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Tag: Bayelsa

  • Bayelsa Gov, monarchs urge relocation of East West road oversight to Niger Delta Ministry

    Bayelsa Gov, monarchs urge relocation of East West road oversight to Niger Delta Ministry

    Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri and traditional rulers of the State represented by the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo have appealed to President Bola Tinubu for the return of East West Road supervision to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

    They made the call during the working visit of the Minister for Niger Delta Development to Bayelsa State.

    The Governor and traditional rulers emphasised their desire to pursue the swift handling and construction of the East West Road, citing its long history of neglect and its critical importance to the region’s development. They also urged the relocation of the ministry from Abuja to the Niger Delta region itself.

    His Royal Majesty expressed the frustration of the people, noting that the road had been under construction for an extended period without completion. “Despite being the source of the nation’s wealth, the Niger Delta had been deprived of basic infrastructure like roads”, he said.

    He further called on President Tinubu to expedite the transfer of the road’s oversight to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, emphasizing that the local leaders were tired of exploitation while their people suffered.

    The traditional ruler also recounted the devastating flood experienced the previous year, which divided the East West Road into two segments, making it nearly impassable. The people were forced to rely on boats and military trucks in some areas, painting a grim picture of their plight.

    His Royal Majesty also addressed the issue of oil theft, pointing out that the majority of Nigerian elites were unaware of its true implications. He clarified that the victims of oil theft were often individuals who, due to economic desperation, resorted to illegal oil activities, which had severe health consequences.

    Read Also: Minister Momoh defies rain to inspect projects in Bayelsa

    The king emphasized that availability of petroleum products would deter people from patronizing illegal refineries and reduce oil theft, ultimately improving security in the region.

    King Bubaraye Dakolo stressed that addressing these pressing issues was essential for the success of the minister’s role in the region. He also urged the ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to explore alternative routes beyond the East West Road to ensure that the region’s people could benefit from their wealth.

    The minister said he visited the palace of the Governor and the traditional rulers to brief him about his working visit to Bayelsa, where he aimed to inspect ongoing projects by the NDDC, including the East West Road, and engage with stakeholders to promote peace in the region.

    He pointed out the alarming condition of a section of the East West Road leading to Bayelsa, expressing concern about the region’s vast wealth production and the road’s deteriorating state. He assured the traditional ruler that President Bola Tinubu had a deep interest in the region’s development, exemplified by the renaming of the ministry from Niger Delta Affairs to Niger Delta Development.

    As a traditional ruler with significant influence, the Minister requested the ruler’s support in advocating for the East West Road’s swift rehabilitation and its transfer to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development for immediate attention. He acknowledged that the Ministry of Works had numerous road projects demanding their attention, making it essential for the road to be under his ministry’s purview.

    He informed the rulers about his efforts to secure the support of the governors of Rivers and Bayelsa states in addressing this matter. He stressed the importance of maintaining the current peace for sustainable development and combating oil theft in the region. The minister earnestly sought the ruler’s cooperation and suggested that he use his connections with other traditional rulers to mobilize support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

  • INEC redeploys Edo, Ekiti REC, reopens collection of PVC in Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo

    INEC redeploys Edo, Ekiti REC, reopens collection of PVC in Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has redeployed the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) in Edo and Ekiti states to Bayelsa and Lagos States respectively.

    The commission has also announced the collection of Permanent Voters Cards in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states ahead of the off-circle elections in the three states scheduled for November 11.

    In a statement signed by the newly appointed national commissioner in charge of Information and voter education, Sam Olumekun mni, the commission said while Obo Effanga takes over in Bayless state, Prof. Ayobami Salami heads to Lagos from Ekiti.

    He said the redeployment of the new RECs followed the expiration of the tenure of the RECs in Bayelsa and Lagos states,

    Olumekun also said that the collection of Permanent Voters Cards will only affect the three states where the governorship election will take place.

    Read Also: APC, INEC ask Ogun tribunal to dismiss PDP’s petition

    The statement reads: “In continuation of our preparations for the forthcoming off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, lmo and Kogi States, the Commission has approved the resumption of collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for registered voters who could not collect their PVCs before the suspension of the exercise on 5th February 2023 ahead of the last General Election.

    “The current exercise only covers the three states where Governorship elections will be held on Saturday 11th November 2023.

    “The PVCs will be available for collection at all our Local Government area offices in the three states: eight in Bayelsa, 27 in Imo and 21 in Kogi.

    “In addition, the Commission has created other designated centres with a large number of uncollected PVCs. The details of all centres will be made available by the Resident Electoral Commissioners in the three states.

    “The Commission has earmarked weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm for the collection of PVCs for a period of four weeks from 11th September – 9th October 2023.

    “The Commission once again enjoins all political parties and candidates to conduct themselves peacefully and to avoid utterances and actions capable of causing a breach of peace in their ongoing campaigns”.

  • Bayelsa threatens prosecution of residents, ministries building without permits

    Bayelsa threatens prosecution of residents, ministries building without permits

    The Bayelsa State Government has advised residents of Yenagoa, the state capital, and its environs, ministries and agencies to obtain planning permits before embarking on physical development and construction activities.

    The Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board (BSPPDB), Hon Kuroakegha Dorgu, also warned that those that failed to comply and obtain genuine permits would be dragged before the physical Planning and Development tribunal for prosecution.

    Dorgu gave this advice yesterday during a visit by the members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Development as part of their oversight functions led by Hon. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown.

    Read Also:Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging

    He emphasised the need for government’s ministries and agencies to always obtain building permits from the Board before embarking on any project in the state.

    He stated that other agencies of the Federal Government always complied whenever they wanted to carry out any building projects in the state, noting that they would first approach the Board to obtain building permits.

    Dorgu pointed out that the same procedure should be applicable to the state-owned ministries and agencies.

    He noted that the law establishing the Board did not exempt anyone, adding that any ministry or agency that did not comply, would be taken to the Physical Planning and Development Tribunal for prosecution.

    The Executive Chairman also hinted that plans were underway to carry out urban renewal in some areas of Yenagoa metropolis, stressing that the Board was the only agency of government saddled with the responsibility of planning the state aside controlling development.

    He further said that with the proclamation of new planning areas by Governor Douye Diri, plans would soon be designed for those areas for development.

  • Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging

    Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging

    Voters from the 105 wards of Bayelsa State have declared their readiness to stand together against the alleged plot by some chieftains of the opposition to instigate violence and rig the November 11 governorship election.

    According to a cross section of voters, despite their desire to encourage massive turnout of voters and fair electoral processes for the poll, the alleged plot by loyalists of the opposition to cause violence and use parallel security agents during the poll would be resisted, as they would not allow a situation that would threaten the peace and security of the state.

    A voter from Southern Ijaw, Mr. Bolou Israel, expressed regrets that persons in the opposition had devised strategies to orchestrate violence and insecurity to rig the poll, which they would fight against.

    Israel, said to be loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said: “We have resolved to ensure that a proper democratic process is followed and that the opposition parties cannot force themselves on the people if they are rejected.

    “All we hear from their people is that ‘we know Douye Diri is doing well, he has done a lot of projects to deserve re-election’. However, they sing it everywhere that they will write the results, as if we are in a zoo country. How do you achieve that in this modern age?”

    Read Also: Akeredolu’s return imminent, says spokesman

    Mr. Sinivie Akenge from Yenagoa said the forthcoming governorship election was critical to the development of Bayelsa State, noting that the state was making steady progress and that anyone plotting violence to divide and cause problem was an enemy to the people.

    Akenge said: “We are calling on the international community to beam its searchlight on Bayelsa. The opposition candidate is allegedly drumming songs of war.

    “All they are telling their supporters is that they want to win by any possible unconventional means. The security agencies must be on red alert and the people must stand strong to allow proper voting. We will defend our votes.”

    Mrs. Janet Tonworio frowned at certain statements credited to candidate of the opposition that the state owed him a second term and so, this election was a revenge.

    She said the opposition should simply present its candidate to the electorate and that the people would assess his previous outing as a governor almost 12 years ago and the recent public service experience as a minister on how those offices impacted lives of the people.

    “This election is between the incumbent governor and Chief Sylva of the APC.  One thing is sure; you can only rig where you are popular. ‘Bayelsans’ have long rejected the opposition candidate. We hear he is coming for a revenge mission against those who allegedly stopped him in 2011. This is 12 years after, he is still bitter. Bayelsa must stand strong.

    “They want to preload BVAS and compromise INEC. The federal might won’t work; the President is a known democrat of many years standing. Our former President recently said that if you want to govern us, present yourself and if the people like you, they vote for you and if they reject you, you go back to your house or you go and do business.”

