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Anxiety In Bayelsa PDP As CCB Summons Diri Over Non-Declartion Of Assets
There is no respite in sight for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri as he has been summoned by the Code of Code Bureau (CCB) over allegations that he refused to declare his assets.
Diri is expected to be grilled by investigators over allegations that he did not declare his assets when he served as principal executive secretary and chief of staff to Governor Seriake Dickson between 2012 and 2013.
The CBB had recently disclosed that it received a petition from an anti-corruption Bayelsa Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability (BCGGA), noting that it had summoned the authors of the petition to verify the allegations contained in the petition.
Investigations revealed that the CCB had faced obstacles to serve summons on Diri as nobody in his campaign office in Yenagoa accepted to receive the summons.
However, CCB officials returned to Abuja and served Diri through the clerk of the National Assembly.
The Executive Director of BCGGA, Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo, confirmed that as the author of the petition, BCGGA members were also to appear, today, to defend their petition.
Ambakederimo, who alleged that he and members of the group have received several death threats since the petition against Diri became public knowledge, denied that he was being used by any politician.
According to him, BCGGA members are already sending a petition to the Inspector-General of Police over the threats to their lives.
He said: “We sent the petition based on the need to instill the spirit of accountability and good governance in the state. We are out to ensure that the right things are done, to ensure that we instil the rule of law and good governance in Bayelsa State. Nobody is sponsoring our group and every successive administration knows my pedigree.
“There is no proper time to raise such issues on the rule of law and corruption. It is only proper and timely that we brought it to the public domain. In the end, it will be clear to those in government that they would be accountable and that they will face scrutiny at the end. If a man does not declare his asset, he is not fit to be a governor. To be a governor, you would have gone through thorough investigation.”
The Director-General of Diri’s Governorship Campaign Organisation, Dr Nimbofa Ayawei, in an interview, said his principal would address all the issues when he returns from Abuja.
Meanwhile, a former Deputy Governor in Bayelsa State and prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebebi Peremobowei, has resigned his membership of the party ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
Ebebi, also a former Speaker, sent his resignation letter dated October 11 to the party’s chairman in Ward 3 Alaebiri, Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.
Ebebi’s abandonment of the PDP was described by party stakeholders as a big blow to the party especially as it came at a time he was appointed and listed as a PDP Coordinator West in the party’s campaign council.
Besides, it was gathered that Governor Seriake Dickson, was recently in a warm embrace with Ebebi, who assured him that his initial rumoured defection was a fluke.
However, Ebebi, in the letter, said he decided to leave the party after experiencing and enduring excruciating period of largely fraudulent internal democracy in the state chapter of the PDP.
He said: “I have come to this hard decision after experiencing an enduring and excruciating period of a largely fraudulent internal democracy in the state chapter of the PDP, disregard and disrespect for due process as entrenched in the PDP Constitution and electoral guidelines, high-handedness and desperation of the party’s leadership.
“The fact that my membership of the party is ending does not diminish the great political experience I have enjoyed. It has been absolutely outstanding.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
