Tag: Bayelsa State

Breaking: Against Oshiomhole’s wish, Douye Diri sworn in as Governor of Bayelsa

Against the wish of Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the Bayelsa State governorship election of 2019, Douye Diri has been sworn in as Governor.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Kate Abiri administered the oath of office to Diri, swearing him in as the 5th civilian Governor of Bayelsa on Friday after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented certificate of return to him in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment.

There would be no govt in Bayelsa from Friday night – Oshiomhole

National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole had faulted the Supreme Court judgment declaring the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Douye Diri as new Governor-elect in Bayelsa.

Oshiomhole said this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday while reacting to the apex court judgment.

He said the court would have borrowed a similar case that nullified governorship election in Bauchi.

“In 1999, there was a similar case in Bauchi involving Gov. Adamu Muazu.

“The court found out that the running mate was not qualified for whatever reason to contest that election and accordingly the supreme court nullified the election of Gov Muazu.

“And the court as a consequence, directed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election.

“I believe it is still the same supreme court and therefore we have asked our lawyers to exploit all lawful legal windows to ensure that Bayelsa people have a governor of their choice.

“Let me also say that it is not a state secret.

“If the supreme court has ruled that David Lyon cannot now be sworn in as the person who has the highest number of votes and the spread to be sworn in, it simply means from tomorrow there will be no government in Bayelsa state.

“From the facts available to us and in due consultation with our lawyers, it is clear that no candidate meets the requirements of the supreme court which means no one can be sworn in legally tomorrow, unless there is deliberate attempt to abuse the legal process,” he said.

Wike warns Oshiomhole against inflammatory remarks

In the heat of the Supreme Court judgement, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike called on the Federal Government to warn the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to stop making inflammatory remarks capable of destabilising the country.

Governor Wike also berated the APC National Chairman for saying that there will be no swearing-in of the PDP Candidate in Bayelsa State, saying he has no such powers.

He said: “The Federal Government should warn Oshiomhole to stop making remarks that will destabilise Nigeria.

“What he is doing in Edo State is not proper and he should not bring it to the rest of the Niger Delta.”

He said that Oshiomhole lacks the power to make pronouncements after the Supreme Court has ruled on the Bayelsa matter.

“Who is Oshiomhole to determine who has spread in a state? Supreme Court has made a ruling. It is unfortunate for Oshiomhole to come forward to say that nobody will be sworn in ” he said.

He said that Oshiomhole is making unguarded statements because he has lost the support of APC Governors, hence he wants to curry favour through careless talks.

He said: “It is most unfortunate what Oshiomhole is doing because he wants to retain his position as National Chairman. APC Governors have rejected him, that is why he is struggling to prove that he is fighting for the Party.

“He is making statements as if he owns the country. This is the same way he is carrying on in Edo State fighting the Governor.

“He believes that he has the forces to cause crisis. He is arrogating powers to himself, which is not good “, he said.

Governor Wike described Oshiomhole as a man who preaches one thing, then goes ahead to practise a different thing. He said the situation in Edo State has exposed Adams Oshiomhole as a godfather who once preached against godfathers.

He said Oshiomhole would not be allowed to destroy the Niger Delta. Governor Wike said the rule of law must continue to prevail at all times.

INEC bows to pressure, declares Sen. Diri winner of Bayelsa governorship election

In the face of pressure from different quarters INEC declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri, as winner of the Bayelsa governorship election following Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the declaration at a news conference on Friday at the commission headquarters in Abuja.

Yakubu said that INEC had received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment of the apex court which disqualified the deputy governorship candidate of the APC and vitiated the joint ticket of the party earlier declared winner in the election.

The court also ordered the commission to “declare as winner of the governorship election in Bayelsa state the candidate with the highest number of lawful votes cast with the requisite constitutional (or geographical spread).

“In compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, the commission met this morning and reviewed the result of the election in which 45 political parties contested.

“Without the votes scored by the APC, whose candidates were deemed not to have participated in the election, the total number of lawful and valid votes cast in the election now stands at 146,999.

“Out of this figure, the candidate of the PDP scored the highest number of lawful votes with 143,172.

