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Tag: Bayelsa State

  • Senator Douye Diri is PDP’s guber candidate in Bayelsa

    The Senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Douye Diri, has emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

    Out of the the 1,244 accredited voters, Diri scored 561 votes to defeat his closest rival and   former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, who polled 365 votes.

    Keniebi Okoko, a businessman and philanthropist came third after scoring  142 votes in the election, which was contested by 21 aspirants.

    About 16 votes were declared invalid following multiple voting and other unrecognised patterns of casting ballots.

    Diri emerged from the Restoration Caucus of the PDP led by Governor, Seriake Dickson, who presented him as the preferred aspirant of the caucus a day before the  election.

    The election of Diri as PDP’s flag bearer further reinforced Dickson’s repeated assertion that his caucus remained a dominant force in the PDP and the state.

    The election was adjudged free, fair and credible apart from pockets of violence that occurred during the accreditation, which was repelled by security operatives.

    Declaring him winner of the election, the Returning Officer and Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishiaku, said Diri satisfied all conditions contained in the constitution of the PDP having scored the highest number of the vote cast.

    A breakdown of the accredited delegates according to their local government areas showed that 196 were from Southern Ijaw; 169, Yenagoa; 164, Sagbama and 150, Ogbia.

    Others were Nembe, 151; Ekeremor, 148; Kolokuma-Opokuma, 141 and Brass 125.

    Arrangements for actual voting commenced at about 11pm following the arrival of the Returning Officer and Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, his committee members and observers from the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Ishaku invited the agents of the parties to come forward to be guided through the process and read the Riot Act to the delegates and aspirants.

    A former Chairman of Southern Ijaw, Chief Tiwe Oruminighe, who was an agent of one of the aspirants and former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) observed that the state party officials should stop identifying with the committee since they were delegates and interested parties.

    Read Also: Tension as PDP elects governorship candidate in Bayelsa

    Ishaku ordered the Chairman of the party, Cleopas Moses and the party secretary, Keku Godspower to be at  the rows allocated to their local government areas.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan arrived the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, the venue of the governorship primaries.

    Jonathan, who arrived at about 11:20pm, was given thunderous ovation by the delegates and was also recognised by the Governor of Taraba State and Returning Officer, Darius Ishaku

    The former President after exchanging pleasantries with the electoral committee went to sit at the row allocated to Ogbia, his Local Government Area.

    The Darius Ishaku-led electoral committee distorted the alphabetical order of voting to allow former President Goodluck Jonathan the privilege of voting first in the primaries.

    Jonathan was asked to lead delegates from Ogbia, his Local Government Area, to cast their votes first instead of Brass local government area, which should have come first by alphabetical order.

    Dickson was also given a privileged treatment after Jonatha as he was asked to lead the Sagbama delegates followed by his Deputy, who led the Nembe delegates.

  • Breaking: Bayelsa APC has commenced direct primaries, says Yobe governor

    The Governor of Yobe State, Mai-Mala Buni, on Tuesday declared that the process to elect the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State through direct primary method has commenced following the vacation of the court order that earlier disrupted it.

    Buni, who spoke in Yenagoa shortly after meeting with the aspirants and major party stakeholders including the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, said the process would be concluded within the timeframe stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Leading aspirants such as   former Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; Businessman and Oil magnate, Chief David Lyon and an Engineer, Preye Aganaba, attended the meeting which held immediately after the court judgement.

    Buni said: “The process has commenced and we had a very wonderful meeting with the stakeholders. We adjourned the meeting to allow the process to continue. We have agreed to adhere to all the guidelines issued by the party.

    “We have a timeframe within which we are working. The process is direct primaries and all the aspirants agreed with it. We are on the same page.

    “We are here to provide the level-playing ground for all the aspirants. We are not hoping for violence. We are all APC and one big family so we have to work together to win the election.

    “It is only one person that wins and when one person emerges we look forward for all the others to come forward and support him”.

    One of the aspirants, Preye Aganaba, said it was a victory to democracy that the APC respected the court order saying his time was comfortable with any method of primaries.

    He said though the meeting was stormy, everybody agreed to adopt the direct mode of primary.

    He said: “The direct is a decentralised mode of election and familiar people will be at their awards to cast their votes. So I expect it to be a family affair. At the end of all of these we should all come out to support whoever wins.

     

  • APC knows fate Tuesday as Court rules on primaries

    The Court of Appeal has reserved ruling on the order of Sagbama High Court sitting in Yenagoa stopping the All Progressives Congress (APC) from holding its Bayelsa State governorship primary elections using direct method.

    The State Publicity Secretary, APC, Doifie Buokoribo, confirmed that ruling on the matter had been reserved for Tuesday.

    The APC has been battling to vacate the order, which distorted its schedules for the primary poll.

    The party shifted the primaries from August 29th to 31st citing logistic issues.

    It further postponed it indefinitely following the order stopping the planned use of direct method in conducting the internal poll.

    An electoral committee headed by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai-Mala Buni, as its Returning Officer, was already in Yenagoa at the weekend to conduct the internal poll but decided otherwise after waiting in vain for the vacation of the order on Friday.

    Read Also: Tinubu predicts victory for APC in Kogi, Bayelsa

    But a party source’ who spoke in confidence, assured that everything was being done to vacate the order.

    He said: “But everything is in motion to vacate the order on Monday or Tuesday. Surely the order will be vacated. We would have gone ahead to hold the primaries because based on the Electoral Act that injunction is illegal.

    “Section 87(10) of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, provides that nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general election or the thereof under this Act pending the determination of a suit.

    “But the party doesn’t want any legal impediments to its primaries. It is only reasonable to counter the order that since there is still time to do so. All we know is that the order will be voided and the primaries will be conducted wanting he stipulated time”.

    Announcing the postponement, the Secretary of the Electoral Committee, Senator Emmanuel Ocheja, described the APC as a law-abiding party with respect for its constitution and the laws of the land.

    Ocheja in a statement said: “The APC is aware of conflicting orders from courts of equal jurisdiction on the Bayelsa governorship primary election.

    “As a result of these conflicting orders and following a meeting that Governor Mai-Mala Buni had with the aspirants and party stakeholders in Yenagoa, it was resolved that the primary election should be postponed until the committee headed by the governor receives clear direction from the party headquarters on the matter”.

  • 13 Niger Delta indigenes win SPDC JV scholarship to UK varsities

    THIRTEEN indigenes of Niger Delta States of Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers have won the 2019 Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture scholarship for a one-year master’s degree in three top-ranked universities in the United Kingdom. The latest awards bring the total number of beneficiaries to 92 since the inception of the scheme in 2010.

    “A lack of world-class research institutions and limited access to technology are key challenges in enabling Nigerians and Nigerian companies to play an even greater role in the oil and gas value chain, therefore, the SPDC Joint Venture has, over the years, developed many scholarship programmes and other initiatives as part of our continuing efforts to develop indigenous manpower for the oil and gas industry,” SPDC’s General Manager External Relations, Igo Weli, said at the award ceremony in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    Represented by SPDC’s Social Investment Manager, Gloria Udoh, Weli explained that the scheme was targeted at host communities. “We have the national scholarship which caters for the entire country in addition to the scholarships offered by our deepwater business, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company.”

    According to him, the fully-funded scholarship covers “all the direct and indirect activities leading up to the award of the postgraduate degree including visa fees, Tuition, living expenses, other allowances and return flight tickets for a one-year Master’s degree in top-ranked partner universities.

    Read Also: ‘Shell should stop exploration in Niger Delta’

    The partner universities are: Imperial College London; University of Leeds; and University of Aberdeen.

    SPDC’s General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Olanrewaju Olawuyi said the company was committed to country value addition not just through scholarships but also through in-country manufacturing, supplier development, asset ownership and infrastructure development.

    Olawuyi said, “Our approach to developing local human capacity has evolved over the years as the challenges facing the industry and our businesses have changed. We look forward to their returning home and contributing to the development of the oil and gas industry and their communities.”

    One of the awardees, Ahante Promise, described the scholarship as “a life-time opportunity to further improve myself and compete equally with my peers all over the world. Shell is doing a great job and I am extremely grateful.” Another beneficiary, Woyinpreye Cliff-Ekubo, expressed appreciation to SPDC “for the opportunity and continuous support in ensuring human capacity development in Nigeria.”

  • Bayelsa APC battles to vacate court order, mulls consensus

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified its efforts to vacate a court order, which stopped its governorship primaries in Bayelsa State.

    The party shifted the primaries from August 29th to 31st citing logistic issues but further postponed it indefinitely following the order by the Sagbama High Court sitting in Yenagoa stopping the planned use of direct method in conducting the internal poll.

    An electoral committee headed by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai-Mala Buni, as its Returning Officer, was already in Yenagoa to conduct the internal poll but decided otherwise after waiting in vain for the vacation of the order on Friday.

    A party source, who spoke in confidence, said the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party thought that it could counter the order at the Court of Appeal to enable the conduct of the primaries, but failed to complete the legal process.

