The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 polls

  • 2019 Polls: Buratai inaugurates Army Situation Room

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai on Wednesday inaugurated the 2019 General Elections Situation Room for the Nigerian Army, saying it is a proactive mechanism by the Army to keep abreast with situation reports on the conduct of the elections.

    According to Buratai, the inauguration of the Nigerian Army Situation Room was informed by events that characterized the previous elections, and the imperative of taking precautionary steps to prevent break down of law and order before, during and after the elections.

    Speaking shortly after the inauguration of the Situation Room, Lt Gen. Buratai said: “Recall that the NA had earlier launched OP SAFE CONDUCT which is one of the series of exercises undertaken by the NA to ensure the success of the 2019 General Elections. The NA Situation Room has been reconfigured for real-time monitoring of events during the 2019 General Elections.

    “It is pertinent to state that the post-election violence which characterized previous elections clearly highlights the challenges posed by incidents of electoral violence in the country. Hence, the NA saw the need to devise new strategies of stemming such ugly tides or completely eliminating same.

    Read Also: Nigerian Army to begin export of combat vehicles by 2030 –Buratai

    “Lessons learnt from previous election violence witnessed have categorized the nature or types of violence into 3 broad categories namely: pre-election violence, violence during elections and post-election violence.

    ” Violence at the various phases of elections include thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes and papers or kidnapping or abduction of electoral officers and party agents and wanton destruction of lives and properties, respectively.

    “Having observed this cycle of violence reoccur severally in our past electioneering processes, the NA has thus deemed it necessary to adopt a proactive and responsive posture that would allow us to better respond to early signs of insecurity before they could escalate into a major security challenge. It is in this light that the NA has launched OP SAFE CONDUCT and also gone ahead to establish this situation room for real-time monitoring.

    ” At this point, it cannot be overstated that fake news and false propaganda pose a dangerous threat to both the democratic process and military operations. The use of media, especially social media to deliberately spread fake news should be a thing of concern to all.

    “The rapid spread of fake news has been responsible for misinformation, thereby having an influence on public sentiment and sow confusion among the electorate or even easily ignite violence during the period of the 2019 General Elections.

    “The NA through the Cyber Warfare Command has been continually engaged in monitoring, identifying and countering various forms of fake news and propaganda being put out by terrorists and subversive elements. However, in this period of the elections, there is need to collaborate with all stakeholders to confront the menace of fake news.“

  • Urhobo youths endorse Okowa for second term

    Urhobo youths under the aegis of the Delta Central Equity Group (DCEG) have agreed to ensure a violence-free election.

    The youths, who cut across political parties and other organisations, also endorsed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a second term in office on the grounds of “equity”.

    In a meeting attended by Okowa and a former Delta governor Chief James Ibori on Wednesday in Ughelli town, Ughelli North council area of Delta state, the group’s Convener, Morris Idiovwa, stressed that it stands to ensure that no young man loses his life because of the general polls.

    According to Idiovwa, the group’s endorsement of the governor does not extend to his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    “The youths in Delta Central have agreed to come together and say, no more violence in our elections. The youths in Delta Central have agreed that irrespective of party differences, no office is worth the blood of another man.

    “We have decided to come together for a common interest and our primary responsibility is to ensure that our young men are not killed during the elections, as we are standing to reject electoral violence.

    “We must be able to defend our future by conducting free, fair and credible elections. We are not endorsing PDP but Okowa as an individual.

    “The Delta Central Equity Group made of different youth bodies, irrespective of party affiliation across the local government have agreed that Okowa should continue as the governor of Delta state in 2019 for the sake of equity.”

    On reports opposition is plotting to make the March 2 elections inconclusive, he emphasised “no matter the provocation, no youth will kill another youth for someone to enter office”.

    Okowa promised to do more for the youths of Delta Central if re-elected.

    Assuring the group has “not made a wrong choice” in him, he said: “We will not disappoint you and in our second tenure, we shall increase whatever thing we have been doing for the youths.”

    Expressing optimism that victory is sure, he appreciated the youths for the gesture and urged them to vote “but not allow anybody to come and cheat us, scatter our votes because we need peace”.

    Ibori assured that Deltans will vote peacefully, using their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs).

    Chief Ibori, while commending the DCEG for the show of solidarity in endorsing the governor, stated in no distant time, it will be the turn of the Urhobos to produce governor.

    He said: “We will not be provoked, induced and intimidated but we will vote peacefully and use our PVCs to speak for us. And as you rightly said, the next governor is the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa”.

  • Polls: Be peaceful, shun violence, Ambode tells Lagosians

    With just two days to the presidential/national assembly elections which comes up on Saturday, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has called on Lagosians to conduct themselves peacefully especially at the polling centers and shun any act of violence or misconduct that could threaten the exercise.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, on Wednesgovernor, the governor said the nation was on the threshold of history as the outcome of the election would be a defining moment in Nigeria’s political and economic landscape.

    He said it was important for residents, especially the electorate to see the election as one that they must not sit on the fence but come out to exercise their franchise albeit in a peaceful and orderly manner, devoid of rancour and all forms of electoral violence.

    “As we prepare for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, I appeal to every Lagosian to ensure that the peace we have enjoyed in the last four years in the State is replicated across all the polling units/voting centres on Saturday.

    Read Also: Ambode hails Senator Tinubu for her ‘life changing projects’

    “Your PVC is your voice and it is what you would need to cast your vote. I urge you to come out, be orderly, take your place in the queue and avoid any form of violence that can mar the process or put the lives of our peace loving citizens at risk,” he said.

    While stressing that he would be casting his vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Presidential election and other candidates for the National Assembly elections, the Governor said Lagos in the last four years had benefitted immensely from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    He listed some of the key capital projects which the State had initiated with the support of the Federal Government to include the release of Oshodi-Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA) road for reconstruction; release of land space in Oshodi for the construction of the interchange and terminus; release of Oshodi- Abule Egba lane for BRT and the release of the Presidential Lodge, Marina for the Lagos History Centre project.

    The Governor also mentioned the ongoing road infrastructure works in Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Badagry-Seme and Ikorodu axis as other intervention projects that President Buhari expeditiously approved to be carried out in the State.

    “The fact is that since 1999, Lagos has never benefitted from the Federal Government under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, the way it has benefited in the last three and half years. Most of the interventions that we have carried out have made life more meaningful to the average resident of the State.

    “Beyond reasonable doubt, President Buhari has shown his love for Lagos and under his administration, Lagos has thrived. It is important that we continue on this trajectory for another four years,” the Governor said.

  • Auchi monarch to PDP: we’ll support party that fixed Auchi gully

    Edo North senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) Engr. Abubakar Momoh got the shock of his life at the palace of the Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru Ikelebe III on Tuesday.

    The monarch told the candidate Auchi people would vote for the party that fixed the gully erosion problem that ravaged the community for many years.

    It was former Governor Adams Oshiomhole that solved the gully erosion problem.

    Momoh was at the Otaru’s palace to seek endorsement of the monarch for Saturday’s polls.

    The Otaru reportedly told Momoh that he would only give his support to the party and people that rescued the community from total collapse when it was ravaged by erosion.

    The Daniyan of Auchi Kingdom, Alhaji Usman Abudah, who confirmed the development, told newsmen that the Otaru of Auchi also advised all political office seekers to desist from the “unacceptable efforts to involve the palace of the Otaru of Auchi with their misgiving political pursuits.”

    His words: “Specifically Hon Abubakar Momoh who has on numerous occasions been seeking for political positions at the wrong time in wrong places visited the palace of the Otaru of Auchi and on each occasion, HRH Otaru of Auchi explicitly advised him to find a way to fall into line of the realities of the moment.

    “The Otaru said he will never while alive not to be appreciative of any government that came to the aid of the community during the problematic erosion problem which Oshiomhole government in collaboration with the World Bank solved for the community.

    “Otaru will never in his life mislead his people he has spoken and will continue to speak the truth to the people of his domain.”

  • PDP accuses APC of burning INEC offices

    The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) said Tuesday that fresh facts available to it have shown that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was responsible for the burning of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in various parts of the country.

    The main opposition PDP said it already has the details of how the APC mobilised misguided elements in its fold to burn INEC offices and destroy electoral materials and equipment in Plateau, Abia and Anambra states.

    Fire had gutted INEC offices in the three states within one week.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said, “Our party is also privy to clandestine plots by the APC to burn INEC offices in some other states, so as to paralyse the Commission’s operations in such states, and pave the way for the isolation and postponement of the presidential elections in those states; after which it plans to unleash compromised security agencies to muzzle the shifted polls in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Having realised that President Buhari has no chance in a credible, free and fair general election, the APC now plots a violent staggering of the polls so as to use security forces to re-enact the same rigging formula it used in the 2018 Ekiti and Osun governorship elections”

    Read Also: Why we arrested PDP spokesman – DSS

    The statement added that in attacking INEC offices and destroying the card readers, the APC was is to cripple the Commission’s use of full benefit of technology that will guarantee a credible biometric voter accreditation.

    “The PDP in very unequivocal terms insists that it will never accept any attempt by the APC to postpone the Presidential election in any state of the federation. The Presidential election must hold in all the states on the 16th of February and President Buhari will be served his defeat certificate.

    “The PDP therefore charges Nigerians to resist the desperation of the APC, for which it has now resorted to burning INEC offices. The party also charges INEC to note that the APC is after it facilities and as such put stronger measures to protect itself from the assaults of this desperate party”.

  • Ogun: Abiodun is next governor – Osinbajo

    Vice – President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday expressed confidence that with God and support of the good people of Ogun State, Prince Adedapo Abiodun, would emerge the next governor of the state.

    Osinbajo advised the electorate to cast their votes for the All Progressives Congress(APC) candidates for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for next Saturday, February 16 as well as the March 2 governorship and state House of Assembly polls in the state.

    The Vice – President who expressed optimism about Abiodun’s victory at the Palace of the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba AbdulRasaq Adenugba, in company of the APC governorship candidate, called on party members and supporters to be wary of those promoting division and candidates other than APC candidates.

    Osinbajo was in the Palace to seek the support of the monarch and chiefs in Ago – Iwoye ahead of the general elections.

    Read Also: Buhari endorses Abiodun as APC candidate

    He reiterated that APC controlled government in the state with Abiodun in the saddle, and reelected President Muhammadu at the centre, the Gateway state would be better for it.

    Responding, Ebumawe said Osinbajo and Abiodun are their true sons and urged his people to support and pray for their success.

    Earlier, the Vice – President also visited the traditional ruler of Idowa – Ijebu, Oba Yinusa Adekoya and his chiefs where he had private meeting with them.

  • Polls: Avoid all forms of intimidation, TUC urges FG

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria ( TUC ) has asked the federal government to avoid all forms of intimidations during the 2019 general elections and be transparent in the conduct of the Elections.

    Rising from its National Executive Council meeting, the Congress asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be as impartial as possible during the election, having the interest of all Nigerians at heart.

    In a communique signed by the President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama and Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal M. Ozigi, TUC also calls on the police, the military and other security agents to be professional in discharging their duties since no position is worth the blood of innocent civilians.

    They commended the House of Representatives for approving N30, 000.00 as minimum wage in the country and call on the Upper Chamber, the Senate to do the same without any further delay.

    The Congress said that the law establishing National Law Advisory Council (NLAC) should be reviewed to include major Stakeholders, like TUC and warned that TUC will no longer tolerate the violation of the trade union rights of its members to representation, collective bargaining and be consulted on labour matters in the country.

    On the state of Insecurity in the Country, the Congress call on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to make sure that killing; kidnapping and insurgency in the country are totally wiped out and save the country from total collapse.

    It also frowns at the proposed increase of international passport and driver’s license by the Federal Government. It therefore calls on the Federal Government to maintain the status quo and formulate policies that will be more beneficial to the masses.

    On the Anti-Corruption crusade, the Congress commended the Federal Government for the fight against corruption in the Country and call on the Federal Government to respect the rule of law when doing so.

  • Breaking: ACF endorses Buhari

    …says, President deserves 2nd term

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has endorsed the candidature of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the next Saturday poll.

    It would be recalled that Professor Ango Abdullahi led faction of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had recently endorsed the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    ACF which prides itself as the political compass of the North said, it has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country, it has come to conclusion that, President Muhammadu Buhari deserves a second term to consolidate on his achievements.

    The forum which declared its stand in statement personally signed by its Acting Chairman, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande said, ACF’s stand was informed by the strides taken by the Buhari administration to improve and reposition the nation economically, with the multi-billion Dollar Mambilla hydropower project, the exploration of oil in Gongola Basin of the Benue trough, the Baro inland port, the North East Development Commission, the ongoing rail line projects nationwide, and other critical infrastructural development projects.

    According to the statement, “In continuation of role of ACF as the political compass of the North, the leadership under the Chairmanship of Mallam Adamu M. Fika Wazirin Fika GCON, Chairman Board of Trustees of the Forum at a meeting today 12th February 2019, has evaluated critical national issues, especially the political situation in the country and its attendant consequences for the continued peace, unity and progress of our dear country Nigeria.

    “The ACF takes note of the state of the political situation as the nation goes into another round of elections, where tensions are heightened as a result of intense campaigns, lobbying and horse-trading among political actors.

    “The ACF takes special note that major political parties have nominated prominent northerners, for the February 16th 2019 Presidential Elections. The Forum has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country.

    “The ACF is therefore, of the view that certain attributes such as clarity of thought, unity of purpose, content of character and morality of the candidates, their leadership qualities, performance and general acceptability of the candidates contesting for not only the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also for other elective offices should guide voters in making their choices.

    “The decision on who to elect should not be based on any form of inducements, mob hysteria, intimidation or false promises, but by calm and deliberate consideration of the candidates’ qualities of leadership, performance and moral standing in their public and private lives.

    “Furthermore, other considerations such as capacity to tackle security challenges, fight corruption, and boost the economy by way of diversification away from over dependence on oil, by infrastructural development in order to promote growth. The integrity of the candidate to raise the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations is equally important in the election.

    Read Also: Buhari vows to recover $16bn squandered on power by PDP

    “ACF also calls on the politicians and their supporters as well as the electorates to avoid all forms of violence before, during and after the elections. This is because violence is never a solution to any grievances. It not only destroys our democratic process but also lives and property. Democracy is a contest of ideas and reasons.

    “Also, ACF urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live up its promise and assurances for credible, free and fair elections.

    “ACF equally calls on the Police and other security agencies involved in providing security to the election process to remain neutral and professional in their conduct.” It said.

  • FG uncovers fresh plans by PDP to scuttle poll

    … PDP plots to orchestrate crisis, FG alleges

     

    Barely few days to the general elections, the Federal Government on Tuesday alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is planning to orchestrate a crisis and trigger a sense of panic among the populace.

    It said the plot is in furtherance of their plan to discredit the election and cause a constitutional crisis.

    It, however, urged international community to ignore plot to discredit the Saturday poll before it is conducted.

    The government, which made the claims in a statement in Abuja by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed, said PDP bigwigs, including its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate Peter Obi, PDP Governors and others, are planning a world press conference in order to level frivolous and unfounded allegations against the government.

    The statement said: “With just a few days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Federal Government has alerted the nation to the last-minute desperate plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to orchestrate a crisis and trigger a sense of panic among the populace, in furtherance of their plan to discredit the election and cause a constitutional crisis.

    “The plot confirms the alarm raised by the Federal Government on Jan. 21st and Feb. 3rd 2019 that the PDP is planning to scuttle the election and, where that fails, discredit it.

    “In the days ahead, PDP bigwigs, including its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate Peter Obi, PDP Governors and others, are planning a world press conference in order to level frivolous and unfounded allegations against the federal government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

    Read Also: Buhari vows to recover $16bn squandered on power by PDP

    The statement gave insights into the plot by the opposition including alleged connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) by the Presidency.

    The statement added: “Part of the false allegations they plan to make is that the Presidency, in connivance with the APC, is planning to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce presidential election results that are favourable to the government in power, on the basis of the false premise that the APC’s intelligence team is worried that the ruling party would lose the elections.

    “The PDP bigwigs also plan to use their world press conference to further disparage the Buhari Administration as well as the ruling APC, with a view to painting an unfavourable image of both  Nigerians and the international community also to put the government on the defensive in the run-up to the polls.

    The Minister said the “PDP’s last joker is a two-hour live press conference to be addressed by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, on Feb. 14th, the last day of electioneering campaign, to chronicle all their concocted allegations and lies against the ruling government, cast aspersion on government and ruling party officials and throw innuendos here and there.

    The statement added: ”As electioneering campaign winds down, the PDP has realized that it cannot possibly win free, fair and credible polls. It has thus resorted to engaging in red herring, hauling insults and abuses at Federal Government and ruling party officials and making outlandish allegations with a view to creating a sense of panic and crisis.

    ”The truth is that President Muhammadu Buhari, a man respected globally for his integrity, has continuously assured that the elections will be free, fair, credible and peaceful. He has warmly welcomed observers, both local and foreign., because he has nothing to hide, and because he is sure that the achievements of his Administration will win him re-election.

    Mohammed urged international community to ignore plot to discredit the Saturday poll.

    ”We are therefore calling on all Nigerians and the international community to disregard any attempt to scuttle or discredit the polls.

    “We urge observers to keep an open mind. There is no cause for alarm, except in the warped imagination of the PDP, which has entered the panic mode and is already ruing the loss of another general election even before it has been held,” he said.

  • Buhari vows to recover $16bn squandered on power by PDP

    …..President gets Ijaw name as mammoth crowd gather in Bayelsa

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday vowed to recover $16bn allegedly wasted in the power sector by the government of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    “Where is the power? Where is the money?” The President queried saying his administration would go after persons involved in the power deal to recover the money to continue with the ongoing development of infrastructures across the country.

    Buhari spoke at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where mammoth crowd of party faithful gathered for his reelection campaign in the state.

    Party faithful comprising men, women and youths adorned in APC vests and fez caps were seen drumming support for Buhari and chanting Sai Baba.

    The APC presidential candidate with his entourage landed at the Government House heliport and was received by the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, his Deputy, John Jonah, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson and other cabinet members.

    Buhari was also welcomed to the state by the state leader of APC and former Governor of Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva; the Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri, the state Chairman of APC, Jothan Amos and other party leaders.

    Buhari and his team comprising his Campaign Director and former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) proceeded to the Secretariat of the state Traditional Rulers Council where the candidate spoke to the council headed by the King of Twon Brass, Alfred Diette Spiff.

    The President was giving an Ijaw name, Ebiwari (good house) by the state Chairman of the party, Jothan Amos, who referred to as a symbol of truth to the admiration of the crowd.

    But the President insisted that persons who were involved in squandering the whooping power money would not go scot free.

    Read Also: My husband has passion for the masses – Aisha Buhari

    “You know we are building roads; the railway was virtually killed we are rebuilding it and there was no power, we are bringing power back. The previous government mentioned on their own that they spent 16bn American Dollars for power. But you are better witnessed than myself. Where is the power? Where is the money? We will follow them and eventually God willing we will get them and we will get our money back,” he said.

