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Tag: Bayelsa State

  • APC denies colluding with military in Bayelsa

    The Bayelsa Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday denied allegation by Gov. Seriake Dickson that the party colluded with the military during Saturday’s polls to cause violence.

    Mr Doifie Buokoribo, the State Publicity Secretary of APC disclosed this on Monday in Yenagoa, adding that the allegation was to blackmail the party.

    The party said that it was regrettable that Dickson was raising a false alarm about violence during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    It added that the move was intended to mask the governor’s error and lawlessness during the exercise.

    Dickson had in a press conference raised a number of allegations, including that the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and its GOC colluded with APC chieftains to unleash violence that characterised the elections leading to deaths.

    He also said a ward chairman of PDP in Southern Ijaw and a photojournalist attached to the Bayelsa Government House were shot by the military, killing the party leader while the journalist survived the shooting.

    “Dickson specifically excoriated former Bayelsa Governor and APC leader, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    “In Dickson’s court, Sylva and APC stalwarts are guilty of hijacking of electoral materials, killings – and even terrorism.

    “Expectedly, the media has been awash with reports of “violence” by APC in parts of the state, particularly Twon-Brass and Bassambiri-Nembe.

    “We reiterate that the APC in Bayelsa and its leadership had nothing whatsoever to do violence during last Saturday’s elections.

    “Governor Dickson and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be held responsible,” it said.

    It would be recalled that the PDP ward chairman, Mr Seidougha Taribi and the photo-Journalist, Reginald Dei, were reportedly shot during the elections in Oweikorogha, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    Dei was reported be in a critical condition at Diete Koki Memorial Hospital Opolo, Yenagoa, while Taribi was said to have died on the spot.

    Spokesman of Army Brigade Major Jonah Danjuma, distanced the military from the alleged killings saying that on the contrary it arrested 15 armed men suspected to be thugs in a different area from where the deaths occurred.

    According to the APC, the governor’s allegation remains wild and unsubstantiated against the Nigerian Army, the APC and its leadership.

    IGP Adamu condemns attack on Police officers in Bayelsa

    Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has decried the attack on a DCP in Brass, Bayelsa State on Sunday, and has ordered for the immediate arrest, comprehensive investigation and diligent prosecution of persons involved, no matter their positions in society.

    The IGP, who described the incident as unwarranted and unprovoked, warns that under his watch, such brazen acts of impunity will not be condoned.

    Meanwhile, five (5) male suspects have been arrested in Umuahia, Abia State over an attack on a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who was patriotically defending the sanctity of the electoral system at a Collation Centre in Umuahia.

    “These attacks have once again highlighted the risks and hazards inherent in policing our clime, and the need for stakeholders and government at all levels to continue to support the officers and men of the Force in the discharge of their responsibilities,” Adamu said.

    However, the IGP commended all Nigerians, whom, by their words and actions, have clearly identified with the Force by denouncing these barbaric and uncivilized actions against Police Officers performing their legitimate duties.

    The IGP reassures the public that the two Officers are safe and in good health and are not under any form of unlawful restraint or detention.

     

  • 2019 elections: IGP Adamu condemns attack on Police officers in Bayelsa

    2019 elections: IGP Adamu condemns attack on Police officers in Bayelsa

    Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has decried the attack on a DCP in Brass, Bayelsa State on Sunday, and has ordered for the immediate arrest, comprehensive investigation and diligent prosecution of persons involved, no matter their positions in society.

    The IGP, who described the incident as unwarranted and unprovoked, warns that under his watch, such brazen acts of impunity will not be condoned.

    Meanwhile, five (5) male suspects have been arrested in Umuahia, Abia State over an attack on a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who was patriotically defending the sanctity of the electoral system at a Collation Centre in Umuahia.

    “These attacks have once again highlighted the risks and hazards inherent in policing our clime, and the need for stakeholders and government at all levels to continue to support the officers and men of the Force in the discharge of their responsibilities,” Adamu said.

    However, the IGP commended all Nigerians, whom, by their words and actions, have clearly identified with the Force by denouncing these barbaric and uncivilized actions against Police Officers performing their legitimate duties.

    The IGP reassures the public that the two Officers are safe and in good health and are not under any form of unlawful restraint or detention.

