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Bayelsa 2016: Dame Jonathan Dump Dudafa, Opts For Alaibe
L-R: Member, Bauchi State Re-branding Project Committee, Sen. Mohammed Abdulkadir (left) and Deputy Governor-Elect for Bauchi State, Alhaji Nuhu Gidado, at the inauguration of the Re-branding Project Committee in Bauchi, recently
As the Bayelsa State governorship election scheduled for 2016 gets closer, indications have emerged that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has decided to dump her godson and Presidential Aide, Waripamowei Dudafa, for a former Managing Director of Niger-Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe.
Dudafa is Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters and Social Events.
The First Lady’s decision was said to be part of her desperation to kick Governor Henry Seriake Dickson out of the Creek Haven Government House at all cost in 2016.
This was one of the decisions reached during an emergency meeting held in Abuja Monday night.
The meeting was attended by some select members of Bayelsa State Council of Elders and top politicians from Kolokuma-Opokuma LGA.
Sources at the meeting said the leaders categorically told the First Lady that they were more comfortable with Timi Alaibe instead of her preferred godson, Waripamowei Dudafa, whom they claim is rather too young and lacks the experience and maturity to hold such a sensitive office.
“The First Lady, at first, kicked against it, insisting that the choice of Dudafa is not negotiable but when the elders threatened that rather than support Dudafa, they would go back to Yenagoa to pledge their loyalty to the incumbent governor, she had to soft-pedal and pitch tent with Timi Alaibe”, a source said.
Just last week, Bayelsa Elders Consultative Forum (BECF), led by Chief Prince Abeki, had hinted that Alaibe will declare his interest in the governorship race by June, even though he is set to run under the platform of All Progressives Congress.
It has been authoritatively confirmed that Alaibe collected his APC membership card from the APC Chairman in Bayelsa State, Tiwe Oruminighe.
Alaibe, who was reputed to be one of the major financiers of Olusegun Obasanjo’s third term bid, has been holding several nocturnal meetings with key politicians in the state, mostly from his Kolokuma-Opokuma clan.
The agenda is to support someone from Kolokuma-Opokuma to take over from Dickson. To this end, prominent politicians from KOLGA have thrown their weight behind Alaibe.
A very close ally of Alaibe said he has been meeting with some Northern APC leaders to woo them on his governorship ambition.
“Alaibe wants the APC leaders to ‘sell’ him to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. He is counting on his friendship with the North to return the favour he showed to them while as NDDC chief executive. But Alaibe is not trusted back at home because of his attachment to friends, who are mostly non-indigenes”, another source stated.
Already, there are fears and apprehension among Bayelsans that Alaibe as governor will lavish Bayelsa’s resources on his friends like he did in NDDC, rather than develop the state.
The spokesperson of Bayelsa Young Professionals, Tarabina Jones-Peters, said in view of the drop in federal allocation, which has hampered the spate of developmental projects in the State, Bayelsans need a leader who will put the state first above his personal friends and personal interest.
He said, “Unfortunately, we do not see Alaibe as that kind of leader. Therefore, those who are rooting for Alaibe’s candidacy should have a re-think. Bayelsans are not happy with Alaibe because as NDDC chief executive, he did not do anything to develop the state.
“Instead, he was busy dishing out favors and loads of money to militants and northern politicians in a bid to curry their favour to entrench his position as NDDC helmsman and to maintain his ‘good boy’ image at the national level.”
As at the time of this report, Alaibe has not denied any of the reports linking him with contesting the governorship in Bayelsa come 2016.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi