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  • Propaganda won’t guarantee your victory, APC council tells Diri, PDP

    Propaganda won’t guarantee your victory, APC council tells Diri, PDP

    • I’m committed to APC’s victory in Bayelsa, says Lokpobiri

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Bayelsa State National Governorship Campaign Council on Monday told Governor Douye Diri and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that no amount of propaganda can save them from the impending electoral defeat at the November 11 governorship election in the state.

    The council also described it as a ruse, the rumour of a crack in the party, insisting that all members of the party are solidly behind Hon. Timipre Sylva, the APC candidate.

    The Secretary, Media and Publicity Committee of the Campaign Council, Hon. Yekini Nabena, in a statement in Abuja on Monday faulted what he called “sponsored media reports” in some quarters suggesting that the Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, and 2019 governorship candidate, David Lyon, are working for Governor Diri.

    Nabena, who was APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, described the report as propaganda sponsored by the PDP camp to cause disaffection within the winning APC team.

    Media was awash at the weekend of an unholy alliance between Governor Diri, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the PDP, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and 2019 governorship candidate, David Lyon.

    Quoting sources, the reports said Diri had conceded 50 slots of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) each to Lokpobiri and Lyon and has also promised them some measures of influence on decision-making.

    But Nabena in the statement attached with recent pictures where both Lokpobiri and Lyon recommitted themselves before the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to deliver Timipre Sylva and the party in Bayelsa debunked the reports.

    The former APC spokesman said the propaganda tactics being employed by the PDP in Bayelsa towards the governorship election will not work because people have made up their minds to sack the PDP administration for under developing the state.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a sponsored propaganda in some quarters suggesting cracks in the solid camp of the Bayelsa APC ahead of the November 11 governorship election in the State.

    “We will not be distracted because we are fully aware how desperate the incumbent Governor Douye Diri has become, therefore employing all manners of tactics including propaganda and lies just to confuse. But, sadly for the PDP, it is just too late because Bayelsans have made up their minds to sack under-developer of an oil-rich state.

    “For the benefit of the doubt, the attached pictures will tell doubters that the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the 2019 governorship candidate, David Lyon, most recently held a strategic meeting with our candidate in the presence of our National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, where everyone recommitted themselves and massive mobilisation has since begun.

    “We, however, sympathise with the restless Governor Diri and his camp for acting too late, bearing in mind that their days are numbered in the Bayelsa state government House.

    Read Also: EFCC nabs six suspected internet fraudsters in A’Ibom

    “We urge all our party members, supporters and Bayelsans, in general, to remain calm, expectant of a landslide victory and disregard lies suggesting cracks in our camp,” Nabena said.

    Minister for State Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has denied reports of alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in Bayelsa State headed by Governor Douye Diri.

    Media reports had alleged that there is a crack in Bayelsa APC as top leaders, including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and David Lyon engage in talks with PDP’s Governor Diri.

    A statement by Nneamaka Okafor, Special Adviser on Media and Communication aide to Lokpobiri, debunked the allegations describing it as “handiwork of unscrupulous elements and individuals, groups who do not have Bayelsa State’s best interests at heart, especially threatened by the strong and cordial relationship that exists between Senator Lokpobiri and his boss President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”

    Nneamaka said: “Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Honourable Minister for State Petroleum Resources (Oil), wish to set the records straight and debunk these malicious claims.

    “It has come to our attention that certain false allegations are being circulated in various media outlets in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Ph.D., a committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a staunch supporter of Chief Timipre Sylva, the APC Governorship candidate in the upcoming November 11, 2023, Governorship election in Bayelsa State.

    “These baseless allegations suggest that Senator Lokpobiri and Chief David Lyon have formed an alliance with the PDP Governor Douye Diri. We categorically state that these allegations lack credibility and are merely propaganda. Senator Lokpobiri’s dedication to the APC’s principles and values is unquestionable, and he remains steadfast in his commitment to the party’s success in Bayelsa State.

    Nneamaka noted that: “Senator Lokpobiri has consistently championed unity and cohesion within the State chapter of the APC and has been at the forefront of promoting the party’s agenda in Bayelsa State. Any insinuations to the contray are unfounded and untrue.”

    Nneamaka pointed out that these individuals behind the unfounded allegations are threatened by the strong and cordial relationship between Tinubu and Senator Lokpobiri which is yeilding positive developments in Bayelsa state.

    “These false allegations against Senator Lokpobiri are the work of individuals and groups who do not have Bayelsa State’s best interests at heart. They are threatened by the strong and cordial relationship that exists between Senator Lokpobiri and his boss President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), a relationship aimed at bringing progress and development to the people of the state.”

