₦airaland Forum

The Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, on Tuesday said the ongoing crisis in the state chapter of All Progressives Congress portends grave danger to the democratic fortunes already established in the state.
Governor Dickson stated this during the inauguration of eight new Special Advisers and the General Manager of the Bayelsa State Transport Company, Hon. Emomotimi Fanama, in Yenagoa.
The new Special Advisers are Deacon James Dugo, Chief Bernard Agai, Chief Patrick Osunu, Hon. Agatha Goma, Hon. Ayobegha James, Alex Dumbo, Chief Kienyosuote Degi and Henry Orumieyefa.
According to Dickson, the inability of the APC to properly coordinate its activities has confirmed his earlier position that those opposing the Peoples Democratic Party do not have the interest of the people at heart.
Dickson, who restated his call on those who defected from the PDP to return, maintained that the PDP would serve their interests better rather than remain in a party to be treated as strangers.
While congratulating the new appointees, he described them as high caliber people, who have been tried and tested in various political capacities.
Dickson urged them to strengthen their contacts with the people, especially as the gubernatorial election approaches.
He re-assured Bayelsans of the restoration government’s commitment to work for the greater peace, stability and sustainable development of the state.

A group under the auspices of Isoko Solidarity Support Group, ISSG, in collabora­tion with Isoko Develop­ment Union, IDU, Bayelsa Chapter, had unanimously agreed to support the sec­ond term bid of Governor Seriake Dickson and there­fore urge their members to vote massively for him come December 5..

The forum President ,Comrade Idama Michael, in a statement issued to newsmen in Yenagoa said their decision was in­formed by the Governor and his deputy Rear Admi­ral Gboribigha John-Jonah (rtd), determination to bring succor to Bayelsans.

According to the group, the Governor has done creditably well and stood out in the administration prowess in the Bayelsa state history, noting that, with utmost gratitude and support to restoration gov­ernment, they throw their weight behind the duo.

“Dickson has brought security, good roads, and development of the popu­lar Berger round-about by putting in place a standard fly over bridge.

“He has been able to drive the miscreant into the cave in Bayelsa state. Dickson’s victory repre­sents victory for the entire Niger-Delta,

“He has done well in the area of prompt payment of salary, improved health care delivery, constant electric­ity supply as never before, community policing and the social well being of all those living in Bayelsa,” it said.

Abuja - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has approved 50 groups to observe the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa States governorship elections.

The polls are scheduled for November 21 and December 5 respectively.

The commission, in a letter signed by the Director of Elections and Party Monitoring Department (EPM), Bala Shittu, disclosed 43 out of the approved 50 organizations were domestic while the rest were foreign.

Shittu said the approved groups were to obtain, complete and return relevant documentation for the the two elections from the Department at the INEC Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja.

He added that the Commission also requested that the photographs of members of staff to be deployed by approved groups in the two states along with their names be submitted in hard and soft copies to the Election and Party Monitoring Department latest by October 23.

“Late submission will not be entertained."

According to the Commission, the dates for distribution of observer kits in the two states will be communicated in due course.

The polls are expected to be a tightly contested affair between the All Progressives Congress and People's Democratic Party

Governor Seriake Dick­son of Bayelsa State over the weekend announced the 17th of this month as the flag off date for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign in the state.

Governor Dickson, who stated this at a meeting he held with political appointees and party leaders at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Yenagoa, said his landmark achievements across the state would speak and campaign for him.

Citing the ongoing Sagbama- Ekeremor road as one of the big ticket projects being embarked upon by his administration, the governor stressed that, the op­position party does not stand a chance in the forthcoming elec­tion as it cannot boast of any po­litical structure in the state.

He called on the Federal Government and its agencies to ensure a credible, free and fair election in the December 5 polls, reminding that the PDP-led gov­ernment under the immediate past President Goodluck Jona­than established the institutions that made President Muhamma­du Buhari a major beneficiary.

His words: “I believe that the security agencies will do their jobs. I believe that the leader of the Federal Government, Presi­dent Muhammadu Buhari will not for the sake of his party, undermine the security of our country and allow the security forces and other institutions to be compromised.

“This state produced the lead­ership that ushered in a free and fair election at the federal level, of which Mr. President is the number one beneficiary and our country has come to be known as the bastion of democracy in Africa.

“It is going to be most unfair if because some people say, they want to take over Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s state by hook or by crook. I hope President Buhari will not descend from that hal­lowed office and either look the other way when security is breached and violence is pro­moted or watch while the state and the Niger Delta region slide into anarchy and insurgency again. That will be very unfair to him and our country and to the legacy that the PDP-led government laid in terms of free and free elections, which con­sumed a sitting president and above all unfair to God.”

Governor Dickson, who urged Bayelsans not to be mis­led by members of the opposi­tion party, as they did in the past, said his administration has set the standards that have eradi­cated politically motivated kill­ings and other forms of electoral violence.

Accordingly, he charged par­ty leaders and other stakehold­ers to mobilize people in every unit, community and local gov­ernment area towards ensuring that, their votes count to elect a leader that would protect their future.

Your votes will be counted. I want you to take this message home. Even for the sake of our economy, this is a time that you need prudence; for the sake of our economy someone, who will manage your little resourc­es because every kobo is impor­tant to us now. I have directed that by Monday even amidst these economic challenges, that by Monday, salaries for last month be paid. And it is only a committed and focused leader­ship that can take the Bayelsa out of the woods.

“Gather yourselves in every unit, community, ward, local government, mobilize your­selves and vote and protect your votes.”

1. For declaring a state of emergency on the education sector in Bayelsa State.
2. For implementing free and compulsory primary and secondary education in Bayelsa State.
3. For taking an uncompromising stand against cultism and outlawing all cult fraternities in Bayelsa State.
4. For granting financial autonomy to the Judiciary in Bayelsa State.
5. For making infrastructural development the centre-piece of the Restoration Agenda in Bayelsa State.
6. For initiating and executing development projects in all the 105 wards in the state.
7. For upholding political tolerance as a key ingredient of democracy.
8. For restoring relative peace and security in the state, which under his predecessor, had become a hotbed of violence and extrajudicial state killings.
9. For monthly payment of stipends to the Bayelsa elderly.
10. For making appreciable progress on the three senatorial road projects in the state.
11. For allowing the freedom of expression to thrive on both the traditional media and new media platforms without harassment and intimidation.
12. For putting the Ijaw agenda on government priority list and making Bayelsa State the Jerusalem or centerpiece of the Ijaw nation.
13. For creating a separate ministry to oversee Ijaw national affairs.
14. For immortalizing and according honour to Ijaw hero, Isaac Adaka Boro, through the building of Boro Town and naming a degree-awarding institution after him.
15. For establishing the Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education.
16. For investing heavily on the security apparatus in the state.
17. For successfully proscribing the operations of commercial motorcycles in the state capital and thereby, saving lives which were lost daily through rampant "okada" crashes.
18. For building no fewer than 400 residential quarters for headmasters in Bayelsa State
19. For building the 24 constituency secondary schools across the state
20. For the massive renovation and remodeling of over 400 schools across the state.
21. For initiating the first flyover project in Bayelsa State.
22. For expanding and dualizing roads in Yenagoa, the state capital, such as the Road Safety Road, the FMC Road, the Azikoro Road, etc.
23. For making coordinated efforts and investments in agriculture and tourism towards economic diversification.
24. For bringing back the Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science (BYCAS) which had been scrapped by his predecessor.
25. For saving the endangered Ijaw language by introducing it as a subject in the school system.
26. For appointing more Bayelsans into government positions than any previous administration had done.
27. For institutionalizing transparency briefing at both state and local (government) levels.
28. For initiating a savings culture in the state.
29. For taking immediate and decisive steps to stop the abnormal irrevocable deductions from the state's accruals, which had spilled over from the previous administration.
30. For expanding the bureaucratic infrastructure with the completion of four new secretariat annexes in Yenagoa.
31. For creating adequate political space for women through direct appointment and election to prove their mettle in Bayelsa State. For the first time in the state's history, four women now make up the 24-member Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
32. For providing free school textbooks, uniforms, bags and sandals for pupils in the public schools.
33. For providing thousands of school desks, computers, whiteboards, science equipment in the public schools
34. For creating a separate ministry to oversee science and technology, and manpower development.
35. For creating a separate ministry to oversee tourism development.
36. For building strategic public infrastructure like the Bayelsa State Diagnostic Centre, the Drug Mart, residential quarters for medical doctors, etc.
37. For remodeling the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, and rebuilding the State Traditional Rulers' Council Secretariat.
38. For not running the third tier of government with caretaker committees as previous administrations were wont to do.
39. For ensuring financial autonomy in the local government system.
40. For raising the IGR of the state.
41. For completing some strategic projects it met uncompleted from previous administrations.
42. For establishing institutions like the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, the Teachers Training Institute, the Driving School, etc.
42. For completing the Toru-Ebeni bridge.
44. For initiating power projects to hook up more communities to the National Grid.
45. For initiating housing projects across the state.
46. For demonstrating love for the Ijaw nation through the Bayelsa State emblems and symbols, anthem and coat of arms.
47. For faithfully meeting state obligations appertaining to financial liabilities inherited from previous administrations.
48. For faithfully meeting state obligations appertaining to salaries of civil servants and political appointees.
49. For completing the strategically important Etegwe-Tombia-Amassoma Road with no fewer than eight bridges.
50. For advancing and protecting the strategic Ijaw interest within the context of one united Nigeria.

