be qualified to be ad-hoc delegates of his party in the coming national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

They also claimed that the councillors and chairmen used as delegates during the governorship primaries that threw up Diri as the standard-bearer of the PDP would be more loyal than other ones elected in May.

Attempts to get confirmation from the Office of the Special Adviser to the governor on Political Matters failed, as an official, who declined to be mentioned, denied knowledge of such planned postponement.

“I am just leaving the office and such issue of alleged postponement was not mentioned,” the source said.

It was gathered that already, the political parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), led by Brisibe Kpodoh, was also in the dark about the alleged plan to postpone the election.

He said such an issue of postponement might be a possibility, based on the scenarios playing out that the councillors and chairmen might not meet up with the number of months needed to qualify them as delegates of the PDP for the convention.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sunday Oputu, confirming the development, described the excuse being given for the planned postponement as ridiculous.

He said the state could no longer allow the appointment of caretaker chairmen into office, while the democratic process mandates the governor to conduct local government election.

Oputu said: “The excuse being given is ridiculous. From what I am hearing, there is a plan to postpone the council poll and the excuse given is ridiculous and unthinkable.

“We gather that the outgoing ones may become uncontrollable at the state and National Assembly primaries. If they are changed, they may fight the choice of Diri at the primaries.”

He described the excuses as “lame”, urging the governor  to release money to the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) to conduct the election.

He said the APC was against the appointment of caretaker committees to run the councils in the place of elections.

Oputu threatened to approach the Federal High Court to seek an order barring the local government allocation’s release to the state if the election was postponed.

“We are also ready to approach the court to stop the House of Assembly from entertaining the screening of caretaker committees,” he said.

The Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Godwin Udu, has cried out over alleged plot by some persons to hijack the party in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2023 general election.

He warned that such moves, if not checked, could affect the party’s chances in the governorship election.

Udu was speaking to reporters yesterday in Abakaliki.

He tipped former Secretary to Ebonyi State Government Prof. Bernard Odoh to clinch the governorship ticket of the party.

Udu said: “Odoh stands a better chance of securing the governorship ticket of the party if he decides to run for the 2023 general election.”

He added that Odoh’s track records, educational qualifications, political experience and mass followership placed him at a vantage position to win the governorship election.

“Odoh stands a better chance of winning the party’s governorship ticket than those being sponsored by the powers that be, in the state, in order to destroy APGA,” Udu said.

He alleged that moneybags were being sponsored by powerful forces in the state to cause crisis and destabilise the party ahead of the 2023 general election.

He warned them to desist from trying to buy the party, noting that anybody who wanted to contest any position must submit to the party’s transparent electoral process.

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said the nation’s budgeting process should be more accountable and transparent.

He spoke in Benin yesterday while addressing participants during the opening of a four-day training organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, in collaboration with Open Government Partnership.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme is: “Train the trainer workshop on participatory budgeting and citizens budget.’’

He said one of the major crises in the country was budgeting process, but noted that citizens’ budget in his administration was non-negotiable.

“As an entity, whether federal government, state or local government, you know that you can only earn N100 a year from all your assumptions.

“By the time you are preparing the budget, you include that you are giving the agencies envelopes.

“At the end, you will end up putting up a budget of N200, you are only going to receive N100 and you know that is where fraud begins.”

Ekid people in Eket and Esit Eket local governments have accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of conniving with the people of Ibeno to seize their land, Stubbs Creek Forest, also known as Akoiyak Ekid.

The land, which has been earmarked for the building of a road, preparatory to the siting of BUA Refinery, has been in dispute between Eket and Ibeno local governments.

The foremost socio-cultural body for the Ekid people, the Ekid Peoples Union (EPU), flayed government’s silence and unwillingness to resolve the dispute over Stubbs Creek Island (Akoiyak Ekid).

A statement at the weekend by EPU National President Dr. Samuel Udonsak and National Secretary Mr. Bassey Dan-Abia, on behalf of the Ekid nation, said the failure of the government to act might be interpreted as tacit connivance.

The statement said: “Recently, we were treated to a bizarre spectacle of affront and impunity by Mr. William Mkpa, chairman of Ibeno Local Government, as he purportedly handed over the Stubbs Creek Forest (Akoiyak Ekid), our land, to BUA for road construction.

“His action, besides being provocative and infernally offensive, was a breach of protocol, even to the government of Akwa Ibom State and Governor Udom Emmanuel.

“Ekid People’s Union has protested the aforementioned ignominy to the relevant authorities. Unfortunately, despite the initial assurances, the state government has failed, neglected or otherwise refused to address and appropriately punish this recidivism or serve reprimand to forestall further occurrence or degeneration to self-help. The failure of the government to act may be interpreted as tacit connivance.

“Ekid people will never accept this affront now, or in future, and let it be known to all that we are dissatisfied with the state government’s inertia.”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, ex-Military Administrator of old Rivers State and King of Brass Kingdom Diette Spiff and other leaders have celebrated one of the founding fathers of the state, the late King Geoffery Filinti Aganaba.

Diri used the opportunity to call for the creation of two additional homogeneous Ijaw states, insisting that Ijaw ethnic nationality deserved more than one state.

They spoke yesterday at the 25th remembrance  anniversary of the late King Aganaba in Yenagoa.

While Jonathan was represented by a former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd), Spiff was represented by King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom.

Jonathan appealed to Ijaw people to rally round one another, describing the late Aganaba as a man with an exemplary lifestyle.

He said: “Succeeding generations will come and judge us with standards far higher than what we have now.

“What Aganaba has done, you learn these things so that the children will know that these things are possible. Most of our children didn’t grow from home. They stayed in Lagos, they stayed in Abuja; so they don’t actually know.

“But it is by studying what people of this calibre of his time have done; the self- sacrifices they have made to get us to this point that we can actually know that yes, we have a duty to this state.

“All of us have a duty to this state to ensure that this state gets to a point that succeeding generations will come and judge us with standards far higher than what we have now. Things are changing, it is a computer age; they will scrutinise us. But if they do that, can you stand out? He, Aganaba, has actually passed that test”.

Diri recalled that the founding fathers had requested three states before the late military head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha, created Bayelsa.

Describing the Ijaw as the fourth largest ethnic nationality in the country, Diri lauded the late Aganaba for his contributions in the creation of Bayelsa, but said it was not the end of the agitation for more Ijaw states.

He said:  “The creation of Bayelsa State is not the end of it; it is indeed the beginning of it. We still have other two states that we proposed that have not been created and we must make that clear to the Nigerian government that the Ijaw are still craving the creation of two additional homogenous Ijaw states.

“We are indisputably the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria, yet we have been balkanised into four, five states and in each of these states, the Ijaw have become minorities and I am sure that the new executive of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) will continue to take that as one of their battles that they will continue to fight and as your government, we will stand behind you to give you that support.”

Paying tributes to late King Aganaba, the governor described him as a man of peace, freedom fighter, saying the late king sacrificed everything for Ijaw people.

Diri said his government established the policy of recognising and honouring Ijaw heroes, saying it was the reason he named the Bayelsa media house after the great Ernest Ikoli.

The Chairman Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM King (Dr.) Dandeson Douglas Jaja JP, Amayanabo of Opobo, observed that Bayelsa had been in the forefront of celebrating and recognising those who contributed and fought for its creation.

He said: “Bayelsa State is taking a lead in this because from time to time, they remember that this state did not come by accident and that people worked for it and they do the right thing by remembering them.”

Youths from the 31 local governments of Akwa Ibom State have said Governor Udom Emmanuel is pursuing his personal agenda with the choice of Pastor Umo Eno as his preferred successor.

They said they were not under any obligation to support the governor’s candidate, adding that they would pursue their interest to support the candidate of their choice for the 2023 governorship election.

The over 3,000 youths converged on Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, at the weekend to launch a state-wide mobilisation for the governorship ambition of Onofiok Luke.

The Coordinator of the group called the Onofiok Luke People’s Movement,  Ekemini Smart, said the youth believed in Onofiok and they were resolved to promote his governorship ambition.

Said he: “The governor’s decision was his personal decision. It did not represent our decision and the interest of the masses. So, we will go ahead to pursue our collective interest.”

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said his Independent Newspapers’ Governor of the Year 2021 Award would spur him to better serve his state and the country.

He dedicated the award to the people of the state and his administration.

Diri, who was honoured as the best in the Good Governance and Responsive Leadership category, received the award at a well-attended event held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos at the weekend.

In statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, yesterday, the governor said the award was not for him alone, but also for members of his government and all ‘Bayelsans’.

He appreciated the media organisation for the recognition, noting that he was delighted that his silent achievements were recognised by the newspaper.

Describing Bayelsa as a hub of oil and gas activities in Nigeria, Diri said an enabling environment had been created for investors in sectors.

He said: “For us, this award is dedicated to my team and indeed the people of Bayelsa State.

“We are happy that our modest efforts are reverberating and have attracted this award. But it is not to me alone as the governor, but also to the people of Bayelsa and the team of the administration.

“To us, this is a further call to duty. To whom much is given much is expected. So for us, in the face of dwindling resources, the much that we can muster will be able to impact on the lives and environment of our state.

“Bayelsa is relatively one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. It is the hub of oil and gas activities. I can assure you that Bayelsa is prepared to host the world. The state now has an airport, which is operational, with two airlines flying to Bayelsa on a daily basis from Lagos and Abuja.

“So, the state is open business-wise. We call on investors that Bayelsa is open infrastructurally, spiritually and physically.”

On what Bayelsa should expect in the remaining two years of his first tenure, Diri said: “Our own policy is to silently do what we want to do and thereafter showcase to the world, like you saw during the second anniversary.”

A retired United States Army Colonel, Wisdom Osemwende, has said Nigeria can end Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism, using warhead drones.

Osemwende, a presidential aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC), in his late 50s, with dual citizenship of Nigeria and US, who retired after 30 years in US Army, and hails from Oredo Local Government of Edo State, said Nigeria had a bright future.

The retired Colonel, who is a doctoral degree holder, spoke at the Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin, while declaring his presidential ambition, ahead of the 2023 general election.

He said: “For some years now, Nigeria has been suffocating under the unbearable weight of insecurity and terror, perpetrated by the dreaded Boko Haram. This crisis has caused a lot of pain and suffering to the victimised communities and has been one of the country’s biggest challenges.

“This should never have been happening to Africa’s giant. We can redress these security challenges. For 30 years, I amassed a wealth of experience in administration and leadership within the US military, the world’s most enviable and strongest military.

“If I say today that I have a solution to Boko Haram, many will think it is just one of those election campaign promises, but others who understand the might of the US military will give me the credence. And yes, I have the much-needed solution to this security problem.

“With my experience, I know what a military should look like. The Nigerian army and other security agencies are getting set for a modern era, and I have the password to this.”

The presidential aspirant, who stated that his dual citizenship would be an added advantage to Nigeria, noted that the American government would always come to his aid, when he needed the assistance.

He said: “Having served the United States all these years and being greatly honoured to that effect, it is time my country, Nigeria, should benefit from my relationship with the world’s biggest economy.

“America will gladly contribute economically, socially and otherwise to this new phase of Nigerian development that we are about to engage.

“My 30 years plus years of staying abroad, and especially in the US, gave me an understanding of the health insurance system that can sustain the health of a nation. There is nothing as important as a healthy nation. With my experience, I am ready to introduce Nigeria into a new public health dimension that is sustainable.”

Osemwende said his administration would revamp the agricultural sector of the country for job creation and promote foreign exchange.

Edo State Government says arrangements are on to launch a five-year infrastructure renewal plan for the education sector.

The Executive Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs. Ozavize Salami, made this known yesterday in a webinar series of the Edo Media Connect Forum tagged: ‘Talk to the People’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the webinar was organised, in collaboration with the  Ministry of Communication and Orientation.

Speaking about the theme: ‘Basic Education Reform: A Panacea for Social Welfare Enhancement in Edo State’, Salami said infrastructure renewal was one of the cardinal pillars under the education reform programme of the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration.

The reform, Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST), she said, had changed the face of teaching and learning since 2018 when it was introduced.

The SUBEB boss noted that the state was carrying out an infrastructure audit of schools in the state to use the data for the renewal project.

“Maintenance is part of the plan, so that schools will not deteriorate at a very high speed like it was before.

“Government has realised the work ahead of it and this infrastructural uplift will begin in the next few months,” said the chairman.

Salami said the reform that had been carried out by some prominent states in the country was conceived to tackle the barriers in the state’s education system.

“EdoBEST was launched to correct the anomalies this government met in the education sector when it assumed office.

“There was rot, such as lack of data to make critical decisions and interventions; dearth of teachers and failure of the communities where schools are based, to take ownership of the facilities.

“It is in view of this that the government prioritised equipping of teachers. About 11,000 teachers were trained in technology-based learning and teaching techniques.

“Tablets that contained lesson notes for teaching were distributed to the teachers. This improved the morale of teachers, and we abolished corporal punishment for pupils in primary schools,” she said.

The SUBEB boss asserted that as a way of showing its commitment to education, the state government budgeted a whopping N24 billion to the sector.

She said the sum was the second largest allocation to any sector, after infrastructure.

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River Central Senatorial District at the weekend resolved to send a delegation to Governor Ben Ayade and discuss issues of interest concerning their district, touching on zoning and best ways to help the APC win the 2023 general election.

Ayade had said that he supported his successor to be someone from the Southern Senatorial District because the principles of justice, equity and fairness should be maintained in the rotation of the governorship seat.

The stakeholders, who met in Ikom Local Government at the instance of three conveners, Senator John Owan-Enoh, Chief Chris Agara and the former Minister of Niger Delta, Pastor Usani Usani, came out with a nine-point communiqué.

In the preamble of the communiqué, the APC Central District stakeholders, while pledging support for the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and hailing the giant strides recorded in sectors of the economy, praised the governor for defecting to the APC and adding value to it.

They acknowledged Ayade’s leadership of the party and congratulated the state Chairman, Alphonsus Ogar, and members of the state executive committee of the APC for their emergence and inauguration.

The meeting appealed to the party leadership to “lead with fairness and inclusiveness for all party men and women, irrespective of senatorial district.”