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Tag: Bayelsa

  • Bayelsa health workers servethree-days warning strike over welfare

    Bayelsa health workers servethree-days warning strike over welfare

    The coalition of healthcare workers under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Unit-Branch, Okolobiri in Bayelsa State has expressed their displeasure over  what it called non implementation of welfare
    packages approved by Governor Douye Diri.

    In a statement  by the Union’s  Chairman, Comrade Dogiye, Lucky Ebiteinye and the Secretary, Comrade Ozeze Jasper, to press home their demand, the group  urged the Bayelsa State government to implement the approved packages or face a strike  scheduled to kick off on November 1.

    The Union,  in the statement, laments that after series of promises by the  governor on different Workers’ Day anniversary, that nothing has been done nor positive response given to their request by the authority concerned.

    The statement  reads: “In an attempt to have a continuos working and harmonious relationship with the Bayelsa State Government, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Unit-Branch, Okolobiri in Bayelsa State, in a congress meeting dated October 6, 2023 resolved to humbly remind the State Governor, Douye Diri on the  non-implementation of an executive pronouncement made on May 1, 2022 and May 1, 2023, Workers Day celebration, directing relevant government authorities to immediately implement the payment of reverse call-duty and hazard allowances to the affected health professionals.

    Read Also: N1.62b property lost to fire, says agency

    “We request that the reverse call-duty allowance be implemented for its union members to reflect in October, 2023 salary to relief the burden created by economic challenges in the country and in anticipation of your pronouncement made months ago.

    “We also request that the hazard allowance be effected, the approval and implementation of the July 25,  2023 National Salary Income and Wages Circular on the Reviewed Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as attached below,” stated the Union.

    The group also demand that the payment of all pending promotion arrears to its members including the provision of vehicles to ease logistics and movement of staff due to transportation challenges in the country be met.

    The Union in an appeal, urged the State Governor to intervene in the prolonged matter, alleging that the undue neglect of their request has demoralized their work spirit, while cautioning that a 3-day warning strike to that effect will commence on November 1 2023.

  • UPDATED: Bayelsa: Appeal Court reverses Sylva’s disqualification

    UPDATED: Bayelsa: Appeal Court reverses Sylva’s disqualification

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside the October 9 judgment given by Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja nullifying the nomination of Timipre Sylva as the  candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Bayelsa State governorship election scheduled for November 11.

    A three-member panel of the appellate court held, in a judgment on Tuesday, October 31, that the Federal High Court, Abuja lacked the jurisdiction to have heard and determined the case filed by 

    Demesuoyefa Kolomo, who described himself as a registered voter and a member of the APC.

    The court held that having not been an aspirant, who participated in APC’s governorship primary, Kolomo lacked the locus standi to approach the court to challenge the nomination of the party’s candidate.

    In the judgment read by Justice Binta Zubairu, the court held that since Kolomo was not an aspirant and did not participate in the primary from which Sylva emerged as APC’s candidate, he cannot be clothed with the requisite locus standi as provided under sections 

    Whether the he has locus 285(14) of the Constitution and 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.

    The court added that from  the provision of the law, one  must be an aspirant, who participated in a primary before he can challenge the conduct of outcome of the primary in relation to the qualification of the candidate nominated of the selection process.

    It found that Kolomo failed to establish he was an aspirant in the APC primary and , as such, clothed with the requisite locus standi to institute the action on which the judgment disqualifying Sylva was given.

    She said: “Having held that the 1st respondent is not an aspirant, he lacked the locus standi to have instituted the matter under whatever guise before the lower court.

    “Where a party lacked the locus standi to institute a case, the court has no jurisdiction to entertain and determine it, Justice Zubairu said and proceeded to hold that the Federal High Court in Abuja was without jurisdiction to have heard the case.”

    She proceeded to set aside the Federal High Court judgment, allowed the appeal filed by Sylva and granted all the reliefs sought.

    The court also awarded N1million cost in favour of Sylva.

    The judgment was on the appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/1061/2023 filed by Sylva, with Kolomo, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as respondents.

