Niger Delta

2023: PDP Receives APC Defectors

Published

3 years ago

January 25, 2023

The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday received thousands of defectors from the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Receiving the defectors led by ex-members of the National Assembly, Honourables Warman Ogoriba, former member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma Federal Constituency; Henry Ofongo, former member representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, and Sodaguo Festus-Omoni, former member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency, the party’s national Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu commended them for their bold steps.
Ayu accused the APC for having unleashed untold poverty and hardship on Nigerians, while also noting that the PDP remains the best and only alternative that can rescue the nation from the harsh socio-economic realities the APC-led Federal Government has meted out to Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, region and religion.
Meanwhile, former Vice President, and PDP’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has again promised to restructure Nigeria if elected President in the forthcoming February, 2023 polls.
Atiku noted that the issues of security, national unity and cohesion, as well as job and employment creation, economic growth and others form the fulcrum of his electioneering campaign.
He noted that prior to the ascension into office of the APC-led Federal Government in 2015, Nigeria was the best and largest economy in Africa, alleging, however, that today the APC has mismanaged all facets of the nation’s national life and polity, calling on Bayelsans to cast their votes for him and all other PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections to rescue the nation.
“There’s no way the Niger Delta region would produce the bulk of the wealth of this nation and shouldn’t have a fair share of their resources. We’ll restructure this country for equity and justice when elected to give all Nigerians a sense of belonging.
“There’re five things that form the core of our electioneering campaign. They’re, unification of the country, job creation and employment generation, economic growth, security, devolution of power and restructuring.
“I’ve even appointed one of your own, former Governor and now Senator, Henry Seriake Dickson as Technical Adviser on restructuring”, Atiku said.
Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri described the state as synonymous with the PDP, stressing that from 1999 to date, the state has been governed by the Peoples Democratic Party.
Diri reassured the presidential candidate of the state’s preparedness to give him, the party and all candidate of the PDP in the state landslide victory, describing the APC as non-existing party in the state.
“You’ve seen. The difference is clear, it’s seven-up. Bayelsa is for PDP and PDP is for Bayelsa. We don’t know or have any other party in this state.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

10 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

10 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.