Niger Delta
Ex-IYC President Lampoons Atiku’s Presidential Ambition … Declares It Negative Impact On N’Delta
Former President of the umbrella Ijaw Youths body, the Ijaw Youths Council (Worldwide), Engr. Udengs Eradiri, has urged former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to forgo his presidential ambition come 2027.
The ex-youth leader and former Labour Party’s (LP) Governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship election in the state made this known recently while speaking with newsmen.
He described Atiku as a serial failure, noting that the erstwhile Vice President’s bids to occupy the nation’s seat of power has done untold damage to the development of the Niger Delta region.
“Atiku’s ambition has destroyed the reputation of some of the respected leaders of the Niger Delta region. Moreso his ambition is insensitive, desperate and is threatening the peace of the country”, he said.
While explaining how Atiku’s Presidential ambition had negatively impacted the Niger Delta region, Eradiri stressed that the late former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, was humiliated, suffered and died because of his relationship with Atiku.
The Tide learnt that the former IYC President once served as Commissioner for Youths and later Environment in Bayelsa.
“Remember that the former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori ‘s political alliance with Atiku was part of the reason he was thrown into jail.
“Atiku was part of those who teleguided the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, gave him deceptive assurances that worsened his ordeal.
“At the buildup to the 2023 election, Atiku’s inordinate ambition and his desperation plunged Delta State into huge debts as he used former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to bankroll his campaigns in exchange for Vice-presidential ticket.
“His ambition destroyed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and attempted to destabilise the country by ignoring the zoning arrangement of the presidency between the north and the south.
“Atiku demonstrated the highest level of desperation, unreasonableness and lack of patriotism in 2023 when he cornered the Presidential ticket of the PDP to retain power in the North despite former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office.
“I want to call on Alhaji Abubakar to demonstrate statesmanship by jettisoning his ambition to be President of Nigeria. This call is not political, it’s borne out of unbiased assessment of the damage his ambition has caused the people of the Niger Delta”, Eradiri added.
He alleged that till date, Delta State was still indebted financially because of former governor Okowa’s association with Atiku’s ambition, saying that 2027 was still the turn of Southern Nigeria to retain power after the North had done two terms, but that Atiku was still insisting on becoming the President and today opposition has been alienated because of Atiku.
“The PDP is in tatters today because of Atiku. Therefore, it is clear that Atiku’s ambition is bringing untold hardship especially for us in the Niger Delta. It’s creating the problem that is destabilising the Nigerian polity.
“Every society needs a virile opposition for the ruling party to sit up. But Atiku’s ambition has dealt a deadly blow on PDP, which many people relied upon to provide this opposition.
“The country would be more peaceful and the rising tension will also be toned down if Atiku supports the South to complete their tenure”, the ex-IYC President said.
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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration will continue to collaborate with the navy for effective protection of the waterways.
Otu stated this when the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, visited him in Calabar.
The Governor described the visit as critical to consolidating the partnership between Cross River State and the navy.
“Peace and stability remain non-negotiable prerequisites for the progress of the state.
“So, this visit reaffirms our shared resolve to keep the state safe and secured through sustained collaboration,” he said.
Otu stated that security remained the foundation for meaningful development in every society.
“No society prospers in the midst of insecurity. As a state, our development vision depends on peace, order and collective vigilance,” he said.
The Governor commended the Navy for the level of professionalism being exuded by its personnel in the discharge of their duties.
He said the Navy’s efforts had hugely boosted investor confidence and strengthened the state’s economic environment.
The Governor assured the Navy of the state government’s continued support towards enhanced operation.
Earlier, Ahmed explained that the visit followed the military tradition of familiarizing with authorities upon assumption of duties.
He stated that it was crucial to align naval operations with the strategic priorities of the state government.
The naval chief thanked the state government for its support to the force, saying, “your support has helped us immensely in achieving targets”
The Commandant further said there was need to strengthen infrastructure and communication systems in order to address evolving security challenges.
“Operationalising key naval facilities will improve our capacity to tackle maritime crimes.
“The Navy is committed to supporting the state in ensuring the safety and security of the waterways.
“We shall continue to promote peace while enabling the residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear,” he said.
The Agbura Community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has again lauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over infrastructure projects executed in the community.
Speaking with newsmen midweek in Yenagoa, its Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr. Tribunal Egba, hailed the Governor for the successful completion of the abandoned Oxbow lake-Agbura Road project and others within the Community.
He also eulogized the NDDC MD for the construction of new lodge in the community for serving Corps members as well as plans to execute other projects.
Mr. Egba added that the completion of the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road has given the community facelift, while also pleading with the government and the interventionist agency to award shore protection contract in the community to save it from the perennial floodings experienced in the fast urbanizing town.
Similarly, the community’s leadership has given assurances that it will continue to give priority to development and security of lives and property.
The CDC helmsman promised to strengthen the existing community vigilante group, while also stressing that the age-long synergy between the community and security agencies would be improved upon to get rid of crime and criminalities in the area.
“As a community, we’re so thankful to Governor Diri for constructing the abandoned Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road project. We’re also glad with the level of infrastructural development ongoing in other parts of the state, courtesy of the Diri-led administration.
“We also like to laud the MD/CEO, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the construction of a befitting Corpers lodge for Corps members serving in this community.
“Our priority as a community now is to protect these infrastructure projects. We’ll continue to work in synergy with all security agencies to make sure there’s peace and development”, the CDC leadership said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Delta State Government has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Sunny Kotor, Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the State Government.
Kotor, a renowned Master of Ceremony at state functions, reportedly slumped and passed away last Friday.
In a statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in Warri on Saturday, his passing was described as “a profound loss; not only to his family, but to the Government and people of Delta State who benefited immensely from his professionalism, composure, and unmistakable presence at official engagements.
“He brought dignity, structure, and excellence to every function he handled, leaving behind a standard that will be difficult to forget,” the statement added.
The Commissioner noted that “every passing is indeed a sobering reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be,” extending heartfelt condolences to Kotor’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him.
The statement prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
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