    “Despite his demanding global and national assignments in boosting the nation’s oil production, Senator Lokpobiri remains fully committed to the All Progressives Congress. He is confident that, by the grace of God, the APC will emerge victorious at the polls on November 11, 2023.”

    “We urge the general public to disregard these baseless allegations and remain steadfast in their support for Chief Timipre Sylva’s candidacy. Any attempts to sow discord or spread false information will be met with resounding unity from both Senator Lokpobiri and Chief Sylva.”

  • Eight defectors back Diri

    Eight defectors back Diri

    Ahead of the November 11 poll in Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri has received seven new defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and one defector from the Labour Party (LP).

    They were received by the Governor at Amassoma and Amatolo communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state when his campaign train went to SILGA.

    The leader of the new defectors, Mr. Suoyo Ebi Omonibo, said they took the decision to join the PDP in order to support the good work of the current administration in the state.

    Other defectors from the APC are Biebo Pino Oyinki, Igo Akpobolokemi, Evans Zidi Ambaiowei, Igo Eyibigha, Karikarisei Sunday, Kemepade Warri.  Mr. Samson Ogugu joined PDP from the LP.

    Read Also: EFCC nabs six suspected internet fraudsters in A’Ibom

    Also, the PDP governorship campaign train landed in Ogbia Constituency 3 on Monday with visit to some communities to seek support for the governor’s re-election as well as inaugurate some projects in some communities.

    The team, led by the Director-General of the Diri/Law Campaign Council, Hon. Mitema Obordor, was in Oruma, Otuasega, Emeyal and then Kolo, headquarters of the Constituency.

    Many party faithful thronged Kolo to receive the candidate, Governor Douye Diri, and his running mate, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

  • I’ll improve Yenagoa infrastructure, Diri pledges in Bayelsa

    I’ll improve Yenagoa infrastructure, Diri pledges in Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said that his vision is to ensure that his government bring Yenagoa metropolis to be at par with other state capitals in Nigeria and even better where possible.

    The Governor spoke yesterday at Etegwe community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state where he went to inaugurate the bridge completed by his administration as part of his campaign activities.

    Read Also: Igbo leaders reject referendum call

    He promised the people of Etegwe communities that two of the communities would be lit up with solar as he directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, to commence the installation immediately.

    Speaking on the dualisation of Etegwe road, Diri said: “You all know that this project has been on for a very long time. This dualisation started with the immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

    “This is just a one way road. Dickson had the vision to dualise it but for inadequate resources, the project was not completed. You know our government. The first thing we do is to complete all uncompleted projects.

  • Bayelsa poll: Diri alerts security agencies on violence plot in Ogbia

    Bayelsa poll: Diri alerts security agencies on violence plot in Ogbia

    • Says Sylva anti-development

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has alerted security agencies to a plot by the opposition in the state to cause mayhem in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state during the November 11 governorship election.

    Diri also accused the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, of being anti-development and anti-progress.

    The Bayelsa governor, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, spoke at the Ogbia Constituency 2 rally at Otuokpoti after campaign stopped at riverine Anyama-Ogbia and Emadike communities.

    He alleged that the opposition was planning to bring in thugs to cause mayhem in Anyama-Ogbia.

    Diri said: “This battle is between those who are for and against development. It is between light and darkness. We are talking about your development as individuals and communities.

    “Let the world know what they are planning is that in Anyama where we are strong, they are going to bring youths who are not from here, sew them military uniforms and cause mayhem in connivance with one or two people from here. Let the world and the military take note.”

    Reeling out projects embarked upon by his administration in the local government, he promised to do more when re-elected into office.

    He stressed: “They were in government for five years and what did they do in Ogbia land? Today, we are building a road from Akaba in Yenagoa to Okodi and Emadike. The Otuoke-Onuebum road was destroyed and impassable. But now that road is almost completed.

    “Elebele community was cut off and one of the first projects we started was to build that bridge. We did the same with the Imiringi community bridge too.

    Read Also: Sylva to Diri: Nembe has rejected your lies, blackmail

    “The old bypass to Elebele had a metallic bridge. But we have built a befitting road there. For us, it is how we can develop the state.

    “Since we came, we have been teaching the youths how to fish. Today, we have the Diri skills acquisition programme through which thousands of our youths are acquiring skills they can use without begging. Today, we give grant of N200,000 monthly to 420 individuals across the 105 wards in the state to support small and medium scale enterprises.”

    At Anyama-Ogbia, the governor stated that the Akaba-Okodi-Emadike road, which had been at the planning stage for several years, is under construction and would soon be completed to enhance economic activities in the area.