    Read Also: Tinubu predicts victory for APC in Kogi, Bayelsa

    He said: “But everything is in motion to vacate the order on Monday or Tuesday. Surely the order will be vacated. We would have gone ahead to hold the primaries because based on the Electoral Act that injunction is illegal.

    “Section 87(10) of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, provides that nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general election or the thereof under this Act pending the determination of a suit.

    “But the party doesn’t want any legal impediments to its primaries. It is only reasonable to counter the order since there is still time to do so. All we know is that the order will be voided and the primaries will be conducted within the stipulated time”.

    Announcing the postponement, the Secretary of the Electoral Committee, Senator Emmanuel Ocheja, described the APC as a law-abiding party with respect for its constitution and the laws of the land.

  • Dickson and danger ahead of Bayelsa PDP primary

    September 3rd 2019 is the historic date set aside by the Peoples Democratic Party to conduct the Bayelsa State gubernatorial primaries.

    Currently, about 21 candidates have obtained the intent and nomination form to contest the election, out of which 95 percent were allegedly sponsored by the outgoing governor of the state, Henry Seriake Dickson, using the state government funds; a situation which is very worrisome.

    Among the independent and strong contenders are former Managing Director of NDDC, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, Mr. Keniebi Okoko, a businessman, Architect Reuben Okoya, Former Commissioner in the Alamieyeseigha administration, Joshua Maciver, an ex-militant and Niger Delta agitator, Dickson’s deputy governor Gboribiagha John Jonah, Dr Osaisai, Dr. Godknows Igali and few others in the line-up.

    There is no doubt, the Turo-Orua born politician intends to preside over the process like the biblical King of Salem, who brings out bread and wine to bless whom he chooses to bless.

    The governor’s restoration political family, which had been under wrap, is beginning to unfold everyday with anointed candidates earlier kept in the offing. According to sources close to Creek Haven, the seat of government of Bayelsa State, the governor had earlier promised over 30 persons to take over from him as governor.

    He has not also hidden his disposition in polarising the party along his faction, known as the Restoration Team and the other faction known as the Green Movement, which is associated with loyalists of former President Goodluck Jonathan. As a matter of fact, the Green Movement, as a political family, was where Dickson originally belonged and cut his first political tooth which threw him forth to limelight.

    If a prophet had told Jonathan and A.J. Turner and co; who at that time was of the Jonathan political kitchen cabinet that masterminded the candidature of Dickson to unseat a serving governor, that what is happening today will unfold, they would have doubted.  But Dickson, like a tiger, has turned around to feast on those riding on its back after devouring all the visible preys. As for Jonathan, Dickson now picks on him at random, using Ogbia loyalists in his caucus to unleash insults at him.

    Today, the stark reality is starring at their faces eye ball to eye ball. The Green Movement political family is grappling with the unimaginable power game, whereby, Seriake Dickson, who was once their school boy, has become headmaster of the game, as he has dumped the Green Movement to form his splinter group called the Restoration Family.

    The signals are ominous that so long as you do not belong to the Restoration Political Family, you are an “Obote man” who will be treated as political non-grata. You may call it ingratitude; the reality is that Dickson’s political benefactors were forewarned about nurturing his political rise by those who are abreast with his tendencies.

    The Restoration Team has become a thorn in the flesh of Jonathan and his political family. Yet, in his bid for re-election in 2015 but for the Goodluck Jonathan political factor that had just lost the presidential election, Governor Seriake Dickson would have been history.

    To the surprise of all, shortly after his re-election, Dickson was the first person to haul insults on Jonathan. It was on the occasion of marking the creation of the state and independence of Nigeria, where he openly said “the Jonathan presidency was a waste to the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta, that it did not attract any meaningful development to the area”.

    That singular remark, coming from a man who could not have become a governor without Jonathan, marks the height of rudeness and provocative show of disrespect. The former president refused to join issues with him and took it with a calm sense of equanimity.

    One obvious fact is that Dickson was only laying an avalanche of landmines to destroy a party he rode to power. Dickson hasn’t hidden the fact that it is either his crony or nothing; that is why he hurriedly organised that sham in the name of a local government election, to boost his delegates list and invited them to a meeting to conspire against even the current Deputy Governor who has been the stabilising factor in his administration. Certainly, the road is rough.

    That is why it is the consensus of vast majority of Bayelsans and the PDP in particular that any governorship candidate emerging through Dickson will lose the forthcoming governorship election in the state. This is a serious matter and they have several reasons in arriving at that calculation.

    The Dickson-led Restoration Political Family and its activities have caused a lot of woes to the people of the state which he wants to perpetuate through the convocation of one of his allies. This is a huge burden that must be resisted by the PDP or else defeat is eminent. Indeed even an unknown candidate from one of those numerous mushroom parties will defeat a Dickson anointed candidate.

