Niger Delta

2023: Senatorial Aspirant Dispels Disqualification Rumours

Published

4 years ago

May 23, 2022

Lawmaker representing Ekeremor Constituency two in the BayelsaSstate House of Assembly and Senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Hon. Wilson AyakpoDauyegha has called on his supporters and party faithful to discountenance recent rumours making the rounds that he was disqualified from contesting the forthcoming Senatorial primaries of the party.
The Senatorial hopeful who made the call during an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa shortly after addressing his supporters expressed surprise over the rumours, this was just as he stated that it was from the imaginations of some stakeholders of the party from the state’s Western Senatorial zone, who were bent on undoing him, that he is still strongly in the race.
He hinted that the purported rumours of his disqualification were borne out of the phobia for his person and political aspiration, describing those responsible for his concocted screening-out rumours as those ‘wanting to heat the polity’.
“My alleged disqualification was a figment of the negative imagination of some stakeholders who have phobia for my fast rising political profile and trajectory of political victories’, he said.
Wilson who averred that he would win the forthcoming primaries restated his resolve to work assiduously towards the empowerment and betterment of the Senatorial zone, noting that the sister local government areas of Sagbama and Ekeremor have an age-long agreement for rotation of both the Senatorial and House of Representatives positions.
The aspirant who also bared his mind on his chances of clinching victory at the general election supposing he wins the Senatorial primaries, noted that by virtue of the old existing arrangement between the Sagbama and Ekeremor people, it is literally and political right for the Ekeremor council area to produce the next senator from the district, hence his victory is assured.
He said: “Politically speaking, by the rotatory agreement between the Sagbama and Ekeremor people, it’s now the turn of Ekeremor to produce the next Senator from the Bayelsa West Senatorial zone. All those who are calling and supporting Dickson to contest the forthcoming Senatorial polls and Dickson himself are all polical robbers.
Meanwhile, the Ekeremor-born lawmaker and Senatorial hopeful has again vowed to leave a legacy of development in the Bayelsa West Senatorial zone if he wins the primaries and subsequent general elections.
He noted that he was willing to leverage on his youthful advantage and requisite experience he has garnered as a lawmaker to function effectively in the ‘Red Chambers’ if elected in the 2023 general elections.

By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

15 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

15 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.