    He promised to work with relevant agencies to embark on shoreline protection to check the erosion that had ravaged the community when he returns for a second term.

  • Sylva to Diri: Nembe has rejected your lies, blackmail

    Sylva to Diri: Nembe has rejected your lies, blackmail

    The Bayelsa State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, has told the state Governor, Douye Diri, to allow the people of Nembe to breathe, saying the entire communities have rejected all the lies he told them on Thursday during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in the area.

    Sylva, speaking through his Special Assistant on Media and Public affairs, Julius Bokoru, said the governor went to Nembe to campaign for his elusive reelection but could not point at any reasonable projects he executed in the area other than the Unity Bridge that was almost completed before he assumed office.

    He said because the governor had no blueprint and had done almost nothing in the area, he and a former Deputy Governor, John Jonah resorted to attacking him with lies and attempted to blackmail him before his people.

    Sylva, who also hails from Nembe, asked Diri to stop dissipating his energy on Nembe insisting that no amount of blackmail and desperation would make him win Nembe in the forthcoming poll.

    Insisting that the people had rejected him, he said Diri’s obsession with Nembe had only brought death and destruction to the council.

    Read Also: We’re committed to bringing justice close to the people –Uzodimma

    Under Diri’s administration, Sylva said Nembe had been subjected to dehumanisation, rights abuses, neglect and made a theatre of war in pursuit of the governor’s selfish interest of winning election.

    He said only last month the Inspector-General of Police’s SWAT team rid Nembe of dangerous criminals, sponsored and inspired, of course by the current occupants of Creek Haven, who turned Opu-Nembe to a dystopian setting.

    He said Nembe could not remain the theatre of Governor Diri’s frequent lies and even worse, the playground of his violent games and extreme political ambitions.

    Sylva said that Diri and the PDP had failed the people of Nembe and the entire state, adding that it was for the same reason they lost to the APC in the 2019 governorship election with more than 80% of the votes.

    The statement said: “Sylva is a true Nembe son, loved, appreciated by the people for his track record of human and industrial development. “He is also the quintessential Nembe individual that carries peace, strength, love for brother, neighbours and innate drive for excellence and humanity.”

  • Nembe has rejected your lies, blackmails, Sylva tells Diri

    Nembe has rejected your lies, blackmails, Sylva tells Diri

    The Bayelsa State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, has told the state Governor, Douye Diri, to allow the people of Nembe to breathe, saying the entire communities have rejected all the lies he told them on Thursday during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in the area.

    Sylva, speaking through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, said the governor went to Nembe to campaign for his elusive reelection but could not point at any reasonable projects he executed in the area other than the Unity Bridge that was almost completed before he assumed office.

    He said because the governor had no blueprint and had done almost nothing in the area, he and a former Deputy Governor, John Jonah resorted to attacking him with lies and attempted to blackmail him before his people.

    Sylva, who also hails from Nembe, asked Diri to stop dissipating his energy on Nembe insisting that no amount of blackmail and desperation would make him win Nembe in the forthcoming poll.

    Insisting that the people had rejected him, he said Diri’s obsession with Nembe had only brought death and destruction to the council.

    Read Also: Ijaw leaders, council back Diri’s re-election bid

    Under Diri’s administration, Sylva said Nembe had been subjected to dehumanisation, rights abuses, and neglect and made a theatre of war in pursuit of the governor’s selfish interest of winning the election.

    He said only last month the Inspector-General of Police’s SWAT team rid Nembe of dangerous criminals, sponsored and inspired, of course by the current occupants of Creek Haven, who turned Opu-Nembe to a dystopian setting. 

    He said Nembe could not remain the theatre of Governor Diri’s frequent lies and even worse, the playground of his violent games and extreme political ambitions.

    Sylva said that Diri and the PDP had failed the people of Nembe and the entire state, adding that it was for the same reason they lost to the APC in the 2019 governorship election with more than 80% of the votes. 

    The statement said: “Sylva is a true Nembe son, loved, and appreciated by the people for his track record of human and industrial development. 

    “He is also the quintessential Nembe individual that carries peace, strength, love for brother, neighbours and innate drive for excellence and humanity.”

  • Ijaw leaders, council back Diri’s re-election bid

    Ijaw leaders, council back Diri’s re-election bid

    Scores of Ijaw leaders have promised to back Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri’s  re-election bid.

    Also, the Bayelsa Elders Council have pledged their support for the  governor.

    The leaders spoke at an interactive session organised by a socio-political group, Friends of Senator Douye Diri (FSDD) at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa yesterday.

