Politics
Newly Appointed Bayelsa PDP CTC Chair Unveils Agenda
As the leadership crisis rocking the South-South zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues, the Chief Dan Orbih-led factional zonal executive, during the week, appointed its zonal scribe, Barr George Turnah, as Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in the State.
Speaking to newsmen midweek, Barr Turnah said he was delighted over his new appointment as Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in his home state of Bayelsa.
He commended the party’s Zonal Working Committee for finding him worthy to lead the party in the state, pledging to carry out holistic reforms aimed at improving welfare of members of the State Working Committee (SWC), Local Government, and Ward levels.
“My CTC members and I are committed to ensuring the execution of our responsibilities creditably with utmost humility, honesty and respect.
“For me, my primary focus would be to reposition the party to secure victories in all elections in Bayelsa State come 2027.
“We’ll consult with stakeholders on the need for a more suitable state secretariat for the party so that, like others, I’ll not be operating as leader of this great party from the ‘Super Lodge’ in Government House, Yenagoa.
“For the past five years, my predecessor has been operating from the Super Lodge in Government House, making things difficult for party faithful.
“My leadership will prioritise engagement and consultation with stakeholders so as to foster discipline within the party. We’ll maintain an open-door policy aimed at bringing together party faithful for synergy”, Barr Turnah said.
Reacting to the appointment of Caretaker Committee for the state’s chapter of the party, the Mr Solomon Agwanana-led State Working Committee in a statement by its spokesman, Ebiye Ogoli, on Wednesday, maintained that Chief Orbih lacked the powers to dissolve the SWC and appoint a caretaker committee.
The Statement read in part: “Tenure of the former Zonal Executive Committee of the PDP elapsed on the 13th of March, 2025 and in order to avoid a vacuum, a Caretaker Committee was appointed and constituted by the National Working Committee (NWC) on the 13th March, 2025 and headed by Chief Emmanuel Ogidi to oversee the affairs of the party pending the convocation of an elective South South zonal congress of the party.
“Additionally, the National Working Committee (NWC) had equally pronounced the factional Zonal PDP congress which was held in Calabar, Cross River State that produced Chief Dan Orbih and his ilk as unconstitutional and a nullity.
“We also place it on record that the Zonal EXCO of the party, even when it is properly constituted, still lacks the constitutional powers to dissolve a State Working Committee of the party.
“Similarly, the state High Court which sat in respect of the suspension slammed on Mr George Turnah by the State EXCO of PDP is yet to determine the case brought before it and in which case Mr. George Turnah still remains suspended from membership of the PDP in Bayelsa State”.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.