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Tag: Bayelsa State

  • INEC releases final candidates’ list for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi guber poll

    INEC releases final candidates’ list for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi guber poll

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for Nov. 11 governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi.

    Those listed for Bayelsa poll included Gov. Diri Duoye (PDP),Chief Sylva Timipre (APC), Mr Eradiri Udengmobofa (LP), Mr Osuluku Binalatefa (SDP) and Mrs Ogege Mercy (APP).

    The candidates for Kogi were Mr Leke Abejide (ADC), Mr Dino Melaye (PDP), Malam Ahmed Ododo (APC) and Mrs Suleiman Fati (ZLP).

    Those listed for Imo poll included Gov. Hope Uzodinmma (APC), Mr Ayanwu Samuel (PDP), Mr Odunzeh Ben(NNPP) and Mr Achony Nneji (LP).

    Mr Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner and Information and Voter Education Committee, said in a statement in Abuja the list was approved by the commission at its regular meeting on Tuesday.

    Okoye said that the decision was in line with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

    He said that the section required the publication of the list not later than 150 days to election day i.e. Friday June 9, following the period for voluntary withdrawal and substitution of candidates by political parties under Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “The final list has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

    “Same will be published in our State and Local Government offices in the affected States on Thursday June 8 ahead of the statutory deadline of June 9, “ Okoye said.

    The list showed that all 18 political parties fielded candidates for Kogi poll, while 17 parties fielded candidates for Imo and 16 parties in Bayelsa.

    The list also showed that two political parties fielded female candidates for Bayelsa poll, while only one party fielded a female candidate for Kogi poll.

    Okoye reminded political parties and their candidates that in line with timetable and schedule of activities for the election, campaign in public would officially commence on Wednesday, June 14 in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and ends on Nov. 9 i.e. 24 hours prior to election day.

    “We urge parties and candidates to conduct their political activities with civility and decorum as peaceful electioneering heralds a peaceful election.

    “Political parties and candidates have a responsibility to de-escalate tension, ahead of the election,” Okoye said.

  • Shell and Eni Responsible for Most Pollution in Bayelsa: $12 Billion Needed for Cleanup, New Report Finds

    Shell and Eni Responsible for Most Pollution in Bayelsa: $12 Billion Needed for Cleanup, New Report Finds

    Nigeria’s southern Bayelsa state is grappling with the devastating environmental consequences of decades-old oil exploration, requiring a staggering $12 billion for a 12-year cleanup, according to a recent report.

    The report places the majority of the blame on Shell and Eni, two major oil companies operating in the region, for the extensive pollution and ecological damage.

    Bayelsa is a significant oil-producing state located in the Niger Delta, an area plagued by pollution, conflicts, and corruption linked to the oil and gas industry.

    The oil majors in Nigeria have frequently faced legal battles over oil spills in the Niger Delta, often attributing them to pipeline sabotage, vandalism, and illegal refining.

    In 2019, the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission initiated an investigation into the impact of spills in the region, utilizing evidence from forensic scientists, blood samples from affected individuals, and company data.

    The commission’s findings were alarming, revealing that toxic pollutants from spills and gas flaring exceeded safe limits in soil, water, air, and even in the blood of local residents.

    The commission’s report unequivocally implicates oil companies in failures of strategy, prevention, response, and remediation.

    While the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited stated it had not yet received the final report and refrained from commenting, an Eni spokesperson attributed the oil spills to theft for illegal refineries, illegal exports, and sabotage, asserting the company’s commitment to remedying all spills.

    The report highlights the pervasive presence of toxins that cause burns, lung problems, and cancer risks, emphasizing that oil company-led clean-up efforts are often poorly executed, further contaminating the soil and groundwater.

    Adopting a United Nations model used in the past to calculate clean-up costs in Ogoniland, another polluted region in the Niger Delta, the commission estimates that the Bayelsa clean-up will require $12 billion over a span of 12 years.

    The pollution crisis in Ogoniland, despite a landmark $1 billion clean-up effort involving a U.N. agency, may be more severe than previously estimated, according to a group monitoring the project.