Fresh crisis is believed to be tearing apart the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State as the choice of who becomes the deputy to the the governorship candiadate, Timipre Sylva, is causing unease among party leaders and the nucleus of the campaign organization.
Sylva had earlier promised in his address after emerging as candidate to name his running mate by last Saturday but it never materialized.

Impeccable source within the top echelon of the APC in the state who pleaded anonymity confided in our correspondent weekend that the matter had become so worrisome that if care was not taken, it could lead to breakaway ahead of the December 5 governorship election.

“It is now a fight to finish”, the source said.

It was gathered that the trouble with the choice of deputy governorship candidate was caused by Sylva himself who, it was said, had promised too many political associates in order to elicit their support to clinch the gubernatorial ticket during the primary election.
Having got the ticket, however, redeeming his promise became a problem. No fewer than six persons were said to have got Sylva’s nod to become his deputy and who are all jostling for the slot now. This is why it had been a herculean task for Sylva and the party’s leadership to wade through since the primary was concluded.

The source informed that among the lot, two names who are now “major political headaches” in the cat and mouse game of selecting a deputy, namely the APC state Chairman, Chief Tiwe Oruminighe and PDP defector, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, are somewhat implacable about the development and spoiling for war.

Sylva was said to have earlier settled for the party chairman but was dropped because of what was regarded as “pressure from Sylva’s inner circle”, warning that Oruminighe had become “too powerful”. The fear as narrated was that if he were made the deputy governorship candidate, he could plot against Sylva in case they win the election.

Orominghe is believed to be the brain behind Sylva’s emergence using his position as state chairman to ensure the delegates voted for him at the primary. He was also said to be Sylva’s political godson, having served under him as Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government. It was also gathered that Oruminighe played “strategic roles” in the controversial human rights record of Sylva as governor by virtue of his leadership of a dreaded cult group.

On his part, Senator Lokpobiri, who defected from the PDP and aspired to be governor but now the Director-General of Sylva’s Campaign Organisation, was said to be keen to become running mate but may have missed out due to similar reason against the party chairman.
Lokpobiri, the source said, would have been a good choice but Sylva and his ‘inner circle” were not comfortable with him because in their estimation, he could be “cunning and too independent-minded” and alleged to be a “violent politician” who could “match Sylva violence for violence”.

As things stand in the party, the choice of who eventually becomes the deputy governorship candidate remained a jigsaw puzzle which at the end may leave the party thoroughly fragmented.

“You know politics is all about interest. Sylva played a fast one on these close associates and things may never be the same again. Mass defection may be inevitable”, the source stated.

Four other persons who were initially promised the slot but now dropped were also said to be considering their next moves since they were said to have felt betrayed by Sylva. They were said to have claimed that the former governor no longer has a mind of his own as some elements around him now dictate who gets what and how.

It was, however, gathered from a close source to the candidate that Sylva and his core loyalists were now considering “one of their own”, a former commissioner who played active roles in policy formulation during his first term as governor to be anointed for the slot of running mate.

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Thursday expressed concern over the steady decline in the revenues from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), as evidenced in the less than one billion naira shortfall in the revenue between August and September, this year.

Governor Dickson stated this, while speaking at a lecture/dinner organized as part of activities commemorating the 55th independence anniversary of the country and 19 years of the creation of Bayelsa State at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.

According to him, the state received N6.2 billion in the month of August and the amount from the previous month has dropped to N5.6 billion occasioned by the sharp reduction in prices of crude oil in the international market.

His words: “The last report we got was that our allocation has dropped from N6.2 billion for last month, to about N5.6 billion for this month. This shows the challenges that our state is grappling with. But, we are not alone. Whereas, many states cannot even, meet their basic obligations, we in this state, are still carrying on. As a matter of fact, I have again instructed that salaries be paid as from Monday next week.

“But this is coming with a lot of cost and sacrifices. You can imagine what would have happened, if we didn’t experience this drastic and sudden drop in our revenue, Bayelsa would have been something else. But we are still not despondent. We are hopeful that with our a focused team on board and by the grace of God, revenues will improve and we will again work together to take our state to the next level.

Governor Dickson, who reiterated his call on the people of the state to be patient and show some understanding, in view of the current economic challenges, however, expressed hope that, the economic situation would improve to enable the government to execute its developmental agenda.

Congratulating the people on the Independence Day twin celebrations, the Governor saluted the efforts of late General Sani Abacha, founding fathers of the state and past Governors for their sacrifices and contributions towards making the creation of Bayelsa a reality.

Governor Dickson, who also commented on the forthcoming Governorship election in the state, called on the Federal Government to ensure that, everything is done to maintain law and order and equally urged the people to sustain the existing peace.

Delivering the anniversary lecture titled, “Values Re-orientation and Attitudinal Changes as Vehicles for Sustainable Development: Implication for the Ijaw Nation,” a retired Justice of the Supreme court, Hon. Justice Francis Tabai, described the theme as apt, as the state was witnessing another political season.

Justice Tabai, who tasked the people on value re-orientation and attitudinal change, defined values as a set of principles guiding a person’s behavior, which impacts every aspect of one’s life.

He stressed that, positive attitude towards issues of development in the state was the surest way to guarantee growth and progress, rather than seeking instant personal gratification.


Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

As Nigeria celebrates 55 years of independence and Bayelsa marks 19 years of its creation, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has urged Bayelsans and Nigerians to remain focused and be supportive to the Governments at all levels.

The governor in a statement issued on Wednesday night by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, described Nigeria as a blessed and unique country.

He also called on the people to always see the peace, security and unity of the country as a collective responsibility, stressing that, the nation is so endowed that, with peace and unity of purpose, Nigeria can attain its rightful position as a force to be reckoned with in the highly competitive global arena.

According to him, Nigeria’s diversity has proved to be one of the its greatest assets, pointing out that, all that is required is for Nigerians to jettison all parochial, sectional, religious and ethnic inclinations and work in one accord to fully realize the dreams of its founding fathers.

Governor Dickson, who also paid glowing tribute to the nation’s founding fathers, enjoined those in positions of trust and indeed all Nigerians to imbibe the positive virtues of sacrifice, honesty, patriotism and love, which were the overriding principles and qualities, the founding fathers lived and died for.
Congratulating Bayelsans on the 19th anniversary of the creation of the State, he commended the people for the immense support his administration and previous ones have enjoyed from the people, assuring that, his restoration government will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy, despite of the downturn in the economy of the Country.

Hon. Dickson urged Bayelsans to keep faith with the policies and programmes of the restoration government, adding that, it will continue to accord security of lives and property utmost priority, while efforts are also being intensified in improving the infrastructure, manpower development, education and other relevant sectors of the State’s economy.

With the December 5 governorship elections around the corner, the countriman Governor also enjoined Bayelsans to be mindful of the antics of the opposition, whose antecedents are well known, pointing out that, the people are well placed to know the difference and vote wisely.

The Bayelsa State Governor used the occasion to pay special tribute to the founding fathers of the State for their diligence and commitment, which necessitated the creation of the State in 1996 by the Military administration of General Sani Abacha, noting that, posterity would continue to appreciate them.

Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the emergenceof Timipre Sylva as the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress(APC) for the December 5 election is an indication that the opposition partywas not ready to compete, saying the former governor was not electable.

State Secretary of Bayelsa PDP, Keku Godspower, who made this assertion in astatement in Yenagoa, the state capital, yesterday said it was a shame andinsult to the collective sensibilities of Bayelsans that of all their members,Sylva was the best they could put forward as candidate.

Keku, whofrowned at the choice of Sylva, said what the party’s decision meant was thatthe APC was not prepared for any serious outing at the election because as henoted “everybody in Bayelsa knows that Sylva is not electable”.He,however, hinted that since Sylva’s emergence, there are palpable fear, tensionand apprehensions among Bayelsans whichhe attributed to the spate of violent incidents during the recent APC governorship primaries in the state.

He also alleged that Sylva has a record of violence and that his second coming will notbe different . He alleged that since the primaries, the state had witnessed the influx ofcultists and militants which he also claimed had created palpable fears andtension among the people.He added that this development, if not checked, could lead to relapse of violence in thestate and the entire Niger Delta region.

