Niger Delta

Delta PDP Moves To Reconcile Agrieved Members

Published

2 years ago

February 28, 2024

The Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it has begun move to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party
This accordijg to The Chief of Staff to the state Governor, Honourable Johnson Erijo ,reconciliation of aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State after the 2023 gubernatorial election is ongoing.
The former member of the state House of assembly spoke on the Nigerian who to newsmen on the issue said that one of the aspirants, who was backed by a former governor in the state, Chief James Ibori, in the party primary, Olorogun David Edevie and others have not been appearing in the state public functions since May 29, 2023.
Erijo said that Edevie and other aspirants have put issues of the election behind them to join hands with the current government to take the MORE agenda of the administration to greater heights.
He said: “It is not only Edevie that was an aspirant in the PDP primary. You see prominent aspirants like the former deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro. You have been seeing him in state functions. You have been seeing James Manager, high ranking senator in public functions.
“Probably at the moment Edevie may not be in the country, so just one person of the lot; you wouldn’t say you have not been seeing them in state functions. You have been seeing majority of them.
“If you count the various stalwarts that indicated interest in the PDP race, majority of them have been coming around so of the lot, it may not be total but I don’t think it is anything untoward.
“For Edevie, a very strong PDP member, I haven’t heard from him lately, maybe he is out of the country. You know he used to shuttle, maybe he is taking a break and thereafter, he would be back. But one thing I know is that the PDP family in Delta is unbreakable, we are still very much intact.
“The reconciliatory effort is still very much on course and like I said, there is no way Edevie could be more aggrieved than people like James Manager, who was the founding PDP chairman in the state.
“So if Manager, could put aside whatever difference or ambition and has come back, working tirelessly as he did in the general election, I don’t think if there’s anyone else who cannot put behind any development to join hands with the current government.”
The Chief of staff said it was noteworthy that former governor James Ibori congratulated the governor after his Supreme Court victory.
Recalled that Chief Ibori and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the immediate past governor of the state were in different boats while the 2023 election lasted.
While Okowa presented Oborevwori for the primary election, Ibori stood behind Edevie a situation that almost tore PDP apart.
However, the Chief of staff said members of the same family were bound to quarrel and thereafter settle for progress.
“They will all still inhabit their natural abode. Whatever has happened attest to the fact that everything is fine with PDP members in the states.
“ I am sure you are aware that Ibori’s daughter ran under the platform of PDP and is now at the national assembly under the platform of the party.
“That Ibori sent kind words to Governor Oborevwori is a clear indications that all is well with us as a family.”
On palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, Erijo said the state government has taken enduring measures to ameliorate the burden confronting workers and indeed the people of the state.
According to him, aside allowance to workers, the governor had approved other measures one of which is the use of CNG buses.
“Particularly, the CNG buses, they are not things you just pick from the shelves. Government is taking those measures to ease transportation, I know the ministry of transport is already working in that direction on the approval of the Governor in ensuring that those long and lasting measures are put in place to cushion the effects of hard the economic situation we are facing in the country.
“We need to build the stations , import the CNG vehicles …all these processes are in place as the governor has graciously approved.”
He said the construction of three flyovers in the oil city of Warri and Effurun showed the seriousness Gov Oborevwori has towards ensuring the fulfillment of his electoral promises and his MORE agenda.
“You will recall that during his inauguration, he emphatically announced he was going to ensure Warri comes back to life as a commercial nerve center of the state.
“ Some of those serious measures he has taken are in the direction towards fulfilling those promises and I think Deltans are happy for it. The entire country has applauded the very bold initiative of engaging the giants of construction ,Julius Berger ,and to ensure that not only the infrastructure are put in place in Warri but as well ensure that the infrastructure are lasting, of high standard and that is why he engaged Julius Berger.
“Not just that, there is an agency saddled with the development of Warri /Effurun and environ. Only recently, the state Executive Council meeting approved the construction of the third phase of storm drainage project and other axillary projects. There are lots of other projects that are going on. When he starts the phase of project commissioning to mark his first year in office, we shall unveil most of the achievements .”
Speaking on the bolstered numbers of aides to the state governor, the former lawmaker opined that the people he engaged as aide are not people from outside Delta State .
He said it was all meant to shore up the economy of the state even as he lashed those critiques on why a governor should have too many aides.

Niger Delta

C’River Bans VIOs From Road Operations

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has banned the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from road operations across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Out, who made the announcement in Calabar on Saturday, restricted activities of the VIO to office duties.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Linus Obogo, the directive followed protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators over high tickets, excessive fines and alleged harassment by enforcement teams.

The Governor, who made other announcements in the sector, said the measures were approved after a meeting with key transport stakeholders.

According to the statement, other announcements made was the reduction of daily ticket fee from N850 to N500, while the penalty for failure to purchase the ticket had also been reduced to N10,000.

“All traffic-related fines be slashed by 50 per cent and must be paid only into designated Cross River State Government accounts.

“Daily ticket for tricycle riders have been reduced from N1,200 to N500. However, every activity of commercial tricycle operators ends at 6 p.m. daily, night operations are permanently banned,” Otu asserted.

He said the review was aimed to ease the burden on drivers and restore order in the state’s transport system.

Speaking further, the Governor said the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) would now focus on vehicle registration and sale of tickets at approved rates.

He noted that enforcement officers must operate only in proper uniforms and with verifiable identification.

He directed the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) to restrict its activities to statutory traffic management duties.

In addition, the Governor announced that “commercial bus drivers and tricycle riders will no longer purchase tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

“These directives will take effect from March 9, and I urge all residents and transport operators to cooperate with relevant authorities.”

Speaking to The Tide’s source, some commercial drivers said the statement did not address some activities of TRAMRA such as the illegal “no parking order” for drivers who only pick and drop passengers.

For Johnson Ade, a commercial driver, there should be an official release stating the traffic infractions in the state and the fine for each of them.

He said slashing the fines by 50 per cent was ambiguous, adding that the amounts to be paid for each crime should be clearly stated to prevent criminal elements who posed as government traffic regulatory officials from abusing the directive.

On his part, Mr. Sunday Dennis, Metropolitan Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), said they would convene a meeting immediately to critically look at the governor’s statement.

It would be recalled that series of protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators had led to the suspension of all forms of transport tickets in the state by the government.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Community Seeks Govt Recognition For Elected Village Head

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

Some indigenes of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, in Ikpe Annang Clan, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have called on the State Government to recognize Chief Samuel James Udo as the authentic Village Head of the community by according him a Certificate of Recognition.

According to them, the call is necessitated by the fact that Chief Udo has won the first and second election processes on 1st May, 2021 and 15th July 2025.

The indigenes said in addition to his emergence after the two election processes, Chief Udo’s emergence has been confirmed by Chief Akpan Akpa Inyang (Okuku Ikpa Isong Annang), who has handed him (Udo) to “UDAK” as stipulated by the custom and tradition of Annang Land.

They said Udo’s emergence marked the end of every struggle by individuals or groups of persons on the issue of headship of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, Ikpe Annang Land, in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

According to them, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, should call for the recognition of the Village Head-elect of Mbiabong Ikpe Village in accordance with the Traditional Rulers Council Law of Akwa Ibom State, CAP 134.

This, they said, is because he has been duly and rightly selected by the kingmakers as the village Head-elect and have satisfied all requirements in the extant law for the said selection.

“We are informing the Akwa Ibom State Government of the development, because any imposition of any other name to the Governor will not be accepted by the community”, they said.

Meanwhile, they have alleged that some “enemies of progress are causing problem over the Chieftaincy issue after the winner has emerged and accepted by the entire Kingmakers.”

When contacted the Village Head-elect, Chief Samuel James Udo, advised the people not to cause any crises, saying that their mandate will not be denied.

“I will continue to respect the law. My people are law abiding citizens and God will surely stand for true justice and the certificate will be given to me, not through fighting, causing unrest, or violence, but by our faith in God, and the belief that the relevant authorities will do the needful”, he said.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo

Niger Delta

Delta Unveils World Book Day Festival

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State government on Saturday unveiled the LightRay! Distortion World Book Day Festival.

The festival, themed “That Which Bends, Transcends,” is a major celebration of literature, storytelling, and cultural advocacy in the state.

It was unveiled at the office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Mininim Oseji, in Asaba.

The event was organised by LightRay! Media, in partnership with the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) and Unchained Vibes Africa.

Founder and President of the media group, Ejiro Umukoro, described the event as the first large-scale literary festival in the state.

She explained that the initiative aims to engage both marginalised and privileged communities in dialogue on resilience, hope, and social change through literature.

Highlighting the transformative power of storytelling, Umukoro said literature can inspire action, reshape perspectives, and drive social change within communities.

According to her, the festival builds on the impact of the Distortion novel series produced by LightRay! Media, which explores themes of human resilience, personal agency, and renewal.

She noted that the book has supported social awareness campaigns and legislative advocacy, contributing to the abolition of the Osu caste system in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.

“The novel has also received literary recognition, including the TYB Young Adult Literature Prize in 2024,” she added.

Umukoro further revealed that the Delta Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has approved Distortion as a recommended literature text for students.

She expressed concern over the poor condition of public libraries across the state, noting that many remain inactive or non-functional.

”Urban libraries also struggle with outdated collections, inadequate infrastructure, and limited professional staffing”, she said.

Umukoro urged stakeholders to rebuild libraries, strengthen reading communities, and equip facilities with modern learning resources.

“The three-month festival will feature competitions, workshops, creative showcases, and professional development programmes, Umukoro said.

The Permanent Secretary in the office of the Head of Service, Mr. Wilson Chukwuka, commended the initiative.

The leader of the National Association of Seadogs, Mr. Michael Nwaidei, said the project aligns with efforts to encourage critical thinking and knowledge acquisition among young people.

Nwaidei was represented by a member of the association, Mr. Uche Egbuche.

The Tide’s source reports that guests, educators, creatives, and literary enthusiasts from across the state and diaspora communities attended the festival.