  • Akpe counts gains of Bayelsa Prosperity Cup

    Akpe counts gains of Bayelsa Prosperity Cup

    The Bayelsa Prosperity Cup which began initially as The Restoration Cup in 2015, is today regarded as the largest grassroots football tournament in the country but the competition’s Project Director General, Ono Akpe counts the gains over the years even as he reckoned that the c residents of the state are desirous of having additional sporting programmes as he fielded questions with reporters . Excerpts…

    How did you conceive the idea of this big grassroots tournament?

    The Bayelsa State Governors Cup also known as Prosperity Cup is a tournament held in support of the Governor, Senator Douye Diri’s efforts to positively engage youths through sports, develop football talents at the community level, stimulate youth empowerment and enhance overall grassroots development thus engendering inter-communal interaction, peace and unity in the state and beyond. Initially known as The Restoration Cup, it commenced in 2015 during the tenure of former Governor Seriake Dickson with 110 community teams from clubs, religious bodies, and tertiary institutions. This is the sixth year but the 5th edition of the prosperity cup, which is equally the Bayelsa Governor’s football tournament. We started planning in 2014 but commenced fully in 2015 with the kick-off at the newly built Nembe City Stadium in Nembe, which our opening match was used to declare that stadium open. This was because the Ultra-Modern Samson Siasia Stadium was being remodelled. It was a tournament conceived to positively engage the youths of Bayelsa to become more productive, harness the existing talent which abounds in the state and to equally connect the people, and the communities with the Government in Bayelsa. That was the basic idea we had when we started in 2014.

    The exciting thing about the tournament in Bayelsa is that we played across the entire state. In all the eight Local Government Areas, matches were played from the beginning of the tournament till we rounded off the qualifying stages. From the coastal town of Agge to Azzuzuama, Imiringi to Odi, to Nembe and Akasa before the final stages with the last 32 teams coming down to Yenagoa, the state capital, it was a festival of football all through.

    How have you been mobilizing the funds for the Prosperity Cup considering the logistics and number of teams involved in the competition?

    Like I said earlier, the Bayelsa Governors Cup which was initially called the Restoration Cup got so big and so popular when we had 165 teams contesting for honours, and the former Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, who was our Special Guest of Honour in that years’ finals in Yenagoa, called it the largest grassroots football tournament in the country. That excited us. And that equally motivated us to reach out to those who needed to support us. The support has been tremendous from the Bayelsa State Government led by the sports-loving Governor Douye Diri, who has done so much for youth development in the state. The governor is ably supported by the hard-working Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewrudjakjpo and his Commissioner of Sports, Daniel Igali who has in a short time, taken the sports sector to enviable heights. With a burning desire to transform the youths of the state and indeed the region, a lot has been achieved in this sector.

    For instance, Governor Diri has taken the state from the middle position to the second position at the last National Sports Festival in Asaba having come third in the edition held in Edo State as we finished ahead of larger and other dominating teams like Lagos, Edo, and Kano States. He also initiated and started the Unity Games in the state, which is a state-sponsored sports festival. Under him, the state became the first and only state to have won the National Cups for the men and women’s categories in 2021. Our Governor also hosted and sponsored the National Scrabble Championship and wrestling championship, amongst others. He indeed has the touch of a winner.

    Aside the state government , how much support have you derived from the private set up?

    We have had support from Linkage Insurance company, Sterling Bank, and other organizations within the region. We have also got the support of Century Group, the oil service company, Bayelsa Board of Internal Revenue, and the Local Content Management Development Board; they have done well for us. They have supported us twice. But surely they can do better

    We have not gotten the support of the IOCs like Shell, AITEO, Agip and others exploiting crude and Gas from Bayelsa even as it is worthy to note that Oloibiri in Bayelsa which has a team is the first place where oil was drilled in Commercial quantity and sold in the international market by Shell. Unfortunately, despite our concerted efforts, they have not been able to do anything for us. The NNPC and the LNG have also not been able to do anything for us. We expect that more organizations and corporate entities will do more for us as their Corporate Social Responsibility. They should know that the youths are involved, and it unites the state more when they engage in meaningful activities to ensure the greater success of the tournament. That is the position for now.

    The last edition in 2022 reportedly attracted scouts from Europe, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia; what was the magic?