Keku,however, was confident that possible violence would be contained, assuring thepeople that security agencies in the state will deal with anyone caughtbreaching the peace or molesting anyone.He accordingly advised Bayelsans to go about their lawful businesses without fearof intimidation, urging them to report any suspicious character to the securityagents.

While asking the people to vote for the PDP during the December election, Keku alsocalled on the Federal Government to direct its security agencies to take urgentsteps to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.

“With the December 5 governorship election around the corner, we duly call on the people to outrightly reject Sylva’s candidacy and his APC-led politics of violence and intimidation which has become a well- known trademark”, he stated.

Hon. Omuso Abbey has hailed the inborn survival spirit of my fellow Nigerians, showered encomiums on them for protecting our nascent democracy at the polls early this year. He noted that Nigerians have every reason to celebrate, having lived through over 16 years of uninterrupted democratic rule.

"This is a time for deep reflection and we must express gratitude to God for keeping us together as a people. At this point, we have begun a process which shall see us rise in the years ahead."

"It has been a tortuous journey but just as gold is passed through fire to reveal its quality even so as a nation this journey has been necessary for advancement."

"As a people, we must continue to contribute to nation building and remain committed to this entity "Nigeria" for it is by so-doing, that our plans today for the betterment of tomorrow are sustained."

"We encourage the National Union of Bonny Students, Bonny Youth Federation, Bonny Chiefs Council, Security agencies, Private sector, various institutions and our people to keep the hope alive. We must continue to be peace-loving and be one another's keeper."

"Surely, Nigeria is on the march again and we must all lend our support”.

Hon. Omuso G. Abbey.

Timipre Sylva 981
Powell Godknows 39
Warman Ogoriba 28
Ikiogha Dikivha 22
Romeo Bekeyei 10
Ebitei Francis 9
Preye Aganaba 8
Austin Ogionwo 7
Charity Vadelago 7
Ebitimi Amgbare 3
Amb. Emmanuel Otiotio 1
Umoro Kuboh 0
Invalid 27

FLASH: Timipre Sylva declared winner of rescheduled APC gubernatorial primary in Bayelsa, polling 981 out of 1147 accredited delegates

https://mobile.twitter.com/SaharaReporters/status/649238707959111681

The rationale for the reelection of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has also been hinged on his administration's thoughtfulness in creating adequate political space for Bayelsa women through direct appointment and election to prove their mettle.
It is a trite saying that "what a man can do, a woman can do also." This forms the plank upon which the Dickson Administration's confidence in the womenfolk is built.
It is remarkable, therefore, that under the Dickson Administration, several positions of responsibility had been given to women to man and they are giving a very good account of themselves.
It is noteworthy that for the first time in the political history of Bayelsa State, four women now make up the 24-member Bayelsa State House of Assembly (BYHA) . This record is no mean feat. Prior to this time, the highest ever achieved, in terms of returning women to the BYHA, was two members.
Besides appointing so many women into key positions, such as the office of commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, members of boards of state parastatals, members of commissions, permanent secretaries, etc., the Dickson Administration also saw the election of five vice chairmen at the local government level. Similarly, 27 female councillors were returned to represent their wards cutting across the eight LGAs in the state.
Certainly, these appointments and elective positions are a practical vote of confidence by the Dickson Administration in the ability of women to contribute effectively to the development of society. What better way can government express such confidence than to provide opportunities for women in Bayelsa State?
The gender-sensitive disposition of Governor Seriake Dickson and his determination to carry the women of Bayelsa State along in the scheme is one sound reason to pitch tent with the PDP in the December gubernatorial election. Bayelsa women, oyeeeee! My mothers, aunts, sisters, nieces, let's vote for our own CONTRIMAN GOVERNOR come December 5, 2015, so that more and more women will be given opportunities in governance.
My good and lovely women of Bayelsa State, a bird in the hand, no matter how small it may be, is worth two in the bush! Let's vote for PDP! Let's vote Gov. Seriake Dickson! Thank you and God bless you!

As preparations heat up ahead of the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State, the current governor of the state, Seriake Dickson has boasted that the All Progressives Congress cannot unseat him with its ‘noise.’ He said this, weekend, while addressing newsmen at the sidelines of the 2015 Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu- Ode, Ogun State. Dickson, who was in company of a former governor of Bayesla State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, said the APC was only making unnecessary noise against his administration. He said, “For all of us in Bayelsa, we know there is no challenge, contest or threat of any kind. All you have heard or read about us is all propaganda. There is no APC in Bayelsa to threaten us.” Disckson further called on people of the state and other Nigerians to disregard the criticisms and unfounded allegations against his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, by APC chieftains. He said, “I’m not here today for politics, I’m here to honour our father and also to celebrate with my friends here and others in the ‘regberegbes,’ particularly my own group, the Jagunmolus, and all the people of our country from far and near. “I am very delighted with the colourful cultural display that I have seen here today. This is what we have been preaching back then, we want our children to know about our tradition and culture and to make them know that our tradition still has dignity.”

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday, explained how he escaped from the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, venue of the 2015 governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress.
The governor was reportedly held hostage for several hours during the exercise, which was marred by violence.
Oshiomhole, who made the allegation during a press briefing on Wednesday in Benin however, accused a former governor of Bayelsa State and chieftain of the APC, Mr. Timipriye Sylva, of hijacking the primary.

He also dismissed media reports that the party’s primary was held, wherein Sylva, who is also an aspirant, emerged as the party’s candidate.

Oshiomhole, who said Sylva threatened his life and that of other members of the committee, challenged the Bayelsa ex-governor to produce his Certificate of Return presented to him by the party if he truly won in a free and fair primary.

The governor alleged that the electoral process was hijacked by thugs, acting on the instruction of the former governor, who he said had insisted that the exercise be conducted without accreditation.

He added that he had to call for help from Abuja, leading to the intervention of the Joint Task Force, who rescued him out of the venue, after several hours of being at the mercy of the hoodlums.

Oshiomhole stated, “I was appointed with six other members from the APC to conduct the primary election of the governorship election in Bayelsa State. The exercise took place yesterday (Tuesday) and somehow, thugs took over the sports complex, where the exercise was to take place.

“They practically prevented the actual delegates from participating and as a result, we could not proceed with the exercise. The committee was virtually held hostage, including my humble self. This time, they were supervised unfortunately by one of the aspirants, the former governor of the state, Timipriye Sylva, who said to my face and to the committee that we could not leave the venue of the conference unless we conduct the exercise without accreditation, as prescribed by the national secretariat.

“It is important that we state clearly that the national secretariat has adopted a standard guideline for the conduct of governorship primary and this guideline were used effectively in Kogi State and it produced a candidate in which all the aspirants were quite happy with.

“The key issues in this guideline, as handed down by the party, is that delegates, as contained in the list, have to be identified either though the Permanent Voter Card or the National Identity Card or international passport.

“This was to ensure that proper accreditation was done because the integrity of an election rests primarily on the integrity of the accreditation process; once the accreditation suffers any defect, it affects the entire exercise. As they say, you cannot build something on nothing.”

Oshiomhole, who wondered why the former governor insisted on having his way other than that prescribed by the national leadership of the APC, said, “Whereas all the aspirants agreed with this guideline, it is only Sylva that did not agree with it. He rejected this mode of accreditation and chose to accuse the national secretariat of formulating the guideline to frustrate his ambition.

“Every effort made to reassure him and direct his attention to the fact that same guidelines have been used and that they are standard guidelines that will be used in future elections fell on deaf ears.

The Edo State Governor added, “He insisted that we cannot leave the place unless we are ready to conduct the election without recourse to accreditation, as stipulated by the party and, of course, I was not in a position to amend the guideline, nor was I ready to submit to his intimidation.”

He said that when it became clear that he (Sylva) had mobilised thugs in connivance with the police, the thugs found their way into the stadium, without accreditation, “and insisted that we must conduct the election based on their own rules‎.”

Oshiomhole said, “Sylva insisted that it is the State Secretariat and not the national body that should conduct the primary and that it was wrong for the national body to conduct primaries without involving the state leadership of the party and therefore, as far as he was concerned, we must proceed with the election without complying with the guidelines of the national secretariat.

“When it became clear that our lives were under threat, I had to call Abuja to prevail on the Joint Task Force to provide me with security to enable me to leave the venue of the primary because thugs had effectively blocked the gates under the instructions of Sylva.

“I have since forwarded our report to the National Secretariat namely that the primary could not be conducted because of these and several other malpractices.”

Oshiomhole said many people were apprehended with fake or cloned Permanent Voter Card, which they wanted to use to replace the actual delegates and they were handed over to the Police.

He said curiously, the Police released those who were so arrested and allowed them to continue to harass and intimidate, not only the committee members but other aspirants.

The Bayelsa State Government says it will not draw its share of the N222 billion approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria for states to clear outstanding workers’ salaries.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that CBN approved N12.85 billion for the state.
Nineteen states have so far drawn from the funds that have a 20-year tenure.
But the Bayelsa State Government, in a statement signed by Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, said the state’s helmsman was not ready to enslave future generation of Bayelsa people to a debt burden.

