News
PDP’s Diri Set To Be Sworn In As Gov …As Lyon’s Sack Shocks APC …We’ll Obey Supreme Court Judgement, Says INEC …Warn Oshiomhole Not To Destabilise Nigeria, Wike Tells FG
The Supreme Court, yesterday, sacked the governor-elect of Bayelsa State, David Lyon and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo.
The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-man panel of Justices led by Justice Mary Odili, held that Degi-Eremieoyo presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It held that the Form CF 001 Degi-Eremieoyo submitted to INEC for the purpose of the November 16, 2019, governorship election in the state, contained false information of fundamental nature.
Justice Ejembi Eko, who delivered the lead judgement, reinstated the November 12, 2019, judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja that disqualified Degi-Eremieoyo from participating in the governorship poll.
The apex court held that since Degi-Eremieoyo shared a joint ticket with the governor-elect, his disqualification invalidated their nomination by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Consequently, it ordered INEC to immediately withdraw the Certificate of Return that was issued to them, and issue a fresh one to the party that secured the second highest number of votes and got the required constitutional spread in the election.
The judgment followed an appeal that was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its governorship and deputy governorship candidates in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri and Lawrence Ewhruojakpo.
Reacting to the Supreme Court ruling which nullified the election of Bayelsa State Governor-Elect, David Lyon and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, congratulated the party over the ruling, and described the verdict as victory of democracy and rule of law over impunity and tyranny.
Ologbondiyan, in a tweet, wrote: “Congratulations to the PDP family.”
Reacting to the judgement, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Diran Odeyemi, said the development is a confirmation of the truism that indeed, the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man.
According to him, judges sitting in other election disputes have a lot to learn from the Justice Mary Odili-led panel which directed the issuance of a certificate of return to the PDP governorship candidate, Senator Duoye Diri, adding that courage is what distinguishes a great judge in the pack.
“We want to salute the Justices for upholding the rule of law. They have demonstrated that there are still good judges in our country. We won the election and the learned justices have now proven that.
“I heard that some people are saying we should forget Imo now that we have gotten Bayelsa but that is not the way to go. What we are asking for in the case of Imo is a review of the apex court’s judgment and we know there is a window of hope that the right thing will be done.
“We congratulate our governor-elect and we are looking forward to working with him in his quest to further consolidate on the legacies of the outgoing governor,” he said.
Similarly, following the sack of Bayelsa governor-elect, David Lyon and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo by the apex court, the presidential candidate of the PDP in the last general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said that Nigerians are solidly behind Supreme Court in their verdicts.
Atiku, who congratulated Senator Douye Diri, the newly declared winner of Bayelsa gubernatorial election, advised the apex court to show consistency in its judgments.
Atiku opined: “I received the verdict of the Supreme Court, declaring the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Bayelsa state gubernatorial elections, Senator Douye Diri, as the duly elected Governor of the state, with gladness.
“Senator Douye Diri had cause to visit with me before the elections and received my blessings and counsel. I am fully satisfied that he has what it takes to make Bayelsa the ‘glory of all lands’. His intellect, personality and character, are a credit to Bayelsa and the PDP.
“I congratulate Senator Douye Diri and his running mate, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrujakpor. I also felicitate with the Peoples Democratic Party. The Lords Justices have given us another opportunity to show Nigerians that power belongs to the people, and we must make good use of this opportunity.
“I call on all the people of Bayelsa to make peace with the recent past and embrace the future together, united in the mission to transform the state into a haven of peace and prosperity.
“Finally, I urge the Supreme Court to show consistency in its judgments and find the resolve to always deliver just-judgments no matter whose ox is gored. The people of Nigeria are behind the apex court in whatever they do to free themselves from the dominance of dictatorial forces.”
In his reaction, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike called on the Federal Government to warn the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to stop making inflammatory remarks capable of destabilising the country.
Wike also berated the APC national chairman for saying that there will be no swearing-in of the PDP candidate in Bayelsa State, saying he has no such powers.
He said: “The Federal Government should warn Oshiomhole to stop making remarks that will destabilise Nigeria.
“What he is doing in Edo State is not proper, and he should not bring it to the rest of the Niger Delta.”
He said that Oshiomhole lacks the power to make pronouncements after the Supreme Court has ruled on the Bayelsa matter.
“Who is Oshiomhole to determine who has spread in a state? Supreme Court has made a ruling. It is unfortunate for Oshiomhole to come forward to say that nobody will be sworn in”, he said.
He said that Oshiomhole was making unguarded statements because he has lost the support of APC governors; hence he wants to curry favour through careless talks.
He said: “It is most unfortunate what Oshiomhole is doing because he wants to retain his position as national chairman. APC governors have rejected him, that is why he is struggling to prove that he is fighting for the party.
