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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
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.