The statement quoted Dickson as saying: “I do not want to commit the state to unnecessary borrowing and mortgage their future because I love my people; I love my state.
“I am not like others who will go and take facilities and loans and do not care what happens to the people; that is why we have not signed on the bailout funds because I am not satisfied that we will not be mortgaging the future of our people.

“I am not like that; I care about what happens to this state, even after my tenure.”
Dickson similarly explained that his administration was reluctant to employ more people in order not to increase the wage bill.

The governor explained that the delay in the payment of salaries of civil servants was due to the delay in the Federal Allocation Accounts Committee meeting.

According to him, the state government depends solely on revenue from the federation account to pay the wages of workers and any delay in the monthly FAAC meeting will definitely affect the payment of salaries.

Dickson said the country was currently grappling with an economic downturn and explained that the state had managed to stay afloat.

He said the government’s prudence in the management of its scarce resources was responsible for the state not owing its workers.

Dickson further stressed that the economic situation had compelled government to commit all the available funds to salary payment.

He said projects and other development activities had been put on hold as a result of funding challenges, stating that some contractors in the state were being owed up to N15 million.

The governor called for understanding and patience from the people, stressing that his administration was only averse to mortgaging the future and was not prepared to commit the people to unnecessary credit facilities.

He said: “It is a general challenge we are all facing; even at the federal level, the country is in a very serious situation.

“Banks are laying off people; companies are doing the same, but our state will not lay off people

“We are not owing the workers and we are managing to pay salaries, even at the expense of my own allowances and those of others around.

“For months, those around me have been making sacrifices; in fact, most of these sacrifices people do not know.”

SAD OVER CALLS FOR STRIKE BY LABOUR LEADERS OVER FEW DAYS DELAY IN SALARY PAYMENT

Governor Seriake Dickson has condemned the attitude of some civil servants in the state, whereby they threaten strike action whenever there is a slight delay in salary payment.

Governor Dickson,who made the remark at the swearing in ceremony of Mrs. Atonye Victoria Pekeneas Permanent Secretary in the civil service, said civil servants ought to be appreciative of the government’s efforts at meeting its salary obligations to them rather than constitute themselves into what he termed, “vortex of opposition.”

His words: “We live in times when states find it difficult to meet their basic obligations of paying monthly salaries and obligations to civil servants; it is not deliberate.From a revenue base that I inherited in 2012, which stood at about 18 billion and now my last receipt for last month stood at about N6.2 billion.

So, that will tell you the enormity of the challenge we are facing. But because of the values and systems we have put in place, our state is not owing salaries of civil servants.Everything we get,we slough it back to meeting our obligations to civil servants and yet we pay NECO, WAEC and JAMB for all your children, we still find time to meet other obligations.

According to him,civil servants and its leadership were making unguarded and uninformed comments on the pages of newspapers and television stations, rather than showing gratitude to the government for contending with the lean financial times.

The Governor said,his administration was grappling with serious economic challenges in 2015, pointing out that, it inherited a revenue base of about 18 billion 2012, which he noted has drastically reduced to about N6.2 billion and called on the people to exercise some patience, as the state has no alternative source of revenue.

“The SSG should get in touch with the Vice Chancellor and the Governing Council of the NigerDelta University, Amassoma on the challenges being faced by the government.Every month, we spend N500 million for staff salary of the NDU alone and yet if there is a delay of 3 days or one week, people threaten strike action and say all kinds of things on the pages of newspapers, and go to television stations and turn the NDU, not into a citadel of learning that it is expected to be, but a vortex of opposition.

Governor Dickson,who noted that, for the past one year, some states in the federation have been owing salaries of workers for several months, said it was unfortunate that,states now rely on the bailout fund from the federal government to pay wages of workers.

Reiterating his call for greater understanding and support from the people, especially the leadership of the civil service for the economic challenges, the Governor expressed the hope that the economic situation would not degenerate to the level whereby the forecast of the international price regime of crude oil may decline to as low as 20 dollars per barrel.

“From the forecast of the international price regime of crude oil, it may get to as low as 20dollars, which will spell disaster, not just for our state, but for the whole country. We are actually managing a recession. So, Head of Service, I count on you to work with the leadership of the civil service and sensitize them on the very dire situation we are facing.

Last week Nigerians were stunned by a major political fiasco, a scene which is still putting most Nigerians in a dilemma. Nigeria has always being a politically fierce nation, but this time nobody expected what was coming.

The third most powerful man in the country (constitutionally anyways), the senate president, was summoned by the least funded court in the country, a court which has no representative in the N.J.C (Nigerian judicial council), and same court ordered his arrest. (THE PAWN)

Some people are having doubts now he is the third most powerful man in Nigeria, after all the President and his vice, washed their hands off the case. So whose hands are in it? (THE KNIGHT)

The intricacies of this delicate case has all finger pointed to a major power scheme about to envelop the country politically, because it was not long before the same senate president had his wife investigated by one of the corruption bodies in the country, and constitutionally his trial can only be approved by the chief justice of the federation, who is non-existent right now as the President is yet to make any appointments to that regard. To what aim one must ask, because this trial has power struggle written all over it.

Take for instance, when the senate president is removed, his deputy takes over. But in this case, two months earlier the deputy senate president has already been charged for tampering with the constitution. Are we bracing for a major power overhaul?

Meanwhile The Presidency is silent. (THE KING)
In a game of chess, as this obviously is looking like, ”the Pawnsy scheme” when the major chess’ moves are about to be made, the pawns are either sacrificed or moved out of the way. The risky thing is that, there are times when these pawns are overlooked they get to the end of the other side of the chess board, and grows into a knight!

Our politicians should thread carefully because Nigerians are watching…… keenly
reference; www.potrixblog.com

The trial of the Senate President, Dr. Olubukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja, has been adjouned to October 21.

Earlier, the trial of Dr. Olubukola Saraki took a dramatic turn when he refused to mount the dock.

The trial tribunal, headed by Justice Danladi Umar, called up Saraki’s case at exactly 10:32am.

Where is the prosecution, is the accused person here?”, Justice Umar who was looking directly at Saraki from his vantage post, queried.

“Mr lord I cannot see him. I think the first thing is for him to enter the dock first, then we will announce our appearances. After which the charge will be read to him”, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs submitted.

“With profound respect to the chairman and member of this tribunal, I agree with my learned brother that we should enter appearances first. The order of this tribunal was that the accused should be produced today. It was not for his to enter his plea. The case was earlier adjourned for mention”, counsel to Saraki, Mr. J.B. Daudu, insisted.

Daudu vehemently opposed the idea of Saraki entering the dock, relying on an Appeal Court decided case law in Igbeke vs FRN, ‎2015, 3 NWLR.

Eventually, Saraki entered the dock and pleaded not guilty to the 13-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the federal government.

The Tribunal adjourned sitting to October 21, 2015.

Governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State started on a stormy note this morning with protest by supporters of governorship aspirant, Ndutimi Alaibe, who were denied access to the venue of the event. Alaibe was also not allowed to enter the venue. He was seen at the gate with his supporters, creating a riotous scene.

It was a busy day for security personnel at the venue of the primary exercise as Alaibe’s supporters were seen engaging security men in arguments over the propriety of their action. Many of the supporters were milling outside the gate shouting and making attempts to force their way into the venue but were disallowed.

Investigation revealed that Alaibe and his supporters were denied access because of the stunning allegation that they were not accredited delegates, a situation which led to hot exchanges and insinuations that the Timipre Sylva’ camp was behind their travails in a bid to manipulate the election.

With this development, there were indications that today’s primary will likely to be marred by crisis as the outcome will be dented by complaints of bias and thus those affected particularly the Alaibe group may reject the result.

“We will certainly reject the outcome of the primary if the situation does not change here today because this arrangement is skewed in favour of a particular aspirant”, one of the supporters stated.

As at the time of filing this report, the growing protest had become a source of worry to the Adams Oshiomhole-led panel charged with the responsibility of conducting the primary as frantic efforts were being made to get the aspirants and disgruntled delegates to calm down.
It was also observed that more security men were being deployed to the venue to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order as party thugs were said to have invaded the venue

A further investigation shows that Mr. Timipre Sylva mobilized members of the Viking fraternity to pose as delegates to do damage to the entire process. For now the APC PRIMARIES IN BAYELSA STATE ARE FLAWED.

Yenagoa—The police in Bayelsa State on Saturday night repelled attempt by some gunmen to abduct His Royal Highness, G.G Igodo, the paramount ruler of Ogbogoro, on the outskirts of Yenagoa, the state capital.

It was gathered that the six gunmen stormed the residence of the royal father at about 10pm to carry out their sinister motive but were forced to beat a retreat, following the quick intervention of the police, which engaged them in shoot out.