    Kolomo had, in his suit, marked:FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023 sought, among others, Sylva’s disqualification on the grounds that he had been sworn in as governor of Bayela on to deferent occasions – 2007 and 2008.

    In his October 9 judgment, Justice Okorowo  held among others,  that Sylva, having been sworn in twice and served for five years as governor of Bayelsa, will breach the  Constitution should he be allowed to contest again.

    Justice Okorowo declared that Sylva was not qualified to contest the November election because if he wins and is sworn in, he would spend more than eight years in office as governor of the state.

    Relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Marwa vs Nyako, the judge held  that the drafters of the Constitution stated that nobody should be voted for as governor more than twice and that the parties to the suit agreed that Sylva was voted into office two times.

    While arguing the appeal on October 27,  lawyers to Sylva and the APC  – Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) and K. O. Balogun fualted Justice Okorowo’s position on Sylva’s qualification.

    Balogun argued that it was wrong for the trial court to have entertained the suit by Kolomo because he lacked the locus to have approached the trial court.

    He faulted the decision of Justice Okorowo, to the effect the Sylva took oath of office twice as Governor of Bayelsa State.

    Balogun said: “In 2007 he (Sylva)  was elected the Governor of Bayelsa State, but within eight  months, the Court of Appeal (which was then the final court for governorship election petition) sacked him. 

    “He contested again in 2008 and won. The eight months that he earlier spent in office   was nullified, so he could not have said to have spent that with months because it was voided by the court.

    “What he (Kolomo) is doing is fighting a proxy war. He cannot be a member of the APC and be fighting to destroy its candidate and chances at the election.

    “What the 1st respondent (Kolomo)  is asking this court to do is to deem the nullified eight  months as 4 years,” Balogun said.

    In another judgment on Tuesday, the same Court of Appeal allowed a similar appeal filed by the APC to challenge Sylva’s disqualification.

    The court granted all the reliefs sought in the appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/1060/2023 and equally awarded N1m cost in favour of the appellant.

    Earlier, the appellate court affirmed the judgment of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal, which declared Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the validly elected Senator representing Kogi State Central Senatorial District.

    The court also affirmed the tribunal’s nullification of Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who was earlier returned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the election.

    In the unanimous judgment, read by Justice Hamma Barka, the court held, among others, that  Sadiku-Ohere failed to provide convincing evidence why the judgment of the tribunal should be reversed.

    The appellate court, while dismissing Sadiku-Ohere’s appeal, was of the view that INEC, saddled with the responsibilities of conducting elections and collating the results, failed to provide reasons why the results of the elections in some Local Government Areas (LGAs) were rejected and excluded from the overall results announced after the conduct of the last National Assembly election in Kogi Central.

    The judgment was on the appeal marked: CA/ABJ/EP/SEN/KG/35/2023 filed by Sadiku-Ohere.

    INEC had declared Sadiku-Ohere winner of the February 25, senatorial election, a decision Akpoti-Uduaghan

     before the tribunal on the grounds that INEC failed to input results from Ajaokuta, Adavi and Okehi Local Government Areas, where she scored more votes.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Bayelsa: Appeal Court reverses Sylva’s disqualification

    The tribunal held in her favour and sacked  Sadiku-Ohere, prompting the APC candidate to appeal to the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

    The Court of Appeal also dismissed the appeal marked: CA/ABJ/EP/SEN/KG/57/2023 filed by INEC against the tribunal’s judgment.

    The  appellate court held that the appeal by INEC was of no utilitarian value and a mere waste of judicial time.

    The court held that such an appeal from INEC, supporting a particular candidate, should be discouraged,.

    It further held that INEC ought to be an unbiased arbiter and proceeded to award N500,000 cost against the electoral umpire.

  • Bayelsa Guber: I’ll demystify money politics, says LP candidate

    Bayelsa Guber: I’ll demystify money politics, says LP candidate

    The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Bayelsa state, Udengs Eradiri, has said that with the growing grassroots support for his campaigns, he would demystify money politics on the November 11 poll.

