Niger Delta

‘I Was Ordained By God To Govern C`River’

Published

9 years ago

October 10, 2016

The Cross River State Gov
ernor, Prof Ben Ayade, has on his return from Abuja to Calabar, last weekend, stated that the mandate upon which he is governing the people of Cross River State was given to him by God.
Ayade made the remarks while addressing mammoth crowd which came to welcome him on his arrival to Calabar, at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar.
The governor, who spoke before his PDP party men and women, who besieged the airport to show solidarity against the impending Supreme Court judgment of December 9, this year.
Ayade’s victory had been brought under scrutiny by the court following a suit filed by one of his party men in the PDP Mr. Joe Agi (SAN), who had gone to court to challenge the validity and eligibility of Ayade as governor of the state.
Apparently referring to his persecutors, he said, “for God is greater than any law or might, you may have the intellect or legal capacity to manipulate everybody, but can never manipulate God”.
The Cross River State governor also state that, it was only God that knows that he is innocent, stressing, “you may have the legal capacity to manipulate all men but cannot manipulate God. For the lion of Judea cannot be conquered”.
Ayade further remarked that what he is now seeing, is strange to him, adding that as a cross Riverian, he has never seen what is happening in the state before now, noting, that the people of Cross River State had been known for being very peaceful and wondered why he is being tossed around by his persecutors.
“Never in the history of Cross River State have brothers fought at this extreme level. Let it be God’s will that He brings peace and brings unity. Let God’s judgment prevail. God is a wonderful God and I believe He will not forsake us at this time as we will take our cry to him”, Ayade lamented.
The former senator for Cross River Northern senatorial district also stated that he went into contesting election as governor under the inspiration of God and not the inspiration of man.
“I was preparing to run elections for senate but God called me to come and run elections for governor,” Ayade stressed.
Hear him, “we have no capacity to appeal at this level, for all appeal goes to God. If I come before the court of man I come with supplication for clemency from God.”

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

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.