Niger Delta

Sylva Moves To Reclaim Mandate

Published

13 years ago

February 15, 2013

The last seems not to be heard about the governorship election in Bayelsa State as Chief Timipre Sylva has approached a Federal High court in Yenagoa to demand that Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) be compelled to declare him as governor.

In the case, which came up for mention Wednesday, Chief Sylva, argued that there was no basis to hold fresh primaries by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, having earlier won the January,2011 gubernatorial primaries.

Chief Sylva,as the incumbent governor,had earlier won the PDP gubernatorial primaries in January,2011 before the Supreme Court ruled that his tenure had since expired.

Another primaries were held by the PDP in November,2011,where Chief Sylva,was excluded from participating and this was won by Mr.Seriake Dickson.

He is therefore, asking INEC for reinstatement as the valid candidate of the PDP in the last governorship election, which returned Mr.Seriake Dickson as the governor.

He wants the court to direct INEC to replace the name of incumbent governor with his own so as to enjoy the mandate given to him.

The trial judge, Justice Charles Archibong, who granted applications from counsels to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and incumbent governor Seriake Dickson to be joined in the case,however, adjourned the matter for hearing to the 18th of March, this year.

Justice Charles Archibong, granted the applications by Mr.Tayo Oyetibo,SAN, representing Governor Seriake Dickson and Mr.Somina John-Bull, counsel for PDP, as an interested parties in the matter.Mr.Clement Oha, appeared for INEC,while Chief Robert Clarke,SAN, standing for the plaintiff, Chief Timipre Sylva.

After the adjournment, the lead counsel to Chief Sylva, Chief Robert Clarke,SAN,who said they were seeking accelerated hearing, stated that the applications by other parties to join the suit was in order.

“We were expecting the governor and the party,PDP,to come in to be joined in the party. So, we were not taken by surprise, the more the merrier and I believe it’s better they be joined. So the court had ordered they should be joined.”,Clarke said.

The lawyer to the incumbent governor,Mr.Tayo Oyetibo,SAN,said the decision of the judge to honour their application to join the suit would give Governor Dickson,the opportunity to also be heard.

“It’s an action by the former governor asking that he be returned into office but he did not join the sitting governor as well as PDP. And the court has granted the application that the governor should be joined.At least,you can not take away a governor from office without allowing him to participate in the proceedings”, Oyetibo stated.

Meanwhile, hundreds of supporters of both the incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson and former Governor Timipre Sylva, took over the court premises in solidarity for their principals.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.