    He spoke during his campaign tour with stakeholders and supporters of the LP to Nembe City, Opu Nembe, and Otakeme communities in Nembe and Ogbia local government areas.

    Eradiri, who was overwhelmed by the crowd that voluntarily trooped out to receive him, said he was aspiring to become a people-oriented leader who would provide mentorship to young people and reposition the state for greatness.

    He lamented the crisis that had befallen Nembe, sympathised with them, and assured them that if elected his administration would focus on the development of the area and stop all forms of politically-induced unrest.

    He noted that he was in the race to rescue Bayelsa and develop all communities insisting that the state was suffering from bad leadership and clueless government.

    Read Also: Supreme Court: We have full confidence in Tinubu – Yoruba Community

    Eradiri said: “We are the second poorest state, and the highest school dropout in the whole of the country, which is very sad. I am moving across all the communities of our state selling my manifestoes.

    “I will change the old order of doing things. I will not clap my hands for myself for building roads, infrastructural development and other social amenities which ordinarily are the rights of the people. Together we will make Bayelsa work again.

    “If we don’t tell ourselves the truth we will be left behind, most states have gone far while we are on retrogression.

    I have the solution to the problems of the people, I have a strong message than any other party flag bearer. Let us make a choice that we won’t regret tomorrow.”

    At Otakeme community, Eradiri promised to generate employment for the youths and lamented the death of over 10 Bayelsa-owned establishments.

    He said: “So how will you create jobs when these companies belonging to us are dead? The government must support the people to prosper and not to underdevelop them.

    “They have used cult confraternity to destroy our people in our villages. I’m talking to the group leaders to make them productive by turning the cult organization into agricultural organizations when I become the governor.

    “I will engage them in agriculture, just imagine that all the fresh peppers are supplied by Icelanders cult group, and the tomatoes by Greenlanders.

    “Bayelsa has Sampou and Peremabiri rice farms, but after 40 years no grain has been produced, so I would rather invest in the Otuokpoti rice farm because the people in that community are original rice growers. If we invest in Otuokpoti we will succeed.”

    Eradiri asked the people to collect money from moneybags on election day and vote for him insisting that voters must avoid making a wrong choice at the poll.

  • Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections: IGP, CDS read riot act to troublemakers

    Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections: IGP, CDS read riot act to troublemakers

    The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Chris Musa on Friday, October 27, warned those poised to torment trouble due to the forthcoming governorship elections on Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states to start clear of the states as they will be met with the full weight of the law.

    The two security chiefs spoke just as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu said President Bola Tinubu has ordered that everything possible should be done to ensure that the elections in the three states are free, fair, and credible, without any form of interference.

    While Egbetokun said police and other security agencies are monitoring activities of those planning to torment trouble in the three states, Gen Musa said a general court-martial has been placed on standby for security personnel who may compromise their position during the elections.

    Addressing newsmen after a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) compromising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security chief, Egnetokun said the police were aware that supporters of some candidates in the election were already mobilising to torment trouble during the elections.

    At the meeting, the INEC Chairman expressed concern about the violent activities of party supporters in the three states.

    The IGP said: “We have just concluded the ICCES meeting with INEC. This election is an off-season election and we are committed to making it a free and fair election. The security agencies are ready for this election. We have received all the necessary information from INEC which has informed us where to deploy during this election.

    “We have carried out our threat assessment and that has informed us where to allocate our resources and the deployment of our men. All the security agencies are collaborating seriously to ensure that this election is violence-free.

    “My appeal to people who want to come out and make trouble during this election is for them to stay away from the election because there will be no place for them to operate.

    “We are aware of mobilisation by supporters of some candidates. We are already monitoring them and we are ready for them during this election. I appeal to those who just want to come out and disrupt this election to stay away.

    Read Also: Wamakko, two Reps members win at Sokoto Tribunal

    “I appeal to the electorates to come out en masse to cast their vote during this election. We are committed to a peaceful election and there is no going back on that.”

    On deployment by the police for the election, the Police boss said “We have our figures and we are not going to make it public. We have given that detail of deployment at the meeting, but it is not for the media.”