    The last edition attracted not only international football scouts but also attracted a lot of local scouts as well. It was outstanding. We had scouts from France, the Aspire Academy, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, the Scout from Australia who commented that they came to Nigeria to look for players because their league did not have Nigerians and they felt it was a challenge that any league without Nigerian players is not seen as been outstanding. They needed to get a lot of Nigerian players. They came in and picked up several local players from the tournament. It was a good outing for us and for our young boys. Quite a good number of the players were selected and screened but some had documentation problems. We had about 11 of them expected to travel to Europe to places like Serbia, Asia, and other European countries. More have been snapped up by the local teams in Nigeria, including but not limited to Bayelsa United. In tournament, it is fast turning out to be the true feeder pool for Bayelsa teams. It is important to let you know that in the 2019 edition, the team was taken to Cape Verde, where they played the African Youth Cup. They came third in that tournament. That team was kept together. They came back and won the Bayelsa league cup, the first time an outside team could do so. Outstanding talents that abound in Bayelsa have been exposed through this tournament. The youths are engaged, the coaches are engaged, scouts, and the medical teams, and this is creating a lot of depth in the skills of sportsmen and administrators in Bayelsa. We hope to move with our scouts and the teams in years to come. This tournament engages over 10,000 footballers, administrators, coaches, referees, and other allied supporters for over three months the tournament runs.

    What are your plans for the future?

    Last year, we had 210 teams. It was astronomical, and you could imagine what it takes to manage that number of teams in a tournament. This year, we had 214 teams, which confirmed it as not only the largest Grassroots Football Tournament in the country but indeed in Africa.

    We plan to hold a refresher course for the referees and match commissioners in Bayelsa by FIFA-accredited officials. This will improve their knowledge of the rules of the game and strengthen their skills for optimum performance in this beautiful game of football. We have equally proposed a mini-coaching course for our coaches to update them on the laws and rules of the game. We believe in a well-informed society, free and fair officiating, and transparent conduct of all involved. This will improve the skill, management, and handling of players and respect for the officiating officials.

    Again, we intend to have our international scouts coming in again. We have been flooded with calls from various countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania. We are also in talks with academies in Europe, Asia, and the Eastern bloc. The scouts from KAZ Academy in Europe wanted to pick a lot from the tournament so they could be drilled and moved to teams that needed their service. They wanted players within the range of 15-17 years. In that academy, they go through football and school at the same time. We want more academies to come and take our boys to go through good schools and to foreign clubs thereafter. We want them to have an education and a career in football so they can have something to fall back on when their playing days are over.

    We want to introduce the female tournament segment. Eight teams will feature in the final stages in Yenagoa. You know that Bayelsa Queens is another high-flying team on the continent. They won the female league as well as the Federation Cup. With that, we expect to get new players who will be snapped by the local and foreign scouts and equally put in schools where they will combine football with education.

    What would you say is the significance of the Bayelsa Prosperity Cup?

    One good and interesting thing is that the players so selected from this tournament are very young. In some cases, we saw boys as young as 13, 14, and 15 from the nooks and crannies of Bayelsa. For instance, the two boys that were on their way to Serbia when I interviewed them were from the farthest part of Southern Ijaw. These are communities, and to access them will take you close to three or four hours by boat. Luckily, the State Government has continued the massive senatorial road with multiple bridges to Southern Ijaw.

    These are the talents that abound despite the challenges of navigating to and from their places through rivers and the Atlantic Ocean. We were able to bring them to Yenagoa, and they have not regretted it. It is exciting because the tournament is for boys and girls between the ages of 14 to 21. Since it is a community-based tournament too, we allow about five overage players to be part of it. Though that is not the focus, the focus is on the young and exciting talents from Azzuama to Sagbama, Nembe, and Brass Yenagoa.

    I must acknowledge the support of the former governor of Bayelsa Senator Henry Seriake Dickson who initiated the tournament and supported it for three editions before he completed his second term in office and equally took the players to the African Youth Championship in Cape Verde. I must equally salute the incumbent sports-loving Senator Douye Diri, who has given us the backing, financially and morally, to ensure that this tournament has grown and is sustained.

    With his ever-hard-working Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the Olympic Champion, Hon Daniel Igali, they have overseen every activity of this tournament and made sure that things run smoothly. We must thank him for his support, which has made the tournament a resounding success. Indeed, we must say that the Prosperity Cup has turned Bayelsa State into a Mecca of football for our youths not only in the Nigeria Delta region but across the country as a whole.