     

  • Thugs kidnap, strip DCP FSARS in Bayelsa

    Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal SARS, Kola Okunola, has been taken hostage by thugs allegedly loyal to Chief Timipre Sylva and the member representing Brass Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House òf Assembly, Israel Sunny-Goli.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Kemela Okara, said that the thugs led by Sunny Goli and backed by the military are mounting pressure on the Deputy Commissioner òf Police to accept fake results from Brass.

    He added that the Deputy Commissioner of Police refusal to sign the fake result caused a disagreement between the Police officer and a Major of the Nigerian Army and his men.

    According to him, the DCP who insisted on submitting the right results to INEC was token hostage in the waters and stripped naked by the thugs.

    The situation has caused serious tension in Brass. He lamented that the Nigerian Army seemed to have taken charge of collation òf the election results in Brass.

     

  • 2019 elections: Vote count commences

    Sorting and counting of votes have commenced at Otuoke Otazi playground and other units in Ward 13 in Ogbia Local Government Area of Baylsa after voting ended by 3.00 p.m.

    Ward 13 comprises five communities: Otuoke, Otuaba, Ewoi, Otuabula 1 and Otiabula 2.

    Mr Godfrey Amozi, INEC Supervisor told journalists in Otuoke on Saturday that people were no longer coming as at 3.00p.m which made voting to be closed and sorting of votes commenced.

    Counting commenced at exactly 3.45 p.m at Otuoke/Otuaba communities respectively.

    Party agents were seen monitoring sorting and counting of the votes by Collation Officers in various units of Otuoke.

     

  • Card readers malfunction, late arrival of materials mar elections in Bayelsa

    Late arrival of election materials and malfunctions of Card readers have marred Presidential and National Assembly elections in some local government areas of Bayelsa.

    The News Agency Nigeria correspondent who monitored elections in some polling units in Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenagoa and Sagbama Local Governments, reports that materials arrived at 10:03 a.m, against official 8 a.m. fixed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In some of the units, card readers were malfunctioning and voters were defranchised.

    At Igbawa square, unit 14, ward 7 in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government, Mr Timi Alaibe, former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was rejected by card reader before he was accepted after several trials.

    At unit 1 and 2, ward 7 Ofonbiri and unit 3 and 4 in Oluibiri, Opokuma, election materials arrived late.

    James Lucky, a Domestic Observer told NAN that there were late arrival of materials but the issue of card reader was corrected immediately and people voted.

    Mr Elvis Doukemezou, the Young Democratic Party (YDP) returning agent for Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency 2, urged INEC to improve on their performance in the future elections.

    Doukemezou, who while voting at unit 14, ward 7 in Igbainwari community, urged the electorate to be peaceful.

    However, in Yenagoa ward 7 and 11, Mr Kenneth, INEC officer, said the challenge from the card reader was also corrected and people were able to cast their votes.

     

  • 2019 elections: Card reader rejects Bayelsa Governor

    Smart card reader has rejected the thumb of Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, amidst reports of delays in arrival of election materials in some parts of the state.

    Dickson was however allowed to vote at Ward 2 unit 5 in Orerewari, Toru Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area at about 10.35 am after several unsuccessful trials on the card reader.

    The governor was allowed to vote after his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) was read manually and his name, signature and phone number were documented.

    Speaking after voting, Dickson noted that the failure of the smart card to read his thumb print was not new as it had occurred in the 2015 elections.

    He said that despite earlier complaints to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the glitches with the card reader had persisted.

    The governor expressed concerns over the reported cases of electoral violence in Nembe Basambri, Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor areas of the state.

     

  • Breaking: APC Chieftain, Yekini Nabena arrested with arms, ammunition

    Breaking: APC Chieftain, Yekini Nabena arrested with arms, ammunition

    Security agents a few minutes ago arrested a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, Yekini Nabena for possession of illegal arms and ammunition.

    Yabena who is the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the APC was arrested in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area while on his way to his community Trofani in Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa State.

    An eyewitness said the APC chieftain was undergoing interrogation before the security operatives received a phone call allegedly from Abuja, requesting them to set him free.

    According to the eye witness, the development sparked a mild protest by some residents of Odi who insisted that Nabena, a strong ally of Chief Timipre Sylva be made to face the law.

     

  • 2019 elections: Goodluck Jonathan, wife, mother vote in Bayelsa [Photos]

    Former Nigeria’s President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; his wife, Dame Patience, and mother, Madam Eunice Afeni have cast their vote in the ongoing presidential and National Assembly elections.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the former president, his wife and mother cast their vote at Unit 39, Ward 13 at the Otazi Playground, Otuoke in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

    Jonathan, who voted at 9:30 a.m., while his wife, Patience voted at 9:32 a.m. followed by Ayi, after voting, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election.

