BAYELSA PDP SETS UP RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE

…..APC lacks capacity to win governorship – Party chairman

By Our Correspondent

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has constituted a nine-member committee to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

The reconciliation panel is coming on the heels of the recent primary election where Senator Douye Diri emerged as candidate of the party for the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state. 

Senator Diri defeated 20 other aspirants in a keenly contested primary. 

Chairman of the party, Mr. Cleopas Moses, said in a statement that the committee will be inaugurated at noon on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.

Moses noted that there was need to carry all members of the party along and ensure its unity ahead of the governorship election.

The committee will be chaired by Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff with a former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gideon Ekeuwei, as secretary.

Other members are Senator Emmanuel Diffa, Chief Bright Erewari-Igbeta, Hon. Darius Obiene, Chief George Okirien, Chief Israel Igbori, Hon. Solomon Agwanagha and Millionaire Asangba.

In a related development, the party chairman urged members to remain steadfast and not listen to the propaganda and blackmail being spread by the opposition in the state.

He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) lacks the capacity and a marketable candidate to win the governorship election in the state.

His words: “The APC cannot and does not have the capacity to win in Bayelsa. It does not have a marketable governorship candidate that Bayelsans will accept and support.”

Moses noted that the recent appointment of Bayelsans as Minister of State (Petroleum) and an Executive Director in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was to entice people of the state with bogus promises that they cannot keep.

He thanked leaders of the party for their understanding and for remaining resolute as key stakeholders.

He recalled that during the last governorship election in the state in 2015, no fewer than 100 leaders had defected to the opposition by this time.

“In 2015, about this time of the governorship election, over 100 leaders of our party had openly defected. Yet our governor led the party to victory against even a more experienced opponent, Chief Timpre Sylva. 

“This time, there has been no massive defection of major stakeholders. So party members should not be disturbed by rumours of defection. This is the normal tactics of the opposition in the state.

“There are more litigations and crises within the APC than the issues our members are raising. Our party has set up processes to reconcile all of these. When the campaigns start, Bayelsans will have a clear choice to make between our candidate and that of the other party,” he said.

AKWA IBOM STATE LINE UP ACTIVITIES TO MARK 32 YEARS OF STATEHOOD….VP Osinbajo to Commission Projects

By Aferiokha Osigbemeh

Akwa Ibom will attain 32 years of existence as a State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria on September 23, 2019. The government and people of the State are set to celebrate the anniversary with a line-up of activities.

In a media session by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh, while speaking to reporters  in his office on Friday, September 13, 2019 on the imperatives of the anniversary celebration, the Commissioner said that, the celebration  is scheduled to commence from Saturday, September 21.

The Commissioner stated further that the celebration will feature projects commissioning by the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. The projects to be commissioned include the most digitized power sub-station in West Africa situated in Ekim, and the Flour Mills in Onna; among others.

The project Commissioning exercise will be followed by a State Banquet in honour of the Vice President on the same day.

Sir Udoh said that on Sunday, September 22, an Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service will be held at the Uyo Township Stadium at 10am where Prof Osinbajo will be the homilist.

Monday, September 23, the Commissioner said, will feature the swearing-in of the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs.

While congratulating Akwa Ibom people on the 32nd anniversary of State creation, he called on all citizens and residents to continue to support the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel and participate in all the activities lined up for the celebration.

….Says if INEC remains unbiased, APC can’t win councillorship election in Bayelsa

ALAIBE A BROTHER, POLITICAL ALLY – Diri

….Says if INEC remains unbiased, APC can’t win councillorship election in Bayelsa

By Aferiokhai Osigbemeh

Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said he only disagreed politically with a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, but that they remain brothers.

Senator Diri also said efforts were ongoing to reconcile all aspirants in the September 4 primary election of the party and that the PDP was formidable enough to win the November 16 governorship election in the state.

The federal lawmaker, who defeated 20 others, including Alaibe, to emerge the PDP flag bearer, spoke during an interactive session with senior journalists and Bureau Chiefs of Media organisations in Abuja organized by the Media Office of Senator Douye Diri For Governor. 

His words: “For clarity, a lot of people saw me as a staff of NDDC but I wasn’t. I was a political ally and a close person to Chief Timi Alaibe, believing that we were going to enthrone a government in Bayelsa that would be more responsive to the people. 

“I was with Chief Alaibe for about 10 years. One thing or the other happened in each election we attempted. Then he would return to NDDC. A few of us didn’t feel very comfortable with that.

“Just to let you know, we hail from the same local government area. So he is my brother. I see him as a brother and I believe that he too sees me as one.”

He however noted that they parted ways when he (Diri) accepted to join Governor Seriake Dickson’s campaign before the 2012 election in the state.

“Being a former colleague, he (Dickson) invited me to be a part of the campaigns. In fact, when I accepted the offer and informed Chief Alaibe, my political ally at that time, he didn’t take it kindly. That was how we parted ways. So, I joined Governor Dickson, we campaigned, went into the election and he won in 2012.”

The former teacher, Ijaw activist and sports commissioner further stated that his emergence as the party’s standard bearer was divine as well as the result of broad consultation with key stakeholders, including former President Goodluck Jonathan. 

He narrated how as a Reps member he prevented an attempt by some of his colleagues to humiliate the former president.

“The former president was my governor. I worked under him as commissioner and that tells you the relationship that I had with him. Before then, even while I was Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa Youth Development Centre, he was deputy governor under Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha. So we had known ourselves for a long while before he became President. 

“While I was in the House of Representatives, there was a probe panel to investigate the former President. It was myself and Boma Goodhead from Rivers State that kicked against a decision by the committee to invite the former president to appear before the panel and not even the floor of the house. I found that very ridiculous and that brought about a serious disagreement between myself and a colleague from Kwara State, who was chairman of the committee. I saw in the national dailies the next day that I almost beat up the chairman. There was nothing like that. But I was visibly angry with what they were doing because I believe that no other former president had been so humiliated the way they wanted to humiliate him. 

“So, I have a very cordial relationship with the former president and he was one of the key persons I consulted. I went to his house. He received me, and, in fact, took me to his wife. The wife was like our mother at that time he was governor. So, he gave me his blessings. I consulted very many other leaders before I finally went into the race.”

Diri described himself as a principled person and that he is neither a stooge nor an underdog in the governorship race. He said he would shock those who underestimate him.

“From my short profile I spoke about, it will be very clear to anyone in doubt about whom I am, what I stand for and why I even accepted to work with the current Governor. I told you that Sylva was in power for five years and I didn’t get into Bayelsa State. That tells you I am a man of principles. I choose my friends and those I want to work with. And I chose to work with Governor Dickson and I am very satisfied working with him.”

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be an unbiased umpire and that the security agencies should be professional during the election. 

“We have a fight ahead of us but I don’t see our opponents as being so strong on ground to defeat the PDP. If we have a free, fair and transparent election, the APC cannot win even a councillorship election in Bayelsa State. It is all the hype about federal might by using security apparatus to intimidate or using INEC to write results. 

“Our appeal is that the security agencies must be professional. INEC must remain an unbiased umpire. If there is that fair playing field, the opponents are neither here nor there to contest in this election. “

He said Governor Dickson is an exceptional leader who had performed very well in office and that some of his laudable policies would be sustained if he is elected.

Diri promised to involve more Bayelsans in the economic activities of the state and that he would pay greater attention to the issue of security. 

“When we took over in 2012, the policy thrust on education came about because there was a lacuna in our educational sector. So the Governor declared a state of emergency in that sector. 

“I believe to a large extent, he has ameliorated most of the gaps that we discovered when we came into power. For instance, Bayelsa State was about thirty something (position) in all national examinations. But today, Bayelsa is among the first ten. That has been achieved to a level. I will continue with it and ensure that we go higher. 

“Next will be the economy. Our local economy is neither here nor there. The sitting governor has tried to bring in solutions in agriculture, trying to look at our comparative advantage and I intend to build on that. I want us to have a local economy where our people will be directly involved. 

“Today, the number of Bayelsans involved in economic activities is low. That will be one of our policy thrusts while not forgetting the issue of security. No government can thrive and do well without security. We are seeing bits of it at the federal level where the level of insecurity in the country is so high. 

“Those are the things I will build on. But that is not to say we will neglect other sectors.”

PDP YOUTHS URGE PDP LEADERSHIP TO ASSERT ITS AUTHORITY AND PUT WIKE WHERE HE RIGHTLY BELONGS

By Aferiokha Osigbemeh

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike was yesterday berated for congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari over his victory at the Presidential Election Tribunal. 

The PDP youths under the aegis of PDP South South Youths Vanguard, also took Wike to the cleaners for describing the panel set up by the PDP to resolve the Minority Leadership crisis in the House of Representatives as the most corrupt in the history of the party.

The governor had on Wednesday congratulated President Buhari on the validation of his election by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, urging him to use his victory to work for all Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings and also to work towards the unity of the country, as the country is divided.  

Reacting to Wike’s position, the PDP South South Youth Vanguard, in a statement by its National Chairman, James Efe Akpofure, said that the governor is biting more than what he can chew. 

He said that the governor is not bigger than the party, adding, “how can the leadership of PDP say that the party is heading to the Supreme Court and Wike, a member of the party is congratulating the President, who benefitted from a faulty judicial system that has been gagged by the executive. 

“Wike should know that he’s not more than the party and such should stop intimidating the PDP. If he thinks because he was the one that brought the National Chairman he can do whatever he likes, he should have a rethink. 

“The party cannot take a position on issues and he’s taking a contrary position by congratulating the President the whole world says manipulated the election that brought him on board.”

The youths noted that for him to have come up with an issue that has already been done with, specifically, the issue of the PDP minority leadership in the House of Representatives, it shows that the governor does not have respect for the party. 

The youth vanguard, however, called on the party leadership to assert its authority and put the governor where he rightly belongs. 

They also called on Gov. Wike to show respect for the party and stop dragging the name of the PDP in the mud.

GOV DICKSON CONVENES PDP STAKEHOLDERS MEETING BEFORE SEPTEMBER 23 DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATE SUBSTITUTION

…TO TAKE A FINAL DECISION ON PARTY’S RUNNING MATE

By Our Reporter

The Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has called a meeting of the top leadership and critical stakeholders of the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party before the September 23 deadline for candidate substitution in the November 16, 2019 gubernatorial election.

The Governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, that the critical stakeholders of the Bayelsa PDP including him, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and other leaders would take a final decision on the issue of the running mate for the party’s candidate, Sen. Douye Diri.

The Governor who advised PDP members and supporters to be calm and focused said that a final decision on the issue of running mate would be taken after exhaustive consultations and deliberations with the critical stakeholders.

Governor Dickson urged PDP members in Bayelsa to avoid playing into the hands of the opposition All Progressives Congress which carries the heavy burden of an unmarketable gubernatorial candidate.

He said that the APC which is not on the ground in Bayelsa was only banking on violence and the Federal might to kill innocent voters during the elections.

He said that the controversy over the running mate was simply normal in politics which is not peculiar to the PDP and its candidate in Bayelsa.

The Governor noted that the APC ticket clearly shows desperation to hijack the government of the state and have it run by proxies.

PDP Govs Forum Demands Probe of Illegal Invasion 0f Umahi’s Abuja Home 

By Aferiokhai Osigbemeh                      

The PDP Governors Forum has in very strong terms condemned the recent raid on the Abuja residence of the Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, describing the development as not only a direct attack on democracy, but a provocative assault on the sensibility, integrity and an affront on the fundamental rights and constitutional freedom of the people of Ebonyi State, the Forum of Governors, millions of PDP members and supporters across the country, and Nigeria in general.

The raid came barely one week after Governor Umahi and his colleagues in the South-East Governors’ Forum took a bold decision banning herdsmen from moving around with arms in the region.

In a press statement issued from its Abuja Secretariat on Sunday, the Chairman of the forum, Hon. Seriake Dickson (Executive Governor of Bayelsa State) on behalf of his colleague-members of the forum said: “There is anger in the land following Monday’s raid on the Abuja residence of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi. We note that the invaders were clearly identified as security operatives who subjected occupants of the premises and police officers on duty to intolerable harassment and intimidation before thoroughly ransacking the premises.

“However, we are worried that the police authorities have denied the foreknowledge of the operation. And the fact that the police high commands, including the office of the Inspector-General of Police, have distanced themselves from the invasion makes it a suspicious operation.”

“The federal government should wake up from its slumber and immediately respond to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property in the country as killings and maiming has become the order of the day.

“We therefore urge the Inspector General of Police, Idris Adamu to probe the Gestapo-like raid on the Abuja residence of Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi allegedly by the police. And this should be carried out immediately in order to unveil the circumstances and those behind the sinister action.

IT HAS BEEN 100 DAYS OF EXEMPLIFIED EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNANCE – PDP Govs Forum applauds Member-States 

By Our Reporter

The PDP Governors Forum has conveyed its congratulations to all its member-states for their effective and giant strides in their first 100 days in office.

In a press statement issued from its Abuja Secretariat on Saturday, the Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Seriake Dickson (Executive Governor of Bayelsa State) described the first 100 days in office of Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a visible case of exemplary leadership, a desirable model and impeccably rewarding, saying the governors have faultlessly and flawlessly exemplified excellence in governance since assumption of office.

The statement added that in most cases, the governors have improved upon the culture of servant-leadership, obligatory responsibility, accountability and timely response in either setting new foundations or building on already-existent ones as they efficiently go about fulfilling their campaign promises and delivering democratic dividends to the citizenry.

The statement read in part thus: “In 100 days, you have left no one in doubt about your capability and competence as tested and trusted administrators and technocrats of repute in discharging your constitutional responsibilities, creditably to the admiration of the good people of their various states who are delighted that they made the right choices at the polls.

“In virtually all the PDP states, there are evidences of good governance as seen in the numerous projects you have flagged off. You have all started on a good and solid note. Across board, most states have recorded landmark achievements in ensuring financial prudence, transparency and accountability; improved workers’ welfare; better treatment of public service retirees; commitment to security of life and property; commitment to the health of the citizenry through improved service delivery; free, compulsory and qualitative education; mechanized agriculture; infra-structural development; foreign direct investments amongst several others.”

The statement further reiterated to the PDP Governors that, “you should be rest assured that you have our support and prayers even as you, on a daily basis embark on more people-oriented projects that will showcase democratic dividends in colourful shades, it concluded.

RESTORATION CUP ORGANIZERS CONGRATULATE DIRI….Optimistic he would emerge Governor on November 16

By John Afekelu

Organisers of the Bayelsa Restoration Football Cup have congratulated the PDP flag bearer in the November governorship election, Senator Douye Diri who earlier this week picked the party’s ticket in a keenly contested primary.

The Restoration Cup Tournament Director, Daniel Alabrah in a statement yesterday noted that Diri’s victory was good for the party ahead of the November election.

Alabrah who is Governor Seriake Dickson’s SA on Public Affairs also gave kudos to his boss, declaring that Diri’s emergence was fallout of Dickson’s political sagacity.

Pointing out that power comes from God; Alabrah stated that Diri would in November emerge as the state’s new Chief Executive Officer.

It would be noted that the Restoration Cup organisers had last week paid a courtesy call on Diri who assured them that sports would get special attention under his watch as governor of the state. Diri, it would be noted was a former commissioner for sports in Bayelsa State.

Diri’s words when the Restoration Cup organisers visited him: “It is on record that during my time as commissioner in charge of the sports ministry, our sports men and women had a robust welfare package. I never compromised their welfare and wellbeing.

“At that time, Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens emerged champions of the male and female leagues respectively. Sports is a very important tool to positively engage our youths. A physically sound body produces a sound mind. That is the reason I exercise at least three days every week.”

Diri commended the governor for enhancing unity and peaceful co-existence in the state through the Restoration Cup, which is also known as the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament.

While praising the organisers for lifting the Restoration Cup to the status of the biggest grassroots football tournament in Nigeria, Diri said he would ensure the competition is sustained and the name retained.

He added that his administration would focus on areas of sports that the state has comparative advantage like swimming, combat sports, football among others.

The University Of Port Harcourt Alumni Association Inaugurates Board Of Trustees……Alex Otti to be inaugurated as Chairman BoT

By Michael Egiethua

The University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association is to inaugurate its Board of Trustees on Saturday, September 7, 2019. In a Press Statement released by the National Publicity Secretary of the Association, Mr. Onoriode Kevin Akpe in Abuja, the statement said that, the Board has Dr. Alex Otti, as Chairman. Other members are Dr. Solomon Ibulubo, Apostle (Dr) Enefiok Udofia, Chief Bio Gbeyassa, Pastor Tunde Ogunniyi, Mr Charles Mbah, Mr Paul Abbey, and Chief Tim Idowu. 

The Board of Trustees is a reverred organ of the Association and is regarded as its conscience. The BOT oversees the National Executive Council, and must approve some of its key decisions.

The statement further said that, the National President of the Association, Barrister Chris Adokeme, explained that the delay in the inauguration of the Board was due to logistics challenges. He remarked that having the Board in place, and with the alumni taking its rightful position on the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, the alumni is better positioned to contribute maximally to the development of their alma mater and the nation at large.Adokeme expressed delight in the calibre of members chosen to serve on the Board of Trustees.

Alex Otti, the Chairman of the Board, is a 1988 1st class Economics graduate of the University. He was also a former managing director of Diamond Bank, and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia state.

Consider the consequences of your brutal actions – PDP Govs Forum Warns South Africans 

By Aferiokha Osigbemeh

The PDP Governors Forum has in all totality and the strongest of terms condemned the tragic violence meted on Nigerians living in South Africa, saying it is morally, culturally, economically and socially wrong.

In a press statement issued from its Abuja Secretariat on Wednesday, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, on behalf of his colleague-members described the recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in particular and foreigners in the rainbow nation as “unfortunate” and “barbaric”.

Continuing the statement said:  

“We have watched the disturbing videos of attacks and vandalism against Nigerian nationals and their businesses in South Africa. These have precipitated strong and negative reactions by some Nigerians who chose to vent their anger on investments on South Africans across the country.

“We condemn the violence visited on innocent people by these hoodlums who exploited the ongoing xenophobic attacks to foment trouble in our country. We should not forget that virtually all these businesses like MTN, DSTV, Shoprite and several others may be owned by South Africans in Lagos; but there are franchised to Nigerians who are the majority shareholders, investors and stakeholders. We cannot attempt to find a solution to a criminality by committing another criminality. This is not part of our values as Nigerians; so we call for calm, 

“We are devastated and express our deepest solidarity to the victims. Our thoughts are with those families who have lost their loved ones, and we stand with them at this incredibly difficult time.”

We implore the Federal Government to rollout ‘definitive measures’ and effectively respond to the xenophobic violence in South Africa at the diplomatic level; and ensure that the country remains safe for all Nigerian citizens and law-abiding foreign nationals who are here for business. It should not condone any act that can lead to further breakdown of law and order.

“We equally warn South Africans to consider the consequences of their brutal actions bearing in mind the repercussions their fellow citizens abroad would face if other countries were to retaliate. The development is “shocking”, and when one remembers the energy, time, resources Nigeria invested and the price we as a country paid for your freedom from the strong and long arms of apartheid, there can be no justification for any South African to attack people from other countries. It is very sad, disheartening, disappointing and a huge blow on Africa as a continent.