“Similarly, the party has scored more than 25 per cent of the lawful votes cast in all the eight Local Government Areas of the State.

“Furthermore, the total number of registered voters in places where election was not held or cancelled as a result of sundry violations is 90,822. The candidate of the Accord party has the next highest score with 1,339 votes.

“The margin of lead between the candidates of the PDP and the Accord party is 141,833 votes. With this outcome, the election is conclusive at first ballot.

“Consequently, Sen. Diri and Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo of the PDP are hereby declared winners and returned elected as Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State respectively.’’

Yakubu said that detailed result would be uploaded on INEC’s website and social media platforms shortly.

He said that the commission was aware that the tenure of the incumbent governor of Bayelsa ended at midnight Friday Feb. 14.

“Therefore, in fulfillment of the requirement of Section 75 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) the Certificates of Return to the Governor and Deputy Govemor-elect will be presented to them immediately as ordered by the Supreme Court,’’ Yakubu said.

Bayelsa election: INEC presents certificate of return to Sen. Douye Diri of PDP

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had presented Certificate of Return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Douye Diri, as winner of the Bayelsa 2019 governorship election, in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment.

Diri was presented the certificate of return by National Commissioner in charge of South/South, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, on Friday at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Earlier, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had declared Diri winner of the state governorship election.

Yakubu said INEC had received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement of the apex court, which disqualified the Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and vitiated the joint ticket of the party earlier declared winner in the election.

“The court also ordered the commission to “declare as winner of the governorship election in Bayelsa State the candidate with the highest number of lawful votes cast with the requisite constitutional (or geographical spread).”

“In compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, the commission met this morning and reviewed the result of the election in which 45 political parties contested.

“Without the votes scored by the APC, whose candidates were deemed not to have participated in the election, the total number of lawful and valid votes cast in the election now stands at 146,999.

“Out of this figure, the candidate of the PDP scored the highest number of lawful votes with 143,172.

“Similarly, the party had scored more than 25 per cent of the lawful votes cast in all the eight Local Government Areas of the state.

“Furthermore, the total number of registered voters in places where election was not held or cancelled as a result of sundry violations is 90,822.

“The candidate of the Accord Party has the next highest score with 1,339 votes.

“The margin of lead between the candidates of the PDP and the Accord party is 141,833 votes. With this outcome, the election is conclusive at first ballot.

“Consequently, Sen. Diri and Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo of the PDP are hereby declared winners and returned elected as Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State respectively, ” he stated.

Yusuf said that detailed result would be uploaded on INEC’s website and social media platforms shortly.

He said that the commission was aware that the tenure of the incumbent Governor of Bayelsa ended at midnight Friday Feb. 14.

Receiving the certificate, Diri commended INEC and the judiciary for being the “last hope of the common man.”

“We pray and hope that God will heal our land, Bayelsa, and Nigeria. God has taken us through wide road and the road has taught us reconciliation, lessons” Diri said.

The Supreme Court on Thursday sacked David Lyon and Sen. Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, as governor and deputy governor-elect in the Nov. 16, 2019 Bayelsa governorship election.

Justice Ejembi Eko, who delivered the lead judgment, reinstated the Nov. 12, 2019, judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which disqualified Degi-Eremieoyo from participating in the governorship poll.

The court held that the trial court was right in finding the deputy guilty of presenting false information to INEC.

The Justice Mary Odili-led panel, held that no person shall be qualified to contest election if he presented false information for the purpose of election.

The apex court ordered that the certificate of return be withdrawn immediately from the governor and his deputy and be issued to the candidate with the second highest votes in the Nov. 16, 2019 election.

Diri was accompanied to INEC by some party leaders and his supporters.

February 14, 2020
Violence in Bayelsa: PDP calls for Oshiomhole’s arrest

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed to immediately pull in the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole for questioning and prosecution for incitement.

The party said the violence and arson being perpetuated by APC agents in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital, on Friday, was in furtherance of Oshiomhole’s inciting call that no governor would be sworn-in in Bayelsa state, contrary to the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“Oshiomole’s statement was a direct call for sedition and violent subversion of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the statutory authority of the Supreme Court and the mandate of the people of Bayelsa state.

“He should therefore be pulled in immediately for prosecution for inciting violence and arson in the state.

