Niger Delta

Jonathan, Diri, Alaibe Commend INEC, Electorates On Off-cycle Elections … As Ex-President Canvasses Electoral Calendar Overhaul

Published

2 years ago

November 15, 2023

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, Governor of Bayelsa, and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 11th 2023 off-cycle governorship elections, Senator Douye Diri, as well as an ex-Managing-Director (MD) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief NduTimi Alaibe, have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for improvement recorded in the conduct of the off-cycle governorship elections in the state.

The ex-President and the duo, who also lauded electorates across the state on the exercise of their franchise, gave the commendations in their respective polling units shortly after casting their votes.

The Tide, which monitored the polls, reports that while former President Jonathan and his wife, Mrs Patience Jonathan, voted at his Otuoke home town Ebele Square, Unit 39, Ward 13 of the Ogbia Local Government Area, Governor Diri voted alongside his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, at his Kalama-owei Wari Unit 4, Ward 6 in his home town, Sampou Community in the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.

The ex-NDDC MD also cast his vote at Unit 14, Ward 7, Igbainwari, Opokuma Clan in the Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of the State.

Jonathan noted that though the electoral umpire has made significant landmark achievements in the conduct of the polls, the electoral cycle needed to be overhauled to ensure that all Governorship elections are held at the same time in the country.

He cautioned against the conduct of off-cycle polls, calling on the National Assembly to make amendments in the nation’s electoral laws where necessary so that elections concerning a particular facet of the nation’s political life could be held at same time.

The erstwhile President advised the INEC to emulate the developed Democracies in formulating and planning for the conduct of elections in the country, stressing that if proper care was not taken off-season polls could create political logjam for the nation in the future.

“I want to commend INEC for the timely distribution of electoral materials for the conduct of the three off-season elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states. I also want to congratulate the three states for their elections this day, Saturday 11th, November 2023.

“I’ve been getting briefings from different parts of Bayelsa State concerning the governorship elections today. So far, from reports at my disposal, there’ve not been any major issues bothering on violence, except for some parts of Nembe where the problems started even before this election. But that’s not to say there’ve not been problems in other parts which I may not have heard now.

“INEC and the National Assembly should make sure that they act timely and do what’s necessary to forestall the issue of off-season elections.

“You’d remember that in 2007 when I was running mate to President Yar’ A Dua, and later as Vice President, there was almost an off-season presidential election, but in the court then, out of the seven Justices, four ruled in favour of that presidential election, and so that prevented the occurrence of an off-season presidential election in the nation”, Jonathan said.

Similarly, the State Governor, Senator Diri, expressed concern over the hijack of sensitive election materials at Ward 6 in Sagbama LGA and commended INEC for taking prompt action.

He said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) made the voting process fast and seamless.

A statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying: “We’ve concerns at Nembe-Bassambiri where our party members were stopped from going into their community.

“Our party has written an official letter to the INEC Chairman to ensure that our people are allowed to go in there and vote. What we call for is a free and fair process where the BVAS is used just as l have done here.

“Special attention has to be given to Nembe-Bassambiri because every thing points to the fact that PDP members were chased out of the community.

“You know that we have been raising the issue of the violent character of the APC candidate, Timipre Sylva. Over the years, every election he is involved in experienced violence.”

On his part, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe scored INEC high on the conduct of the polls, saying in Bayelsa State, this off-cycle elections can be judged as the first elections in which both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials and Ad-hoc staff arrived promptly for the conduct of the exercise.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Kevin Nengia, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.

Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.

Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.

Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.

“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.

Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.

Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.

By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.

While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.

“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.

“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.

He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.

Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.

“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”

The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.

He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.

“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.

Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.

He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.

The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.

He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.