    He said that if the election was marred with violence and wrong people elected, there would never be development in the country.

    “For us as Nigerians, if we want to grow we must endeavour to elect the right people to lead us. So Nigeria needs decent and credible elections.

    “As a PDP member, I want my party to win all the seats.

    “We must give room for credible elections that is the only way a true leader can be selected to rule the people,” Jonathan said.

    He advised any candidate who might lose the election to concede defeat in the spirit of true democracy.

    “When you lose election accept it, if you think you are good enough and you are interested you can come back” the former president told newsmen immediately after casting his vote.

    TNG recalls Jonathan and his wife, in the 2015 presidential elections, which Jonathan contested and lost, were faced with an ordeal at the polling unit where the card reader deployed refused their permanent voters card (PVC).

    The card reader rejected their PVCs even after they tried repeatedly during accreditation, and it was the same thing for Jonathan’s mother in the 2015 presidential election. They managed to vote upon filling the incident forms.

    See photos:

     

  • Okowa hails Dickson on maiden flight to Bayelsa airport

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has congratulated his Bayelsa state counterpart, Seriake Dickson on the successful arrival of the maiden flight to the Bayelsa International Airport, Amassoma on Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Okowa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu said that the successful arrival of Air Peace 5N-BUV at the newly-built Bayelsa International airport in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw local government area marked the beginning of a new dawn in the state.

    The statement reads: “The successful completion of the Bayelsa International Airport and subsequent commencement of flights into the Airport marks a turning point in economy of Bayelsans as they would no longer travel long distances to access air transport.

    “Yesterday’s event is also a testimony of the dogged determination of PDP Governors to provide monumental and life changing infrastructure for the people of their respective states.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State i congratulate my brother Governor Hon. Seriake Dickson and the good people of Bayelsa State on the successful completion of the Bayelsa International Airport.

    “While we look forward to the official inauguration of the airport, we have no doubt that the airport will contribute significantly to the economy of Bayelsans as it will also make access to air transport services closer to Bayelsans.

    “The socioeconomic implication of the commencement of commercial flights in and out of Bayelsa airport is the creation of more jobs, more revenue generated as well as increased turnover for hoteliers, airport taxi operators and other ancillary businesses at the airport, it’s indeed a new dawn for Bayelsans”.

    Okowa said he was particularly happy Governor Dickson achieved the feat on the 7th anniversary of his restoration administration in Bayelsa State, adding that the people did not make any mistake in returning him to office when they massively voted for his second term.

     

  • Gov. Dickson denies spending N120 billion on airport project

    Gov. Dickson denies spending N120 billion on airport project

    The Bayelsa Government has said that it spent less than N60 billion on its airport project and not N120 billion being alleged by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri.

    Gov. Seriake Dickson who made the clarification on Thursday in Yenagoa, said the amount spent on the project was minimal, compared to the figure mentioned by the minister.

    Recall that Lokpobiri had on February 12, during the APC presidential campaign rally in Bayelsa, alleged that Dickson spent N120 billion on the airport project.

    “Let me clarify to the general public on the comments by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Heineken Lokpobiri, that we have spent over N120 billion on our airport project.

    “I must tell you, the project gulped less than N60 billion and not what the minister said during President Buhari’s visit to the state,’’ he stated.

    The inaugural flight is expected to land at the airport at the time of filing this report as part of activities marking Gov. Dickson’s seventh year in office.

    On achievements so far recorded by his administration, the governor said he was satisfied, especially about youth empowerment, health facilities, education and other related development for his people.

    “We are happy with the completion of Nembe road, and the Sagbama-Ekeremor road which is ongoing as well as Oporoma road and lots of modern schools all over the state,” he said.

    Dickson, who also spoke on Saturday and March 2 general elections, urged the electorate to be mindful of the electoral code of conduct.

    “Let me remind our people that every citizen has the duty and right to come out and be law-abiding and cast his or her vote because it is their civic obligation.

    “Come out and vote the candidate of your choice. Vote and stay out of trouble that we have been campaigning against.

    “Security operatives must be focused on their duty and responsibility; discharge your duty according to the code of conduct and law of the land,’’ the governor added.