The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bayelsa

  • Alamieyeseigha,ex-Bayelsa Gov, dies at 62

    Alamieyeseigha,ex-Bayelsa Gov, dies at 62

    •It is a personal loss – Dickson

    The political class yesterday lost one of its most controversial and flamboyant figures, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, former governor of Bayelsa State.

    Chief Alamieyeseigha who is credited with bringing former President Goodluck Jonathan to the limelight died at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) at about 4.30pm after reportedly developing health complications.

    Jonathan was his deputy between May 29,1999 and December 9,2005 when he was impeached for corruption. Jonathan went on to replace him as governor before becoming vice president in 2007 and president in 2010.

    Alamieyeseigha would have turned 63 on November 16.

    ‘Governor General of the Ijaw Kingdom’, as he was fondly called on account of his popularity among the Ijaw of Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Ondo States, was said to have returned to Nigeria from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) only a few days ago midway into his medical checkup following reports that the United Kingdom had requested for his extradition to face corruption related charges.

    Sources said yesterday that he may have died of High Blood Pressure (HBP).

    But other sources attributed his death to a kidney-related ailment.

    But the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Esueme Dan-Kikili, said the former governor died of cardiac arrest. He added that he reportedly slipped into coma two days ago and was placed on life support.

    His wife, Margaret, who was by his side when he died, was said to have collapsed.

    Alamieyeseigha’s death came exactly a year after the loss of his son, Oyemifa, in Dubai and in a week newspapers were awash with stories about request for his extradition from the United Kingdom.

    The alleged extradition request sparked tension in the state with many groups and individuals condemning it.

    News of his death hit Bayelsa like a thunderbolt yesterday.

    Many residents, including Governor Seriake Dickson, expressed shock and disbelief over Alamieyeseigha’s demise.

    Dickson, who was counting on the former governor’s popularity to secure a second term in the December election in the state, was particularly devastated.

    Alamieyeseigha was a formidable pillar of support for the governor and was being positioned to lead his reelection campaign.

    Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso Markson, described Alamieyeseigha’s death as a personal loss to him, the government and people of the state.

    He described the deceased as a strong pillar of support to the government.

    He stressed that his demise was a very painful and monumental loss to the entire Ijaw nation, which the deceased stood firm for in all its ramifications.

    He commiserated with the widow, Margaret, his immediate family, and the people of the state, noting that the Ijaw nation has lost a rare gem.

    He said a more detailed reaction will be coming from the Bayelsa State Government in due course.

    A PDP chieftain, Mr. Miriki Ebikibina described the death at a time the party was trying to build on the achievements of Dickson’s restoration government as tragic, painful.

    He said: “late Alamieyeseigha was a truly proud Ijaw man who stood for the truth, defended the rights of his people and the downtrodden. He was fearless, down to earth and accommodating”.

    Following his impeachment in December 2005,Alamieyeseigha was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)   on a six-count charge of corruption to which  he pleaded guilty and was subsequently  sentenced to two years in prison on each count on July 26,2007.

    He said that had he been much younger during the trial he would not have pleaded guilty and would have fought to the very end.

    Since the sentences were to run concurrently and the penalty counted from the date of his arrest and he was released soon afterwards.

    However, government confiscated many of his arrests including four high brow properties in London. The houses were sold.

    The United Kingdom had wanted to put him on trial for allegedly jumping bail after his arrest in London in September 2005.

    He had been arrested for money laundering.

    The London Metropolitan Police found about one million pounds cash in his London residence, one million and eight hundred thousand pounds to his accounts in the UK, besides a real estate estimated at ten million pounds.

    Alamieyeseigha is also believed to have stashed money in the United States.

    The US Justice Department said in June 2012 that it had executed an asset forfeiture order $401,931 in a Massachusetts brokerage fund believed to be owned by him and a Maryland house estimated at $400,000.

    President Goodluck Jonathan granted Alamieyeseigha state pardon on March 12, 2013.

    The decision was roundly condemned by many Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike.

    Jonathan who called Alamieyeseigha his benefactor said he had no regret for his action.

  • Alamieyeseigha’s death, a personal loss to me- Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson has confirmed the sudden death of the former governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, describing it as a personal loss to him, the government and people of the State.

    In a statement by Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sarike said Chief Alamieyeseigha was a strong pillar of support to the restoration government.

