Niger Delta

Otuokpoti’s New Monarch Breaks Silence …As Diri’s Appointed CDC Chairman Resigns

Published

4 years ago

January 31, 2022

Newly enthroned Acting paramount ruler of Otuokpoti Community of Ogbia Council Area of Bayelsa State, Chief Rescue Orisa Abi, has revealed why the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, dethroned the community’s former monarch and enthroned him in acting capacity.
The traditional ruler, who spoke with The Tide in the community at the weekend denied the insinuations making the rounds that his proxies in government lobbied for him to become a royal father.
He stated that against the allegations that he lobbied for the position,he was not interested in politics, noting however that his leadership trajectory as one time acting paramount ruler between 1988 -1989, and one time vice chairman of the Ogbia Kingdom Council of Chiefs, as well as his former positions as chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ogbia Local Government Area, and one time Secretary of the Otuokpoti Community Council of Chiefs as well as his current position as Chairman of the Community’s Council of Chiefs prior to his elevation as acting monarch would have informed the state governor’s decision in making him the community’s acting royal father.
The Tide reports that a second-class paramount ruler of Otuokpoti Community in Ogbia Council area of the state, A.C.T. Wongo, was deposed by the state governor, following security reports which implicated him and others in an alleged illegal oil refinery business which security investigations further revealed, led to the kidnap of the state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr Federal Otokito, whom reports said was against the illegal oil bunkering, popularly referred to as ‘kpo fire’ in the community.
Chief R.O. Abi who also reeled out his blueprint informed The Tide that though the government has not communicated him, the duration for which he would be in acting capacity pending when the community would have a substantive monarch, he intends to collaborate with the government and its security operatives to strengthen the security situation in the community, just as he also hinted that in line with government’s directive, plans have reached advanced stage for the community to have a database of all non-indigenes living in the community and their sources of livelihood, respectively.
“I never knew the state governor would appoint me as acting paramount ruler any day, I was surprised myself when I first saw it in the social media, so I called on the governor’s chief of staff to confirm. He told me he would get back to me and truely called me back later with the confirmation of the story. I’m not a politician and don’t intend to be one any day, anytime. I’m a retired teacher”.
“The Governor is called ‘miracle governor’ and so God has performed another miracle in this community through him. Like the governor, I’m also a ‘miracle’ acting paramount ruler.
Meanwhile there were palpable fears in the community as reports have it that security operatives during the week foiled attempts to stage protest by some members of the community believed to be relatives and sympathizers of the dethroned monarch, A.C.T Wongo during the commissioning ceremony of the newly upgraded Otuokpoti police post to station by the state governor.
The foiled protest, The Tide, gathered may not be unconnected to the resignation of the governor’s appointed CDC chairman, Mr Jerry Ofor, as either him and the protesters declined audience with newsmen.
However, The Tide gathered from the acting monarch that the failed protest was carried out by no fewer than 12 people.
He said the resignation of Mr Jerry Ofor earlier appointed by governor Diri to replace the sacked former CDC chairman, Mr Azibalua Amon would not threaten the peaceful coexistence of the community as the council of chiefs has since filled the vacancy created by the resignation with a replacement by one Mr Godspower Parapa.
The royal highness described the new CDC helmsman as one who is willing to work with the new community leadership, noting that the community has since kept the government and security agencies abreast of the new development.
“The CDC Chairman appointed by the governor came to me one day, saying that his inner man was telling him not to be the chairman and that he was resigning. I summoned a meeting of the council of chiefs and informed them so he tendered his resignation and has since been replaced by one Mr Godspower Parapa as new CDC Chairman. I’ve informed the government and security agencies”, the monarch said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.

Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.

Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.

Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.

“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.

Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.

Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.

By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.

While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.

“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.

“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.

He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.

Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.

“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”

The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.

He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.

“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.

Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.

He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.

The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.

He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.