Sources told Vanguard that members of the community on noticing the strange movement of the invaders, alerted the police and patrol teams were deployed promptly.

The hoodlums, in a bid to escape reportedly shot and injured one Alex ThankGod, 18, a member of the community.

Dame Patience Jonathan, has asked aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party PDP members and groups in the state to come together as one to support the re-election of the incumbent governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

It was gathered that Dame Patience, yesterday met with aggrieved former political appointees and politicians in the PDP seeking new strategies to ensure the re-election of Governor Dickson for a second term in office.
Dame Patience, who met with the former political appointees and other PDP members in Otuoke, the country home of the Jonathans, said Governor Dickson remained the best candidate in terms of governance and development.

The meeting between Mrs Jonathan and the leadership of the PDP Integrity Forum was initiated by the group and attended by the leader and former Commissioner for Local Government, Deacon James Dugo, Director of Publicity, Blessing Kingdom, the Director of Finance, Timi Gbendu, the Director of Women Mobilisation, Mrs. Julie Okenarhe, and the Director of Organisation, Embiowe Tonworitimi.

Sources privy to the meeting said the former first lady urged members of the group and politicians at the meeting to support Dickson’s re-election unconditionally, stressing that the issue at stake at the December 5 election was not about her and the governor, but the fact that the PDP must retain the state.

According to sources at the meeting, Mrs Jonathan observed that though she was angry with the governor, the development of Bayelsa State under a trusted hand like Governor Dickson was above personal anger, and cautioned that the coming election would not be “carry go”. She charged party members to reach out to the people at all levels.

Confirming the meeting, Coordinator of Bayelsa State PDP Integrity Group, Fedison Agada, said the meeting was held on Wednesday at the Otuoke country home of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

A former governor of Bayelsa State and governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Timipre Sylva, has said he will win the party’s governorship primary next Tuesday.
Sylva, in a statement on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Doifie Buokoribo, urged his supporters and loyalists to remain focused and steadfast despite the postponement of the primary.
He said, “I have no doubt that, come next Tuesday, I will emerge the candidate of our great party for the December 5 governorship election. The primary Election is just a progression to our cynosure goal of retrieving our collective political destiny from the peoples democracy party grabbers, who he claims have seized the development of the state since 2012, and fulfilling it for good.
I appeal to all our supporters, delegates, and the entire APC family in Bayelsa State to stay focused, positive and determined as we wait for the new date, September 22, fixed by the national headquarters of our great party for the primary election in the state.”
He said his participation in the governorship race was borne out of a solidly verdict to help cox Bayelsa State away from the current course political confusion and economic hopelessness, and return it to the path of freedom, progress, and hope.
Sylva, who is also the leader of APC in Bayelsa State, appealed for calm and understanding among APC members in state.
He added, “We should de-emphasise the small differences that necessarily accompany primary elections like this and focus our attention on the big picture, the collective responsibility of rescuing our state from the stranglehold of a few intolerant despots masquerading as politicians in PDP. We will win.
Bayelsa must be free. Bayelsa must progress. Bayelsa must move with the wind of change blowing across the land.”
Where does this leave Timi Alaibe, who has the backing of some of the Godfathers in APC and concerns over the previous failings and the stoning of pure water bags on Sylva in his previous stint as Governor cant be easily forgotten by our Bayelsans. What lies ahead of Tuesday's Election? only time gonna tell..

News making the rounds has it that Timi Alaibe, a gubernatorial aspirant under the All Progressive Congress has brought violence, thuggery into the up coming APC gubernatorial primaries, slated for 22-9-2015.
Timi Aliabe is alleged to have coerced delegates into surrendering their PVC's after luring them to unknown destinations.
At a time when the All Progressive Congress has built a reputation for transparent electoral process, it is shameful that Timi Aliabe is bringing a guerilla tatics to an otherwise peaceful electoral process.

BAYELSA State is literally on fire and for good reasons. On December 5, people of the oil-rich state would file out to elect who governs them in the next four years. The tenure of Governor Seriake Dickson ends on February 14, 2016. Like Ondo, Ekiti, Edo and Osun states, Bayelsa did not participate in the last general elec­tions, following the nullification of the previous poll in the state by the Court which ordered for the conduct of a fresh one in the state.

As expected, the power brokers in the two main political parties –Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) are already at their best ahead of the election. At the mo­ment, all that matters in the state is the politics of who governs Bayelsa in 2016. Indeed, among the people, there is no sitting on the fence as the people are either for the PDP or APC.

And barely four months to the election, the entire state has become one huge billboard for governorship aspirants of the contending parties. There are all manner of posters from one part of the state to the other. It is politics all the way.

Suffice it to say that the forthcoming election has all the trappings of an epic battle.It has thrown up interesting intrigues, horse-trading and political calcula­tions.

But amid the struggle for the plum position, some of the ques­tions agitating the minds of ob­servers are: Who wins the gover­norship race on December 5? Has Governor Dickson worked hard enough to earn a second term in office? Will the bandwagon effect of Buhari’s emergence make the APC upstage the PDP which has controlled the state since 1999?

As the questions keep coming, analysts believe that several issues will determine where the pendu­lum will swing in the predictably tension-soaked election. They are:

Supremacy battle between APC, PDP

Given the outcome of the last general elections, there is no gainsaying that the coming Bay­elsa election provides yet another opportunity to the PDP and the APC to test their strengths and popularity. While the PDP will be trying to consolidate its influence in the state which it has controlled since 1999, the APC which is now the ruling party at the centre will be positioning itself to expand its popularity in the state.

It is one battle that will again bring head to head the two main actors in the last presidential election-President Muhammadu Buhari of APC and his predeces­sor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP.

As expected, what the APC will be hoping for is the possible bandwagon effect of Buhari’s emergence. The calculation is that power brokers in APC would try to sway a percentage of voters in the state to see reasons in sup­porting a party that is already in control of the centre. For many, it is not impossible for the APC to steal the show in the December 5 election considering that suc­cess comes with many friends and followers. It is little wonder that the victory recorded by the APC in the last general elections had attracted some former members of the PDP to its fold ahead of the governorship election.

However, in the thinking of many observers, it will be an uphill task for the APC to win the December 5 election in Bayelsa and their reasons are not farfetched. One is the fact that Jonathan, the immedi­ate past president who has already endorsed Governor Dickson for a second term is from Bayelsa and a son of the soil.

Many Bayelsans are still brood­ing over the manner Jonathan, their kinsman was removed from office in the last presidential elec­tion and may be waiting to take its pound of flesh from the APC in the next election.

In the calculation of some observers, sentiment would play a major part in deciding who wins the election . Majority of voters in the state may be constrained to support the party which made an indigene become the first president from the Niger Delta region.

The permutation in many quarters is that having lost the last election, Jonathan is unlikely to allow his party to lose the coming governorship election in the state. In the estimation of analysts, the influence of Jonathan will come in handy in the election considering that even his critics know that his administration had a significant impact in the lives of Bayelsans.

In line with the mood in the state, former First lady and wife of President Jonathan, Patience recently reconciled with Gover­nor Dickson. There were reports that Dame Jonathan and Dickson had not been the best of friends throughout the period of Jona­than’s failed re-election bid.

It is in the light of that, that many see her support for the gov­ernor’s re-election as a major boost in the election. Dame Patience Jonathan is considered a factor in the politics of Bayelsa because of her popularity among the women­folk who are a critical segment of the voting population.

Many believe that Mrs Jonathan did not have a choice but to sup­port Dickson as that would help to protect her husband’s relevance in the politics of the state.

But there are those who argue that the endorsement of Dickson by the former first couple did not may work against Dickson. The move clearly did not go down well with some aspirants in the PDP who feel that such a development does not provide a level playing field for all the stakeholders. What seems to be working for Dickson however is that he remains the best option for the PDP in the battle with the APC for the governorship seat.

Former governor of Bayelsa State, Dipreye Alamieyeseigha at the declaration ceremony of Governor Dickson captured the scenario thus: I am glad that at last, President Jonathan came out openly to support Governor Dickson. It is possible he would have been doing that privately but recently and on the declaration day, he impressed me because he came out openly in support of Governor Dickson.

“For so many reasons which we know as politicians in the state having lost at the centre, you can­not protect your house for people to invade your privacy, it is not done”.

So, the thinking in many quar­ters is that from whichever angle one looks at it, the Jonathan factor will occupy the minds of major­ity of Bayelsans as they go to the polls.

Tinubu factor

Even though former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not from Bayelsa State, the rumour mill has it that he has more than a passing interest in who wins the December 5 election. Speculations are rife that the APC leader is be­hind the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), Mr. Timi Alaibe. For a particular school of thought, the former NDDC boss was actually prompted by Tinubu to challenge his main opponent in the APC primaries, Timipre Sylva who is a former governor of the state.