“He is making statements as if he owns the country. This is the same way he is carrying on in Edo State fighting the governor.
“He believes that he has the forces to cause crisis. He is arrogating powers to himself, which is not good”, he said.
Wike described Oshiomhole as a man who preaches one thing, then goes ahead to practise a different thing.
He said the situation in Edo State has exposed Adams Oshiomhole as a godfather who once preached against godfathers.
He said Oshiomhole would not be allowed to destroy the Niger Delta, adding that the rule of law must continue to prevail at all times.
Also, the Delta State Governor, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa, congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the Supreme Court ruling sacking Bayelsa governor-elect, Mr David Lyon and his running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa described the ruling as a welcomed development for the PDP and its candidates in the governorship race, Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor.
He stated that his confidence in the Judiciary had been rekindled by the didactic ruling of the apex court.
He urged PDP and the governor-elect to take steps to reconcile all stakeholders in Bayelsa in order to strengthen the party for future elections.
“The news of the Supreme Court ruling on the Bayelsa governorship election came to me with joy, because we have been writhing in pain on the loss of Bayelsa to the APC in the last governorship election in the state.
“We are happy because the Supreme Court has once again restored the confidence of the people in the judiciary.
“This victory is a clarion call on the party and the governor-elect to take steps to reconcile all aggrieved party members who defected or worked against the party in the November16, 2019 Governorship Election in the state.
“This is very important, because there is need to rebuild the confidence of the people in our party, going forward,’’ the governor said.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate our great party, the PDP, on the victory at the Supreme Court.
“It is my prayer that God will usher in a new lease of life for Bayelsans as a new administration takes over in the state.
“I also congratulate my brother Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson, for a successful tenure in office”, he added.
Nonetheless, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared its readiness to act on the Supreme Court judgement sacking Bayelsa State Governor-elect, David Lyon, and his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo but cannot do so now.
Reason: It is yet to get the court order sacking the APC candidates, who would have been sworn-in today.
The INEC said it would act on the judgment of the Supreme Court directing it to withdraw the Certificate of Return it issued the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC in Bayelsa State, Chief David Lyon.
INEC, however, said it was yet to be served with a copy of the judgment as at Thursday afternoon.
“I am not sure the commission has been served with the judgment of the Supreme Court yet. I will keep you posted”, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi said.
Also, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye said the commission would check its record to see which party came second in the election with a view to issuing its candidate a Certificate of Return.
He said INEC would carry out the judgement of the Supreme Court.
“We would do that when we get the judgement of the Supreme Court so that we would know clearly what the Supreme Court want us to do and we would carry it out”, he said.
Lyon polled 352,552 votes to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Duoye Diri, who scored 143,172 votes.
Few days to the election, the PDP and its candidate secured a court order disqualifying Degi-Eremieoyo but the appeal court cleared the APC candidate to run.
However, the Supreme Court, Thursday, held that the Form CF 001 Degi-Eremieoyo submitted to INEC for the purpose of November 16, 2019, governorship election contained false information of fundamental nature.
Justice Ejembi Eko, who delivered the lead judgement reinstated November 12, 2019, Judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja that disqualified Degi-Eremieoyo from participating in the governorship poll.
The apex court held that since Degi-Eremieoyo shared a joint ticket with the governor-elect, his disqualification invalidated their nomination by the APC.
Consequently, it ordered INEC to immediately withdraw the Certificate of Return that was issued to them and issue a fresh one to the party that secured the second-highest number of votes and got the required constitutional spread.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa & Albert Ograka, Asaba
News
NDLEA Intercepts Saudi-Bound Drugs Hidden In Palm Oil Keg In Kano …Recovers N6.9bn Tramadol At Apapa Port
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a Saudi Arabia-bound consignment of cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
The agency also uncovered 8,725 kilograms of powdered tramadol worth over N6.98 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos, and seized large quantities of illicit drugs across NDLEA intercepts Saudi-Bound drugs hidden in palm oil keg at the airport.
Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd), disclosed this in a statement issued by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, yesterday.
According to the statement, officers at Kano airport on Friday, October 16, intercepted a female passenger, Fatimah Ahmad, with a gallon of palm oil containing 511.75 grams of skunk during outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Addis Ababa.
She told operatives that the keg was given to her by her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, who was arrested at the airport car park.
In another operation at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos, operatives in a joint examination with Customs on October 2 uncovered a large shipment of powdered tramadol from India declared as maize starch.
Laboratory test confirmed it to be tramadol hydrochloride powder. When separated from concealment on October 14, it came to 349 bags weighing 8,725kg with street value of over N6.98 billion.
In a separate operation at Tincan Port on October 12, NDLEA officers discovered 55kg of Canadian Loud worth N165 million hidden in brown cartons inside a Toyota Sienna conveyed in a 40-foot container.
