Niger Delta

Igbe Emerges New Edo Assembly Speaker

Published

14 years ago

June 10, 2011

Edo State 5th House of Assembly has elected Mr Uyigue Igbe (Oredo West) as its Speaker.

Igbe was elected shortly after Governor Adams Oshiomhole proclaimed the first session through a letter read by the Clerk of the House, Mr Egbe Evbuomwan.

Oshiomhole, in the letter, said “In exercise of the powers conferred on me by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (Section 105, Sub-section 3, I hereby issue this Proclamation for the convening of the First Session of the Fifth Assembly of the Edo State House of Assembly on the 6th day of June, 2011.”

After the proclamation, Mr Patrick Osayimwen (Oredo East), nominated Mr Igbe as the Speaker and was seconded by Mr Johnson Oghuma ( Etsako Central) .

The nomination was accepted by the other 23 members of the Assembly.

Mr Festus Ebea (Esan South East) was also unanimously elected as the Deputy Speaker.

Mr Philip Shaibu (Estako West 1) emerged Majority Leader, Folly Ogedengbe (Owan East) Chief Whip and Patrick Osayimwen as Deputy Whip.

Emmanuel Okoduwa (Esan North East II) was elected Minority Leader and Kingsley Ehigiamusoe (Igueben) Minority Whip.

In his acceptance speech, Igbe promised to operate an open door policy and to cooperate with other arms of government without eroding the autonomy of the House or subordinating it to anyone, arm or structure.

He said the House would consider correspondence from the executive arm of government promptly so as not to hamper the pace of development in the state.

Meanwhile, Oba Erediauwa of Benin has tasked the lawmakers not to fight as previous lawmakers did.

Erediauwa spoke when the lawmakers paid him a courtesy visit in his palace.

He urged them to support the policies of Oshiomhole and advised the speaker to seek advice from his father, who is the Iyasere of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe.

The 24-member House has 19 members from ACN and five from PDP.

This is the first time that PDP has fewer members in the House since 1999.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.