    The President insisted that the APC administration would continue to take seriously the problems of security, economy, infrastructures and fight against corruption.

    He said: “We are also promising that we will make people who occupy executive positions both in federal and state levels to be accountable to the people. If you could recall when I came in 2015 under our great party, the party articulated three issues which we campaign and were voted on.

    “These are security, economy and fighting corruption. On security, the people of the Northeast are the biggest witnesses of what we achieved because when we came, at least 17 local governments were under Boko Haram. As I speak now none is under them. But they resorted to train the young men and women wrap them up with explosives and ask them to explode it in churches, mosques, market places and in motor parks. That is even rare now.

    “On economy, when we came in we had very high importation of food stocks. We thank God that in the three previous raining seasons we realised bountiful harvest. The government contribution was to make fertilizer and other agricultural inputs available. That took away many able-bodied persons out of unemployment.

    “On fighting corruption, under this system it is very difficult. But I keep mentioning wherever I go that all those who have account to give should prepare to account for it. Those that are indicted were taken before the court and a number of them are in jail and a number of their properties had been taken away to be sold and put in the treasury and continue with infrastructure”.

    The President praised the efforts of the party leaders saying the APC was stronger and that its strength would be tested in the forthcoming elections.

    On his part, Sylva said the APC remained the stronger party in the state and thanked the President for assisting in payment of workers’ salaries through bailouts.

    Sylva said the Ijaw people could be forgiven the last time for not voting President Buhari because their son contested the election against him; they had no more reason not to vote for him in the coming election.

    He further accused the state government of spending N120bn to build an airport in the state without disclosing the identity of the contractor.

    Addressing Buhari on why the people of the state would vote for him, he said: “Mr. President you have also commenced and almost completed a major road in Bayelsa state connecting the community of the former President. You have also commissioned a major water project in Bayelsa, one in Otuoke and another one in Ekeremor, which was done from the Ministry of Agriculture.

    “Bayelsa has many reasons why they should vote for you again. I always say this to Bayelsans, it is as clear as crystal, visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that Mr. President is winning again. I tell my people that apart from the fact that Mr. President has done a lot, we must also vote for Mr. President because that is the winning team.

    “Our father Melford Okilo taught us that our alliance with northern Nigeria must be sustained. And for us as Ijaw people, that is what we have always known for. Let us not make any mistake. I learnt that some people came here to deceive Bayelsans, but we know them for whom they are. We call them ‘People Deceive People’.

    “For Ijaw land to grow, we need a forthright President like President Buhari. Izon means truth and it is our name as a people. We also know that the name Muhammadu Buhar stands for truth. Buhari is a truthful person so he is our natural alliance. That is why we must all vote for President Buhari.

    “He has brought many things to Ijaw land. I stand here as a son of Ijaw land, as a former governor and as a chairman of the Maritime University, which is also a school that was instituted by the President. Ijaw people have no reason not to vote for the President. This time we must vote enmasse”.

    On his part, Lokpobiri asked the President to ensure a level-playing filed in Bayelsa to enable the APC prove its worth in the state accusing the state government of squandering N1.3trn that accrued to the state for seven years.

    He said: “I have the mandate of the Bayelsa people to tell you that Bayelsa doesn’t want to be left of this moving train and winning movement. Right from the days of Melfford Okilo Bayelsans have always known the party that would win. This time around, Bayelsans have already seen that your reelection had already been concluded.

    “The only request we want is for a level-playing field to be provided for Bayelsans to show you that they love you. This state in the past seven years has received N1.3trn. This is excluding local government allocations, bailout funds and loans that run into hundreds of billions of naira.

    “But Bayelsa is still one of the least developed states in the country. Bayelsa is still one of the darkest states in the country. Bayelsa civil servants have suffered the highest level of retrenchment in this country”.

    He asked the President to bring his anti-corruption drive to Bayelsa and make the state government account for the money it received without commensurate development.