Politics
Bayelsa Poll: PDP Scores Diri High On Performance
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has given the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, high scores, saying his first term in office is very impressive.
A statement by the Governor’s spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the party’s National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Dan Orbih, as having stated this when he led the Zonal Working Committee on a solidarity visit to Government House, Yenagoa.
He said the party was impressed that Governor Diri has been inaugurating projects while campaigning for re-election.
Orbih noted that while some first term governors campaign for a second term with promises of what they would do, the Bayelsa governor has rather been busy inaugurating and flagging off projects in his State.
According to him, the national and zonal leaderships of the PDP were not only proud of his achievements but are also comfortable with him as the party’s flag-bearer in the November 11 election.
“We, members of the PDP South South Working Committee, came to show our solidarity with the performing Governor of Bayelsa State.
“We have watched with great admiration your campaigns. Some governors campaign for their second tenure telling the people what they want to do. But your campaign is laced with commissioning of projects and flagging off new ones. It is very uncommon and we want to congratulate you.
“For us in the South South, we are very proud of you and your achievements. You are indeed a miracle Governor. God has again shown His hand that with His support, you can even go into the election without an opponent”, he said.
The PDP zonal leader stressed that with Diri’s performance in office and considering the fact that the South South is the stronghold of the party, victory was assured for the Governor.
Responding, Governor Diri said the PDP was sure of victory as there was no basis for comparison between his first term and that of one of his opponents, Chief Timipre Sylva, who had also governed the State for five years.
He noted that the differe all Bayelsans to see.
Diri also stated that his developmental imprints were visible in the community of the APC candidate where, in sharp contrast, his opponent had nothing to campaign with, even in his hometown.
He said even if the APC candidate was not contending with the constitutional issue of tenure, he was sure the election would still be won by the PDP.
”The commitment of our people and what they stand for as far as this election is concerned is very clear. So we are home and dry even if they go into the election with the law against them.
“We went to his hometown and inaugurated a road. So I do not know when he gets to his village, what he will inaugurate there.
“The paradox is such that there is no way to compare his five years to our just about four years even when we lost one year to COVID-19 during the lockdown in 2020”, he said.
The governor thanked the zonal working committee for the visit, urging them to close ranks in order to have a formidable house going into the election.
He averred that the PDP remained the only party on ground in terms of structure and governance that can give a viable opposition to the government at the centre and must therefore continue to be the bulwark of the opposition in the country.
By: Ariwera Ibibo- Howells, Yenagoa
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.