Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Labour Party governorship campaign office in Ogbia, Bayelsa State, was yesterday bombed. Though no one was hurt, the explosion is the fifth in the state in one year.
Senator Rufus Inatimi Spiff, campaign manager of LP guber candidate in the state, Mr Timi Alaibi, has accused the Bayelsa government of carrying out the act to intimidate the opposition.
“This is a shameful act. It is a disgrace to the state government that they had to go after the opposition on a mere flag-off of campaign in a local government area, but they cannot intimidate us,” Spiff told Daily Trust on phone yesterday.
But the Bayelsa State commissioner for Information and communications, Nathan Egba refuted the allegations, saying the LP stage-managed the explosion to embarrass President Jonathan and Governor Sylva.
Daily Trust reports that there has been re-occurring violence in Bayelsa, all of which are believed to be politically motivated, with Governor Timipre Sylva of the PDP and Timi Alaibe of LP trading accusations.
Senator Rufus Inatimi Spiff, campaign manager of LP guber candidate in the state, Mr Timi Alaibi, has accused the Bayelsa government of carrying out the act to intimidate the opposition.
“This is a shameful act. It is a disgrace to the state government that they had to go after the opposition on a mere flag-off of campaign in a local government area, but they cannot intimidate us,” Spiff told Daily Trust on phone yesterday.
But the Bayelsa State commissioner for Information and communications, Nathan Egba refuted the allegations, saying the LP stage-managed the explosion to embarrass President Jonathan and Governor Sylva.
Daily Trust reports that there has been re-occurring violence in Bayelsa, all of which are believed to be politically motivated, with Governor Timipre Sylva of the PDP and Timi Alaibe of LP trading accusations.
THE Bayelsa State House of Assembly has headed for the Supreme Court to challenge last Wednesday’s ruling by the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that the impeached Deputy Governor of the state, Peremobowei Ebebi, be reinstated.
Through its counsel, Sebastian Hon (SAN), the House has also filed another motion in the same Court of Appeal, seeking an order for a stay of execution of the earlier order on Ebebi’s reinstatement as deputy governor.
Similarly, the State Executive Council (SEC) at its meeting has declared its total support for the incumbent Deputy Governor, Werinipre Seibarogu, and rejected any legal attempt to reinstate Ebebi.
The SEC, at the meeting which lasted for several hours and chaired by Governor Timipre Sylva, deliberated on Wednesday’s ruling of the Appeal Court and affirmed that though the House had embarked on the legal journey to protect its right as a legislative body, it would only recognise Seibarogu as deputy governor.
While confirming the development to newsmen in Yenagoa, the state capital, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Nathan Egba, said the action of the Assembly was separate from the decision of the SEC.
Egba quoted the governor as saying that “just as it is impossible to force a servant on an unwilling master, so also it will be difficult to force a deputy governor not willing to work in harmony with his master on him”.
The commissioner noted that all members of the executive council were in attendance, except for the absence of the Commissioner for Works, Emmanuel Frank-Opigo, and his counterpart in the Sports Ministry, Opukiri Jones-Ere, who were said to have travelled to the United States on official assignment.
Seibarugu was also conspicuously absent at the executive council meeting.
Egba said: “The State Executive Council today passed a vote of explicit confidence on the Deputy Governor, Werinipre Seibarugu and declared that the only deputy governor they know is Seibarugu.”
Though Ebebi’s whereabouts are yet unknown, he is said to be planning for a grand entry to the state from Abuja, while his residence in Yenagoa is hosting his many supporters, who have continued to pay solidarity visits to him.
The state government’s action is coming at a time the leadership of the Conference of the Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), led by Comrade Sunday Frank-Oputu, and the Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area (Ebebi’s home council), Eddi Julius, have been appealing to the people to be calm and refrain from fomenting trouble over the Appeal Court ruling.
Julius, last Thursday, advised residents of the council to endeavour to read court judgments before making hasty conclusions that could unnecessarily heat up the polity.
Through its counsel, Sebastian Hon (SAN), the House has also filed another motion in the same Court of Appeal, seeking an order for a stay of execution of the earlier order on Ebebi’s reinstatement as deputy governor.
Similarly, the State Executive Council (SEC) at its meeting has declared its total support for the incumbent Deputy Governor, Werinipre Seibarogu, and rejected any legal attempt to reinstate Ebebi.
The SEC, at the meeting which lasted for several hours and chaired by Governor Timipre Sylva, deliberated on Wednesday’s ruling of the Appeal Court and affirmed that though the House had embarked on the legal journey to protect its right as a legislative body, it would only recognise Seibarogu as deputy governor.