    Asked which of the states appear. More. Challenging, he said: “All the states have challenges and we are taking care of the challenges”

    He assured that accredited Journalists will be protected and given everything they deserve during the election and so, you have nothing to fear.

    Speaking on why the police! Is holding its annual retreat in Owerri, Imo state, Egbetokun said: “The conference and retreat we are having in Owerri is an annual event and our choice of Owerri is deliberate because of this election.

    “We want to send a message to the people of Imo state that the state is safe for them and encourage the voters to come out in large numbers. We are deploying massively to Imo state to ensure that the election is free and fair.

    “The presence of security agents is not to scare the people, but those involved in crime. When we deploy for this election, our intention is to give confidence to the electorates and not to scare them”.

    Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff said other security agencies will fully be on the ground to assist the Police in delivering a credible election, saying, “We are here fully to show collaboration, cooperation and support for the Police who are the lead agency in election security.

    “The armed forces are going to provide full comprehensive support to ensure that the police is able to do its job without any interference.

    “We want to show the people in those three states that there is no need to entertain any fear as the armed forces, the police, and other security agents will be fully on the ground.

    “All Nigerians are tired of election violence and we intend to do things differently so that at the end of the day, every Nigerian will be proud to be a Nigeria and come to the realisation that election is now free and fair and everybody that wins an election should be proud that he won a free and fair election.

    “We have fully deployed and are on the ground both covertly and overtly. Anybody who attempts to disrupt any of the elections will have himself to blame”.

    General Musa warned security agents involved in the elections not to compromise their position, but abide by the code of conduct given to them

    He said: “The security men know the code of conduct and what they are supposed to do and we have explained to them.

    “We have sent warnings and have court-martial on standby and any member of the armed forces who misbehave will have himself to blame. The court-martial is operational already and we want to ensure that we act professionally in everything that we do”.

    On his part, the National Security Adviser who is the co-chairman of ICCES, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu assured that the election will be conducted without any form of interference as directed by the President.

    Ribadu said: “We are prepared and will be with you 100 percent and will work to meet the standard that you want us to meet. There is nothing as important as a free and fair election in a democracy.

    “This government is interested in that and Mr President has directed that he wants to see a free, fair and credible election. This is the first election that is going to be held under his watch.

    “He said everything possible should be done to ensure that Nigerians witness a free and fair election. I want to assure Nigerians that this election will be better than the previous ones. This election is going to be without violence and a litmus test for us.”

    Speaking earlier, INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said about elections will. Be conducted in about 10,510 polling units across the three states with about 5.1 million registered voters who have collected their PVC eligible to vote.

    He said further that eligible voters in the three states will vote in all the 10,510 polling units, with the exception of 2 polling units in Bayelsa State and 38 in Imo State without registered voters.

    While saying that the list of these polling units is available on the commission’s website, he disclosed that election results will be collated in 649 Registration Areas/Wards, 56 Local Government Areas and three State collation centres.

    He said: “This gives us a cumulative figure of 11,178 voting and collation locations to deploy security personnel in the three States. This is in addition to ensuring a secure environment for the ongoing campaigns and rallies by political parties and candidates, security of voters, the escort of personnel and materials, protection of assets, and general security for all persons with a legitimate reason to participate in the election and electoral activities.”

    He stressed that “the three States of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi are not the easiest States in Nigeria to conduct elections. The difficult geographical terrain and prevailing insecurity are compounded by negative mobilisation by political actors, especially since the commencement of the campaign in public on 14th July 2023.

    “Our message to politicians is that they should call their candidates and supporters to order. Violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials, and disruption of the electoral process must stop.

    “However, the ultimate responsibility for election security lies with the security agencies. Our message to the security agencies is to take decisive action against perpetrators of electoral violence.

    “This is the surest way to guarantee a safe environment for the peaceful conduct of elections and electoral activities. In doing so, security personnel on electoral duty should remain neutral and committed to the established professional code of conduct and rules of engagement.”

  • Women seek peaceful election in Bayelsa

    Women seek peaceful election in Bayelsa

    • By Joshua Uche

    Women in Bayelsa under aegis of Bayelsa Women Arise Organisation have condemned election violence and urged President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to ensure a peaceful governorship poll in Bayelsa on November 11.

     They also called for justice for victims of previous election-related violence.

     The women and youth, led by prominent community and civil society leaders, gathered in Yenagoa, the state capital, to embark on the peace walk.

     The event was marked by a display of solidarity, resilience and a strong commitment to a peaceful and just electoral process in the state.

     During the walk, participants held banners and placards with messages, such as ‘Peaceful Elections for Bayelsa,’ ‘Justice for Victims,’ and ‘Stop Election Violence.’ They chanted slogans calling for an end to electoral turmoil that has plagued the state.

     Leader of the women, Prof Faith Aminikpo,  hailed the collective voice of the group, which is tired of witnessing violence during elections.

    She said: “We are taking a stand for peace. We demand that the governorship election on November 11 be conducted without violence.

    “We have seen the suffering and pain caused by election-related violence, and we refuse to accept this as the norm. We cannot forget victims of the previous election violence that has been witnessed in our state, particularly in the 2015 and 2019 governorship elections.

     “Today, we are yet to get justice for the victims of the mindless killing by desperate politician and their thugs…”

    Read Also: Bayelsa election: INEC trains SPOs on result counting procedures

     It acknowledged efforts of the administration to foster peace among residents, which has impacted the peaceful atmosphere being witnessed.

     The women stressed the need for security agencies and stakeholders to consolidate on government’s efforts ahead of the election. This claim, the group said, was confirmed in the last election in the state where, for the first time in a long time, the state, recorded no election-related death.

    state and people that we have a peaceful democratic process,” Aminikpo said.

    The organization also used the opportunity to call for justice for the victims of past election violence in Bayelsa State, emphasizing the importance of accountability and a fair legal process to address these issues. They stressed that without justice there can be no lasting peace.

    The peace walk received widespread attention and support from various sections of society, including civil society organizations, local leaders, Students, Youth and members of the international community. It serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for peace, stability, and justice in the lead-up to the upcoming governorship election.

    Bayelsa Women Arise vows to continue advocating for peace and justice in Bayelsa State, and they encourage all stakeholders to join them in their quest for a peaceful electoral process and the restoration of justice for past victims of election violence, in the state

  • Bayelsa blogger files N300m suit against police

    Bayelsa blogger files N300m suit against police

    • For alleged unlawful detention 

    A popular Bayelsa blogger, Mienpamo Onitsha, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, to enforce his fundamental human rights following his ongoing detention by the police.

    Onitsha, the publisher of an online news medium, Naija Live TV, was arrested in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on October 10 and taken to the Force Headquarters, Abuja by detectives from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), over reports against the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu.

    Onitsha, who has been in detention since then, approached the court seeking an order for general damages in the sum of N300million for breaching his fundamental human rights contained in sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and articles six and seven of the African Charter on Human and Peoples rights.

    Read Also: Bayelsa election: INEC trains SPOs on result counting procedures

    Respondents in the suit file by a legal firm, Terhemba Gbarsima and Associates, are the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), NPF, National Cyber Crime Centre, DCP Uche Henry, Mr. Simiat Suleiman and CSP B. A. Abdullahi.

    Onitsha is seeking a declaration that his detention at the facilities of FCID Area 10, Garki, Abuja from October 11 till the day of filing the application was a violation of his right to dignity of his human person and right to personal liberty protected by sections 34(1) (a) and 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and therefore unreasonable and unlawful.

  • Poll puts Diri ahead in Bayelsa Gov race

    Poll puts Diri ahead in Bayelsa Gov race

    Ahead of the November 11, 2023, Governorship Election of Bayelsa State, an opinion Poll conducted by Precious Hands and Brains Consult, an independent research group has projected Governor Donye Diri ahead of other candidates.