In Lagos, operatives raided Idumota market on October 14 and arrested Elizabeth Chidera Kalu, recovering 10,600 ampoules of diazepam injection and 6,500 tablets of Molly from her store.
On October 15, two men were arrested in Mushin – Idowu Daudu with 59.95kg of skunk and Ahmed Oniyinde with 61.23kg. Same day, operatives intercepted a truck from Trade Fair market along Iyana Oba, arresting loading manager, Adeduntan and his assistant Azeez Sikiru, and recovering 18,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in cartons labelled as Rambo insecticide.
In Edo State, operatives raided Warake, Ivhiaro and Ewe/Irue communities in Owan East LGA between October 15 and 16, arresting six suspects including 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka with 179kg of skunk at Warake; Ayo Aigberadion, 53, with 220.8kg; Ali Garba, 57, with 5.852kg; Habib Braimoh, 45; Musa Mubid, 35, with 2kg cannabis, seeds, tramadol, Swinol and diazepam; and Hope Okoro, 35, with 237 grams of Loud.
In Ondo State, operatives raided a cannabis farm in Okemoro Isinbode camp forest on October 17, destroying 7,500kg skunk on three hectares and arresting five suspects – Asikpo Ekpeyoung, 43; Solomon Okpani, 22; Ubong Friday, 35; Joseph Friday, 22; and Ekenimi Seth, 35.
Exhibits recovered were 92 bags weighing 1,267kg, 11kg seeds and 3kg stems.
In Owo on October 16, 53-year-old Okunebe Ndidi was arrested with 25 bags weighing 375kg.
In Bauchi, 894,800 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered from Shamsu Garba, 35, at Ragwam village, Katagum LGA on October 14, while 291 blocks of cannabis weighing 265kg were recovered from an abandoned car along Bauchi-Gombe road.
In Kano, Ali Abdullahi, 38, and Ibrahim Adamu, 23, were arrested along Zaria-Kano road on October 13 with 30,100 tablets of tramadol 225mg, while Murtala Dayyabu, 54, was arrested at Niger Street, Malan Kato on October 14 with 100,000 tablets of Exol-5.
In Kaduna, operatives arrested Mohammed Sani, 48, Zaharadeen Shafiu, 29, and Yakubu Abdullahi, 20, with 496.5kg cannabis at Kayimi village, and John Ayo David, 39, with 49,500 tablets of tramadol at Food Palace, Ali Akilu Road. In Abuja, Odo Jonas Ejike, 42, was arrested at Utako on October 17 with 29,500 capsules of tramadol.
The immediate past Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, has called for acceleration of enrollments into the State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme.
Oreh made the call in a keynote address at the Rivers State Health sectors Joint Annual Review (JAR) meeting in Port Harcourt, recently.
She said this was necessary in order to ensure that no Rivers family is pushed into poverty due to medical bills.
The former Commissioner also called for the training and retraining of medical and health workers in the State with a view to deploying skilled health professionals to underserved rural and the riverine areas of the State.
She also called for the sustenance of the ongoing health facilities and infrastructural upgrade across the State to ensure quality health services to the people.
Oreh harped on the need to strengthen accountability and institutional integrity in the healthcare system, saying, “progress without accountability is fleeting.
“To build the trust of our people and the state partners, accountability must be non negotiable.”
She described the event as a decisive moment in the healthcare programme of the State.
“We gather here today at a critical juncture in Rivers State’s health system’s journey. This assembly is not a mere ritual of administrative reporting; it is a decisive moment of reflection, evaluation, and strategic alignment.
“Today, we stand at the intersection of where we have been, where we are, and where we must go to guarantee the health and well-being of every resident of Rivers State.
“The mandate of this year’s JAR is clear: we must turn evidence into action, and data into tangible human impact,” she said.
The former commissioner said the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has over the last three years prioritized the healthcare needs of the State through the provision of infrastructure and upgrading of healthcare centres across the 23 local government areas.
“Over the past year, under the leadership and vision of the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, bold strides have been taken to fortify the health sector architecture.
“The baseline strength of healthcare delivery has been prioritised by upgrading primary healthcare centres across all our 23 local government areas, ensuring that basic health interventions are brought closer to where our people live and work,” she stated.
Oreh emphasised that public health intelligence systems have been reinforced by the Fubara administration, thereby ensuring rapid response capabilities to potential disease outbreaks and safeguarding our communities against health emergencies.
“Through targeted interventions and partnership programmes, there has been an expansion of access to essential care for our women and children, the very backbone of our state’s future.
“These achievements demonstrate what is possible when political will aligns with technical rigour. However, consolidation means ensuring that we step beyond achievement to determine that these gains are resilient, scalable, and resistant to disruption” Oreh said.
The former health commissioner also said that every resources allocated to health in Rivers State from public funds to partner contributions must yield measurable health outcomes.
