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

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.