    The group 12-man team, which includes Dr. Peter Omoko, Dr. Mike Moemeka coordinated by the former Editor of The Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo while presenting the result of the poll, noted that if the election were to be conducted today, Governor Diri will emerge victorious considering the opinion of the electorate in Bayelsa State

    The poll, which was anchored on participatory democracy, clearly shows that Donye Diri has a wide margin of lead in the 8 local government areas of Bayelsa state. 

    The group stated that their reason for conducting the poll is the promotion of good governance and to determine the re-electability of Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri for a second tenure in office.

    According to the report of the group obtained from data collated from the eight Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state, namely, Brass, Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe,  Ogbia, Sagbama, Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa, shows that the governor is shoulder ahead of other contenders.

    “Our poll result was rather too optimistic and we then decided to place it against concrete evidence of good governance on the ground. Figures are inadequate when dealing with humans with hopes and aspirations for their children. We needed proof to match the result of the field survey.

    “This led us to the second project, Diri’s first tenure scorecard or the list of some verified projects executed by the self-styled Prosperity Administration.

    “Governor Diri’s scorecard covers major road construction, reconstruction of flood-impacted roads, internal roads construction and reconstruction, especially in the State capital Yenagoa. There are also recorded interventions in education, health, agriculture, security, and sports. Workers’ welfare/equity, and human capacity development initiatives are on the scorecard. These have been accentuated by Constituency Projects executed by the 24 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.“

    The poll report added: “The data analysis presented here is the integrated data collated from the eight LGAs in September 2023. The sample size for data totals nine hundred and ninety (990) respondents. The number is obtained by summing up sample sizes of the strata.”

    “The composition of the 990 respondents is as follows: 463 males and 527 females. In terms of age, the majority falls within the 30-39 years range which is unarguably the most active in political activities. Their marital status is Married 50.1%, Single 36.2% and Divorced 13.7%. Importantly, 82.3% have Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs). On how they get their information on the Prosperity Administration, 56.2% say they relied on the radio.” 

    “Another 44.4% maintained Governor Diri could improve communication with Bayelsans through the same medium. The popularity of radio among the Bayelsa electorate and perhaps elsewhere is linked to the GSM technology. Every phone has FM enabling voters to be properly informed. Integrated Data Presentation and Analysis (Poll Result) We had overstepped a little into characterization and asked the aspect of Diri that attracted them the most, 58.3% stated his “Simplicity,” 20.3% his accommodating nature, 12.4% his accessibility while 9% his openness.” 

    “But when asked if Diri actually fulfilled his campaign promises, 70% voted yes. Although there is a 30% margin of areas where the governor is yet to fulfill his promises, he can reduce this deficit to a single unit by doing the needful.”

     “Good governance encompasses the eight pillars of grassroots development, namely, Health Care, Infrastructural Development, Education, Job Creation, Youth Empowerment, Women Empowerment, Agriculture and Security.”

    The team said residents scored Diri 77.8% for infrastructural development, Provision of Health Care 74.7%, Education 72.9%, Youth Empowerment 76.6%, Women Empowerment 58.1%, Security 72.1%, and Agriculture 47.1% which fell below average.

    Read Also: Sylva tackles Diri over Bayelsa roads

    However, it was not rosy for the governor as part of the opinion poll result requires Diri to place greater attention on Job Creation and the provision of Health Care Centres to foster peace in society. 

    “Once people are meaningfully engaged, they think less of crime, which in turn eases the pressure for more security. Bayelsa will become more prosperous if the resources earmarked for fighting crime are redirected to a productive end.

    “The reproduced data show that the majority is willing to vote him into office for a second tenure. ‘When asked: Would you vote for Governor Diri for Second tenure’? The motivation behind this gesture could be the Prosperity Administration’s hallmarks of good governance and fairness. Evidently, this is a government that spreads the dividends of democracy to all.”

    Governor Diri’s application of unusual solutions to unique problems may explain why he is ahead in Bayelsa 2023. In all, his second tenure promises to be a progression of the first,” the report added.

