Niger Delta

Ex-Minister Condemns Amaechi’s Statement Against Ateke

Published

5 years ago

October 5, 2020

Former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, has said that kingship in Okochiri Kingdom has a link with victories at various wars before one could be traditionally recognised as a King in the Kingdom.
Sekibo gave this insight during the Freedom/Independence Day celebration at the instance of King Ateke Tom , Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom in Okrika Local Government Area, recently.
He pointed out that for one to become a King in Okochiri, such person must be a victor of wars as a proof of his ability to defend his people.
Dr Sekibo, who was also Secretary to Rivers State Government, described Ateke Tom as the only traditionally recognised King in the area, stating that he deserved it, given the victories he had recorded in several struggles.
“Without the struggle of King Ateke Tom, there would not have been Ijaw President, today, the God of Israel has made him Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom”, he said.
The Medical Doctor-turned politician, also expressed regrets over certain statement credited to the current Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi against King Ateke Tom, and called on him to tender an unreserved apology to the Okochiri King.
Also speaking, King Leslie N Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka, said that those in power at various levels of government should learn how not to insult the traditional institutions.
The King noted that traditional rulers were there to complement the efforts of Government and as such , should be accorded a high level of respect by all practitioners in the system.
King Eke said people must be aware of the difference between struggle and crime in order to be properly guided in their utterances.
The Eze Oha III of Evo Kingdom recalled that the struggle of King Ateke birthed Niger Delta Affairs Ministry and other benefits currently enjoyed in the area.
While applauding King Ateke Tom, fondly called Peace King, he said people must pay less attention to frivolities and think more on how to better the lots of their people just as The Sekuro 1 of Niger Delta was doing in his area and beyond.
It would be recalled that King Ateke Tom had fixed October 1 of every year as a day of freedom/peace celebration in Okoch iri Kingdom.

By: King Onunwor

Niger Delta

EFCC Praises NDDC’S Performance … Unveils Projects In Bayelsa

Published

1 hour ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and financial Crimes Commission and related matters (EFCC), has said against its earlier premonition that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was associated with fraud and under performance, the present management of the commission led by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku has proven to be prudent managers and in deployment of its finances to meet the developmental needs of the Niger Delta region.

Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, made this known in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, recently, during the twin inauguration ceremonies of the state-of-the-art multipurpose training centre and new state office of the NDDC.

He stated that during a visit of some officials of the commission to his office to invite him to the ceremonies, he declined obliging them, but that when the Commission’s Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ogbuku and other management staff of the interventionist agency paid him formal visit, he made up his mind to be part of the event.

“I never wanted to associate myself with anything concerning the NDDC. All we’ve been hearing about the Niger Delta Development before now was corruption, and so when they visited my office to inform and invite me to this ceremony, I initially declined coming.

“However, when the Commission’s MD/CEO and other top management team visited me, within just about 20 minutes I was convinced to be here. The NDDC has proven us wrong on the perception we initially had about their activities.

“Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and his team are doing very well. And I’m honoured and proud to be witness to prudential and accountable management and deployment of the resources and finances of the NDDC”, he said.

Speaking earlier at the new Bayelsa State office of the NDDC, Ogbuku reiterated the commitment of the Commission’s management team under his stewardship to transform the Niger Delta region through impactful and legacy projects and programmes in tandem with the “Renewed Hope” mantra of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He noted that prior to his ascension to office, there were only three befitting state offices of the commission, saying they were the Rivers State office in Port Harcourt, the inherited Imo State office from the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC), and one in Warri, Delta State.

He stated that upon assumption of office, the current management team of the commission, while executing transformational projects, also embarked on the construction and acquisition of three new state offices for the agency, noting that in the coming weeks, additional offices would be inaugurated in other states of the Niger Delta.

In his remarks, Governor of the State, Senator Douye Diri, lauded the commission for the projects, advising the commission to continue its synergy with states of the Niger Delta region for more impactful and rapid socio-economic development of the region.

Governor Diri, who also thanked President Tinubu for the award of the phase two of the Nembe-Brass Road, reiterated his resolve to opening up the state for investment and development.

“Bayelsa is for now the one and only homogeneous Ijaws State. Though there are Ijaws in other states of the Niger Delta, Bayelsa remains the home of all Ijaws, every citizen of this State is an Ijaw person. So wherever we find ourselves we should drive development to the state”, the Governor said.