But that is at the realm of speculation because Tinubu was also quoted as having charged Bayelsans to ensure that Sylva becomes the next governor of the state in order to place the state on the right path.

“I want him to contest the gov­ernorship election because of his proven leadership qualities and our belief that he can bring change to the state”, he said.

Tinubu who met Sylva at his Abuja home not only endorsed him as the party’s consensus candidate for the December 5, 2015 gover­norship election but commended him for his contributions to the de­velopment of the party in Nigeria, particularly Bayelsa State.

His words:“It is time for Bayel­sans to unite and support a person who can effectively enhance unity, provide opportunities for all and lead the people in a different direc­tion” .

He expressed total and unre­served support for Sylva’s aspira­tion to clinch the party’s ticket and governorship seat and mandated APC leaders and members in Bay­elsa to support his choice.

“If you want change, if you’re unhappy with the direction of Bay­elsa State, then you must join the governorship race and change the state for the people”, he said.

Many argue that irrespective of whoever he supports, with his antecedents in politics, his influ­ence in the election may not just be wished away. But his influence is likely to loom large at the level of APC primaries than in the main election.

The man Alamieyeseigha

In Bayelsa State, the popularity of the former governor has refused to go away. To many, he is like a movement as he has remained a major force in the politics of the state. Observers believe that his support for Governor Dickson would boost his chances in the guber poll to a large extent. Last week when Dickson declared for a second term, the popularity of Alamieyeseigha came to the fore at the Samson Siasia stadium venue of the event. The crowd at the ex­pansive stadium was electrified as soon as the man popularly referred to as the ‘Governor-General of Ijaw nation’ entered the venue. So many years after leaving office, the man’s popularity in Bayelsa and even beyond has continued to soar.

So, for many, the former gover­nor who was impeached in office under controversial circumstances has become a phenomenon in the politics of Bayelsa and whoever he supports may likely win the governorship race.

Incumbency

Not a few argue that the fac­tor of incumbency will be an advantage in the election. The calculation is that having ruled the state for four years, his achieve­ments would speak for him. In the estimation of many, even some of Dickson’s critics agree that he has touched the lives of Bayelsans in the provision of democracy dividends.

The implication is that in the build up to the election, while the governor would be flaunting his achievements in office to woo the electorate, the candidate of the APC depending on who emerges eventually would be attempting to convince them on what he wishes to do when he comes to power.

For instance, Dickson had declared a state of emergency in education and made it free and compulsory at the secondary and primary school levels. Under him, the state government has spent over N25 billion on turning around primary and secondary school education in the state. The Dickson administration has spent over N7 billion on the scholarship of post graduate and PhD scholars in reputable institutions abroad. The beneficiaries of the scheme cut across all qualified Ijaws and not necessarily Bayelsans.

Apart from his strides in virtually all sectors of the state’s economy, Dickson has remained one of the outstanding governors in the management of human and financial resources. Now that many states are heavily indebted and cannot pay their workers, the gov­ernor has kept a clean slate and has paid salaries of all civil and public servants in the state.

Apart from his achievements, there is always the tendency of the majority of the people to bend toward the incumbent governor because of the resources available to him.

However, supporters of the APC believe that the wave of change in the country will help the eventual candidate of the party to win the election. Among them, the mes­sage is that Dickson has not done enough to deserve a re-election.

The thinking in the APC circles is that having ruled the state in the last 16 years, the PDP has yet to touch up the fortunes of people of Bayelsa State .

Politics of defection

One of the issues of public dis­course ahead of the election is the defection of some PDP members to the APC. The development to many is a sign that all is not well in the PDP as losing such stakeholders from its fold could frustrate its chances in the coming election. Observers wondered why the PDP allowed its members to leave at this critical period before the election. However, another school of thought believes that the defection of the PDP members was not unexpected considering that over 98 per cent of them are appointees, associates and relatives of former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva. The thinking here is that in the first place, virtually all the defectors to the APC did not support Dickson’s governor­ship ambition in 2012. Some of the prominent defectors include Chief Timi Alaibe, Chief Clever Ikisikpo, immediate past Senator representing Bayelsa East between 2011 and 2015, former chairman of NDDC, Dr Tarila Tepepah, for­mer commissioner for Agriculture under Sylva, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha and former House of Representa­tives member (Yenagoa/Kolo­kuma/Opokuma federal constitu­ency), Hon Warman Ogoriba.

Others are former Acting Governor of the state, Hon Nestor Ibinabo, former finance Commis­sioner under sylva, Mr Charles Opuala and a host of other aides, appointees and associates of Sylva.

Outcome of primaries

For those conversant with the dynamics of politics, the result of the primaries of the two major parties would have an effect on the election. At the last count, about 18 aspirants of the APC declared interest to fly the party’s flag in the coming election.

However, many believe that in the APC, the race is between the former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva and former Manag­ing Director of the NDDC, Timi Alaibe. Followers of events in the state believe that it is going to be a tough battle for the two major contenders to the flag of the APC.

Some argue that having ruled the state before, Sylva is likely to clinch the ticket considering that he has sustained a political structure in the state since he left office. They also argue that Sylva made the APC what it is in Bayelsa today. Recall that Sylva was very prominent in APC even when former President Jonathan who is a son of the soil was in power. Many see that as a rare boldness and commitment to the party. Those in support of this argument believe that the only commensurate com­pensation for his sacrifice would be giving him the APC flag in the December 5 election.

However, supporters of Timi Alaibe argue that the former NDDC boss remained the most qualified aspirant to the party’s ticket. The belief is that the APC needs a fresh candidate and not Sylva who had governed the state before. Their thinking is that Sylva’s first outing in office was not fantastic enough to deserve an­other mandate. Senator John Kojo Brambaifa is one of the elders of Bayelsa that is behind the aspira­tion of Mr. Timi Alaibe, a former Managing Director of the NDDC.

After obtaining the APC guber form for Alaibe, Brambaifa said: “We have decided to buy the forms for him and present him to our people as the most favourable can­didate because he will be the best to take the mantle of leadership in Bayelsa. “APC guidelines do not stop anybody who is a member of the party from contesting an elec­tion. Even if you joined yesterday, you have the same right to contest the election as somebody who joined two years ago.

“Don’t forget that Alaibe has a track record of achievements when he was in NDDC. At that time, he managed nine states. I don’t think one state will be a problem for him. So, we are confident that he stands the best chance to pick the APC ticket and win the election scheduled for December 5″.

So as it is, the permutation is that unless the APC manages its primaries well, there is likely go­ing to be a crisis after the exercise. There is even a school of thought that believes that some of the aspi­rants in APC are moles planted by the PDP to ensure that it does not get things right.

In the Bayelsa PDP, the situation is slightly different as Governor Dickson is almost the consensus candidate. Even though about six aspirants declared interest in the governorship seat, it is clear that Dickson will pick the ticket.

The calculation is that the PDP will find it easier to manage its post-primary crisis than the APC because of the number of aspirants who obtained guber forms in both parties. But in all, the answer to the question of who wins the governorship election in Bayelsa would come on December 5 when the people of the state would file out to vote.

Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, on Wednesday, premised his decision to contest for a second term as Governor based on the strength of his impressive scorecard of achievements in the last three and half years.

According to him, his achievements surpassed the abysmal performance of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while they were in public office.Governor Dickson, who made the comparison in a live radio and television interview in Yenagoa, said in addition to initiating projects that have impacted positively on the lives of the people, his administration also took over projects that could have been completed by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Citing the Sagbama-Ekeremor road initially awarded by the commission, he noted that, the project had been abandoned for years just like a number of such failed projects dotting the landscape of Bayelsa that had retarded the development of the state.While contending that most of his opponents in the All Progressives Congress (APC), were no match for his candidature, Governor Dickson reminded Bayelsans that, they failed to use their public office to attract development to the state.

His words: “We want an election run on ideas; on vision. The APC in Bayelsa has no candidate that can match my record of service.

I can’t wait for their candidate to emerge. I want to take them on, point by point. In the area of development, they should be prepared to engage the people on their record of service. All of them put together and the baggage that they all have; like failed roads in NDDC; those who started the foundation of what the NDDC is, let them debate with me on issues of development. They were running against 4 Governors at a stretch with all the combined budget of the Niger Delta States.

Commenting on his emergence as the sole candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Governor, who described the screening process as smooth, attributed his success to his achievements in office and the active roles he has played in the affairs of the party at both state and national levels.

He commended the other contenders to the party’s ticket for participating in the process and urged them to accept the verdict of the screening committee and join the already existing formidable team to work for a landslide victory for the PDP in the December poll.

“I am not surprised today that I am the candidate of my party for the general election. I have always been the presumptive candidate of my party for the general election because every incumbent is a presumptive candidate of his party for re-election particularly under the rules and regulations of the PDP.

If in our party, you are running against a PDP President or Governor, you should know that you are running against the leader of your party.“I’m delighted as the candidate of my party. I have led this party through thick and thin at very trying moments to victory in the state. And, I have played several active roles, even at the national level.