“Nigerians can recall that our party had on Thursday cautioned Oshiomhole over his utterances and apparent plots to cause violence and a breakdown of law and order in the state.

“The world however watched with horror as APC agents, chanting APC slogans, assaulted the people of Bayelsa state, set the PDP secretariat in the state ablaze, attacked the premises of Radio Bayelsa, vandalized vehicles and equipment, took over major highways and attacked travellers, all in the bid to violently subvert the judgment of the Supreme court and forcefully take control of the state.

“The PDP therefore charges the people of Bayelsa, the security agencies and Nigerians at large, to hold Oshiomhole responsible and accountable for the violence in Bayelsa state and deal with him accordingly in line with the provisions of our laws.

“Oshiomhole must be brought to book and stopped from the use of garrulity and clear misuse of language to cause crisis in our country,” a statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP read.

February 14, 2020
BREAKING: Bayelsa Governor-elect, Diri receives Certificate of Return

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Certificate of Return to candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri, as winner of the Bayelsa 2019 governorship election, in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Diri was presented the certificate of return on Friday at INEC headquarters in Abuja by the National Commissioner in charge of South/South, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu.

Earlier at a media briefing, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the Commission had received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement of the apex court, which disqualified the Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and vitiated the joint ticket of the party earlier declared winner in the election.

In compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, the Commission met this morning and reviewed the result of the election in which 45 political political parties contested.

Without the votes scored by the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose candidates were deemed not to have participated in the election, the total number of lawful and valid votes cast in the election now stand at 146,999.

Out of this figure, the candidate of the PDP scored the highest number of lawful votes with 143,172. Similarly, the Party has scored more than 25% of the lawful votes cast in all the eight (8) Local Government Areas of the State.

“Furthermore, the total number of registered in places where election was not held or cancelled as a result of sundry violations is 90,822. The candidate of the Accord party has the next highest score with 1,339 votes. The margin of lead between the candidates of the PDP and the Accord party is 141,833 votes. With this outcome, the election is conclusive at first ballot.

“Consequently, Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo of the PDP are hereby declared winners and returned elected as Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State respectively,” the INEC Chairman stated at a media.

Receiving the certificate, Diri commended INEC and the judiciary for being the “last hope of the common man.”

“We pray and hope that God will heal our land, Bayelsa, and Nigeria. God has taken us through wide road and the road has taught us reconciliation, lessons” Diri said.

The Supreme Court on Thursday sacked David Lyon and Sen. Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, as governor and deputy governor-elect in the Nov. 16, 2019 Bayelsa governorship election.

Justice Ejembi Eko, who delivered the lead judgment, reinstated the Nov. 12, 2019, judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which disqualified Degi-Eremieoyo from participating in the governorship poll.

The court held that the trial court was right in finding the deputy guilty of presenting false information to INEC.

The Justice Mary Odili-led panel, held that no person shall be qualified to contest election if he presented false information for the purpose of election.

The apex court ordered that the certificate of return be withdrawn immediately from the governor and his deputy and be issued to the candidate with the second highest votes in the Nov. 16, 2019 election.

Diri was accompanied to INEC by some party leaders and his supporters.

February 14, 2020
INEC bows to pressure, names PDP’s Diri governor-elect, releases detailed results of Bayelsa election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Governor and Deputy Governor-elect of Bayelsa State, will be presented Certificates of Return immediately as ordered by the Supreme Court.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu made this known on Friday at a media briefing on the Bayelsa State Governorship election held at the conference room of INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Following the Supreme Court judgement, see detailed results of Bayelsa election below:

Detailed results by order of the Supreme Court

Read INEC Chairman remarks at the media briefing below:

MEDIA BRIEFING BY THE CHAIRMAN, INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC), PROFESSOR MAHMOOD YAKUBU ON THE JUDGEMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT ON THE BAYELSA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION HELD AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, INEC HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA, ON FRIDAY 14Th FEBRUARY 20,20

Honourable National Commissioners Secretary to the Commission Directors The M.ia Ladies and Gentlemen

1. 1 welcome you all to this briefing. As you are aware, the Supreme Court of Nigeria yesterday delivered a judgement in a pre-election suit on the Bayelsa State Governorship election held on 16. November 2019. The Commission has received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement of the apex court which disqualified the Deputy Governorship candidate and vitiated the joint ticket of the party earlier declared winner in the election. The Court also ordered the Commission to “…declare as winner of the Governorship election in Bayelsa State the candidate with the highest number of lawful votes cast with the requisite constitutional (or geographical spread)”.

2. In compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, the Commission met this morning and reviewed the result of the election in which 45 political political parties contested. Without the votes scored by the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose candidates were deemed not to have participated in the election, the total number of lawful and valid votes cast in the election now stand at 146,999. Out of this figure, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored the highest number of lawful votes with 143,172. Similarly, the Party has scored more than 25% of the lawful votes cast in all the eight (8) Local Government Areas of the State.

3. Furthermore, the total number of registered in places where election was not held or cancelled as a result of sundry violations is 90,822. The candidate of the Accord party has the next highest score with 1,339 votes. The margin of lead between the candidates of the PDP and the Accord party is 141,833 votes. With this outcome, the election is conclusive at first ballot.

4. Consequently, Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo of the PDP are hereby declared winners and returned elected as Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State respectively.

5. The detailed results will be shared with you at this briefing and uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms shortly.

6. The Commission is aware that the tenure of the incumbent Governor of Bayelsa State ends at midnight today Friday 141 February 2020. Therefore, in fulfilment of the requirement of Section 75 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), the Certificates of Return to the Governor and Deputy Governor-elect will be presented to them immediately as ordered by the Supreme Court.

7. 1 thank you for your presence.

February 14, 2020
Bayelsa oil communities reject oil companies’ MoU

Oil-bearing communities in Nembe Council Area of Bayelsa has described as fraudulent the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) drawn by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in their areas.
The communities said this at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC) in Yenagoa.
The commission is holding a week-long interactive engagement with stakeholders in the eight local government areas of the state.
The engagement is aimed at ascertaining the impact of oil spills on the environment, local communities, livelihoods and the health of the people.
King Loveday Emina, the Amayanabo of Dorguama, said the GMoUs were deceitful, adding that most of the multinational oil companies were not ready to abide by the letters of the agreement.
He said: “The GMoUs are mere fallacies. The oil companies are only deceiving the communities with the documents and will not be ready to clean up the environment when there is a spill or even provide necessary amenities for the people.
“The GMoU has never worked in any community in Bayelsa state. When I was nominated by my community as one of the negotiators of the GMoU, I thought we would sit down and discuss.
“Unfortunately, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) had already prepared a document for us to read and sign. They said we should not ask for anything other than what was in the document.
“We were not allowed to state our problems because they claim to know them more than us. Nothing has since been done by SPDC and our people are suffering.
“Our youths are jobless and are now resorting to militancy and other vices that are inimical to the society. Poverty is really biting us.
“The night life that we used to enjoy through gathering together for folktales has gone because of the fear of attack by our own people.”
A Community Leader from the Okoroma Clan, Mr Derry Patrick, accused the oil companies of using the revenue being derived from the oil exploration in their area to develop other areas, while the community where oil was first drilled in Nigeria was totally neglected.
“Our children are dying from pollution and suffering different kinds of ailments. Our rivers are polluted.
“Our fishermen will go out for fishing at night and come back the following morning with nothing because the fishes are all dead,” he said.
Another Community Leader from Fantou community, Chief Michael Olali, said Federal Government’s presence was not felt in spite of the abundance of oil in the area.
He said that the people of Nembe Creeks would soon stage a protest against the government and all the oil companies operating in the area.
“We live under leaking roofs and in mud houses. We even bathe in polluted rivers because we lack basic amenities. Our land is no more useful for farming because of oil exploration and spills.
“Our due should be given to us. Our people are not employed in the companies, even as cleaners and drivers. There are also no opportunities for scholarship from the companies,” he said.
Responding, the Chairman of the commission, Dr John Sentamu, expressed his commission’s commitment to finding out solutions to the myriad of challenges.
Sentamu, who is also the Archbishop of York noted that most of the complaints were not new but regretted that they had yet to be properly addressed.
The chairman, who was represented by a commissioner, Dr Kathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou, promised that all the grievances expressed by the communities would be reflected in the commission’s report and followed up with serious advocacy.