    Pioneer president of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Joshua Fumudoh, said Diri as a product of the Ijaw struggle, had seen it all and translated his passion for the Ijaw nation into development and transformation of the only homogenous Ijaw state.

    Fumudoh asserted that there was a clear difference between those who fought the Ijaw cause and others whose ambitions were for personal gains.

    Read Also: Voters will stop Diri, says LP candidate Eradiri

    He stressed that the state now witnesses politics without bitterness because the true Ijaw man accommodates all irrespective of political differences.

    A former governor’s wife, Dr. Ethel Diete-Spiff, praised the governor for breaking boundaries in execution of landmark projects, particularly the Nembe-Brass road, and urged him not to relent.

    Also, a member of the Bayelsa State Creation/Founding Fathers Forum, Prof. Ayebaemi Spiff, who commended the governor for his developmental strides, prayed that the Nembe-Brass road is completed in due time so she could drive on it before she leaves the stage.

    Chairman of the occasion and leader of the Bayelsa Elders Council, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), described the November 11 date of the Bayelsa election as a symbolic day for victory.

    John-Jonah, who is the immediate past deputy of the state, traced the date, 11:11, back to 1918 when the peace accord between Germany and the Allied Forces was signed, and called it the armistice day.

    He said with the coming together of the founding fathers of Bayelsa and past leaders of the INC in support of Diri’s second term bid, victory was assured.

    He noted that as elders and leaders of the Ijaw nation, they would not fold their arms and allow cultists, deceivers and pretenders to take over the state, adding that Bayelsa had made tremendous progress under Diri and was not ready to go back to the dark days.

    In his response, Governor Diri thanked the leaders, elders and founding fathers of the Ijaw nation for honouring him with their endorsement and the support they have been giving his government.

    He said: “This group (FSDD), to my mind, has the  fathers, mothers, leaders and elders of the Ijaw nation. If you look at the array of personalities here, most of them had served the Ijaw nation in the old Rivers State and were even in the battle for the creation of Rivers State. So they have seen it all.

    “The symbolic statements by those who have spoken, you will agree with me that they did not just speak from their human perspective. So, I would like to thank my fathers, mothers, elders and leaders. Without you, we could not have recorded the little we have achieved within these three years and still counting. You have been a pillar of support in several ways.”

    Diri agreed with the speakers that the state could not change a winning team as all the gains of his administration would be neglected by the opposition due to their anti-people agenda.

    In his welcome address, president of the Friends of Senator Douye Diri, Prince Bodi Arerebo, said the mission of the group was to promote the goals of the Diri administration and that of the Ijaw nation.

  • Bayelsa poll: Ijaw leaders drum support for Gov Diri

    Bayelsa poll: Ijaw leaders drum support for Gov Diri

    Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri’s second term bid has received the backing of prominent Ijaw leaders of thought, including the Bayelsa Elders Council among others.

    The leaders spoke at a well-attended interactive session organised by a socio-political group, Friends of Senator Douye Diri (FSDD) at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa on Wednesday, October 4.

    The pioneer president of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Joshua Fumudoh, said Diri as a product of the Ijaw struggle, had seen it all and translated his passion for the Ijaw nation into development and transformation of the only homogenous Ijaw state.

    Fumudoh asserted that there was a clear difference between those who fought the Ijaw cause and others whose ambitions were for personal gains.

    He stressed that the state now witnesses politics without bitterness because the true Ijaw man accommodates all irrespective of political differences.

    A former First Lady of the old Rivers state, Ethel Diete-Spiff, commended the governor for breaking boundaries in the execution of landmark projects, particularly the Nembe-Brass road, and urged him not to relent but to do more.

    Read Also: Voters will stop Diri, says LP candidate Eradiri

    Also, a member of the Bayelsa State Creation/Founding Fathers Forum, Prof. Ayebaemi Spiff, who commended the governor for his impactful developmental strides, poured her motherly blessings on Diri.

    She prayed that the Nembe-Brass road would be completed in due time so she could drive on it before she left the stage.

    The chairman of the occasion and leader of the Bayelsa Elders Council, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), described the November 11 date of the Bayelsa election as a symbolic day for victory.

    John-Jonah, who is the immediate past deputy of the state, traced the date, 11:11, back to 1918 when the peace accord between Germany and the Allied Forces was signed, and called it the armistice day.

    He said with the coming together of the founding fathers of Bayelsa and past leaders of the INC in support of Diri’s second-term bid, victory was assured.