Moving forward, I expect everybody to be on board. I am a consensus builder, and so we will build the right consensus and bring all players on board so that we can move as a team to what is expected to be a landslide victory for our party.”

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief PressSecretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

The story making rounds about the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta, Mr. Timi Alaibe, is posing a great concern to many who are close to this dude who lost his wife not too long ago. Timi who is also a very close friend to the president, we were informed, now has a very bad trait which is causing many people who know him in the FCT sleepless nights. The habit is sleeping with married women in the name of helping them secure contract using his contact in the Niger Delta region and his influence in the presidency.

Timi Alaibe who at a time aspired to become the governor of the South-South state of Bayelsa, we were informed, is so used to this act that he was recently said to have enjoyed a romp with three women at the same time while he was supposed to be doing his work, which is to find a lasting peace to the crisis in the Niger Delta region. It was said that the act happened recently when the ex-Militants paid a solidarity visit to the president in Abuja in the wake of the bomb blast that rocked the Federal Capital Territory on the day of the country’s 50th independent anniversary.

Timi who is supposed to be at the forefront of the whole thing owing to his role as Special Assistant to the President on the region, instead of being visible there was said to be enjoying the company of the three married women in an undisclosed location. The women we gathered will be getting their pay via contracts they will be executing for the government on the Militants Resettlement Programme. The situation is so bad that he was rumoured to have slept with wives of many, even some whose husbands are chieftains of the PDP who might have approached him for contracts, with nobody daring to challenge him because of his influence with the president.

Thursday, the 10th of September was the scheduled day for the screening of gubernatorial aspirants on the PDP platform at the South-South PDP zonal office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It went well and we were asked to collect the results on a later date.
Following the screening exercise, I requested from the other aspirants, whom I regard as brothers, due respect for the tenets of democracy by adhering to the outcome of the proceedings. I publicly extolled Architect Reuben Okoya, also an aspirant, and would like to do so here as well. He graciously withdrew from participation in the race, releasing a statement to that effect. In it he affirmed that in consideration of the overwhelming support and solidarity that I enjoy from the leaders and members of our party, he hereby announced his withdrawal from the process. I consider this an exemplary act of fellowship and I aim to engage with him in future as I will with other aspirants and stakeholders.
I also stated that moving forward, the next line of action would be to strategize on the PDP state congress and subsequently draw up plans for the campaign that would take the restoration team to all nooks and crannies of the state.
After the screening exercise, I paid a courtesy visit to Chief Nyesom Wike, the present Governor of Rivers State at the Government House, Port Harcourt and I commended him on the efficacious quality of his leadership and service, evident after a hundred days in office.
On Friday 11th of September, we visited a founding member of our political party - PDP, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, who served as the senate representative for the Bayelsa East constituency, 2007—2011, at his country home in Ogbolomabiri, Nembe L.G.A. Accompanying me were my able deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah; Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; Acting State Chairman of PDP, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff; Chief Thompson Okorotie and other well-placed politicians.
Like the other leaders of our party, Senator Amange gave us his unstinting endorsement, using the opportunity to declare as reprobated, rumours labelling him a defector from PDP. I am confident that with Senator Amange behind us, we will succeed. I am equally sincerely grateful to him for accepting the position of Vice Chairman of our Campaign Advisory Council, with Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha serving as the Chairman. The warm reception given to us by various groups—which included the chiefs, women committees, youths and transport motorcyclists of Ogbolomagbiri—will remain a treasured memory for me.
Thank you for standing with me.
Celebrate … Our Bayelsa, Our Future!

The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary explains integrity as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that one believe and stands and for which he refuses to compromise. A man with integrity goes with self discipline. He protects what he believes and stand for.He has a name to protect. He, like Joseph who escaped from Portipher's wife, escapes from evil not to stain his name. He or She is law abidding. His actions and inactions are controlled by the rules of the game. He is honest crime free and less self willed.
On a wider note, a leader with integrity is one who eshew evil and always protects the honest and moral principles he stands for. He executes the law and therefore he is not the law breaker.
Furthermore, sworn to an oath, as it were, to protect the constitution and the sovereignty of the country, he believe and stand by constitutionalism and the rule of law in a democratic society.
ln Nigeria, leaders range from chairmen and cansellors of local government areas, to Governors, Deputy Governors, members of Houses of Assemblies, Commissioners, and Permanent Secretaries at the states level, the President, Vice President, Ministers, Senator President, Speakers, Senators and House of Represenrative members just to mention a few. lt is expected that leaders exhibites or display integrity at various areas and positions of authority. Those who claim fighting corruption should be corruption free, not biase and sectional. They should have a name they are out to protect for posterity. Not only that, their personal interests not to outgrow the inerest of the country. ln the same vein, those who speak against bad government must ensure that they do not only speak out of hypocricy but are examplary with integrity. A man cannot call a thief a theif if he is also a theif.
There is no doubt that the bane of nigeria's socio-economic underdevelopment is corruption and lack of integrity in the leaders and majority of nigerians. Permit me to say here that where we are today is that a lot of our past leaders ruled without integrity and at the same time most nigerians accepts unholy political appointments. lt is on record, the late legal luminary Chief Gani Faemi and the late famous human rights activist Ken Saro Wiwa all of blessed memory severaly refused appointments from the then illegitimate administrations for what they stood for.
Today, the APC and President Buhari's administration is no other change system but another hypocritical government with leaders without integrity. A critical look at some of the appointments and those accepting some of the appointments, those singing praises and as well as religious leaders associating themselves with the system need socio-medical solution to lack of integrity. Events unfolding in recent times has shown that there has been constitutional breaches, and codes of moral conductes serialy violated in the system. Corruption which the government claim to be fighting is openly ecouraged because the process is one directional. Religious biggotary, electoral frauds, faleshood, drug trafficking, child stealings,examination malpractices, cultism in schools, oil bunkering, fales declaration of assets and above all accepting unholy political appointments are on the rise as a results of lack of integrity among nigerians and the leaders.
Consequently, as the usual saying goes, if anyman sets his heart on becoming a leader, he must be above reproach, temperate, self controlled, respectable, hospitable, not given to drunkeness, not violent but gentle and not a lover of money.
He must be able to manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with the proper respect. He must not be a novist or he may become conceited and fall into the same trial. Finally, remember, a corrupt man cannot fight corruption and as well a man who do evade tax or do not in anyway contribute to the growth of the economy have no moral right to abuse a leaders. A lot of nigerians and their leaders are tax evader, abusers of themselves by way of being indiscipline at public places etc.
Who is fooling who APC ?

As expected, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the December 5 governorship poll in the state.
His emergence, it was learnt, followed the disqualification of Dickson’s two other contenders for the governorship ticket – Senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Senator Emmanuel Paulker and a former Local Government Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Chief Ebikintin Diongoli.
Reasons for their disqualification were yet to be ascertained as at press time but they were said to have been disqualified on Saturday during their screening at the party’s zonal office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Confirming the successful screening of Dickson, the Bayelsa PDP spokesman, Osom Makbere, said he was not aware of the reasons for their disqualification.
The spokesman, said, “All I know is that Governor Dickson was successfully screened. However, I am not aware of the statuses of the duo of Senator Emmanuel Paulker and Ebinkintin Diongoli.
“I only heard they were disqualified and I have not bothered to seek for reasons. For me those matters are inconsequential. The screening committee knew why it disqualified them”.
He, however, disclosed that there will still be a primary election despite the fact that Dickson is the only man standing in the PDP.
“There will still be primary. The fact that only one candidate registered for an exam or one person is qualified for an interview does not mean the interview or exam won’t go on. The party will still need to assess the intelligent quotient of their candidate”, Makbere said.

