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Ex-Bayelsa Gov Shuns Jonathan, Supports Amaechi
L-R: Kwara State Chief Judge, Justice Olatunji Bamigbola, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and former President of Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, at the 2014 Biennial Law Week in Ilorin, yesterday.
Former Bayelsa State Governor and leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva has assured the Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi that the Bayelsa chapter of the party would work with him to flush out the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government at the 2015 elections.
Sylva stated this when he led party executives and supporters in Bayelsa State on a courtesy call on Governor Amaechi in Government House, Port Harcourt at the weekend.
Sylva said they came to show solidarity with the Rivers State governor, adding that most Bayelsans were frustrated with the Goodluck Jonathan administration and want change even though the president is from the state.
“We of the APC in Bayelsa State decided to come to you (Amaechi) to solidarise with you, to tell you that not everybody in Bayelsa is against progress, not everybody in Bayelsa is an enemy of progress, and that you also have a family in Bayelsa that identifies with you, and would stand with you all the way.
“When the time comes for us to sweep away the government of the day at the national level, Bayelsans will stand with you and be in the vanguard of sweeping away this government that has brought only misery to the Niger Delta.
“The APC is the platform for progress. You (Amaechi) are an epitome of progress not only in the Niger Delta but in Nigeria. Everybody that comes to Rivers State will bear witness to what you have done, to your commitment, and we will stand with you and will continue to support you”, Sylva said.
He noted that the APC is a better alternative to the PDP and would provide good leadership.
“The APC has provided a very credible platform for progressives to come together and sweep away the corruption and ineptitude of the government of the day”, he added.
He decried the fact that the Jonathan presidency brought shame and opened cracks in the unity of the people of the South-South geo-political zone.
”Today, we in the Niger Delta have the presidency of this country, but what has the presidency of this country brought to us? It has brought divisions, in fact, put a crack on the unity of the Niger Delta”.
Sylva recalled that Amaechi ran into trouble with the Federal Government when he asked the Jonathan administration to complete the all-important East-West Road in the Niger Delta.
“I know that one of the things that brought problems between yourself and the Federal Government was because you were able to point to the fact that the East-West Road, which is a major link in the South-South, has been neglected by this government, and of course, there were lots of shouts. Instead of the Federal Government coming to you to learn from you to take what is good from you, they have decided to fight you and everyone knows (about this), very unfortunately”, he said.
He applauded the Rivers governor for the laudable achievements in the state, confessing that so much had changed during the last few years that testify to Amaechi’s credibility and good leadership.
”I must say Mr. Governor that I was so impressed when I came into Rivers State. Many times I missed my way in Rivers State today, in Port Harcourt because a lot of things have changed during your time. A lot of things have changed for the better, Port Harcourt is wearing a different look even the air over Port Harcourt is different and sometimes I wish that this change and development we see in Rivers State is also replicated nationwide. We have our brother as president today, unfortunately we cannot say the same thing is happening nationally”, he said.
Responding, Governor Amaechi thanked Sylva and the APC team from Bayelsa for the visit and solidarity, and he used the opportunity to call on Nigerians to vote for only credible leaders.
“It’s important we realize that character is an essential element to good governance – you can’t see a man who has betrayed his friends and you say make him governor or make him deputy. What have you done, you have empowered him to betray more persons, including betraying the money you have left behind in the coffers. So, character should be an essential element in selecting our leaders”, he said.
“As you are here, you are potential statesmen and women because if you allow the national interest to override your private interest, then you are a statesman. That you are coming from the state of the president, the party at the national level should praise and give you more support because it takes courage and strength of character to say no. This is where I identify with you. That you did not follow the president because he comes from your state shows the kind of character that you have, and what I can do to you is to support you by prayers”, Amaechi noted.
“I pray quite a lot because I think that is the only way I can survive in this country where everybody is a potential prey. Rivers State and Bayelsa are one, and therefore, APC in Rivers State and Bayelsa are also one”, he added.
He also called for freedom of choice and expression in the country’s current democratic dispensation.
“We want to be allowed to make our choices. We want to be allowed to express our views. We want to be allowed to express our interests, and having expressed your interests and views, the best you can do is to remain convinced in what you stand for”, he said.
Amaechi congratulated those who despite Sylva’s travails remained true and loyal to him, recalling that as a leader, he had been severally betrayed and even abandoned by those he trusted most.
He urged the APC in Bayelsa to close ranks and work together for electoral victory in the elections ahead.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi