Niger Delta

APC, PDP, LP Share LGAs in Bayelsa

Published

2 years ago

March 3, 2023

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, won in two Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.
They are Ogbia and Nembe council areas of the State, where he polled 3005 out of the 7,731 total votes cast in Nembe and 8444 out of the total 23,892 votes cast in Ogbia LGAs.
The Tide which monitored the final collation at the state headquarters of the Independent national electoral Commission (INEC), Yenagoa, reports that while majority votes cast in the state were in favour of the APC, PDP and the Labour party (LP),15 other political parties were in distance far.
A breakdown of votes scored by the PDP, APC, LP and Kwankwaso’s NNPP per Local Government Area of the state showed thus:
In Ogbia the APC polled 8444, PDP -6362, LP – 6721, and NNPP – 47 votes.
Results from Governor Douye Diri’s Kolokuma/Opokuma council area showed that the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, polled 8972 out of the total votes of 17,432, the APC garnered 4137 votes, the LP candidate, Peter Obi, polled 3395, and the NNPP Presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, scored 34 votes.
Results from Ekeremor Council area reads PDP – 9113, APC – 4398, LP -4489, and NNPP – 16 votes, out of the total 18,818 votes cast.
LP’s Peter Obi emerged winner in the Yenagoa City council area of the state, polling 22,261 out of the 44,365 total votes cast, leaving the PDP as first runner-up with 14,308, the APC as second runner-up with 6,651, while NNPP polled a distant 189 votes.
Meanwhile, in Brass Local Government Area, the LGA of origin of the State APC leader and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, the PDP pulled a surprise, defeating the APC presidential candidate with 6,209 out of a total 12,896 votes cast, with the APC scoring 3684 votes, and LP getting 2,273, and NNPP securing just 25 votes.
In Southern Ijaw Council area, the LGA of origin of the state’s first Executive Governor, late DSP Alamieyeseigha, results declared by INEC showed that the PDP presidential candidate won, polling 11,280 out of the total of 24,885 votes cast, while APC scored 7,650, LP 4,400, and NNPP 190 votes.
Also, data received from the state Presidential election Returning Officer, Professor Lilian Salami, the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, has it that Presidential candidates of the four major political parties polled the following votes in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state out of the total votes cast of 20,696.
They are: PDP 10,240: LP 4,629; APC 4,603; and NNPP24 votes. The Returning Officer also declared a summary of the entire collated votes cast in favour of all the 18 political parties that participated in the presidential polls as: APC 42,572; PDP 68,818; LP 49,975; SDP 689; Accord 156; AA 22; ADC 589; NNPP 540; and APGA 330.
Other parties polled as follows: APM 130; APP 96; BP 116; NRM 125; PRP 65; YPP 166; and ZLP 728, out of a total votes casts of 1,73111.
Total number of valid votes was 165,325, and total number of rejected votes, according to the State’s Returning Officer, stood at 7,786.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

20 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

20 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

20 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.