    These alarming findings underscore the urgent need for global attention and partnership to mitigate the devastating environmental and human consequences of oil pollution in Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta region.

    To shed light on the dire situation, the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission is presenting its final report, titled “An Environmental Genocide: Counting the Human and Environmental Cost of Oil in Bayelsa, Nigeria,” to the international community.

    The report’s presentation, scheduled to take place today at the House of Lords in London, aims to raise global awareness about the environmental degradation and its impact on the people of Bayelsa.

    Renowned figures in governance and international development, including Baroness Valerie Amos and former Ghanaian President John Kuffuor, chair the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission.

    Joining them at the event will be Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Amb. Sarafadeen Isola, environmentalist King Bubaraye Dakolo from the Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa, and former Archbishop of York Dr. John Sentamu, among others.

    The gathering seeks to garner international support and collaborative efforts to address the environmental crisis and protect the people of Bayelsa from further harm.

  • Labour Party drags Bayelsa Govt to court over LG election

    Labour Party drags Bayelsa Govt to court over LG election

    Some members of the Labour Party (LP) in Bayelsa, under the umbrella of Concerned Labour Party Critical Stakeholders of Bayelsa, have dragged the Bayelsa Government and its agents to court over their failure to conduct Local Government elections in Bayelsa.

    The applicants, including the Chairman of the state chapter of LP, and 14 LP councillorship candidates in Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa, are asking the court to compel the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) to conduct council elections after selling forms and publications of election guidelines.

    They are also seeking an order to stop a civil servant (Heads of Sagbama Local Government Council) from running the council, describing such actions as unconstitutional, illegal, and ultra vires the powers of the state government.

    At the pre-hearing at the Sagbama High Court on Wednesday, the presiding judge, Justice James Lockie, adjourned the matter to May 24 for hearing.

    Speaking to newsmen, counsel to the applicants, Afininh Egbegi, said the matter is being fought against the Bayelsa Government, BYSIEC, Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Head of the Local Government Administration, Sagbama Local Government Council, as first, second, third and fourth defendants.

    Egbegi said: “The applicants whom we represents have fulfilled all the conditions without exceptions, that is to say, they have bought their forms, filled the forms and even conducted party primaries for the emergence of candidates, who will run for the elections for the positions of chairman and councillors for the 14 wards in Sagbama LGA.

    “We have discovered that with the absence of election being conducted and with the expiration of the tenure of the previous local government chairmen and their councillors, Sagbama Local Government is being run by a public servant, the Head of Local Government Administration in conjunction with the government of Bayelsa State.

    “We believe this is a subversion of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We believe this is an oppression of the ordinary people and at this point we cannot continue like this.

    “That is why we have brought this application to compel BYSIEC and all the respondents to do what they should do according to law.

    “They owe us that, it is not a matter of somebody’s largesse. It is a question of a public duty.

    “We are also asking for injunctive reliefs against the Head of Sagbama Local Government Council, because it is an abuse of office for the head of a local government council.

    “We are glad that the courts are not asleep and our clients, the applicants, are peace loving people who believe in due process of law and the judiciary, have approached the courts.

    “We are seeking for a judicial review of the acts and conduct of all the respondents because we cannot stop this exercise midway.

    “The councils are not an appendage of the executive arm of government and these are weighty constitutional issues.

    “Before now, the strategy employed was to get caretaker committee but the Supreme Court has pronounced it unconstitutional, illegal and ultra-vires the powers of this state government.

    “Now we now have another strategy, using public officers like the Head of Sagbama Local Council disbursing public funds and running the system.

    “That cannot be done. That is an open seismic for corruption. But for now we will keep our gunpowder dry,” he explained.

  • What Sylva said after clinching Bayelsa APC governorship ticket

    What Sylva said after clinching Bayelsa APC governorship ticket

    Chief Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Leader of the APC in Bayelsa, on Sunday expressed appreciation to the party’s faithful after emerging as its candidate in the just concluded governorship primaries.

    Sylva said: ”This is not a personal victory, it is a collective one. Our party has once again demonstrated what true democracy is, how elections should be – peaceful, credible and reflective of the people’s wishes.

    “I thank the other aspirants. As a party and as a people we owe them a debt of gratitude. I do not see their move as one of ambition, all I see, all that can be seen is true love and patriotism for our state and party.

    “I thank members of our great party who came out en masse to vote. I know the dream that spurred you on – a better Bayelsa, a more accountable state, a truly prosperous state and the original Glory of All Lands.”

    Sylva, who enlisted the support of other aspirants who contested along with him, stated that they would work together to achieve the collective aim of returning to winning ways in the state.

    “I will work with the other aspirants and party stakeholders and we will create the Bayelsa we all yearn for; we will make every Bayelsa person proud of our state.

    “Our brothers and sisters from other political divides must have watched how the APC elections went.

    “We demand the same decorum in the general elections. Bayelsa people deserve the right to freely exercise their franchise, they must have a stake in their own state,” Sylva said

    Sylva was declared winner of the APC primaries by Gen. Ahmed Jibrin, Chairman of the APC  Election Committee for Bayelsa, on Saturday.

    Sylva, a former Governor of Bayelsa, would be facing PDP’s Gov Douye Diri who emerged unopposed from the party’s primaries for a second term.

    The APC had in 2019 won Bayelsa governorship seat in a landslide, but the Supreme Court in a verdict on the eve of inauguration, annulled the victory over irregularities in the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC.

  • INEC releases results of supplementary elections in Bayelsa

    INEC releases results of supplementary elections in Bayelsa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday declared Rodney Ambaiowei of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as winner of the Southern-Ijaw Federal Constituency supplementary election in Bayelsa.

    According to the result declared by the returning officer, Prof. Christopher Onyema, the PDP candidate, Ambaiowei, polled a total of 13,992 votes to defeat the incumbent member of the House of Representatives, Preye Oseke, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 12,992 votes.

    Also, INEC has declared the All Progressives Congress candidate, Godknows Obein, as winner of the Ogbia Constituency 2 supplementary election into the Bayelsa House of Assembly.

    The result declared by the returning officer, Prof. Johnson Ohakwe, indicates that Obein registered 5,291 votes to defeat incumbent legislator, Munalayefa Gibson, of the PDP, who had 4,342 votes.

    With the outcome, the Peoples Democratic Party will be having 17 seats in the seventh Bayelsa House of Assembly while the All Progressives Congress will be having five and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has two.

  • BREAKING: Former Minister, Sylva wins APC guber ticket

    BREAKING: Former Minister, Sylva wins APC guber ticket

    Chief Timipre Sylva has been declared winner of the Bayelsa All Progressives Congress (APC)  governorship primary, held on Friday.

    The result of the primary was announced at the APC state Secretariat in Yenagoa by the Chairman of the election committee, retired Maj. Gen. A T. Jibrin rtd.

    Jibrin said Sylva secured 52,061 to defeat five other contestants.

    He said Joshua Machiver got 2,078, Festus Danumiebi, 557, Prof. Maureen Etebu, 1,277, Chief David Lyon, 1,584, and Mrs Isikima Johnson, 584 votes.

    The committee chairman thanked all stakeholders in the state for the peaceful conduct of the governorship primary election.

    In his acceptance speech, Sylva, a former minister, solicited the support of other contestants in order to secure victory for the APC.

    Represented by Sunny Goli, a member of the House of Representatives, Sylva said: “Lets us work together as family to win the Bayelsa governorship election on Nov. 11, 2023”.

  • ICYMI: Timipre Sylva resigns as Minister of State for Petroleum

    ICYMI: Timipre Sylva resigns as Minister of State for Petroleum

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva has resigned from office.

    Unconfirmed sources said the minister has submitted his resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to the sources, Sylva has the intention to contest the governorship election in Bayelsa State and will participate in the forthcoming APC’s primary election which is likely to hold anytime in April.

    Sylva had governed Bayelsa for one term and has constitutional rights to contest for another tenure.

    Meanwhile,  when contacted,  the Minister’s Senior Adviser, Media and Communications, Horatius Egua said he could not deny or confirm the resignation because he had not seen the resignation letter or was officially informed of the resignation by the minister.

