Niger Delta

Bayelsa Lawmaker Defects To APC

Published

11 years ago

April 27, 2015

A Bayelsa state House of
Assembly lawmaker, representing Yenagoa Constituency 1, Mr Alfred Egba has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress, (APC).
Egba’s defection did not come as a surprise to political watchers as he has been nursing grievances against the party which denied him a return ticket to the House.
The lawmaker has became the first of the prominent members of the PDP who had planned to move into the APC because the rising political profile of the former Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva and the rising disenchantment by members of the PDP over the disciplinary stance of the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson over alleged anti-party activities.
Further check revealed that the early defection and regrouping by loyalists of the former governor, Timipre Sylva is based on the battle to unseat the PDP in Bayelsa during the Governorship election in 2016.
While most of Sylva’s former aides are considering ways to seek forgiveness from their former boss over alleged political betrayal after his removal as Governor, others are seeking defection to the APC as part of an alleged plot against the second term bid of the Bayelsa Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson.
Alfred Egba announced that he moved to the APC with his supporters and associates, including a former special adviser on special duties to the former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, Chief Sonme Ogilogi and a former commissioner in the State Independent Electoral Commission, Chief Tom Egba.
Further check revealed that the early defection and regrouping by loyalists of Timipre Sylva is based on the battle to unseat the PDP in Bayelsa during the Governorship election in 2016.
Alfred Egba, who had served on the State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation and a close ally of the former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, said in a statement issued last weekend in Yenagoa, that he decided to leave the PDP because the party could no longer give him the needed covering and that the PDP’s centre could no longer hold due to the raging crisis in the state leadership of the party.
According to him, “the PDP is clouded in series of controversies with parallel structures of leadership. The party is surrounded by the emergence of a factional chairman of the party, while another person still claims to be in charge of the party leadership in the state.”
“The PDP has been hijacked and there were many occasions when I was never aware of developments in my constituency and the PDP in the State. Even with my prominent position as a member of the State House of Assembly under the platform of the PDP.I have consulted with stakeholders and also seek the face of God before deciding to quit the party,” he added.

Fyneface Aaron, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Inirou Willsthe, briefing newsmen after inspecting SPDC oil spill sight on Edepie, Imiringi-Otuasegha Road in Ogbia Local Government Area, recently.

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

2 weeks ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.