Niger Delta

…Urges Support For Jonathan

Published

15 years ago

May 31, 2010

The success of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidency is a collective responsibility particularly for us, the people of the Niger Delta the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has declared.

Addressing an enlarged meeting of the Executive of the Delta State Elders Council in Warri at the weekend, the governor said that the success or failure of Jonathan’s Presidency will not be attributed to the President alone.

According to him, as indigenes of the Niger Delta region, states of the South-South geo-political zone have a moral responsibility to support the administration of President Jonathan.

“It is our collective responsibility, not one person’s responsibility, but our collective responsibility as a people of the Niger Delta to give him (President) the maximum support”, he stated.

“And let me appeal that no person or group of persons should try to build a wall around the Presidency and from that wall, start dispatching stories that are not true as well as blackmailing people. If you push everybody away, it may not be to our benefit because the Presidency cannot succeed in isolation,” he added.

Governor Uduaghan affirmed that the state administration has enjoyed cordial relations with President Jonathan stressing that this dated back to when he was the Vice President of the country.

Besides, he stated that contrary to the impressions being created by some persons, the State through the active participation of himself and National Assembly members from the State, were involved in the emergence of the then vice President as acting President and President, adding that he remained unruffled by the actions of those painting negative pictures about how the President emerged.

Said he: “I have refused to be pushed away, Mr. President needs the Governor of Delta State and the Governor of Delta State needs Mr. President … I have easy access to Mr. President because Mr. President recognises that I am the Governor of a critical State in Nigeria”.

The Governor therefore cautioned Deltans against bringing the State and the Niger Delta region to disrepute in the eyes of other Nigerians, advising that all those who truly love Mr. President should collectively work for the success of Mr. President as well as the betterment of the region.

On the 2010 Governorship elections, Dr. Uduaghan commended those that have indicated interest saying that everyone has the right to aspire to contest for any office.

However, he warned that such right must be exercised within the ambit of the law in a manner that will not cause violence or breach of the peace in the State as the Government will not hesitate to deal with people that foment trouble in accordance with provisions of the law.

Earlier, the chairman of the Delta Elders Council, Chief Gabriel N. Sefia said that the Council was committed to ensuring that the Governor was re-elected for a second tenure come 2010.

Dignitaries and prominent politicians from the three senatorial districts of the State including formerDeputy Governor of the State, Evang. Simeon Ebonka; Senator Fred Brume ; Prof. Sam Oyonvbaire ; Dr Pius Sinebe ; Senator Francis Nwajei ; Prof B.I.C. Ijeoma; Prof Abednego Ekoko; Senator Stella Omu, attended the meeting.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.