July 11, 2019
Bayelsa Starlets emerge third best at Africa Youth Cup

Bayelsa State-sponsored Restoration Starlets, on Saturday evening, came from behind to defeat Ivory Coast’s Deportivo Academy 2-1 in the third place game of the Africa Youth Cup tournament.

The match played at the beautiful Estadio National in Praia, the capital city of Cape Verde, saw the Bayelsa lads put up a sterling performance to the admiration of the crowd.

Special Adviser to the Bayelsa Governor on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, reported from Praia that the Ivorian young stars went ahead in the 20th minute of the game before Okere Wilson equalised from the spot in the closing moments of the first half.

The Starlets maintained their domination after the break with Wilson again putting his team ahead midway into the second half.

His twin strikes eventually proved to be the decider of the keenly contested encounter.

The Diepreye Teibowei-tutored boys were however full of praises for Governor Henry Seriake Dickson for the opportunity of participating in the tournament.

Captain Tarabina Biwerebo said Governor Dickson’s fatherly disposition has left an indelible mark on the team and on youths of the state.

He said the players deeply appreciate his support and encouragement, which made it possible for the Starlets to be part of the Cape Verde football showpiece.

“We are very thankful to our governor for giving us this opportunity. We are also happy that we are taking home a trophy to present to our sports loving governor to show our appreciation for his support and encouragement. We are very grateful to him,” Tarabina said.

The Commissioner for Sports Development and leader of delegation, Mr. Perekiye Buruboyefe, commended the players for their performance and discipline.

He said coming third in such a keenly contested tournament was not an easy feat considering that the team was assembled a few weeks before the departure to Cape Verde.

He hailed the resilience, dedication and discipline of the coaches and players throughout the competition.

“As a government, we are proud of the Starlets. They did not only make Bayelsa proud but also our country, Nigeria. They are indeed our worthy ambassadors,” he said.

The team’s Director-General, Mr. Ono Akpe, also showered encomiums on the players and the governor.

He said he was delighted that the contingent had a trophy at the end of the day to show for their modest effort.

“We were hopeful that the team will do well even though we knew our preparation for the tournament started late. We never wanted to disappoint our governor who gave his approval to participate in the Africa Youth Cup from the very moment we informed him about the invitation. His support was very sobering and encouraging.

“On our part, we want to continue to discover talents for the state and the country through the Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, which is the Restoration Cup, from which the bulk of these players were selected. So, the governor has again showed that he has genuine interest in harnessing and developing youths of the state,” Akpe noted.

Volcan Junior of Cote d’Ivoire defeated another Nigerian side, Pawas Academy of Jos 5-4 on penalties to emerge winners of the eight-team inaugural tournament.

The game ended 1-1 apiece during regulation time.

April 28, 2019
INEC fixes March 23 for Bayelsa Assembly supplementary poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it would hold House of Assembly supplementary election on March 23 in Bayelsa, in areas where election was declared inconclusive in Feb. 23, poll.

Mr Wilfred Ifogah, Head of INEC Voter Education and Publicity in the state, disclosed this in a statement issued on behalf of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Monday on Thursday in Yenagoa.

“The election will hold in five wards in Ogbia Local Government Area(LGA).

“It will also take place in two wards in Southern Ijaw LGA and one ward in Brass LGA,” he said.

According to him, the places where election will hold are: Otuokpoti, Ologi, Ayama and Okodi polling units in Ogbia constituency II, Ukube and Koluama units in Southern Ijaw constituency IV and some units in Cape Farmoso in Brass constituency I.

“INEC wishes to inform the people of the state, especially the critical stakeholders of the date for the conduct of supplementary election in the constituencies were election was declared inconclusive,” he stated.

March 14, 2019
Dickson, PDP shameless, people now know better, says APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has said the State Governor, Seriake Dickson and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are shameless and that the people now know better.

The party made this statement on Monday following a press release by Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in Yenagoa on the recent death of one of its personnel.

