Politics
Gunmen In Military Uniform Assassinate Bayelsa PDP Chieftain
Gunmen allegedly dressed in military camouflage have shot dead a youth leader and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Hon. Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha.
Ogbolosingha, 53, was an Administrative Officer in Bayelsa State Civil Service and Secretary, Okordia/Zarama Cluster Development Board.
He was said to have been killed a few hours after discharging his ailing wife from the hospital.
The incident, which occurred along the Mechanic Village area along Edepie-Imiringi road in Yenagoa, the state capital, led to pandemonium in the area.
It was learnt that attempts by angry youths of the community to create a blockade and slow down the escape of the assailants failed.
Some of the residents, who spoke on the development, expressed concerns over the increasing cases of violent killings and kidnapping being perpetrated by gunmen usually dressed in military uniforms with tinted cars.
They called on the military authorities to salvage their image by assisting the police to stem the ugly trend.
It was gathered that the gunmen, who were three and dressed in military uniforms with masks, stormed Imiringi road by Block Industry Street and shot their victim in the head and other parts of his body at a close range.
It was also gathered that Ogbolosingha’s murder may not be unconnected with the raging communal crisis in his community in Kalaba in Okordia/Zarama area which led to the killing of two of their prominent leaders recently.
The Paramount Ruler of the community, Chief Francis Kolubo, and the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Chief Samuel Oburo, were brutally murdered last month over their alleged refusal to concede to some community folks who planned to set up an illegal refinery in order to engage in illegal oil bunkering activities.
A security source said there was a recommendation before the State Government calling for a quick resolution of the crisis consuming the Kalaba community to avert more violent deaths.
The security source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some names were mentioned in the Kalaba crisis. The state government has been called to intervene to stop these killings. We hope the government will rise to the occasion to stop the wanton killings in the community. Enough is enough is enough!”
Spokesman for the Bayelsa Police Command, Asinim Butswat, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident.
He stated: “Police operatives responded to a distress call at about 1400 hours on Friday 22 July 2022, that armed men shot one Odeinyefa Ogbolosingha at his residence at Imiringi road, Yenagoa.
“The victim was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa for treatment, but was confirmed dead by doctors on arrival at the hospital. Police have commenced Investigation into the murder.”
He predicted that before the next election cycle, Abia’s political landscape would witness broken alliances, surprising mergers, and new contenders emerging from within established networks.
Prophet Arogun concluded with a broader appeal to Nigeria’s political leaders, emphasizing the need for justice, peace, and integrity in public governance.
“Nigeria is the assignment. Only righteousness will stabilize this nation. Only fairness will preserve the mandate. Let those who have ears hear”, he said softly.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