    He said Alamieyeseigha’s demise is a very painful and monumental loss to the entire Ijaw nation, which he has always stood firm for in all its ramifications.

    The Bayelsa State Government also commiserated with the deceased wife, Margret, his immediate family, the Alamieyeseighas, the entire people of the State, noting that, the Ijaw nation has lost a rare gem.

  • Ex- Bayelsa governor, DSP Alamieyeseigha is dead

    Ex- Bayelsa governor, DSP Alamieyeseigha is dead

    Bayelsa State was on Saturday thrown into mourning following the sudden death of the first civilian Governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
    He was aged 63.
    Alamieyeseigha, popularly known during his administration as the governor-general of the Niger Delta reportedly died at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers State.
    He was said to have been rushed to UPTH after he developed health complications. Sources said he died at 4:30pm on Saturday.
    Though there was no official confirmation of what killed him, it was gathered that Alamieyeseigha who until the incident was very popular in the state might have died of High Blood Pressure (HBP).
    Others said he died of kidney-related problem.
    Alamieyeseigha was said to have developed the complications after returning from an undisclosed hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE) where he went for medical checks.

  • NGO screens 1,017 Bayelsa residents for HIV

    NO curtail the spread of HIV, an NGO, Mercy-Seat Holistic Development Organisation, has carried out free HIV screening of 1,017 residents of Bayelsa State.

    The NGO’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Torukuru Adakien, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) last Monday in Yenagoa.

    Adakien said the HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) were aimed at educating the people on the truths and facts about HIV.

    “We conducted this programme to support campaigns against HIV/AIDS, especially in Bayelsa; there is need for us in the society to know our HIV status.

    “During the programme which ended on Sept. 30, we had free HCT Uptake of 1,017 persons in the period; we started by advocacy visits to Motor Parks and Mechanics Villages/Shops.

    “The advocacy visit was done in the three Senatorial District of Bayelsa; we also distributed free condom of over 800 packets to the people.

    “This programme was in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development,’’ he told NAN praising the government for supporting the course.

    “We understand that HIV is one of the dreaded diseases all over the world, but I believe we can tackle the disease if we can come together to support the campaign.’’

    Adakien said that sex has been established to be the common means of spreading the disease and urged those who could not do without sex to always wear condom for protection.

    “You can also avoid contacting HIV by abstaining from unprotected sex, sharing sharp objects like razor blade, hair clipper among others,’’ Adakien said.

    He said that the outcome of the screening would be discussed with the concerned individuals.

     

  • 50 observer groups for Kogi, Bayelsa polls

    50 observer groups for Kogi, Bayelsa polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 50 groups to observe the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections.

    The elections are scheduled for November 21 and December 5.

    According to a letter by the Director of Elections and Party Monitoring Department (EPM), Bala Shittu, 43 of the 50 organisations are domestic and seven are foreign.

    The groups are to obtain, complete and return Form EPMC 002 for the two elections from the EPM Department, INEC headquarters, Maitama, Abuja between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, from October 2 to 23.

    INEC said the photographs of officials to be deployed by approved groups in the two states with their names should be submitted in hard and soft copies (CD drive using JPEG) to the EPM Department, latest October 23.

    “Late submission will not be entertained.”

    The commission said the dates for the distribution of observer kits in the two states would be communicated in due course, adding that enquiries should be directed to the Director, EPM Department.

     

     

  • Bayelsa poll: Clash of old rivals

    Bayelsa poll: Clash of old rivals

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and his predecessor, Chief Timipreye Sylva, were rivals in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Sylva’s second term ambition had crumbled when pro-Dickson forces, led by former President Goodluck Jonathan, stood against it. The beneficiary was Dickson, a former member of the House of Representatives. After leaving power, Sylva’s days were numbered in the party. Last year, he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The former governor is now the party’s governorship candidate. On December 5, Sylva will challenge the PDP flag bearer, Dickson, at the poll. Will he bounce back or lose his deposit? Will Dickson succeed in his second term bid and break the second term jinx? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the struggle for power in the oil-rich state. 

    The Bayelsa State governorship election will be a clash of titans. No fewer than 12 parties are fielding candidates for the poll. But, it is evident that the battle is between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Many have argued that the contest is a continuation of the battle between former President Goodluck Jonathan, who hails from the state, and President Muhammadu Buhari, whose party is facing a major popularity test in the Southsouth during the election.