    One, the administration inflicted unprecedented hardship on the populace, as no viable empowerment programme was initiated to reduce the frightening statistics of unemployment and the growing indices of poverty, culminating in astronomical rise in crime.

    The deplorable internal roads in the state capital, Yenagoa, are begging for attention, despite the fact that he receives billions of naira every month from the Federation Account. For eight years the Isaac Boro express road has been under construction and will certainly remain so until he leaves office.

    The recent audio tape that was recorded and leaked to the public, courtesy of the social media, is a clear manifestation of how dissatisfied the chairmen and councilors Dickson wants to use as his hatchet men are.   The man is like a drowning man who wants to catch an ordinary straw to survive. Some of the statements made in that tape are so disgusting that one cannot imagine if such a comment is coming from a governor.

    Did Dickson build the Government House he is touting to be one of its kind with his personal investment? Did he build the schools and the hospitals with his father’s investment? How come he did not use the airport he built to convey the numerous visitors that came to unveil the new Yenagoa City to the state if it has been finished and truly ready for use?

    Besides the heavy debt profile incurred by the administration, for the almost eight years, the government could not provide a single portable water for the state. Recently water scarcity hit the Yenagoa metropolis because water vendors, who are mostly of Hausa-Fulani stock, went on Sallah celebration.

    In the face of this stark reality, if governor Seriake Dickson is allowed to impose any candidate on the party, by circumventing credible, free and fair primaries, then the party will certainly meet its waterloo as any person that comes from his so-called Restoration Team will be viewed as an extension of his draconian rule.

    This is why frontline contestants like Ndutimi Alaibe, Keniebi Okoko and others should not rest but work to restore sanity to the electoral process. This will redeem the battered image created by the Dickson administration. These candidates are leading lights of the state and will bring a lot of goodwill and support across party lines.

    If the national leadership of PDP fails to stamp its authority in enforcing free, fair and credible primaries, the consequences could be anybody’s guess.

    Against the sensibilities of Bayelsans, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Fyneman Wilson, who spoke on behalf of the governor, announced without mincing words that the selection process would be reduced to only members of the governor’s political family. It did not end there; the Political Adviser zeroed the selection process to only three candidates with a caveat that others too can pick the nomination form to contest. The candidates are:

    • Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Kemela Okara
    • The governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Talford Ongolo and
    • Senator Douye Diri

    By this singular act, apart from constituting an insult on the people of Bayelsa State over their rights to choose a candidate of their choice, any candidate considered not to be part of the so-called Restoration caucus are naturally shut out of the race.

    The writing on the wall is clear that the centre will not hold. This is indeed imminent and will cause a huge set back on the democratic credentials of the ruling PDP in Bayelsa State.

    Interestingly, that is the same manner played out just few weeks ago, when the state chapter of PDP printed only eight nomination forms for the eight LGAs concerning the conduct of council elections. It was ridiculous to the extent that no primary election was conducted, while all other parties bothered not to contest the elections as the results were already in the pocket of the governor. This had already caused lots of disaffection and total disappointment among party members and the state in general.

    In same manner, the election of the pan Ijaw Socio-cultural organisation, the Izon National Congress (INC) was aborted by thugs allegedly linked to the Restoration Government whose preferred candidates were at the verge of being rejected at the election.

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) election was not left out. The same Government of Restoration’s undue interference had polarised the once peaceful and united pan Ijaw youth platform.

    Also, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) were subjected to government meddlesomeness and in the end two of his kinsmen emerged. Only recently, the Yenagoa branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) resisted the government’s attempt at imposing its own candidate as usual which marks the height of pettiness in public service.

    Besides the merciless beating of aged retirees who were simply protesting against the non-payment of their pensions and gratuities, security men and thugs alleged to be linked to the state government attacked staffers of the state-owned Niger Delta University who were protesting against the indiscriminate and illegal termination of workers and poor funding of the institution, which resulted in the killing of some of the protesters. This is autocratic, tyrannical and without regards to any form of democratic values.

    Dickson was also accused of dispatching his attack dogs to manhandle the foremost Niger Delta activist, Mrs. Anne-Kio Briggs, for protesting against the illegal acquisition of community land for the operational use of the controversial herdsmen in the state. It is still fresh in the minds of Bayelsans the role Governor Dickson played over the impeachment of former Governor DSP Alamieyesegha, in which he led thugs to carry a mock casket to symbolise the death of Alamieyesegha. Alamieyesegha never recovered from that act of betrayal. Dickson was eventually rewarded with appointment as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice by the then Governor Goodluck Jonathan.

    This tendency for violence is the reason many are of the view that the PDP primary election should be conducted outside Bayelsa State.

    According to one Diepreye Aluku, a public affairs analyst; “This guy is very dangerous and I warned contestants under the PDP platform not to take his penchant for violence for granted. He will definitely rock the state with violence once the primary does not go his way and blame it on innocent persons; just the same way he is denying the broad day video and audio tapes in circulation over his reckless comments and blaming it on Undutimi Alaibe without any justification.” Such baseless and unsubstantiated accusation can only come from someone living in a world of alternate reality.

    That is why it is not out of place to agree with the suggestion that the primary election should be held outside the state, the same way Taraba State did its primary in Abuja due to the looming violence.

    The question that is begging for answer is: What does governor Dickson want? Some people hold the opinion that it is a deliberate act by the governor to destroy the PDP and find a safe haven in the APC, to avert the dragnet of the anti-corruption agencies, where it is widely believed that he has a lot of questions to answer over petitions against him.

    After all, reports about his plan to defect to the APC some months ago were very rife. Whether these facts are true or not, time will tell. We pray he does not destroy the party before leaving. However, the Seriake Dickson led Restoration Government’s acts of omission or commission have certainly laid formidable landmarks against the PDP in Bayelsa State.

    This is why the national leadership of the party must rise to the occasion by asserting the much-valued party supremacy to rescue the PDP from the claws of Dickson.

    • Okpese is a PDP elder and public affairs analyst

  • Bayelsa APC primary: Fears over unity amongst leaders

    Barely a week to the All Progressives Congress primary election, ahead of Bayelsa’s forthcoming governorship election, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports that fresh intrigues have renewed fears that the party may not be able to resolve the misunderstanding amongst its leaders before the emergence of the governorship candidateBarely a week to the All Progressives Congress primary election, ahead of Bayelsa’s forthcoming governorship election, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports that fresh intrigues have renewed fears that the party may not be able to resolve the misunderstanding amongst its leaders before the emergence of the governorship candidate

    FOLLOWING this week’s inauguration of the screening committee for Bayelsa’s August 29, 2019 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries, APC members and the party’s supporters told The Nation that the party is set for November 16, 2019 Governorship Election.

    Most of the members, who spoke to us during the week, however said their major concern is the issue of disunity amongst the top stakeholders in Bayelsa APC. They therefore urged national leaders and other troubled statesmen to intensify ongoing efforts and ensure unity amongst the various sensibilities in the state chapter of the party before the date of the primary.

    Pointing out that a united APC would be strong enough to effectively contest the November 16 Governorship Election against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), they warned that if the party fails to resolve the differences between the various interests and comes up with a candidate that is not generally accepted, PDP would gladly take advantage of the situation to ride to victory.

    Aside the likelihood of the misunderstanding paving way for PDP, there is also the fear that if the disagreements are not amicably resolved before the primary election, the group that lost out may join hands with PDP to defeat APC. Top stakeholders in the party believe the party would have performed better than it did in the recently concluded general election if it had consciously taken necessary steps to resolve obvious issues in some troubled states before the primaries and the general elections.

    RESOLVE TO TAKE

    EXTRA PRECAUTION

    Given the recent utterances of the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, analysts said the party seems determined to avoid all the mistakes that caused its defeat in some states like Imo and Taraba where they believed it would have won easily. For example, while inaugurating the Senator Abdullahi Gumel-led Bayelsa Screening Committee in Abuja, Oshiomhole had said the party had become wiser from courts judgements which disqualified its candidates for ineligibility in the past.

    He said the party would guide against fielding candidates with questionable dates of birth, educational qualifications and various errors which the opposition party could latch on to snatch victory after losing at the polls.

    Insiders and keen observers had maintained that APC, which was the ruling party in Imo State before this year’s governorship election, lost the election to PDP mainly because of the failure of APC to resolve the disagreement between the state’s former governor, Rochas Okorocha, and some powerful members of the party over his choice of successor. Sources said the national leaders of the party, after analyzing the outcome of the recent elections, have acknowledged the negative impact of disagreements and have resolved to handle things differently in the case of Bayelsa and Kogi states’ governorship elections.

    Besides resolution of disagreements, it seems the party leadership has also resolved to be more careful in the choice of the party standard bearers even as it wants to be sure that only the best aspirant in every election is named the party’s candidate. This resolution, according to a source close to APC national secretariat in Abuja, includes ensuring that the candidates truly have the profile the claim to have.