“The systematic elimination of bottlenecks, reducing of waste, and enforcing strict stewardship of health sector investments is critical.
” Your ultimate accountability is to the citizens of Rivers State. Access to compassionate, high-quality, and respectful healthcare is a fundamental expectation, and you must be committed to upholding that trust across all communities.
“As we look toward 2027, your strategic priorities must be bold, realistic, and focused on lasting structural transformation. In this Joint Annual Review, our discussions must crystallize into four core strategic pillars,” she advised.
Oreh said since no government can succeed in isolation. the strengthening of multi-sectoral collaborations with development partners, private sector innovators, and civil society organisations must remain an unflinching commitment.
She stressed the need for participants at the meeting to challenge assumptions, examine the evidence critically, acknowledge gaps candidly, and co-create solutions that are tailored to the unique realities of Rivers State.
In his welcomes address the Permanent Secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, said the task before the ministry this year is to examine what has changed for the people who depend on the services of the ministry.
According to him, the review this year was organised around six questions covering survival and equity, continuity of care, quality, system capability, health intelligence and implementation of corrective action.
“Our responsibilities are to identify the requirements relevant to Rivers State and organise the evidence and institutional action needed to meet them,” he said.
By: John Bibor, Francis Obomate & Jimoh Omosefe
Two senior police officers, including the Divisional Police Officer of the Abuloma Police Division in Rivers State, have been removed from their positions following allegations that suspected cultists renovated a police facility under their jurisdiction.
The other officer is the divisional officer overseeing the affected police outpost.
The Rivers State Police Command disclosed this in a statement issued by its spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The Police said the action followed a viral video showing suspected cultists visiting the facility on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to celebrate the completion of the renovation.
The statement, titled ‘Rivers State Police Command Condemns Purported Renovation of Abuloma Police Outpost by Suspected Cultists, Relieves Officers, Orders Full Investigation’, said the command had ordered a full investigation into the incident.
The command condemned any action or association capable of compromising the integrity, discipline and professional standards of the Nigeria Police Force or conferring legitimacy, recognition or acceptance on suspected cult groups or other unlawful organisations.
The police image maker said the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, had ordered a full-scale investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the renovation and the veracity of the allegations.
The identities and backgrounds of the individuals or groups that financed or facilitated the renovation would also be investigated, alongside the roles played by police personnel.
The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command has taken cognisance of a trending social media report and circulating video alleging that suspected cultists renovated the Abuloma Police Outpost and visited the facility on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to celebrate the completion of the renovation.
“The Command strongly condemns any action or association capable of compromising the integrity, discipline and professional standards of the Nigeria Police Force or conferring legitimacy, recognition or acceptance on suspected cult groups or other unlawful organisations.
“Police facilities are public institutions established for the protection of citizens and the enforcement of law and must not become platforms through which criminal groups seek public validation or influence.
“Under the leadership of CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, the Command maintains zero tolerance for criminality and any conduct that undermines public confidence in the Police.
“Consequently, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Abuloma Division and the Divisional Officer overseeing the affected Police Outpost have been queried and relieved of their duties pending investigation.
“Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police has ordered a full investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and the veracity of the allegations, including the identities and backgrounds of the individuals or groups who financed or facilitated the renovation.”
The statement added that the investigation would examine whether the project was authorised, whether due procedures were followed, and whether any police officer breached professional standards or compromised the integrity of the force.
It said, “The Command welcomes legitimate community support for improving police facilities, consistent with Section 26(1)(d) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, which provides for gifts and contributions to the Police General Fund.
“However, such support must not compromise police independence, professional standards or security.
“The investigation will establish whether the necessary approvals were obtained and appropriate checks conducted on those who financed or facilitated the renovation.
“No donation or assistance confers immunity from investigation or prosecution.
“The Command reiterates that it will not condone unprofessional conduct or compromise any form of improper association with criminal elements by any police officer.
“All personnel are expected to uphold the highest standards of discipline, integrity and accountability in the discharge of their duties.”
The command said appropriate disciplinary and legal action would be taken against anyone found culpable, in line with the outcome of the investigation and extant laws.
It urged members of the public to remain calm and continue to provide credible and timely information to the police to enhance security across the State.
The Tide reports that a viral video circulated online had shown suspected cultists posing as students, occasionally chanting “greatest Nigerian students” before using what appeared to be cult-related slogans.
The individuals were seen wearing black trousers and white shirts, with some wearing red fez caps and others black berets, celebrating in front of the renovated facility alongside some police officers.
A popular online anti-cultism platform, Naija Confra, also posted videos and pictures showing the suspected cultists chanting slogans, including “Aromate”, at the station last Thursday, shortly after taking pictures with officers at the facility.
The incident, which occurred on October 15, 2026, was said to have coincided with activities marking the annual anniversary of the Vikings confraternity.