    However, at the home front, the contest is between Governor Seriake Dickson of the PDP and Sylva, the candidate of the APC. Analysts have predicted a clash of egos. They are of the opinion that the two rivals are resuming hostilities. They are full of bravados. The state has not change, but the previous conditions may have been altered. Sylva had forfeited his second term bid in 2011, following the endorsement of Dickson by former President Jonathan and other party leaders. He fought hard to retain the seat, but without success. After leaving office, he was also being hunted by the anti-graft body. The former governor attributed his ordeal to the orchestrated plans by his foes to politically liquidate him.

    Today, the two parties are of equal strength. The APC wields the power of incumbency at the centre. But, the PDP also basks in the euphoria of incumbency power the state level. Also, money is not a problem to the two parties. For the parties, the stakes are also high. The poll has implications for the two platforms.

    In the last election, the PDP cleared the votes at the presidential, National Assembly and House of Assembly elections. The opposition only managed to win a seat in the House of Assembly. The members of the State Executive Council, board and parastatal me,ber and other political appointees at the local government levels are chieftains and supporters of the PDP. But, it appears that the APC is not intimidated by these scenarios.

    According to observers, Sylva is a factor in Bayelsa politics. As far back as 2003, he had thrown his hat into the ring and challenged former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to a duel. Although he was crushed at the primaries, he did not give up. In 2007, he also participated in the PDP primaries. He came second, trailing behind Dr. Jonathan, who had succeeded the impeached Governor Alamieyeseigha.

    Luck smiled on him when Dr. Jonathan emerged as the running mate to the PDP presidential candidate, the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’ Adua. Since he came second at the primaries, he became the flag bearer. Sylva won the election, but the gulf between him and Dr. Jonathan deepened. For about five years that he called the shots, there was no love lost between him and the then President. In 2011, the Jonathan camp made up its mind that the curtain should be drawn on his tenure. Up came the House of Representatives member, Dickson, who had served as Commissioner for Justice when Dr. Jonathan was governor.

    Efforts by Sylva to re-assert himself in the Bayelsa PDP have been futile. His supporters complained about marginalisation and persecution. Even, when crisis broke out between the governor and the Abuja forces, Sylva did not profit from the imbroglio. Bayelsa has been the stronghold of the PDP and he believed that he had contributed to its success as a leader. However, when it was clear that he faced a bleak future in the party, he defected to the APC.

    Sylva’s defection from the PDP led, in part, to the decimation of the party. Scores of PDP chieftains followed suit, not necessarily in solidarity with Sylva, but in protest against alleged politics of exclusion by Dickson. The consequence of his defection meant that the PDP has an opposition leader to contend with. The PDP knew that trouble was looming.

    In the APC, Sylva’s profile rose. During the party congress, APC governors were rooting for him as a national chairmanship aspirant. Unlike Chief Tom Ikimi, who was a nominal contestant, the weight of the governors, who are state party leaders, could not be dismissed with a wave of the hand. Although the former governor stepped down, but the support base he garnered during the congress attested to his popularity. Therefore, when he joined the governorship primaries, he became the candidate to beat. His main challenger, Timi Alaibe, appeared formidable, but he was advised to step down so that the party could present a united front. After the first rancorous shadow poll conducted by Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, reason prevailed. Peace has now returned to the chapter, following Sylva’s emergence as the candidate.

    But, what is Sylva’s chance at the poll? Analysts believe that he is contesting on the platform of a formidable party. As a former governor, he is also a formidable candidate. Unlike before, when elections in Bayelsa’s eight local governments were the exclusive preserve of PDP chieftains, the state has to contend with the existence of the APC, which is the ruling party at the centre. Besides, Sylva’s associate, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, said that the former governor has a chance because the people of the state are yearning for change. He said Sylva is in the race to salvage Bayelsa from the yoke of incompetent and dishonest governance foisted on it by the PDP. “The responsibility to change the bad fortunes of Bayelsa State under the bondage of the PDP is one that must be accomplished,” he added.

    PDP sources disclosed that the party is not resting on its oars. They are fueling the sentiment that the PDP’s defeat in Bayelsa will translate into a big disgrace to Dr. Jonathan. In a bid not to leave anything to chance, Dickson and the Abuja forces have also closed ranks. Dr. Jonathan has openly endorsed the governor for a second term. His wife, Dame Jonathan, has also ceased hostility. Also, Chief Alamieyeseigha has been campaigning vigorously  for the governor’s second term ambition.

    Dickson has berated Sylva for overrating himself. He predicted failure for the APC, saying that Bayelsa will remain a PDP state. In reaction, Sylva Campaign Organisation has said that the over-confidence will herald his colossal electoral defeat . “Buokoribo said the outcome of the election will be shocking to the governor.

    But, in the governor’s view, the PDP is on the onslaught from a position of strength. He  said the defection from the PDP to the APC will not swing the pendulum of victory to the direction of the APC.  “The defection from the PDP to the APC in Bayelsa is not significant. Some chieftains have left in search of appointments at the federal level, leaving their key supporters behind in the PDP. There is none of them who has left who does not have an associate in our cabinet. They are going for selfish reasons,” he told reporters in Lagos.

    The governor also said that nothing has changed between the last election and now to warrant victory for the APC. Dickson disputed Sylva’s structure, saying that its foundation is porous. He said: “It should not be forgotten that Sylva was a senatorial candidate of his party in the last election and we knew its outcome. Outside the PDP, Bayelsa cannot accommodate these people. They are relying on thugs and cultists to cause commotion and run back to Lagos and Abuja. They can’t win this election.”

    Dickson challenged Sylva to a popularity walk. The governor also called for a free and fair election.  He said that, if performance is a criterion for wining, his achievements will see him thorough. He noted the allegation of exclusion against him by the defectors. But, he clarified that no member of the APC has ever accused him of corruption. “This means that I have been running a government of transparency and probity. My achievements will speak for me during tje election,” he added.

  • Siasia joins Bayelsa governorship race

    Siasia joins Bayelsa governorship race

    A governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, Moses Siasia, has submitted his nomination form as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, with a pledge to liberate the state from the shackles of oppression, debt and inept leadership.

    The Chairman of Mosilo Group said his candidature is driven by the people who seek genuine change. He promised to create jobs for the teeming youths and make education affordable.

    Siasia spoke in Abuja after submitting his Expression of Interest and Nomination Form to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). He was received by the party’s National Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Igwe.

    Siasia reiterated his  commitment to the implementation of policies that would create an enabling environment for employment generation and wealth creation, adding that he would also give impetus to education, health care delivery, urban renewal, agriculture and industrial development.

    He said: “In furtherance of substantiating and advancing my commitment to run for the Governorship Seat of Bayelsa State in December 5th 2015, I have finally submitted my Expression of Interest/Nomination Form to the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) National Secretariat in Abuja.”

    Siasia also pledged to transform Bayelsa into the economic hub of the Southsouth.

  • Bayelsa: Can APC take its chance?

    Bayelsa: Can APC take its chance?

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are warming up for the governorship election of  Bayelsa State in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan reports on the current political permutations ahead of the December 5 date of the guber contest.

    Following the loss of President Goodluck Jonathan at the poll, the dynamics of the politics of his native Bayelsa State, were altered drastically. The age-long dominance of the politics of the state by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), according to political pundits, evaporated with the former President’s loss.

    And as the people of the state look forward to the December 5 date for the next governorship election, Governor Seriake Dickson and the ruling party are, in the opinion of many bookmakers, will be fighting to ward of the rampaging political onslaught of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Consequently, the Governor, who has seen many chieftains and members of his party depart for the APC in recent times, is reportedly a very troubled man. But determined to get a return ticket to Creek Haven at the end of the poll, Dickson has vowed to stop the highly favored opposition party from forming the next administration.

    Indications that the ruling party may have been badly hit by the loss of the presidency by Jonathan emerged early. At the state assembly elections, the PDP which had ruled the state since the return to democracy in 1999, and had won all the national assembly seats in the 2015 elections, lost four seats to the opposition in an unprecedented development.

    The election also saw the opposition putting up impressive performances in areas of the state hitherto believed to be strongholds of Gocernor Dickson’s ruling party. For example, in Brass, Kolokuma and Opokuma constituencies, the ruling party struggled against a determined opposition that fought it for every single vote.

    “There is no hiding the reality that with the commendable performance of the opposition parties including the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the last National and State Assemblies elections, the politics of Bayelsa state is not the same again. Definitely, the 2016 Governorship race will be a tough one for the PDP.

    You will recall that the APC is currently at the Tribunal claiming that it defeated the PDP in about seven constituencies decided at the poll contrary to the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Many observers of the politics of the state are also saying INEC’s results are fraudulent and should be challenged,” State Co-ordinator of the Vigil for Democracy (VFD), George Ebikeme, said.

    The pro-democracy activist however said although the PDP is in an unusual situation ahead of the December guber poll, it is too early to say the party is on its way out of government house.

    “Yes, the PDP is deeply troubled in Bayelsa State, but the opposition should see that as a roller-coaster to victory. The opposition will have to take its chance to win in the state. The PDP hasn’t been this challenged in the state before. But unless the opposition is ready to take all advantages and avoid unnecessary distractions, Dickson and his party may still wriggle through,” he added.

     

    First hurdle

    Before now, pundits have said the management of the process of selecting governorship candidates for the 2016 election by the PDP and the opposition APC may determine where the votes may swing in December. Many people had expected rancorous selection processes from the two leading parties given the arrays of aspirants that threw their hats into the ring.

    But in spite of initial anxiety and uproar that preceded the primaries of the two party, both the ruling party and the opposition APC managed to select their candidates with little collateral damages. Dickson, was  on September 24, elected as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the December 5 polls.

    He was chosen at the primaries of the party held at the Samson Siasia Stadium. Declaring the result of the primaries in which Dickson was the sole candidate, Chairman of the PDP  Electoral Panel and Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose said the incumbent polled 447 votes.

    A total of 476 delegates led by former President Goodluck Jonathan were listed for the exercise. According to Fayose, 452 delegates were accredited  and five votes were voided while 24 delegates were absent.

    But that was just as many governorship aspirants including the then party Chairman, Late Sam Inokoba, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe, and youthful Moses Siasia, left the party for the APC alongside thousands of their supporters.

    Inokoba, who listed 10 reasons for leaving the PDP, said they were crossing over to the APC because the PDP government has derailed from its original objectives. He said they were disenchanted with the leadership style of Governor Seriake Dickson and lack of internal democracy in the PDP.

    He said Mr. Dickson had abandoned the tenets of good governance and set the state on a path of retrogression and dictatorship even in a democratic dispensation. He added that the PDP was bedeviled by endless intra-party squabbles and manipulation by the PDP governor.

    Alaibe, noted that he was not changing for the sake of change but to steer the state from poverty to prosperity.

    He said a state as endowed as Bayelsa had no business with poverty. He regretted that the state had not benefitted from its natural endowments and pledged to work to install an APC government in the state.

    There exit left the PDP bruised and battered and many predicted that with the APC set to have a less rancorous selection process, given the way it handled its affairs in Kogi State few days earlier, the PDP may have boxed itself into a conner. Although the Governor and his handlers made light of the defections, many party chieftains expressed worry over the development.

    While APC finally settled for former Governor Timipreye Sylva as its candidate, the process, contrary to predictions, turned out not less rancorous than the PDP’s. It took a re-scheduled primary election after a hotly disputed one, for the party to save itself from crisis following allegations of recklessness and intimidation.

    Sylva scored 981 votes to win the ticket, beating Godknows Powel, who polled 39 votes to emerge runner up while Wallman Agoriba scored 28 votes to place third. This was after Alaibe had step out of the race. The duo of Sylva and Alaibe had engaged themselves in verbal warfare over the deputed primary election held a week earlier.

    Announcing the result at the APC secretariat in Yenagoa by Mansur Alli , Chairman, Electoral Committee, Bayelsa APC primary election, said a total of 1147 delegates were accredited.

    According to Mr. Alli, a retired brigadier general, “Out of 1147 accredited delegates for the primary election, Mr Timipre Sylva scored 981 to win other 18 aspirants who participated.

     

    APC’s chance?

    With the PDP bedevilled by internal crises following the expulsion of prominent chieftains and the defection of Alaibe and company, many people are expecting the APC, having managed to ward off an imminent implosion at its primary election, to utilize the chance presented to it and win the December election.

    Aside from the problem occasioned by Dickson’s emergence as the sole candidate  at its primary election, the ruling party is also currently battling with subtle power tussle among stakeholders in the state, including the Governor, members of the National Assembly and the aides of the former President.