“Monday’s press release by the Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Yenagoa, saying the recent death of one of its personnel on Brass Island had nothing to do with last Saturday’s elections, has vindicated us.

“The naval rating was not killed on election duty. The Navy authorities revealed that the naval rating was on escort duty onboard a ship at the sea.

“The ship unfortunately came under attack offshore Brass, and he suffered a gunshot wound. He later died in a hospital in Twon-Brass.

“But in stark contrast to the Navy’s statement, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State had rushed a statement to the media alleging that APC was responsible for the death of the naval rating, and that he died on election duty.

“We have had cause to caution the unsuspecting public to take whatever comes from the mouth of the dying PDP in the state and Governor Dickson with a grain of salt.

“Governor Dickson and his party are pathetic liars. They have lied before. They are lying. They will continue to lie to cover their desperation, fear and ineptitude. No government can survive on the basis of lies, fake news and agitprop.

“Now that their latest lie has proven to be a cruel hoax, we expect the PDP and Governor Dickson to have the courage to apologise for shamefully misleading the public, raising a false alarm, and spreading rumour. But we know they will not.

“The governor and his party are shameless. Of course, the people now know better,” the statement signed by Doifie Buokoribo, State Publicity Secretary of the APC.

March 11, 2019
INEC releases results of 16 constituencies in Bayelsa, declares one inconclusive

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the results of 16 constituencies and declared one inconclusive in the Bayelsa Assembly poll held on Saturday.

Bayelsa has 24 seats in the assembly, and only 16 have so far been declared.

Mr Wilfred Ifogah, INEC Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity in the state, who announced this in Yenagoa on Monday, said there were hitches in Brass Constituency 1, where the election was declared inconclusive.

Ifogah said that out of the 24 seats in the state assembly, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won in 12 while the All Progressive Congress (APC) secured four seats.

“The Brass Constituency 1, is inconclusive and a new date will be fixed when plans are concluded.

“Results of seven constituencies including Ogbia I, II and III as well as Southern Ijaw constituencies I, II, III and IV, are still being awaited by the commission,’’ he said.

APC won in Brass II, polling 10,958 votes to defeat PDP that got 6,833 while in Nembe II, APC got 8,167 votes to defeat PDP that polled 401 votes.

Also in Nembe III, APC polled 10,906 votes as against 302 votes recorded by PDP and in Ekeremor II, APC also polled 17,428 to defeat PDP that got 11,184 votes.

The PDP polled 6,551 to defeat APC that got 2,142 in Brass Constituency III while In Nembe 1, PDP also polled 14,941 to defeat APC that polled 1,675 votes.

Other places where the PDP won were Kolokuma/Opokuma I, where it polled 7,478 to defeat APC that got 3805, and Kolokuma/Opokuma II, where the party scored 5,693 as against APC’s 2,697 votes.

In Yenagoa I, PDP polled 26,012 to defeat APC that got 1,976 votes while in Yenagoa II, PDP got 6,345 while APC scored 2,998 votes.

PDP also won in Yenagoa 111 with 3,674 as against APC’s 974 votes and in Ekeremor I, PDP polled 7,239 to defeat APC that garnered 3,945 votes.

March 11, 2019
Navy denies losing officer to electoral violence in Bayelsa

The Central Naval Command, Nigerian Navy, Yenagoa, has clarified that the rating officer that died in the command last Saturday was not due to violence during the State Assembly election in Bayelsa.

Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saidu Garba, made the clarification in a statement on Monday in Yenagoa.

Garba, in the statement signed by Commodore Joseph Akpan, Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, said the deceased did not die in Brass Local Government Area of the state as being speculated.

The flag officer commanding said that though the command lost a rating officer, his death was not related to either any violence or politics related.

He disclosed that the late naval rating was on escort duty onboard a ship at the sea which unfortunately came under an attack offshore Brass.

The flag officer commanding said the officer suffered a fatal gunshot wound and later died in a hospital in Brass town.

He said: “the command wishes to state unequivocally that personnel of the Nigerian Navy remains apolitical, resolutely neutral and will continue to adhere strictly to its professional code of conduct.

“The media is hereby advised to always verify information from the approximate source before rushing to press in order to avoid spreading fake news that is capable of misleading the public,” he said.

March 11, 2019