Niger Delta

C’River Speaker To Contest Governorship Election

Published

11 years ago

April 18, 2014

The Speaker, Cross
River House of Assembly (CRHA), Mr Larry Odey, says he will contest the 2015 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party if he scales through the party, (PDP) primaries.
Odey (PDP, Yala State Constituency) made this known in Calabar at an interactive forum with newsmen.
According to him, the PDP caucus in the state has unanimously zoned the 2015 governorship slot to the Northern Senatorial District of the state.
He said that as an indigene from the north, he was qualified to contest the primaries.
“I had been the acting governor of the state for three months when the Appeal Court nullified the mandate of Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River in 2012.
“Having been the acting governor, and currently serving as Speaker of the state House of Assembly, I have the capacity, experience and pedigree to govern the state.
“I have been in the umbrella party (PDP) for a long time now, and at that level, I am not lacking any quality to contest the party primaries,’’he said.
The Speaker said that after a wider consultation, stakeholders in the PDP found him qualified for the race.
Odey said his motivation for the race was to promote education and economic development in the state.
He said he would serve the good people of Cross River with dignity, transparency, and accountability if given the mandate.
“Cross River is blessed with natural and human resources and with the support of all stakeholders; we can move the state to greater heights.
“The choice of the people matters most in politics, your opponents do not really matter. Anyone who thinks he has something good to offer the people can as well seek office by offering his or her self at the poll to seek for the mandate of the people,’’ he said.
He said that if elected governor in 2015 after winning his party’s ticket, he would create avenues to promote the standard of education and promote agriculture as the mainstay of the state’s economy, among others.
Odey also pledged to maintain the level of security and sustain the peaceful nature of the state, adding that if security was guaranteed, investors would be attracted to invest in the state’s economy.
It would be recalled that Gov. Imoke had said at different fora in 2012 and 2013 that he would work to support a candidate from Northern Senatorial District of the state to succeed him in 2015.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks 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.