  • Labour Party reduces nomination fee for Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections

    Labour Party reduces nomination fee for Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections

    Labour Party on Tuesday reduced its nomination fees for the off-circle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states from N25 million to N15 million.

    Mr Julius Abure ,National Chairman of LP, made this known while addressing newsmen after a meeting with its elected Senators and House of Representatives members in Abuja.

    Abure said that the decision was reached after consulting with the party’s national leader and the presidential candidate of the party, Mr Peter Obi .

    “We have reviewed all the complaints about the high costs of nomination fees by the party in terms of nomination forms for the governorship election in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states .

    “I am pleased to announce to you that the nomination fees has been reduced from N25 to N15 million.

    “We have always been a listening party, we believe that this party is propelled and owned by the people.

    “Therefore, for us ,the leaders of this party, we shall always ensure that we listen to the yearnings and aspirations of our people and provide leadership by example.”

    Abure said that the nomination fee paid by its aspirants in Imo, late Mr Humphrey Anumudu would be refunded to his family to show leadership of compassion and empathy that the party stood for.

    He said that LP had eight Senators and 34 House of Representatives members in the just concluded elections  and congratulated them for the victory.

    He said that the party just concluded a meeting between its national leadership and the Senate and House of Representatives members elect to continue to build synergy and working relationship amongst them.

    “We must put on record here that all those who were elected on the platform of the party either to the House of Representatives or as Senators are well responsible and dedicated to the party .

    “For us to continue to provide quality leadership, we will continue to consult and we believe that they are men of integrity, they are women of high repute .

    ” I am sure they are also aware of the basis of which they were elected, they rode on the back of the people to the position where they are today,” he said.

    Abure said the party would build on the successes already recorded by the party to sustain the momentum and ensure that more Nigerians believed in the party.

    He sad the party’s legislators would provide quality leadership to the people and canvass alternative government policy as well as always identify with the cause of the people .

    He added that the party’s desire to take back the country and redeem the country from the shackles of poverty ,hunger, unemployment among others remain undaunted.

    “We shall continue to pursue these causes on behalf of Nigeria’s and we believe very strongly that the new Nigeria is still possible.

    “We use this opportunity to make it very clear that we will go after all those who stole the mandate that freely given to us by Nigerians on Feb. 25th and take them over lawfully .

    “These includes which was stolen alongside other mandates either at the level of states governorship or the level of state houses of assembly or the National Assembly.”

    Abure appreciated all Nigerians for the support the party enjoyed during the presidential ,governorship and House of Assembly elections especially those who lost their lives and wished the injured quick recovery.

  • Bayelsa guber: PDP clears Gov. Diri for primary election

    Bayelsa guber: PDP clears Gov. Diri for primary election

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cleared Gov. Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State to contest the party’s primary election for the Nov. 11 state governorship polls.

    The Chairman, PDP Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Screening Committee, Mr Philip Shuaibu, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing newsmen after the screening exercise at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

    Shuaibu, who is the Deputy Governor of Edo State, said Diri, the sole aspirant, was cleared by the committee because there was no encumbrance found in all the documents he tendered.

    “We have checked Diri’s documents and we have interviewed him. And he is worthy to contest the election.

    “Ordinarily as the incumbent and having been senator, there shouldn’t be any issues with his documents, but we didn’t rely on that.

    “In line with the electoral law, we still did our job. And we are glad to inform you that he is qualified to contest.

    “He has done well in Bayelsa State. And we are sure you will do well and consolidate the good work you have started,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee had presented certificate of clearance to Diri, who is the only aspirant contesting for the party’s ticket.

    Fielding questions from journalists after receiving his certificate, Diri expressed confidence that he would win the state election scheduled for Nov. 11.

    He said that his achievements in office and those of PDP would speak for him.

    “In terms of development, both infrastructure and human, the records are also there that will speak for our government.

    “Because we want to continue with the peace and security of our state, with the already recorded human and infrastructural development of our state, we believe that the only way for us to stabilise our state is to continue and go for a second term.

    “This is important, so that we will also hand over to others who will continue with the current peace and security that we enjoy in that state or the current level of human and infrastructural development.”

    Diri said that Bayelsa was not only a PDP state, but the government had done a lot in terms of completing many projects the previous administration started.

    “As a matter of fact, they call me the completion Governor. We are completing most of the projects that were embarked upon by the previous administration and adding new projects to them.

    “ I’m very sure that if you interact with those who live in Bayelsa, you will have every acknowledgment as to why this government has shared prosperity as to come on for re-election”, he said.

    Diri said  that PDP was firmly on ground in Bayelsa State, which was demonstrated in the just concluded general elections, where the party won all the three senatorial seats in the state.

    “We also won four House of Representatives out of five for PDP. So, we are talking about 100 over 100 for PDP

    “Also during last Saturday’s State House of Assembly elections, PDP won 20 out of the 24 seats available, while others won four.

    “The PDP Is a formidable party in Bayelsa State. A lot of people who left us leading to the 2019 general elections are back to the party.”

  • Governorship: David Lyon picks APC form for Bayelsa

    Governorship: David Lyon picks APC form for Bayelsa

    Mr David Lyon, a former Bayelsa Governor-elect, has purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the cost of N50 million to re-contest the governorship election.

    Mr Marlin Danier led other Bayelsa APC stakeholders to the party’s national secretariat on Friday in Abuja to pick up the forms on Lyon’s behalf.

    Danier, who was the pioneer Secretary of APC Bayelsa chapter, urged the party’s leadership to grant him the right of first refusal.

    This, he said, should be in appreciation of Lyon’s past success at the poll in 2020 before he was eventually sacked by the Supreme Court.

    The apex court, in a unanimous judgement by a five-man panel of Justices led by Justice Mary Odili, held that Degi-Eremieoyo, Lyon’s running mate, presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The judgment followed an appeal filed by Douye Diri, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) governorship candidate and his running mate, Lawrence Ewhruojakpo.

    Danier said it was unfortunate that Lyon  was denied the opportunity of rescuing the state as its governor.

    “Today we are presenting our principal, Chief David Lyon, a household name in Bayelsa and this country, a young man that gallantly fought a very colossus governor and won.

    “Today we are back here to get the APC expression of interest and nomination forms for him to go back and recontest the coming state governorship election.

    “Ordinarily, and under normal circumstances, he is supposed to be given the right of first refusal by the party. Sales of forms are not supposed to be made open,” he said.

    This, according to Danier, is especially because Lyon is the only person that can win Bayelsa governorship election for the APC, adding that he had been tested, tried and trusted.

    “As I talk to you, everyday, the PDP-led administration in Bayelsa is inviting pastors and Imams from different quarters to pray that David Lyon will not become APC governorship candidate.

    “He is their nightmare, they are comfortable with every other person, but not with Lyon.

    “I can confidently and categorically tell the world that if David Lyon is given the APC governorship ticket to represent it in the election, more than half of PDP members will come back to the APC,” he said.

    He urged APC national leadership to ensure a level playing ground for all contestants should there be other contestants to avoid going to court after the primary.

    Also speaking, Dr Stella Dorgu, Member, House of Representatives 7th Assembly assured that with Lyon on the ballot, APC would win Bayelsa.

    She, however, said there was need for rigorous campaign by all the party’s members in the state.

    “He is the one we know that will bring the trajectory of development to where every Bayelsa residence wants it to be,” she said.

    Mr Indutimi Komonibo, First Minority Leader Bayelsa House of Assembly, said Lyon would change the narrative for good in Bayelsa if elected as governor.

    He described Lyon as a philanthropist who was down to earth and had the capability and capacity to be governor of Bayelsa.

    “We have suffered enough for over three years, we have waited patiently because we are law-abiding people, even when our mandate was stolen.

    “We believe this is the time and this is the right time and God’s appointed time is now,” Komonibo said.

    The APC had announced that the Bayelsa governorship primary election holds on Monday, April 10 while the Congress to ratify the results of Imo and Bayelsa governorship primaries would take place on April 11.

    The 2023 Bayelsa governorship election will take place on Nov. 11, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The state incumbent PDP Gov. Douye Diri is eligible to run for re-election, but has not yet stated whether he will do so.