While confirming the development to newsmen in Yenagoa, the state capital, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Nathan Egba, said the action of the Assembly was separate from the decision of the SEC.
Egba quoted the governor as saying that “just as it is impossible to force a servant on an unwilling master, so also it will be difficult to force a deputy governor not willing to work in harmony with his master on him”.
The commissioner noted that all members of the executive council were in attendance, except for the absence of the Commissioner for Works, Emmanuel Frank-Opigo, and his counterpart in the Sports Ministry, Opukiri Jones-Ere, who were said to have travelled to the United States on official assignment.
Seibarugu was also conspicuously absent at the executive council meeting.
Egba said: “The State Executive Council today passed a vote of explicit confidence on the Deputy Governor, Werinipre Seibarugu and declared that the only deputy governor they know is Seibarugu.”
Though Ebebi’s whereabouts are yet unknown, he is said to be planning for a grand entry to the state from Abuja, while his residence in Yenagoa is hosting his many supporters, who have continued to pay solidarity visits to him.
The state government’s action is coming at a time the leadership of the Conference of the Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), led by Comrade Sunday Frank-Oputu, and the Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area (Ebebi’s home council), Eddi Julius, have been appealing to the people to be calm and refrain from fomenting trouble over the Appeal Court ruling.
Julius, last Thursday, advised residents of the council to endeavour to read court judgments before making hasty conclusions that could unnecessarily heat up the polity.
Monday, 21 February 2011
One of the most prominent political support groups in Bayelsa state known as TIMI ALAIBE SUPPORT GROUP 2011 have been tirelessly pushing it campaign for the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate Mr. Timi Alaibe.
In an interview with BOF in yenagoa last week, the group publicity secretary Mr. Nasin Ebifegha said the group was born out of passion because of the poor and tyranny system of governance in Bayelsa State, where hunger and starvation has become other of the day.
Nasin stated that the group decided to embark on the call for Timi Alaibe to come and rescue Bayelsans from the shakos of poverty through various media.
He stated that even before Timi Alaibe Picked the Labour Party ticket he told UKPAKA REPORTERS an online news paper in a telephone interview that PDP will loose in Bayelsa State in the 2011 general elections if they fail to give Timi Alaibe the governorship ticket. Today Labour Party (LP) is the talk of the town in Bayelsa state.
The group General coordinator Mr. Souyo Kelvin Appah also confirmed to BOF that the group has all it takes to enthrone Alaibe to become the next governor in the state with it supporters comprising of both non-indigene and indigenes in every nook and crannies of the state.
There is no doubt that Bayelsa state is set to witness a new lease of life.
In an interview with BOF in yenagoa last week, the group publicity secretary Mr. Nasin Ebifegha said the group was born out of passion because of the poor and tyranny system of governance in Bayelsa State, where hunger and starvation has become other of the day.
Nasin stated that the group decided to embark on the call for Timi Alaibe to come and rescue Bayelsans from the shakos of poverty through various media.
He stated that even before Timi Alaibe Picked the Labour Party ticket he told UKPAKA REPORTERS an online news paper in a telephone interview that PDP will loose in Bayelsa State in the 2011 general elections if they fail to give Timi Alaibe the governorship ticket. Today Labour Party (LP) is the talk of the town in Bayelsa state.
The group General coordinator Mr. Souyo Kelvin Appah also confirmed to BOF that the group has all it takes to enthrone Alaibe to become the next governor in the state with it supporters comprising of both non-indigene and indigenes in every nook and crannies of the state.
There is no doubt that Bayelsa state is set to witness a new lease of life.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
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Following two separate applications filed by a legal team, one appealing the Wednesday February 16 judgment of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt to the Supreme court and the other for a stay of execution of the judgment, the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Werinipre Seibarugu, last weekend monitored the display of the voter register in Agudama his country home in his capacity as Deputy Governor.
Speaking with a team of journalists at his county home, Seibarugu explained that the filing of the two applications empowers him to continue to perform his duties as the Deputy Governor of the state, stressing that he has been properly briefed by his lawyers.
Seibarugu said he is a law –abiding citizen of the country and that was why after the judgment was delivered by the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, he waited for his lawyers to brief him and take necessary steps before continuing with his official duties as Deputy Governor.
He commended the state Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, and executive council for passing a vote of confidence on him in his absence during the weekly (SEC) meeting saying that the confidence vote was a demonstration of the unity and progress of purpose among council members.
