Politics

Sylva’s Petition Won’t Distract Us -Bayelsa Dep Gov

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2024

The Bayelsa State Government has restated its commitment to working assiduously for the continued peace, stability and development of the state.
Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated this recently while speaking at a special dinner organised in honour of some stakeholders of Bayelsa West Senatorial District at his Lodge in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, quoted the deputy governor as saying that the Governor Douye Diri-led administration would remain focused on completing all ongoing projects and embark on new economically viable ones to achieve job and wealth creation.
The Bayelsa number two citizen vowed that the administration would not allow anything, including the ongoing legal action filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 11th November 2023 governorship election, Chief Timipre Sylva, to distract its attention.
He called on all well-meaning Bayelsans, including opposition politicians, to join hands with government in expanding the frontiers of development in the state, rather than embark on a wild goose chase.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who expressed optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate would be victorious at all levels of the legal battle, stressed that the 2023 governorship election was won and lost fair and square.
He thanked the people of the state across party lines for their show of love and support during the elections and the second term inauguration ceremony, describing it as unprecedented in the annals of the state.

According to the Deputy Governor, similar get-together ceremonies will be organized to appreciate PDP stakeholders in Bayelsa Central and East senatorial districts.

“First, we all have to thank the Governor who has directed us to start this process. We are going to do this across the three senatorial districts as part of measures to thank you for the support you have always given to us and our party.

“Unfortunately, few of us decamped because they fell for the deception dummy our opponent sold to them. I pity them and I don’t know why they are always falling for his tricks.

“I hear he told his supporters that there was going to be a repeat of 2020. I don’t blame him because he doesn’t know that my boss and I are special species. He fails to understand that he doesn’t have the kind of grace we carry.

“What doesn’t happen anywhere continues to happen for us. Our swearing-in the other Wednesday was unprecedented. There won’t be any swearing-in like that again in this state just like there was none like it before.

“You all saw how colourful it was and the number of dignitaries that attended: Two presidents-Liberia and our own president represented by their vice. Secondly, two former presidents and over 11 serving governors across party lines”, he said.

In his remarks, the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Solomon Agwanana, underscored the sense of unity and singleness of purpose with which the people of Bayelsa West pursue their political agenda.

While urging the senatorial district to sustain the gesture, Mr Agwanana, maintained that the people of Bayelsa West were able to garner the highest votes for the PDP in the 2023 governorship election because of their unity.

Also speaking, the PDP Caucus Chairman of Sagbama LGA, Hon Fyneman Wilson and his Ekeremor counterpart, Hon Dein Benadoumene, expressed gratitude to the Deputy Governor for organizing the Thank-You event less than two weeks after the second tenure inauguration of the Prosperity Government.

Ariwera lbibo- Howells, Yenagoa

Politics

Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.

The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”

Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.

The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.

The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.

At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.

Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.

The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.

However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.

According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.

Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.

The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Politics

APC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the resumption of its electronic membership registration exercise across the country.

In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.

He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.

“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.

According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).

The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.

Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”

He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.

The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.

Politics

AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR

Published

4 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has declared that with the six South-South states now being controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the zone is set to return the highest votes cast for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

He stated this in Asaba, Delta State, at the party’s zonal congress, noting that the coming together of the governors of the region in the APC was made possible by its zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom.

Senator Akpabio also praised the outgone zonal chieftains of the party, saying they worked hard for the unity of the party and the zone.

“Now that we are complete and focused, we will be the geo-political zone in Nigeria that will turn out the highest votes in 2027 for President Tinubu.

“In the last 46 years or so, our region had not produced a senate president. But under President Tinubu, the South-South region is recognised. We thank the president for giving the South-South a senate president”, he said.

In his speech, the Bayelsa State Governor, and Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, Senator Douye Diri, described the APC adoption of the consensus option for electing its officials as the best way to foster unity and consolidation in the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He expressed satisfaction that politically, the South-South zone now speaks with one voice under the APC, stressing the need for the region to be part of the decision-making process at the national level.

The governor recalled that when he contested for the governorship in 2019, the delegate election process for primaries in the political parties made the exercise rancorous, saying

the slogan then was that without delegates, there will be no governor, but that that has since changed with the consensus mode.

“I like to align myself with the previous speakers on the unity of the South-South zone. In this region politically, the South-South now speaks with one voice. This is important because of the strategic nature of the zone.

“If you are not on the sharing table, in terms of decision-making process, you will be left behind. We need to be united that we will not allow petty divisions among us.

“Let us work together for the unity and protection of APC in the South-South and God willing, all our candidates will come out tops in the 2027 elections. There cannot be anything better than a united family.

“Let me congratulate President Bola Tinubu for his remarkable achievements so far. Political events such as elective congresses like this were usually filled with rancour and violence. But, today, we have adopted the consensus model to produce our party executives from the wards to the regional level”, Senator Diri said.

In their goodwill messages, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and others all spoke on unity of purpose to be able to re-elect the President for a second term.

Meanwhile, Chief Victor Giadom was returned as the party’s zonal chairman alongside seven other zonal executives of the party.

Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, moved the motion for the dissolution of the immediate past zonal executive of the party and was seconded by his Bayelsa State counterpart, Abraham Ingobere.

In his remarks, the reelected zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom, said the gathering of the six governors of the region, lawmakers, ministers and other major stakeholders was an indication of the zone’s commitment to return all APC candidates in next year’s poll.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa