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Dame Jonathan Recruits 1,000 Thugs To Destabilize Bayelsa -Group
A fresh crisis is looming in Bayelsa State between loyalists of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and supporters of Governor Seriake Dickson over who should control the political soul of the state.
Already, a socio-cultural organization, Niger Delta Solidarity Forum, has accused the First Lady and her godson/presidential aide, Waripomowei Dudufa, of planning to destabilize the peace and the prevailing stable political atmosphere existing in Bayelsa State using about 1,000 political thugs.
But the NDSF said it will “mobilize its members across the entire region and resist any planned street protest in Bayelsa State.”
The group dedicated to the peace, progress and development of the Niger Delta region, in a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt by its General Secretary, Nelson Ebebi, alleged that the First Lady, along with Dudufa and two incumbent senators in the state who are known political enemies of the Governor Seriake Dickson’s administration, intend to cause chaos and confusion by sponsoring street protest in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The group said the First Lady has mobilized 1000 thugs who have been told to disguise as unemployed youths to foment trouble in the state capital in the name of street protest, by urging the youth to demand for economic empowerment from the Dickson-led government.
The group alleged that the First Lady has “recruited the thugs who were ready to storm the streets of Yenagoa anytime soon”, even as it has finalized plans to move against the impeachment of the incumbent governor.
According to the statement, the thugs would create crisis within the state capital, and they have been instructed to resist any attempt by the security agencies to try to dislodge them, as was done in the recent protest organized by some ex-militants.
To show how serious and calculated their devilish plot is, they have branded the theme of the street protest as #WeAreHungryBringBackOurJobs street walk campaign. This is to give the impression that the Dickson-led government has failed in its duty to provide employment opportunities to the teeming youths in Bayelsa State.
The group is therefore calling on the government and the security chiefs in the state to “keep watch over the activities and evil plans being formulated by those it described as enemies of the State”, urging the authorities to take proactive steps to investigate and go after those behind this evil plot and to bring to book whoever that is caught in the web of this devious and devilish act.
The group noted that as one of the foremost Niger Delta organizations with a mandate to effectively promote and enhance the peace, unity, progress and development of the region, it has a duty to draw the world’s attention to the activities of those who seek to destroy and disrupt the peace of the region, all in a bid to advance their own selfish political ambition.
The group further warned youth in the region, particularly youth in Bayelsa State not to allow themselves to be used and later dumped by “power drunk, self seeking and desperate politicians” who instead of deploying their new found wealth to set up industries back home it provide the needed jobs for them, would rather use such money to create needles political tension and crisis in the state.
It went on further to advise the youth to think of creative ways to empower themselves, noting that the harsh economic environment and issues of unemployment are not peculiar to Bayelsa State.
According to Ebebi, there is no state in the country today that is not confronted with the harsh economic situation. The situation is so bad that most states cannot afford to pay staff salaries to their workers running into several months. Even the federal government is not immune to this harsh economic reality.
“Hence, the so-called #WeAreHungryBringBack OurJobs street walk campaign in Bayelsa is nothing but a politically motivated, devious and malicious propaganda intended to serve the sole selfish political interest of its paymasters”, the NDSF said
He said the Dickson-led administration should be commended as one of the very few states in the federation that has kept faith with the payment of salaries to its workers.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.