Some Bayelsans criticize the Restoration Administration, asserting that Governor Dickson is low on job creation. Yesterday in the Governor’s interaction with youths, it was revealed that about 200 persons have been employed in the Forestry Department alone. The Bayelsa Volunteers, the Ministry of Education, SUBEB, and the Ministry of Agriculture also created some jobs. Bayelsans know those who were employed in the Ministry of Justice and other new institutions established by the Restoration administration. So the facts on ground prove otherwise. I think the Social Media platform has increased and added value to the openness of government. The public transparency perception index is getting higher, so does public consciousness.
The Ministry of Science, Technology & Manpower Development was created by the Governor Seriake Dickson Administration in 2012. The Ministry has achieved the following:

1. The Ministry facilitated two hundred and fifty thousand persons (250), out of which 102 are Bayelsans, were sent to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for training as cadets and Ratings in Maritime Engineering, Nautical Sciences and Naval Architecture in Europe.
2. One Thousand (995) Bayelsa indigenes were trained by ITF, in Fisheries, ICT and garment making
3. 18 pupil surveyors trained in the School of Survey, Oyo State
4. Selected twenty (20) Computer Science and Computer Engineering graduates to train in Advanced ICT on Security and Safety in China for the Bayelsa Safe-House Project. It is a global peace, safety and security programme.
5. Two hundred (200) youths are rounding off a skills training programme at the King Amachere Royal Academy in Cotonou, Republic of Benin to obtain international certification in Automotive Technology, Automotive Electrics & Electronics, Automotive Body & Paint Repairs, Cinematography photography, Graphics and Animation, and Fashion Design.
6. In Partnership with Afrigrant Resources Limited (Bayelsa Incubation Centre Eight Persons ( persons were trained as ‘’train the trainers in the University of Indiana’’ USA, in Entrepreneurial sensitization and Mentoring
7. In Partnership with Afrigrant Resources Limited, Bayelsa Incubation Center Fifty persons (50) were trained in Entrepreneurial Skills.
8. Federal Ministry of power National Apprenticeship Scheme to train 50 graduates and interested persons in Electrical Skills. Flag off done, awaiting further information on posting of trainees to training facilities.
9. Nigerian content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to train 30 in vocational skills that would be employed to build the 15 proposed storey NCDMB HQ building in Bayelsa.
10. National Automotive Council trained 68 youths in Repair of Tricycle
11. Federal Ministry of the Communication Technology under Rocky Feller Foundation trained 800 in internet business skills.
12. Federal Ministry of Communication Technology trained 16 Female youth in ICT Skills.
f) In partnership with fragrant Recourses Limited, (Bayelsa Incubation Center) Eight persons ( were trained as train-the-trainers in the University of Indiana, USA, in Entrepreneurial sensitization and Mentoring.

g) In partnership with Fragrant Recourses Limited, (Bayelsa Incubation Center) Fifty persons (50) were trained in Entrepreneurial skills.

h) Fed Min of Power National Apprenticeship scheme to train %0 graduates and interested persons in Electrical skills. Flag off done, awaiting further information on posting of trainees to training facilities.

i) Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to train 30 in various vocational skill that would be employed to build the proposed 15 storey NCDMB HQ building in Bayelsa State .

j) National Automotive Council trained 68 youths in Repair of Tricycle

k) Federal Ministry of communication Technology under Rocky Feller Foundation trained 800 in internet business skills.

l) Federal Ministry of Communication. Technology trained 16 Female youths in ICT skills

ii) Employment
In line with the approval of the State Executive Council Resolution (BYSG/SEC
(2013) Meeting 19, problem , the Ministry facilitated the following
Employment.

a) Seven (7) indigenes were employed into various federal Ministries of Education, Works, Trainsport, Labour and Productivity and Foreign Affairs.

b) SEEFOR employed 1.500 youths

c) Five (5) into UBA and Ecobank.

d) Ten (10) of those trained in Advance ICT for the Bayelsa Safe-House Project; a global peace, safety and security programmed have been employed by the Bayelsa state government on completion of their programmed in China.

e) Ten (10) Best Graduating Students of BYCAS by the State Civil Service commission.

f) Employment Twenty six (26) into the National Broadcasting Cooperation

g) Mutual Benefit Assurance. More than 300 persons were sent for interview at various times, so far 15 have been employed as Marketers.

h) Sure-P Graduate Internship Scheme has registered over 1,500 candidates yet to the fully engaged-Deployment plan of about 800 graduates ready. Take off date of the scheme in Bayelsa state is 3rd August, 2015.

iii. Miscellaneous
Collaborated with the following MDA and MDA to achieve the following:
a. In August 2012, received and accompanied the then Hon. Minister for Science& Technology, Prof ITA Ewah on a two-day state visit to Otuoke, and Oloibiri to Establish. Ward Based Cluster Concept for the transfer of Technological skills that would promote Rural Industrialization and Job creation, and also to Odi to inspect the Biotechnology Center

b) Initiated and established an Ad-hoe committee, approved and inaugurated by His Excellency, Governor of BYS to produce the Modalities and Administrative structure, functions and MISS for the Ministry.
c) State Ministry of Information through its agencies gibes free publicity to job adverts sent from the Ministry.

d) Technology Incubation center Yenagoa has trained and empowered citizens in technology skills

e) Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce for Human Capacity building for SMEDAN.

f) Bayelsa Enterprise and skills Transformation (BEST) Programmed. Growing Business Foundation (GBF) in NGO-conducted a baseline survey of 200 communities in the State on Nature and Ownership of business to empower women and youths through training, mentoring, positioning them to receive loans from the State Govt.

g) Tock over and continued with the joint Date Base exercise, which is now summarized into four sections and bonded into six volumes by the Ministry. There is a reviewed format that can be assessed online via the Ministry’s portal.

h) Accompanied the federal Ministry of Science and Technology officials on several occasions to meet with Otueke community to discuss on donation of site foe the proposed Ward Bases Cluster Project. Chief Otazi had pledged to donate land which the Federal Ministry assessed as insufficient Last visit was in March 2014.

i) Successfully hosted the 3rd National Council of Communication Technology 2014.

j) Represented the Ministry to attend Launching of Federal STI policy in Abuja

k) Attended the NCST meeting at Ibadan and Minna, in March 2013 and 2014 respectively.

l) Secured approvals to undertake the Construction of a Science and Technology Centre for Excellence and Innovation. Construction commenced January 2014. First milestone certificate issued for Administration and Vocational Buildings and that of External Works; the ICT building contractor abandoned the project and the job is now done by direct labour.

m) Secured approval to rent our former office premises at Okaka, installed a transformer there and subsequently moved out to occupy this current office space allocated in November 2014.

n) Refurbished an abandoned 30KVA Generator used by the defunct Employment Center.
o) e-Governance Bill Sent to MO Justice

1. Timi Alaibe has always influenced contracts awarded in NDDC. One of such of such contracts is contract awarded to PELFACO Limited to construct shore protection project in Okerenkoko Community, Warri South West LGA in Delta State? . The contract was awarded at the cost of N317 Million but the NDDC Chieftain from Bayelsa Sate jerked it up to N980 million; and this was done without the knowledge of the Board. Cases of over-invoicing of contracts are very many during the Alaibe's days in NDDC

2. Another shore protection contract was awarded at Ogborode in Warri West LGA at the cost of N317million but The Emperor did a variation to the sum of N1.2 billion. Like a mafia boss, he placed the most influential anti- corruption crusaders Mr. IBRAHIM LARMODE on his pay role and made them to look the other way.

3. As NDDC boss, Timi Alaibe never awarded contracts to Bayelsans, he rather awarded contracts to Yoruba people, Northerners and to his cronies. One of the major Construction Companies that benefited from Alaibe’s construction jobs was JCC Jide Construction Company owned by a Yoruba man.

4. Timi Alaibe contributed to the looting of Societe’General Bank which they rendered insolvent. He established INTERCHASE BANK at Rumuola, Port Harcourt and later ran to London with depositor’s money. So many Ijaw people who deposited money in INTERCHASE BANK were sent to untimely death. On his return, he was arrested and detained but with the help of Late Dr. Olusola Saraki, bribed his way through and regained freedom.

5. Timi Alaibe used NDDC stolen money to buy choice property and after buying such property registered them in the names of his cronies. Few of them can be mentioned here. Alaibe purchased properties in London with title number NGL331782 at 180 Verulam Court, Woolmead Avenue at a whooping cost of 180,000 pounds in 2005. Another of his property in London at property is said to have been registered to a suspicious real estate agent known as A3 Properties incorporated in Republic of Seychelles and managed by one Sterling Partnership based in 230 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JX. Only in Port Harcourt, Alaibe has three 4-star hotels.

6. In Bayelsa State, Timi Alaibe embarked on projects only in his Opokuma Clan. The 22 Water Projects NDDC embarked upon in Bayelsa State did not work for up to three months.

7. Timi Alaibe made a fraudulent attempt to acquire a Doctorate Degree and unfortunately paid huge sums of money to a fake University in the United Kingdom. Many people know about it. This is fraud taken too far.

8. Timi Alaibe goaded the then Akwa Ibom Representation Pastor Morfat to steal and sell 54 NDDC transformers and when Moffat was arrested and prosecuted by the EFCC, he abandoned him. He later used his connections in EFCC to get him released after Pastor Moffat had served 13 months detention.

9. Timi Alaibe spent over N45 billion at over-inflated cost to produce the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan. The Master Plan, which is not in use was a fraud concocted by Alaibe himself and it was the single most expensive budget item since NDDC was established. In preparing the 258-PAGE Master Plan, contracts were given to his cronies, bank drafts exchanged hands and nothing good was ever done.

ALAIBE INSTITUTIONALIZED CORRUPTION IN NDDC. ELECT SUCH A MAN TO HEAD A FAMILY AND THAT FAMILY IS FINISHED. HE WILL CONTAMINATE THE FAMILY WITH BAD IDEAS AND STEAL ALL THE RESOURCES.