Niger Delta

2023: Stakeholders, Party Faithful Reassure PDP Candidates Of Victory

Published

3 years ago

October 9, 2022

Stakeholders and party faithful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nembe Local Government Area Constituency Three, Bayelsa State, have promised to work in unity to ensure victory for the candidacy of Chief Benson Agadaga, the party’s Senatorial standard bearer for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
They also pledged same to Hon.(Mrs) Marie Ebikake, House of Representatives candidate of the party for the Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency: and Hon. Alalibo West, the State House of Assembly candidate for Nembe Constituency three in the forthcoming 2023 elections.
The party stalwarts reached this decision at a meeting convened at the instance of the statte Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Dr. Iti Orugbani.
The Tide learnt that Dr.Orugbani, who was the party’s Constituency Assembly candidate in the 2019 election, was alleged to have been rigged out of the general election by the then opposition candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
It would be recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had alleged that the 2019 general elections in parts of Nembe Constituencies two and three were characterised by violence and electoral fraud.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Commissioner stated that the reason for the meeting was to encourage and continue to strengthen the ties and unity amongst members of the party in the constituency.
He added that the leaders of the party in the constituency and every member of the party were resolved to ensuring victory for candidates of the party in the forthcoming polls, saying also that as party members they were in better position to prevent the opposition parties from rigging the forthcoming election in the constituency.
“The rationale behind this meeting was for strengthening the unity and bond amongst members of the party in the Constituency.
“We felt since the party primaries have come and gone, and there’re now candidates, all party members irrespective of the aspirant we supported during the primaries, should come together for us to forge ahead and ensure victory for all our party’s candidates.”
“We’ve the immediate past Chairman of Nembe LGA, Hon. Alalibo West, as the party’s constituency Assembly candidate.
“We’ve Chief Benson Agadaga as the party’s Senatorial candidate and Hon Marie Ebikake as the party’s candidate for the Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency.
“All we’ve done in the meeting was to ensure that our candidates are returned elected during the forthcoming polls, 2023. Remember I was the PDP House of Assembly candidate for the constituency in the 2019 election and so I know what happened during the last election”, the Commissioner said.
Also speaking, the duo of the PDP Caucus Chairman for Nembe LGA and former Senatorial candidate in the 2019 election, Mr Blessing Ipigansi Izagara, and former member of the State House of Assembly for the constituency, Hon. Iniyobio Obiene, promised victory for the party in the forthcoming polls.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.