The Tide reports that the newly acquired Bayelsa State NDDC office is located along the Isaac Boro Express Road in the heart of Yenagoa, the State capital, and named after former Governor of Rivers State, the late Chief Melford Okilo, while the multipurpose training centre is located at Otuokpoti Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of the State.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

ISOPLOT Has No Legitimacy to Speak for Isoko, INYA Warns

Published

1 hour ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

The Isoko National Youth Assembly, (INYA) has stated that the Isoko Political Youth Leaders of Thought (ISOPLOT) lacks the credibility and recognition to speak for the Isoko youth or the nation at large.

INYA’s President, Comrade Eniwake Orogun, and Secretary-General, Governor Emumena, in a statement, called on the public to disregard the group’s comments on Warri delineation and to treat such statements as self-serving propaganda.

They emphasized that the Isoko people’s legitimate concern lies in the suppression of their state constituency—an issue ISOPLOT conveniently ignores.

In a statement, the INYA said, “It is with profound concern and a necessary sense of duty that the Isoko National Youth Assembly Worldwide (INYA Worldwide), the umbrella body representing Isoko youths globally, is compelled to address a recent publication masquerading as the voice of the Isoko people.

“We categorically denounce and disassociate the entire Isoko Nation from the press statement issued on June 16th, 2025, by an obscure entity called ‘Isoko Political Youth Leaders of Thought’ (ISOPLOT).

“While the Nigerian constitution guarantees freedom of association and expression, this fundamental right does not confer legitimacy or authority upon any random collection of individuals to arrogate to themselves the mantle of speaking for the Isoko youths, let alone the Isoko nation.

“ISOPLOT is unknown to the Isoko socio-political structure. It possesses no mandate, no broad-based membership, and no traceable lineage within our established youth leadership frameworks. It is, at best, an unauthorized and potentially mischievous subgroup operating in the shadows.

“The core subject of the ISOPLOT statement – the INEC ward delineation exercise in Warri Metropolis – is fundamentally NOT an Isoko issue. The Isoko people are not constituents of the Warri Federal Constituency. The delineation exercise primarily concerns the territorial and political dynamics between the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic groups within that specific geographical area.

“We are utterly perplexed by ISOPLOT’s motives in dragging the Isoko Nation into this complex inter-ethnic matter. What business does an Isoko group have dictating terms or stoking fears about ward allocations in Warri, a territory far removed from our ancestral lands and political jurisdiction? This unwarranted interference raises serious questions about ISOPLOT’s true sponsors and intentions.

“While ISOPLOT fabricates outrage over Warri, the Isoko nation has a legitimate and pressing grievance with INEC that they conveniently ignore. Prior to the last statewide delineation exercise, Isoko North Local Government Area had TWO State Constituencies. This was in recognition of our population and contribution. Shockingly and unjustly, INEC reduced Isoko North to just ONE constituency.

“This reduction is a blatant injustice, particularly for a people who contribute significantly to the national coffers, notably producing the largest volume of onshore crude oil in Nigeria. We demand the immediate restoration of our second State Constituency in Isoko North. This is the INEC and judicial matter that rightfully commands the attention and advocacy of genuine Isoko representatives, not meddling in Warri’s affairs.

“Despite our categorical rejection of ISOPLOT’s unauthorized statement and its inflammatory undertones, we recognize that heightened tensions in Warri or anywhere in Delta South have the potential for negative spillover effects. We, therefore, urge all parties directly involved in the Warri delineation issue – the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo communities, INEC, and relevant state and federal authorities – to engage in dialogue, exercise maximum restraint, and act with utmost caution.

“The paramount objectives must be equity, fairness, inclusion, and the preservation of the hard-won peace and progress of our dear Delta State. We stand against any actions or rhetoric that threaten this stability”.

Albert Ograka, Asaba

Niger Delta

PDP Chieftain Faults A’Ibom Gov’s Defection To APC

Published

1 hour ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Jeremiah Akpan-Udoh, has said Governor Umo Eno’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is insensitive and insulting to the party.

Recalled that Eno won the 2023 gubernatorial election under the platform of PDP in the state and later defected to the APC on June 6, 2025.

Akpan-Udoh, who disclosed this during a press conference in Uyo, lamented that the defection has stranded the party that had placed so much trust on the Governor.

He said, “I’m here to speak on behalf of Akwa Ibom State and represent the voices of the people at the grassroot. Governor Umo Eno’s defection is insensitive and disrespectful to not only the party, on who’s platform he came into power, but also to the good people of Akwa Ibom State.

“His defection is also seen as a double-standard because he made a statement that when he decamps to APC, he will still hold onto PDP so that no one can use the party for the reason it was created.

“His defection has caused so much disunity and left many people stranded in the state.”

The chieftain stressed that since the governor has joined APC, he should focus on the new party and forget about PDP.

Christopher Tom, Uyo