    This probably explained why Oshiomhole, while inaugurating the Bayelsa and Kogi states screening committee, cited the case of Taraba State where the Supreme Court disqualified APC’s governorship candidate after the party had participated in all stages of the election.

    As he puts it, “Many put it that screening is a formality but because of our own peculiarity, people are sometimes economical with the truth. We need to do proper screening and ensure that those who pass the screening are likely to be able to stand not only winning election but of not being challenged after.

    “We have a couple of cases where people claimed what they didn’t have or they swore to that affidavit such that they have two, three ages depending on what purpose they are swearing affidavit for.

    “We have a recent case in Taraba where our governorship candidate who went through the entire election process, his candidature was nullified by the Supreme Court on account of falsification of age. So, if we thought before that screening is a formality, we have seen that we are not meticulous.”

    The party chairman also urged the committees to observe contradiction in aspirant’s claims and examine issues raised against them without sentiment or partiality.

    BAYELSA’S PECULIAR CASE

    Before the former Governor of Bayelsa State and Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, finally shelved the ambition of contesting for the party’s ticket ahead of the governorship election in the state, many had feared that it would be difficult to resolve the apparent disagreement between his supporters and the supporters of the other leading aspirants who wanted Sylva to remain only the APC leader in the state and allow other aspirants to contest for the governorship candidate.

    As at that time, the leading aspirants for the ticket of APC were  widely identified as Timipre Sylva, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Preye Aganaba. So, when Sylva was finally appointed the Minister of State for Petroleum, keen observers argued that the party in the state has been sufficiently empowered to contend with the ruling PDP and that all that remained was for Sylva to show leadership and support the strongest and the best aspirant for the job at a time like this.

    Some observers who expressed this view said the contest for APC’s ticket may have been narrowed to a competition between Heineken Lokpobiri and Preye Aganaba.  But Madam Ebiere Akpoebi, a woman leader in Ekeremor and member of APC, said because of Lokpobiri’s wealth of experience in the politics of Bayelsa State, where he served as the Speaker of the House of Assembly and his exposure at the federal level, where he served both as a Senator and as a Minister, “everyone in the state, who genuinely want APC to win in the forthcoming governorship election, should insist on the most experienced candidate. She reasoned that “with Sylva’s exit as an aspirant, Lokpobiri should be supported by all to fly APC’s flag.” Based on this kind of permutation, most analysts had also predicted immediate reconciliation of ardent supporters of Sylva and Lokpobiri, who had openly disagreed because of their conviction that it was their boss that should be given the party’s ticket. They argued that in the interest of the party, Sylva should settle every rift and disagreement amongst APC members in the state and ensure that the party fields its best aspirant.

    FRESH WORRIES

    The Nation gathered during the week that the zeal expressed recently by some APC grassroots members in Bayelsa State that Sylva’s appointment will lead to immediate reconciliation of his supporters and Lokpobiri’s supporters was punctured with reports that Sylva may have finally resolved to back another chieftain of the party, David Lyon, for the governorship ticket of APC.

    An unnamed aide to Sylva was recently quoted in a media report as confirming Sylva’s support to Lyon’s candidature.

    The report quoted the aide as saying; “Lyon is our candidate and I know he will win the ticket soon”.

    It seems since this latest twist was introduced into the APC’s contest for the governorship ticket, more members are angry and confused much more than ever.

    Akpoebi for example told The Nation on Friday that if this report is true, it means majority of our party leaders in the state are not in tune with the realities at the grassroots level. According to the woman activist, “It is unfortunate that our leaders remain oblivious that APC is today not united to fight PDP. We at the grassroots know where it pinches. As I talk to you, we have no concrete united structure that we can call APC’s structure. Our big men, our leaders reside in Abuja granting media interviews and deceiving themselves and only come during elections. They do not realise that the strength of any party could be found only amongst the masses at the grassroots that support it. In our case, it seems they do not know we exist. Even when they chose to distribute few booties, it does not trickle down to the grassroots. The big men just remain there in Abuja and they make no serious effort to establish reasonable means of communication with the grassroots. If you ask me, that is not the right way to defeat the ruling PDP,” she said.

    Another APC member in Yenagoa, Mr. James Datonye, reacting to the latest report on the alleged support Lyon seems to have received from the party leader in the state at the last minute, said, “Until recently, most observers have not reckoned so much on Lyon, an oil and gas industry player. We have all known and lined behind known frontline aspirants like Lokpobiri and Aganaba. So, this development is bound to leave us more confused, disunited. It will make us easy target.” He therefore argues that given the proximity of the APC primaries, APC leaders should think of uniting and consolidating what it already has and which many believe will work instead of introducing fresh intrigues that will only result in further misunderstanding.

