Featured
Tension In Bayelsa As Court Decides On PDP’s Guber Candidate, Today
There is palpable tension in Bayelsa State as a High Court in Owerri, the Imo State capital, will today, deliver judgement on the rightful governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the last November election, even as a body, the Kolga Economic Summit Group has called on Chief Timi Alaibe to sheath his swords and work with incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri to move the state forward.
Alaibe had approached the court to contest the emergence of Diri as the PDP’s governorship candidate, which eventually saw him as governor, even as the former is asking the court to declare him as the authentic candidate of the party in Bayelsa.
In a statement made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, Convener of Kolga Economic Summit Group, Elvis Donkemezuo, said both Alaibe and Diri were from Kolokuma/Opokuma, an area he described as minority (in number wise) in the predominantly coastal state.
He further said before now, the Kolokuma/Opokuma Elders Forum had reached out to Alaibe to drop his ambition and state.
“You see this issue of the pre-election matter of the PDP has been put to rest during the last general election. Peace efforts have been made by some prominent sons of the area, including the King of Kolokuma/Opokuma Clan, who has called Alaibe to consolidate and reunite with Diri in order to have a Kolokuma son as the governor.
“But as it is now that the case is proposed to be adjudged today at the High Court in Owerri, we have no other option than to come out in the public. So, if anything goes wrong, we are saying that we have washed our hands off this issue because this is the climax of it all.
“We are saying that Kolokuma/Opokuma people are in the minority in Bayelsa State in terms of numbers, and we have suffered so much for the Niger Delta and the Ijaw struggle starting from the days of Isaac Adaka Boro who fought the 12-day revolution that gave birth to the creation of the old Rivers State, coming to the Kaiama Declaration that led to the invasion of Odi, then the creation of Bayelsa State and so on.
“So, we are saying that we have not had the opportunity to produce the governor of Bayelsa State all of these times. So, now that we have one in the person of Senator Douye Diri, we are all appealing to Alaibe to sheath his swords and work with Diri to achieve the development strides we want. What bothers us as Kolga SES is that what is being contested in court is pre-election matter, and is not asking the court to declare him the winner based on the votes’ margin between them, but asking for outright cancellation of the entire process.
“The main worry is that the suit in court doesn’t leave us with any opportunity of having the challenger declared winner. This is why Kolga SES believes that the case in court is not in the interest of Kolgans. Chief Timi Alaibe is a respected son of Kolga, and if he had emerged the flag-bearer, we all would have supported him just the same way we did for Douye Diri.
By: Dennis Naku
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.