    “PDP is really troubled and it is obvious that the party is going into the next election divided. The Governor and members of the national assembly caucus in the state are at loggerhead. Some aides of the former President will not see eye to eye with the Governor. Some prominent party leaders are angry with the former President. This is the unhealthy situation that the party is in as it confront the APC in December.

    Don’t also forget that hitherto influential PDP personalities as the former Senators Heineken Lokpobiri, Emmanuel Paulker, Wariponmowei Dudafagh are currently opposed to the Governor’s re-eelction bid following alleged roles played by Dickson and his aides in chasing them out of the party. With a situation like this, the PDP is not at its best for this election,” Ebikeme said.

    A chieftain of the ruling party in Opokuma, said the PDP is its own greatest opponent ahead of the December election. According to the former lawmaker, anti-party activities, unless quickly addressed before the election, will work against the success of the party at the governorship contest.

    “Our leaders are fighting each others. Members of PDP in the state are working closely with our opponents in alarming cases of anti-party activities. And unless quickly addressed before the election, it will work against the success of the party at the governorship contest.

    Before now, we heard that some so-called Jonathan’s men are set to dump the PDP, but many of them are still with us, allegedly working against us. If we go into an election this way, how are we hoping to fare? These are some of the reasons why some analysts are saying APC will win in Bayelsa. It is not the APC per se that will defeat us. We are the ones planning to defeat ourselves,” our source said.

    And if the show of sportsmanship displayed by Alaibe in ceding the ticket to Sylva is anything to go by, then the APC may have made up its mind to give whatever it will take to dislodge Dickson. Alaibe,  on Wednesday withdrew from the re-scheduled primary of the party to pick candidate for the December 5 guber polls in the state.

    The aspirant, who had called for the cancellation of the September 22 botched primary, held at the Samson Siasia stadium, announced his withdrawal in a statement addressed to Bayelsa people in the early hours of Wednesday, before the primary election process commenced. According to him, he took the decision to preserve party cohesion which was critical to dislodging the ruling PDP      in the polls.

    “This decision is taken in the interest of our party especially as we face the task of the common challenge? of unseating the PDP in the state come December 5. Whereas I am confident that I have the required support of my admirers and supporters? as well as the needed backing of Bayelsans to govern them, the hurdles set on the way of this noble project are seemingly tempestuous and capable of overheating the APC in Bayelsa.

    “As a result, having carefully examined the circumstances that have trailed the Governorship primaries of our great party in Bayelsa state, I have come to the conclusion that pushing my Governorship ambition beyond this point carries alongside it some collateral consequences. This is more so that both as individual leaders and as a party, the need to avoid the a situation of crisis that the PDP might inadvertently reap from cannot be over emphasized,” Alaibe said.

    But Governor Dickson said in spite of all odds, he would win in the fort coming December 5 gubernatorial election.

    “Yes, some leaders of our party are defecting. But, you have to understand the background. Almost all of them who are defecting want to be governors and these persons know that within PDP they have no way of becoming governorship flag-bearers of the party.

    For them, it means going to another platform to fight for governorship ticket to contest the election. But, APC in Bayelsa is not a party on ground and, do not be deceived, even at national level they are crumbling. You will see PDP will rise again very soon.

    With the two camps firmly believing in their ability to win the next governorship election, observers of the politics of the riverine state are waiting to see where the pendulum will swing.

  • NGO lifts Bayelsa taxpayers

    The coming on board of the Tax Justice Advocacy and Governance Platform (TJGP) has restored the hope of shop owners and the business community in Bayelsa State. The state has serious tax issues. In fact, the increasing quest to generate revenue internally to augment lean resources from the Federal Government has placed additional burden on the shoulders of taxpayers.

    Artisans, shop owners and all categories of businesses including drivers of commercial vehicles especially in Yenagoa, the state capital are not free from the wrath of tax collectors. The main problem bugging the tax system is multiple taxation. Different ministries collect the same taxes from people.

    But the TJGP said it had come to address all the tax injustices in the state. The stae Coordinator, TJGP, Princes Elizabeth Egbe, and the group’s Secretary, Mr. Torki Dauseye, held a forum recently in Yenagoa to sensitise the people on their rights.

    Egbe said the platform was established to increase awareness among citizens on tax justice; promote fair, progressive and transparent tax system and administration in the state through improved stakeholders’ advocacy.

    She explained that the platform would undertake research to determine the tax burden and types of taxes implemented in the state which would facilitate evidence-based campaigns against all forms of harmful tax practices that undermine human rights and government ability to generate maximum tax revenue.

    While saying that it is a civic responsiblity for every citizen to pay tax, she insisted that it should be done in a way that protects the rights of the people.

    She said: “The tendency for the government to pursue the raising of revenue as much as possible from taxes in a manner that ignores the rights of citizens is therefore a looming possibility, especially as power has the ability to corrupt if not checked.

    “When taxation becomes strictly revenue-driven, the tendency for injustice becomes higher. Tax justice proposes that every citizen pay all the taxes they are expected to pay according to their ability to the appropriate authorities and jurisdiction with ease and convenience in a timely manner”.

    She advocated an inclusive tax system in the state to promote small and medium enterprises insisting that the platforn seeks a balance between the obligations and the rights of the state to collect taxes and the duties of citizens to pay taxes.

    She said a survey by the platform found some injustices in the system. She identified some of them as multiple rates, taxes, levies on lower ladder players especially women; tacit approval of extortion, undocumented collections; corruption and collusion by tax officials and non-remittance of collected taxes to appropriate authorities.

    In its quest for tax justice, she said the platform visited Ministry of Finance, board of internal revenue, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the traders and media unions.

     

  • Sylva wins Bayelsa APC governorship ticket

    Sylva wins Bayelsa APC governorship ticket

    Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva yesterday won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary to become the party’s governorship candidate in the December 5 election.

    Sylva polled 981 votes to defeat his rival, Mr. Godknows Powell, who got 39 votes in a peaceful primary conducted at the state secretariat of the party in Yenagoa by a seven-member electoral panel, led by Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan Ali (retd).

    A former two-time member of the House of Representatives, Warman Ogoriba, scored 28 votes; Diekivie Ikiogha, 22; Ebite Williams, nine; Charity Valdego seven; Preye Aganaba, eight and Febo Austin, got seven.

    Others are: Romeo Dekeye, 10 votes; Ebitimi Amgbare, three; Ambassador Otiotio, one; Felix Oboro, one and Christopher Enai, two.

    Of the 1,147 votes cast at the poll, the chairman of the panel declared 1,120 valid and invalidated 27 others.

    The primary was devoid of rancour and violence, which characterised the September 22 primary at the Samson Siasia Stadium.

    Delegates were orderly, waiting from 11pm on Tuesday till Wednesday afternoon, when they cast their votes after accreditation.

    But there was a brief protest at the venue when Ikiogha led some aggrieved aspirants to accuse the panel of shutting them out of the exercise.

    For about an hour, the aspirant, Prof. Tarila Tebepah, Pastor Apirila Tonye and Austin Ogiohwon kept the panel chairman busy with their complaints.

    Ikiogha said the panel arrived in the state without first intimating them on the modalities for the primary.

    The aspirant accused the committee of planning to stop them from participating in the exercise.

    He said: “This election is worse than the previous exercise that was cancelled. We are aware that a new list of delegates was compiled the previous night for the purpose of the election. This is not the change we advocated for. We are appealing for the cancellation of the election.”

    But the committee chairman insisted that the process was transparent.

    He urged the aggrieved aspirants to maintain the peace.

    After lodging their complaints, the aspirants walked out of the venue. They refused to return till the end of the primary.

    Shortly after he was declared winner, Sylva said the victory meant that APC members should work together to win the December 5 election.

    He congratulated the former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe, for withdrawing from the race.

    The former governor sought Alaibe’s support and the cooperation of other aspirants ahead of the election.

    The APC candidate hailed security agents for staying awake to maintain the peace throughout the exercise.

    He said: “I am very happy today to accept this victory that you have given to me for the second time. I will like today that this is only the beginning of the journey. Today, I have seen that we politicians have a lot to learn from the military.

    “What a great and serving governor of a great state of this country was incapable of doing, just a few days ago, has been achieved by a retired general and his team. This tells me that we have a lot to learn from the military.

    “I also use this opportunity to thank the security agencies who have been present since yesterday (Tuesday) night till now, maintaining law and order and making sure that this primary is rancour free…”