    “To me, it is late in the day to toy with fresh intrigues. I believe APC leaders in the state should leave ego aside and unite to produce the candidate they know has what it takes to win the state for APC,” Datonye said.

    Aside Lokpobiri, Aganaba, and Lyon, the other APC aspirants that actually picked the party’s nomination form and are therefore poised to participate in the governorship primaries include former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Frankland Briyai; former Commissioner of Police, Deseye Poweigha and Chief CK Amgbare.

    APC’S MANDATE

    The fears notwithstanding, our searches confirmed that the national and state leaderships of APC are determined to win the forthcoming poll, though they know PDP’s equal resolve to retain the plum seat it has held since 1999. So, the stakes are high.

    SO, WHO WILL FLY APC’S FLAG?

    The recent intrigues notwithstanding, the list for the governorship tick is not altogether too long.

    Today, barely a week to the August 29 primary election, frontline aspirants for APC ticket include:

    LOKPOBIRI

    A former Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the first aspirant to formalise his governorship ambition on the ticket of APC by picking the party’s nomination form, is generally acknowledged as a strong contender for the APC ticket in Bayelsa.

    Several factors seem to be in his favour. Such factors include the power of his grassroots campaigns and the quality of the promises he had so far made to Bayelsan electorate. Added to these is his continuous emphasis on the need to provide basic infrastructure in the state, even as he accused the ruling PDP government of poor performance. He lamented the rustic state of Bayelsa 20 years after its creation, promising that he will prioritise provision of basic infrastructure, which he said is missing.

    Lokpobiri in a recent twit also wrote, “Our communities don’t have hospitals. Every child born should be able to live a reasonable life. I am a village man. We will ensure that hospitals in all the communities are equipped to tackle these diseases that kill our people.”

    His strong criticism of PDP state government has so far raised the stakes in the ongoing campaigns on who would succeed Governor Seriake Henry Dickson. Some of the issues he and his campaign team have raised are today the major issues that may determine the voting pattern in the forthcoming election. As a result, some leaders and electorate call him the people’s conscience.

    Considered as the most experienced and formidable of all the aspirants, Lokpobiri, born March 3, 1967, has the advantage of serving in all the critical arms of government. A lawyer who holds a PhD, he was the Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly from June 1999 to May 2001 and was elected Senator in April 2007. He later served as the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development.

    These means that he is expected to have deep knowledge of the judiciary, the legislature and the executive, a rare rounded preparation for the office of governor in Nigeria.

    Perhaps because of this, insiders said he is highly favoured by APC leaders that are not led by any personal interest.

    PREYE AGANABA

    Even before he formally picks the nomination form, Prince Preye Aganaba, who hails from Odi in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, is one of the aspirants that have received wide media mention. A prince of the royal family of Aganaba of the ancient town of Odi, Aganaba studied Computer Engineering at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt.

    As a founding member of APC in Bayelsa State, Aganaba is well known in the state’s APC politics. We gathered that he also has age and possible support of youths and women as the major factors going for him. It remains however to be seen how these factors will come to play in the primaries.

  • In charge

    The administration of oath and assignment of portfolios to the 43 ministers by President Muhammadu Buhari marks the real take-off of the government. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) is a constitutional creation specifically saddled with the task of assisting the President and Vice President in running the affairs of state. The constitution mandates the President to choose his ministers in a way that each state of the federation is represented. Now, Nigerians know those who have the task of implementing the agenda of the Buhari administration and giving effect to the manifesto of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Highlights of the composition shows that there is no radical departure from the framework and philosophy of the government as may be deduced from the helmsmen assigned to the ministries. The President has reserved the petroleum ministry to himself, while appointing the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, to directly oversee activities in the ministry. This suggests that the President attaches much importance to the ministry that administers the nation’s primary source of wealth.

    The stature and capacity of Sylva who had worked with a former petroleum minister and governed an oil-rich state is expected to help in translating government policy for the sector to a positive force for development. We hope he would be able to use his influence to block attempts by any presidential aide to sideline him and drive a wedge between the minister of state and the president who for unexplained reasons has retained the office of substantive minister.

    Also significant is the split of the erstwhile ministry of power, works and housing into two, with Mr. Babatunde Fashola retaining control of the works and housing component. The newpower ministry has been assigned to Sale Mamman from Taraba State. It was predictable from the list of nominees sent to the Senate that Major-General Bashir Magashi, a retired military officer, lawyer and politician would be saddled with the task of handling the defence ministry at a time that internal security challenges continue to mount. Speculations were rife until the President unveiled the portfolios as to the nature of the former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s assignment in the administration. The energy, zeal and passion of the engineer-turned-politician might have recommended him for the Interior ministry where he would share defence responsibilities with the ministers of defence and police affairs.