  • Guber poll: Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging, ensure credibility

    Guber poll: Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging, ensure credibility

    Voters from the 105 wards of Bayelsa state have declared their readiness to stand together against the alleged plot by some chieftains of the opposition to instigate violence and rig the November 11 governorship election in the state.

    According to a cross-section of voters, despite their desire to encourage a massive turn-out of voters and fair electoral processes for the poll, the alleged plot by loyalists of the opposition to cause violence and use parallel security agents during the poll would be resisted.

    A voter from Southern Ijaw, Bolou Israel, expressed regrets that persons in the opposition had devised strategies to orchestrate violence and insecurity to rig the poll which they would fight against with vehemence.

    Israel said to be loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated: “We have resolved to ensure that a proper democratic process is followed and that the opposition parties cannot force themselves on the people if they are rejected.

    “All we hear from their people is that we know Douye Diri is doing well, he has done a lot of projects to deserve re-election. However, they sing it everywhere and they will write the results as if we are in a zoo country. How do you achieve that in this modern age?”

    Also speaking, Sinivie Akenge, from Yenagoa, the state capital argued that the forthcoming governorship election was critical to the development of Bayelsa State, noting that the state was making steady progress and that anyone plotting violence to divide and cause problems was an enemy to the people.

    Akenge said: “We are calling on the international community to beam its searchlight on Bayelsa. The opposition candidate is allegedly drumming songs of war.

    “All they are telling their supporters is that they want to win by any possible unconventional means. The security agencies must be on red alert and the people must stand strong to allow proper voting. We will defend our votes.”

    Read Also: Don’t involve President in Bayelsa poll, group tells Sylva

    On her part, Janet Tonworio frowned at certain statements credited to the candidate of the opposition that the state owed him a second term and so, this election was revenge.

    Tonworio made it clear that the opposition should simply present its candidate to the electorate and that the people would assess his previous outing as a Governor almost 12 years ago and the recent public service experience as a minister on how those offices impacted the lives of the people.

    “This election is clearly between the incumbent Governor and Chief Sylva of the APC.  One thing is sure, you can only rig where you are popular. Bayelsans have long rejected the opposition candidate. We hear he is coming for a revenge mission against those who allegedly stopped him in 2011. This is 12 years later, he is still bitter. Bayelsa must stand strong.

    “They want to preload BVAS and compromise INEC. The federal might not work, the President is a known Democrat of many years of standing. Our former President recently said that if you want to govern us, present yourself, and if the people like you, they vote for you and if they reject you, you go back to your house or you go and do business.”

  • Don’t involve President in Bayelsa poll, group tells Sylva

    Don’t involve President in Bayelsa poll, group tells Sylva

    A group, the Pan Nigeria Democratic Alliance (PNDA) has warned the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, not to involve President Bola Tinubu in his bid to win the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

    The group, which spoke through its Convener, Chief Olaitan Adewale, in a statement, said as a true democrat who has paid his dues, the President should not allow the antics of anybody or group who wants to circumvent the process to attain political office against the will and choice of the majority.

    “We are particularly surprised at the desperation of some people whose antics have already led to violence, death and displacements in some parts of the state particularly in Basambiri-Nembe. This has been the pattern in Nembe and Brass in every election cycle particularly those that Sylva is involved. 

    “Bayelsans still remember how the governorship primary of the APC was marred with violence and gross irregularities. During the primary poll, Sylva reportedly got over 58,000 votes, and other co-contestants were said to have secured a little over 10,000 votes. 

    “The truth of the matter is that the exercise was a mere allocation of votes and stuffing of ballot boxes. Chief David Lyon was allocated less than 3,000 votes and he reportedly came fourth and could not challenge the outcome of the exercise Such a thing would not be allowed in the coming governorship election. This is no time to count on violence and manipulation of the process to win elections. This is a period of good governance,” he said.

    The group urged Tinubu to caution security agencies, especially the police, adding they should desist from being partial in their intervention in Bayelsa.

    PNDA called on the Acting Inspector- General of Police (lGP), Mr Tunji Egbetokun, to rein his men.

    “We have been closely monitoring the political developments in Bayelsa with keen interest. Polls after polls including those conducted by APC pollsters and close associates of the the APC candidate have given no chance for him to win a free and fair election. This development is not about APC as a party, but the antecedents of the candidate who has been rejected at the poll a number of times,” he said.

    Read Also: Poll will liberate Bayelsa people, says Sylva

    PNDA also charged the APC candidate to note the disaffection of the leaders of the APC in the state with the way he is handling the party like a sole administrator and their grouse about him, urging him to settle his party’s internal crisis. 

    Adewale stated that his group is concerned about the undemocratic approach by the APC candidate and the general developments in the State, adding that whatever happens during the poll could have ripple effects nationally.

    “The subterranean moves to compromise the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as reported in the media are also known to us and we appeal to those behind such moves to desist forthwith. Every Bayelsan and Nigerians are watching the development with keen interest,” he said.

    The group further urged the President on strengthening democratic institutions.

  • Obi’s PCC Bayelsa coordinator dumps LP for PDP

    Obi’s PCC Bayelsa coordinator dumps LP for PDP

    Ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State, former State Coordinator, Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Comrade Alagoa Morris, has dumped the Labour Party (LP) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Morris, an environmental rights activist and Bayelsa State Coordinator, Environmental Right Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), made the shocking defection yesterday and pitched tent with Governor Douye Diri, the candidate of PDP.

    Read Also; Poll will liberate Bayelsa people, says Sylva

    The activist, who supported and worked for the presidential ambition of Peter Obi as the state coordinator, said he decided to abandon the LP candidate in the state, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, and support Diri.

    He said Governor Diri had done many good things that were not even in the public domain, adding that he needed to be supported to get re-elected to continue his good work.

    Morris said: “I decided to support the incumbent governor because he is the best among the major contenders. Looking at the available candidates for the November 11 election, Diri is the only one that should be supported.

    “I was not a member of Labour Party before they appointed me the state coordinator and that job has been completed since. So life goes on.  

    “I was with Governor Diri yesterday and looking at the candidates that are available, I believe he is the one we need to support. This is because when anybody comes in now, what they will tell us is that they meet empty treasury. Therefore, this one that is already working with development partners and other stakeholders should be allowed to continue.

    “Diri has done a lot of things that are not in the public domain and even those that are in the public domain he cannot be perfect, but I think he is trying, so we have to support him to continue.”

  • Poll will liberate Bayelsa people, says Sylva

    Poll will liberate Bayelsa people, says Sylva

    • Urges Diri to leave Gbajabiamila out of his frustration

    Bayelsa State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, has said the November 11 poll will not just be an election, but also a liberation of ‘Bayelsans’ from the concentration camp such a great state has been reduced to.

    The former minister of state for Petroleum Resources and the state leader of the APC urged Bayelsa people to remain tall and strong, steadfast and hopeful as the party is edging closer to a bright new day.

    He warned Governor Douye Diri, his rival in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to leave the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, out of his frustration ahead of the November 11 governorship election.

    Sylva, in a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, said his attention was drawn to a publication in one of the national dailies allegedly sponsored by Diri that he (Sylva) was behind attempts to blackmail Gbajabiamila in a bid to influence some federal board appointments and weaken the CoS.

    Read Also: Ojo partners trust funds for loans

    He described the publication, which also alleged that he was trying to influence the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postings in Bayelsa State to the APC’s favour, as “the job of scavenging mercenaries.”

    He said it was curious that “the poorly-worded piece” had none of the national paper’s team of journalists he described as among the best in the country, in it.

    Sylva said instead, an ambiguous “Our Reporter” was credited as the writer of the report, creating instant impression that the “black-market publication may have slipped through the paper’s very professional management.”

    He said: “The publication is false and is as sordid as the depressed minds of its sponsors. Sylva’s democratic records are there for all to see. He is no cynic, nor is he one to seek victory or political success through illegitimate means. Sylva’s sincerity, patriotism and passion for progress have been his spur in what has now become a stellar journey of service.

    “It is worrying that the Bayelsa State Government, prompted by a certain politician, will abandon its duty of governance and delve into low-rate, lethargic propaganda, procured, very painfully, by tax payers’ monies of the state.

    “Gbajabiamila is a true party man, a well-spoken academic, a fine man of grand qualities and a true friend and ally of Chief Sylva. This recent attempt at sowing seeds of discord between Sylva and the Chief of Staff to the President is an exercise in futility.”

    Sylva said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would appoint competent hands into vacant positions, as he had done in the recently sworn in cabinet members in his drive to industrialise and open up Nigeria to greater laps of progress and peace.

    The statement said: “Sylva is also not the chairman of INEC. It is therefore not in his place to move INEC officials around the country. That aspect of the publication is also another lie paid for by the Bayelsa State Government.

    “The ongoing blitzkrieg of propaganda against Sylva is a symptom of the current administration’s cluelessness and edginess, cast in between a failed run and an integrity test at the polls. The state government has switched to survival mode by lying, scheming, intimidating and liquidating the state treasury in managing its sweeping rejections by the people.

    “November 11 is not just an election, but also a liberation of ‘Bayelsans’ from the concentration camp such a great state has been reduced to. Sylva urges ‘Bayelsans’ to remain tall and strong, steadfast and hopeful as we are edging closer to a bright, new day.”

  • Bayelsa palliatives: If you ask me…

    Bayelsa palliatives: If you ask me…

    Evelyn! Did you read the news this morning,” began Mummy Nkechi early yesterday morning.

    “Not again!” Mummy Nkechi has come again with her Wahala”, I muttered silently to no one in particular as she walked towards my kitchen window. Nothing ever escapes this neighbour of mine, a practising lawyer who runs her law outfit from home. She would always force me into a newspaper review whenever she sees me in the kitchen in the morning.

    And that morning, her eagle eyes were on Bayelsa and the stolen palliatives.

    “What happened? What did they do again? Because it is only when there is a scandal or something scandalous that you come to share!” I screamed to drive home the point that I did not wish to be disturbed.

    “They have started again!”

    “Who?” I asked.

    “The people that want hunger to finish us in this country! How can they hide the palliatives meant for everybody? And people are hungry with all the flood wahala, followed by cashless and subsidy wahala. This people want to kill us o?” cried Mummy Nkechi as she drew closer to my window. We, ladies (Mummy Nkechi and I alongside two other neighbours), like to gist about current affairs in the morning, especially now that the children are on holidays.  And Mummy Nkechi is always the ring leader.

    “Are you from Bayelsa! Wetin concern you with Bayelsa palliative? What is it about this that got you running to me this morning? Abeg, let me cook in peace. My jollof rice dey burn!”

    “Journalist, who do you think are behind the matter?”

    “I don’t understand, Barrister Ada. If you ask me, who I go ask?” Didn’t you read the news? Why are you asking me?” I responded while trying to ensure the pot of rice on the cooker was not burning. And as I turned to quickly slice the onions and tomatoes for the final take down, Mummy Nkechi, who we fondly call Barrister Ada only during heated arguments, retorted,

    “I did. And I am with a copy of The Nation newspaper with me.”

    She took out a copy from her wrapper, held it out so I could see and began to read: “Residents loot Bayelsa palliatives warehouse’ …the headline read. ‘… Aggrieved Bayelsa State residents yesterday broke into a warehouse on Isaac Boro Expressway, Yenagoa, and carted away palliatives kept by the state government…’

    “But come o, Evelyn; as the report states, with the subsidy removal ramping up the price of petrol from around N190 to about N620 per litre in the state, prices of goods and services have correspondingly skyrocketed, resulting in acute hardship for many households across the state… it is no surprise that this happened.”

    “Ehen…? And is that anything new… have you forgotten what happened during the COVID-19 lockdown?”

    “I know. What caught my attention is not just that burglars broke into the warehouse housing the palliatives, but that the food items were meant for victims of last year’s flood. Even some of the food items carted away by the ‘looters’ had since expired. Who does that?”

    By this time, I had finished stirring the food and switched off the cooker; and then my mind drifted to the women and children in Bayelsa who may have suffered enormously while the foods were rotting away in the warehouse. I shook my head as Barrister Ada’s words jolted me back to the kitchen and the conversation.

    “You see, this is what I have been saying, people are wicked. Like somebody allegedly said in the news report, ‘For me, the query is why the state government should leave the food items to get spoilt when they should have given them out to the people at the right time?”

    “My sister, I do not understand. I just do not understand.” And before she started another tale of how Mongo Park discovered River Niger, I pleaded: “Barrister, I am running late, when I return in the evening, we will interrogate the matter deeply alongside Mummy Fawas and Jolaolu, the usual suspects. I never write my column sef.” I told her.

    She laughed as she walked away reluctantly, warning me to, “Come back early o. This matter never finish;” as if we are on the payroll of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

    And so this week’s column was born. And as I sat on my computer with hibiscus flower drink in hand, my mind strayed to Bayelsa and the matter arising; and Barrister Ada and the conference that would take place later that evening. I made a raincheck to scribble down our evening conversation for next week’s piece.