The Deputy Governor described the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the only party with a manifesto that is masses-oriented and implored the electorates to cast their votes for the PDP at all levels in the forthcoming general elections.
He specifically called on the people of the state to disregard the emergence of other political parties in the state, adding that they will naturally die after their woeful defeats at the April poll.
On the display of the voter’s register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Deputy Governor commanded the electoral body for the prompt display of the register.
Rt. Hon. Seibarugu called on Bayelsans to join hands with the government to assist INEC to realize its objective of one man one vote.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
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A Port- Harcourt appeal court has order the reinstatement of the former deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, who was impeached by the Bayelsa state house of Assembly on the 24th of June, 2010 on a ten count charge.
This is coming barely eight month after a Yenagoa High court presided over by Justice Doris Adokeme had stroked out the suit instituted by the Bayelsa state former Deputy Governor .
BOF gathered that the suit filed by Barrister Wodu Kemasuode was due to the dissatisfaction of the high court’s ruling that didn’t favour their client.
In his reaction, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who earlier at the wake of the controversial impeachment condemned strongly the processes of the arrange impeachment carried out by the Justice Dora Adokeme led panel in the state has also lauded the appeal court for its ruling.
The party through its National youth leader, comrade Miriki Ebikina in a statement said, the kangaroo and unconstitutional impeachment of the former deputy Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi has been vindicated by the court ruling, adding that the lacked transparency, due process and the rule of law.
The ACN chieftain averred that the action was borne out of desperate deceit, greed for power and playing politics with the development of the people, indicting the state government of insulting the sensibility of the people and using state funds to pursue personal agenda.
The National Youth Leader of ACN, enjoined Bayelsans for turning out en mass in participating in the just concluded INEC voter's registration. He also implored them to do same in the forth coming general elections by casting their votes for the candidate of their choice and ensure the results are counted at the polling station.
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Host communities to the multi billion naira SPDC E.A oil field have threatened to shut down operations at the facilities in protest over what they described as the alleged refusal of the oil giant to comply with the provisions of the local content and community employment opportunities as contained in Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) entered into with them.
Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, yesterday, defended its operations at the multi-billion naira E.A oil field, saying it had not violated the Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, entered into with its host communities in Bayelsa State.
Reacting to the threat by the host communities under the aegis of Association of Basan West, Iduwini, Kou and Mein Cluster Development Boards and Foundations to shut operations at the facilities over its alleged refusal to comply with the provisions of the local content and community employment opportunities as contained in its GMoU with the former, Shell said between 2007 and 2010, it had spent some N3.4 billion on projects in the 12 EA host communities.
Shell spokesman, Mr. Precious Okolobo, in a statement in Yenagoa, said contrary to the host communities’ claim that the company failed to comply with the provisions of the local content and community employment opportunities, it trained 12 scaffolders and painters currently working on the Sea Eagle (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading vessels) in addition to the 12 community focal representatives engaged by it.
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Governor Timipre Sylva says the emergence of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as president has made up for the injustice meted out to the people of the Niger Delta region expressing optimism that he will take Nigeria to the next level of development.
Speaking while making a donation of one billion (N1bn) during the fund raising ceremony for the building of the Federal University, Otuoke in Ogbia LGA, he urged other communities to emulate the example of Otuoke people towards accelerating development.
Sylva identified establishment of an academic institution as the best way to develop a community and commended Otuoke community for initiating a five billion naira appeal fund for the construction of the University temporary site.
President Goodluck Jonathan in his speech expressed joy that in his lifetime a University which is expected to take –off by September this year is to be built in his community to enhance educational standard.
Dr. Jonathan who explained that the funds being raised was for the take-off of the University solicited the assistance of corporate bodies and individuals to undertake projects within the University community.
He also underscored the importance of education and acknowledged that the establishment of an educational facility in rural areas would stimulate the socio economic development in such areas.
Also speaking, vice president Namadi Sambo made it clear that education was the best avenue to address the problems of the people emphasizing that the administration was making efforts to ensure that education is accessible.
He enumerated the president’s developmental strides which include injecting additional two hundred and fifty mega watts to the national grid, provision of power plants, and construction of the East-West road as well as a railway line.
The chairman of the occasion, Chief Albert Horsefall who was the chairman of defunct OMPADEC said the federal university, Otuoke Is economically viable to the development of the country and urged community leaders to partner with the federal government to actualize such dreams.
Mr. Daziba Obah, chairman of the Launching Committee said the aim of the event is to support the smooth take off of the university, which will ensure accelerated development for the people and enhance educational standard.
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