    He noted that as elders and leaders of the Ijaw nation, they would not fold their arms and allow cultists, deceivers, and pretenders to take over the state, adding that Bayelsa had made tremendous progress under Diri and was not ready to go back to the dark days.

    John-Jonah, who described the governor as his brother and friend, said Diri was the agent of change that had taken the state out of darkness.

    In his response, Governor Diri thanked the leaders, elders, and founding fathers of the Ijaw nation for honouring him with their endorsement, stating that they had been his pillar of support since he assumed office and that without them he would not have achieved much.

    Diri said he had always enjoyed the company of the Bayelsa Elders Council and the Founding Fathers Forum, attending their meetings from time to time to seek counsel, and stressed that this had helped shape his decision to do more for the people.

    He said: “This group (FSDD), to my mind, has the fathers, mothers, leaders and elders of the Ijaw nation. If you look at the array of personalities here, most of them had served the Ijaw nation in the old Rivers State and were even in the battle for the creation of Rivers State. So they have seen it all.

    “The symbolic statements by those who have spoken, you will agree with me that they did not just speak from their human perspective. So, I like to thank you my fathers, mothers, elders, and leaders. Without you, we could not have recorded the little we have achieved within these three years and still counting. You have been a pillar of support in several ways.”

    Diri agreed with the speakers that the state could not change a winning team as all the gains of his administration would be neglected by the opposition due to their anti-people agenda.

    The governor averred that having traversed the length and breadth of Ijawland, his primary objective is to write his name in gold before leaving office after eight years.

    In his welcome address, the president of the Friends of Senator Douye Diri, Prince Bodi Arerebo, said the mission of the group was to promote the goals of the Diri administration and that of the Ijaw nation.

    Arerebo said having carried out an overall assessment of the administration, it discovered that relative peace, political tolerance, passionate development and non-existence of political thuggery and violence were its hallmarks and that they necessitated the group’s endorsement of the governor for a second term.

  • Voters will stop Diri, says LP candidate Eradiri

    Voters will stop Diri, says LP candidate Eradiri

    The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, has said that majority of voters in Bayelsa State will not back the re-election bid of Governor Douye Diri, for failing to stop the sale of the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to Oando Plc.

    Eradiri said Diri was only interested in pursuing an elusive re-election bid and failed to protect the state’s interest in the deal that would negatively affect many Agip host communities and indigenes of the state working in the oil firm.

    He said, if Diri had understood the essence of governance, he would have involved the state into the transaction to ensure Bayelsa was given the right of first refusal because of such a mega deal that primarily concerned the state.

    Read Also: Police arrest man over homicide, intercept 36 bags of India hemp in Abuja

    Eradiri, who spoke at the weekend in his residence in Yenagoa, said Agip remained the only oil multinational close to the people and selling such a company’s interest without involving the government and the people would negatively affect the state.

    He said with such takeover deal, many Bayelsa indigenes eking out a living in the company could be sacked while other benefits hitherto accruing to the host communities might be cancelled by the new company.

    He said: “We heard that Oando is buying over Agip without the consent of the Bayelsans. Many Bayelsa people will be sacked. We know how they operate.

    “That is another poverty that is coming, another crisis that will come. What is the government doing? The government is quiet. Don’t forget that all the surveillance they are doing around Southern Ijaw and the rest is coming from Agip.”

  • Opu-Nembe chiefs, Diri’s camp clash over violence claim

    Opu-Nembe chiefs, Diri’s camp clash over violence claim

    The Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs and the camp of Governor Douye Diri are trading words over claims of violence in the state.

    The chiefs accused Douye of secretly recruiting some known cultists ahead of the November 11 election. But the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Alabrah dismissed the claims.

    The council, in a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Chief Yusuo Theo-Iruo, said the governor and the party were planning to invade and overrun Nembe with their thugs and militants using a scheduled campaign as a cover.

    The council said known armed men, cultists and terrorists, who fled the communities when the Inspector-General of Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT’s) team entered the community for a peace mission, were being readied by PDP for a comeback to unleash violence on the people ahead of the poll.

    Read Also: Demolition: APC will restore sanity to Kano, Ganduje tells business community

    The council in its statement said: “We are reliably informed of a sinister plot to reintroduce thugs and militant elements into Opu Nembe  during the planned ‘Campaign’ of the PDP in Nembe. The campaign is to serve as a cover for the invasion of Opu Nembe.

     Alabrah said Governor Douye Diri had suspended all chieftaincy and youth activities in Bassambiri community until further notice in order to stabilise the security situation in the area.

     “Therefore, the so-called Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs is not recognised by the state government at the moment and it will not take issues with an illegal body, ‘’the CPS added.