Niger Delta

Delta 2023: Okowa, Former Govs, Others Begin Talks On Guber Zoning

Published

4 years ago

January 24, 2022

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, former governors, Chief James Ibori, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, and other leaders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, have commenced formal talks on zoning (rotation) or otherwise of the party’s 2023 governorship ticket.
They opened formal discussions on the touchy matter, last Friday night, at a caucus meeting of Delta PDP leaders, an event that preceded weekend’s mega rally of the party at which a former state chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, and thousands of APC faithful across the wards, local government areas of the state , decamped to PDP.
However, after the first round of deliberations on zoning, the only matter laid on the table by the state chairman, Chief Kingsley Esiso, for the caucus to take a decision, the party deferred the discussions to a later date.
Senator James Manager representing Delta-South senatorial district, a governorship aspirant of Ijaw ethnic extraction, sturdily opposed zoning of the party’s 2023 governorship and found support in a former state chairman of the party, Chief Edwin Uzor and Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, also Ijaw and gunning for governor.
“Senator Manager was emphatic that the party had never zoned governorship in the state since formation and no matter the situation, Ijaw would contest PDP governorship ticket in 2023. The deputy governor adopted the same position,” a Delta PDP caucus member, who attended the meeting told Vanguard.
It was gathered that former female governorship aspirant and member, Board of Trustees, PDP, Dame Dr. Esther Uduehi and Senator Stella Omu spoke in favour of zoning of the party’s governorship ticket and commencement from Delta Central senatorial district in 2023.
“In fact, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, slammed those opposed to zoning and asked leaders of Delta Central to put their house in order just as Governor Okowa has put his house in order in Delta North senatorial district.
“Former Minister of State for Defence, Dr Roland Oritsejafor, insisted that zoning has brought stability and peace to the party and should be embraced by the party. ”Also, former Minister of Information, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, Deputy National Organising Secretary of the party and Chairman, Delta Central, DC-23 lobby group, Chief IghoyotaAmori, also spoke on the matter, of course supporting rotation of governorship to Central senatorial district in 2023.
“Former governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan stressed the need to take decision on zoning of 2023 governorship ticket of the party quickly so that some of the governorship aspirants already campaigning would know their bearing and whether to call it quit, not after expending huge fortune on campaigns.
“His predecessor, Chief James Ibori, sued for understanding, patience and working together of members of the party to achieve greater result,” a source confided in our source.
We gathered decision would have been taken on the matter, last Friday, but for Governor Okowa, who said the leaders should not be in a hurry on the issue and consequently ruled that further deliberations on it be deferred to the shortest possible time for a fuller caucus to thrash it out.
“You know that in such a meeting, when the governor has ruled on a matter, nobody speaks on it again, which was where it ended until me meet another time,” our source added.

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

5 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

5 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

5 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.