    It is noteworthy that former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has been given the responsibility of supervising development in the Niger Delta, assisted, interestingly, by Mr. Festus Keyamo, a notable senior lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria who performed creditably at the Senate screening where he was asked his opinion on restructuring the judicial system. Abubakar Malami is returning as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice even though many are not impressed with his performance in the first tenure. Rotimi Amaechi remains transport minister and will therefore be expected to see through his move to open up the rail sector and probably the sea ports.

    Adamu Adamu as education minister, is believed to have performed below par, it remains to be seen if the Accounting graduate from Ahmadu Bello University can come up with new ideas for the very important sector. The establishment of Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons is welcome. At a time when management of humanitarian affairs has brought the country odium from the international community, the assignment of Mrs. Saddiya Farouk, a former Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migration and Displaced Persons to the office is fit and proper. Mr. Sunday Dare, the 53-year-old minister given the responsibility of overseeing the youth and sports portfolio is expected to restructure the ministry.

    We expect the ministers to take charge immediately as there is little time for them to make their marks. This administration took off in 2015 with the promise to effect fundamental changes in the security architecture, economic structure and employment generation. At best, modest achievements have been recorded. It is therefore important that the ministers work to ensure that remarkable improvements are recorded in the key sectors. They should bear in mind that the government has only two years to work assiduously towards upliftment of the infrastructural, human capital and social services sectors. The 2023 politics may degrade governance afterwards.This time calls for new thinking. We hope these men and women who have been within the system at the federal and state levels for decades will rise up to the occasion.

  • Those without one-year membership can’t carry APC’s flag, says Oshiomhole

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday dashed the governorship aspiration of a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the Cross Rivers Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Frankland Briyal.

    The national chairman declared that only those who have spent at least one year in the party are qualified to contest its ticket.

    Oshiomhole, who spoke last night while inaugurating the governorship screening committee, said aside those who have spent at least one year, others who have spent less would require a waiver from the National Working Committee (NWC) to contest.

    Briyal joined the APC about two weeks ago when he resigned from his position at the electoral body to contest the governorship election in Bayelsa State on the platform of the APC.

    But Oshiomhole said any prospective aspirant would not be eligible to vie for the governorship of Bayelsa and Kogi states, if they are not financial member of the party for a year.

    While inaugurating the 14-member screening panel, headed by Senator Hope Uzordinma, the APC National Chairman said it would be unfair to hand the party’s flag to those who just joined when there are well entrenched members of the party angling for the governorship seats in the aforementioned states.

    Read Also: Oshiomhole, Obaseki’s endless mind game

    Oshiomhole urged members of the committee to adhere strictly to the guidelines of the party, adding that the NWC reserves the right to grant waivers to any of the aspirants who does not meet the party’s guidelines.

    He said the August 29 primaries of the party would take place simultaneously in Lokoja and Yenagoa.

    According to him, the party will give aspirants a fair chance to actualise their aspirations.

    On behalf of the committee, Uzordinma expressed gratitude to the party for reposing confidence on members of the committee.

    He added that they would discharge their assignment without fear or favour.

     

  • Governorship: INEC fixes Sept. 2 for PVCs collection in Bayelsa, Kogi

    THE collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the November 16 governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states will kick off on September 2, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said on Tuesday.

    Ahead of the kickoff, the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in both states have been asked to organise stakeholders’ meetings at the state and local government levels between August 26 and 30.

    The RECs are to sensitise the stakeholders on the modalities for the collection of the PVCs.

    The decision was reached on Tuesday at the INEC management meeting.

    The decision reached according to the commission is that “the Resident Electoral Commissioners of the two States shall organise stakeholders’ meetings in the states and local governments between the 26th and 30th of August 2019 to sensitize stakeholders on the modalities for the collection of PVCs from the registration areas and in the various communities.

    Read Also: ‘Presentation of certificate to INEC not mandatory’

    “The collection of PVCs in the two states will take place at the Registration Areas (RAS)/Wards in each of the local governments and Distribution Officers (DOs) trained by the commission will carry out this assignment.

    “There will be two teams of DOs per local government area and the officers will rotate the distribution of the PVcs in the Registration Areas (RA) or from community to community, based on a schedule agreed upon by the REC and the stakeholders.

    “The Commission will commence the exercise on the   September 2, 2019, and this will last till the 30h day of September 2019 between 9.00a.m to 3.00 p.m. (Monday to Friday).”