  • Bayelsa suspends monarch over falsehood

    Bayelsa suspends monarch over falsehood

    • Forms probe panel

    Bayelsa State Government has approved the suspension of His Royal Majesty, King Boutua Collins Aranka, Ibedaowei of Opokuma Clan in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government.

    A statement yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, quoted Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as approving the suspension.

    Ewhrudjakpo said the monarch’s suspension was due to a reported case of falsehood and a misrepresentation of the chieftaincy laws of the state.

    The statement said: “Consequently, a seven-man committee has been constituted to investigate the allegations brought against him, with the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Local Government Administration and Community Development, Chief Thompson Amule, as chairman.

    Read Also: Bayelsa suspends monarch over falsehood, forms probe panel

    “The Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Dambo, SAN, his counterpart in Information and Orientation, Ayibaina Crowther Duba and the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in the state, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, are to serve as members.

    “Other members include one first-class traditional ruler from each of the three senatorial districts to be nominated by the chairman of the traditional rulers’ council.

    “The committee has two weeks within which to conclude its assignment and present a report to the government.

    “His Royal Majesty, King Boutua Aranka, is hereby directed to refrain from carrying out any duty as the Ibedaowei of Opokuma Clan or as a traditional ruler, within the period, pending the outcome of the committee’s assignment and subsequent lifting of the suspension order by the government.”

  • Bayelsa suspends monarch over falsehood, forms probe panel

    Bayelsa suspends monarch over falsehood, forms probe panel

    The Bayelsa state government has approved the immediate suspension of King Boutua Collins Aranka, the Ibedaowei of the Opokuma Clan in the Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area of the state.

    This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 18, by Doubara Atasi, the senior special assistant to the deputy governor on media, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

    Ewhrudjakpo said the monarch’s suspension was due to a reported case of falsehood and a misrepresentation of the Chieftaincy laws of the state.

    The statement said: “Consequently, a seven-man committee has been constituted to investigate the allegations brought against him, with the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Local Government Administration and Community Development, Chief Thompson Amule, as Chairman.

    Read Also: Army begins security operation in Bayelsa

    “The Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Dambo, SAN, his counterpart in Information and Orientation, Hon. Ayibaina Crowther Duba, and the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in the State, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo are to serve as members.

    “Other members include one first-class traditional ruler from each of the three senatorial districts of the state to be nominated by the Chairman of the traditional rulers’ council.

    “The Committee has two weeks within which to conclude its assignment and present a report to the government.

    “His Royal Majesty, King Boutua Aranka is hereby directed to refrain from carrying out any duties, as the Ibedaowei of Opokuma Clan or as a traditional ruler, within the period, pending the outcome of the committee’s assignment and subsequent lifting of the suspension order by the government.”

  • Sylva tackles Diri over Bayelsa roads

    Sylva tackles Diri over Bayelsa roads

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has debunked claims by  Governor Douye Diri over some road projects.

     Sylva said the credit for the delivery of some of the projects should go to former Governor Seriake Dickson. He  hailed Dickson  for taking a road to Ekeremor Local Government Area after over 40 years.

    He said: “We are grateful to former Governor Dickson for executing this very vital role. He has written his name in Gold and left a legacy that would speak for him through time.

    “We must give credit to who deserves it and that accolade must go to Dickson. It is a sign of ingratitude for Governor Douye Diri to appropriate the road to himself.”

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    Sylva also hailed the people of Ekeremor for their overwhelming warm reception when he campaigned in the area ahead of the November 11 election.

    He wondered why Governor Diri had developed the habit of re-inaugurating projects executed by his predecessor without making any reference to former Governor Dickson.

    He observed that without the sacrifices, hard work and foresight of Dickson, Diri would not have  become a governor.

    He recalled that he (Diri) failed the popularity test in 2019 when he was roundly trounced by the APC and would fail again in November for mismanaging over three years in governance.

    “You can’t subject people to this kind of hardship and expect them to bring you back to power. The people are tired and willing to sack this failed government,” Sylva said.

    The former governor appealed to Ekeremor people to keep faith with him, saying that he would fulfill all the promises he made to them when elected in November.