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

INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form

Published

2 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser Ogoriba, has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.

Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.

The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as President come February, 2026.

“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.

“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.

“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as President. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.

The Presidential hopeful, who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism, restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.

He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

2 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

2 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.