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Tag: Bayelsa State

  • Amid uncertainty, APC to carry on with campaign launch in Bayelsa

    Amid uncertainty, APC to carry on with campaign launch in Bayelsa

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disclosed it will carry on with the date to launch its campaign in Bayelsa State ahead of the November 11 governorship election set to hold in the State.

    This is amid uncertainty after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja disqualified governorship candidate of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, from the election.

    While Sylva has filed an appeal against the judgement disqualifying him and also filed a stay of execution of the judgement, the APC says it plans to go ahead with the October 14 campaign launch in Bayelsa.

    The APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja. Morka stressed Sylva remained the party’s candidate for the election, in spite of the court ruling.

    “We wish to state categorically that Chief Timipre Sylva is and remains the Bayelsa Governorship Candidate of our great party in the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship election.

    “Our party and its candidate have duly instructed the legal team to appeal the said decision of the Federal High Court, diligently and expeditiously.

    “We urge our teeming members, supporters, and residents of Bayelsa to remain calm and await the outcome of the appeal, and we remain confident that we shall prevail,” he said.

    Morka said that with nothing to offer the Bayelsa electorate, after its poor performance as the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had since resorted to mercenary lawsuits.

    He added that the PDP had also resorted to underhand dealings and antics to distract and create confusion among the people of the state.

    He said all stakeholders, party members, supporters, and the general public were cordially invited to join the winning campaign.

    Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a judgement delivered on Monday, disqualified Sylva from featuring in the November 11 governorship election.

    Okorowo ruled that Sylva having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of Bayelsa would breach the 1999 constitution as amended if allowed to contest again.

    Sylva candidacy: What APC National Chairman said on judgement

    Meanwhile, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, APC National Chairman, had said the APC also will appeal the court judgement passed against the candidacy of Sylva.

    Dr Ganduje, who disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents on Tuesday in Abuja, described the judgement as unfortunate, noting however that it was actually democracy in action.

    “Well, it’s unfortunate that judgement, but we can say that it is democracy in action.

    “But, we learned that the person who took the issue to the court is not even qualified, because he did not contest with Sylva.

    Therefore, he’s not even qualified for him to take the issue to the court. However, we are appealing. We’re waiting for the judgment and then we appeal for calm on that issue,’’ Ganduje said.

    TNG reports Sylva was Bovernor of Bayelsa between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ganduje, however, said that the judgement would not deter the party from its arrangement for the election coming up next month.

    He said, “Last two weeks, I was in Bayelsa for two good days and I think they were ready and they’re still ready to win the election.

    “Therefore, this is a little distraction anyway, but we will overcome it. We believe the appeal court will give us positive judgment but that will not stop us from making arrangement for the forthcoming election.”

  • BREAKING: Timipre Sylva runs to A’ Court to stay in Bayelsa guber race

    BREAKING: Timipre Sylva runs to A’ Court to stay in Bayelsa guber race

    Mr Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate in the forthcoming Nov. 11 Bayelsa governorship election, on Tuesday, filed an appeal against the judgment of a lower court disqualifying his candidacy.

    Sylva, in a notice of appeal filed by his lawyer, Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN, prayed the court to set aside the judgment.

    Besides, the immediate-past Minister of Petroleum also filed a stay of execution of the judgment.

    Justice Donatus Okorowo of a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, in a judgment he delivered Monday night, disqualified the APC candidate from contesting in poll.

    Justice Okorowo had held that Sylva, having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of the state, would breach the 1999 Constitution (as amended) if allowed to contest again.

    The judgment followed a suit filed by Mr Deme Kolomo, an APC member in Bayelsa, praying the court to order the Indeoendent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delete Sylva’s name from list of candidates contesting the Nov. 11 governorship poll.

    Kolomo argued that having occupied the office of governor of Bayelsa May 29, 2007 to April 15, 2008 and May 27, 2008 to Jan. 27, 2012, Sylva was not eligible to contest.

    Raji, shortly after the appeal was filed, said the FHC judgment was against settled principles of law and notable precedents.

    “The chances of success at the Appeal Court are very high,” he assured.

    He said the appeal raised three fundamental issues touching on jurisdiction, locus standi and wrongful evaluation of affidavit evidence.

    In a motion on notice dated Oct. 10, Sylva prayed the court for “an order staying execution and/or further execution of the entire judgment and the orders contained in the judgment of the court, delivered on the 9th October, 2023, pending the hearing and final determination of the appeal lodged against the judgement and orders of this court before the Court of Appeal, Abuja.”

    He also prayed the court for an injunction, restraining the respondents from implementing and/or giving effect to the declaratory and executory orders contained in the judgment.

    Also in the appeal dated Oct. 10, the ex-minister raised three grounds of appeal.

    According to him, Justice Okorowo in his judgement wrongly assumed jurisdiction by delving into the internal affairs of his party, APC, which is a non-justiciable cause of action and thereby occasions a grave miscarriage of justice.

    He said the trial  court had a duty to understand the case presented by the parties and apply the law correctly.

    In ground two, the former governor said Justice Okorowo erred in law when he wrongly conferred, allowed and adjudicated on the matter when the respondent had no locus standi to initiate or institute the action, having confessed not to have participated in the primary election that produced him as the governorship candidate of the APC, thereby occasions a grave miscarriage of justice against him.

    He said the court failed to properly evaluate, determine and pronounce on his notice of preliminary objection challenging the competence of the suit and thereby breached his right to fair hearing as guaranteed by the 1999 ‘Constitution.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.

  • INEC to transmit results of Bayelsa guber poll manually

    INEC to transmit results of Bayelsa guber poll manually

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed plans to transmit the results of the November 11 Bayelsa governorship election manually.

    The State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mr Obo Effanga made the disclosure in Yenagoa on Wednesday, during an interactive section with religious leaders and faith based organisations.

    Effanga said that INEC was ready to conduct free, fair and credible election and only voters accredited by BVAS would be allowed to vote.

    “Immediately you are given the ballot paper you can start voting.

    “We are in the fourth week of collection of PVCs and it will end on Oct. 11. Those who have not collected their cards should go to INEC office in their local government areas,” he said.

    Effanga urged the stakeholders to advise their candidates to be peaceful.

    “Religious leaders should take the message to their congregation and politicians who are also Church members,’’ he said.

    He said that 16 political parties had fielded candidates for the election.

    Rev. Joseph Belema, one of the religious leaders commended INEC, stressing that free, fair and credible election was a way forward for electing good leaders.

    He called on the candidates not to see election as a do or die affair, adding that only one person would be elected.

  • Bayelsa guber: Gov Diri accused of plot to manipulate poll

    Bayelsa guber: Gov Diri accused of plot to manipulate poll

    A group known as Bayelsa Arise has raised concerns over an alleged plot by Gov. Douye Diri to manipulate the governorship election in his favour.

    Diri is seeking reelection in the Bayelsa governorship poll billed for Nov. 11.

    In a statement by Ebitimi Lucky, Publicity Secretary, Bayelsa Arise, the group alleged that Diri was behind litigation to stop his main challenger in this election, Chief Timipre Sylva, from the race.

    “As a group, that is deeply concerned for the democratic process and the integrity of our electoral system, the Bayelsa Arise wishes to state, that we have been closely monitoring the political developments in Bayelsa leading up to the upcoming governorship election.

    “We believe it is our duty to voice our concerns on issues that may undermine the credibility of the election.

    “Bayelsa Arise is deeply troubled by the apparent lack of preparedness being demonstrated by the incumbent governor and his administration in the run-up to the forthcoming election.

    “The governor and his party, despite their growing unpopularity, have practically abandoned the state, while busy chasing audience with political bigwigs in Abuja and other places across the country.

    According to the group, as  we speak, our state’s infrastructure remains in disrepair, and there are serious concerns about the ability of security agencies to maintain law and order  in our state.

    “Recall, that in 2019, Diri lost his governorship aspiration to the then candidate of the APC, Mr David Lyon, until the judgment that  controversially brought him as governor.

    “Therefore, we are deeply concerned about the current moves  on the part of the governor  and his team to secure another illegal court order through illegal means aimed at stopping the candidacy of Sylva,”  the Bayelsa Arise stated.

    Bayelsa Arise called on stakeholders, including political parties to ensure that the forthcoming election is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.

    “We urge  Diri to prepare himself and his party, for a keen contest in the forthcoming election, as, we , the people of Bayelsa , will no longer allow anyone not elected by our people, to be imposed on us.

    “We  reaffirm our commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and accountability in Bayelsa. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and work tirelessly to ensure that the forthcoming election is a true reflection of the will of the people,” it stated.

    Recall that Mr Daniel Alabrah, Chief Press Secretary to Diri  on Wednesday in a statement,  claimed that  Sylva, the APC candidate was unsellable as he was fielding an ineligible deputy who was  facing litigation.

    Alabrah alleged that Sylva’s deputy had criminal records.

    Sylva’s deputy governorship candidate, Joshua Machiver was dragged to the Federal High Court, Yenagoa by one of the aspirants who lost the APC’s ticket during the party’s primaries.

  • Tribunal: Bayelsa APC Rep accepts defeat

    Tribunal: Bayelsa APC Rep accepts defeat

    A former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli has accepted the ruling of the Election Petitions Tribunal which upheld the February 25, 2023, House of Representatives election of Hon. Marie Ebikake as a member of the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency of the State.

    Sunny-Goli also congratulated the PDP candidate, Ebikake, and declined the pressure to appeal against the Election Petition Tribunal.

    Sunny-Goli, in a statement issued on Thursday in Yenagoa, said he would not proceed further.

    “After assessing the recent judgement of the Election Petition Tribunal, delivered on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, which upheld the victory of my opponent in the February 25, 2023, House of Representatives election, for the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency, Hon. Marie Ebikake, and the impediment a prolonged legal tussle poses to the development of our constituency, I have arrived at the conclusion that it is best to accept the decision of the Tribunal and not go on to appeal its decision.”

    According to him, “My decision is predicated on my personal experience after the 2019 election, wherein, I was dragged before the Election Petition Tribunal and the court of appeal respectively by my opponent, who happens to be the same Hon. Ebikake. Without mincing words, I must admit that the legal tussle was unsettling and distractive, and I sincerely do not wish to be a clog in the wheel of progress for the very people I seek to serve, by stretching this legal tussle beyond the Election Petition Tribunal.

    “It is on this note that I congratulate Hon. Marie Ebikake on her victory in the February 2023 House of Representatives election, as well as the favourable judgement she got against me from the Election Petition Tribunal.

    “I look forward to seeing her bring the dividends of democracy to our people as she settles down to the business of representing them in the National Assembly.”

    “Let me also use this medium to encourage my supporters and followers alike. This is by no means an end to our political aspirations, as the future holds for us, prospects brighter than whatever we may have achieved in the course of our political journey.”

    “I implore you to remain calm and hopeful, as this is only a temporary setback in our political voyage and we shall bounce back from it bigger, stronger and better. A new chapter with greater prospect awaits us, and soon, we shall have a reason to be thankful for the benevolence of God towards us.”

  • Tribunal sacks Bayelsa PDP Rep

    Tribunal sacks Bayelsa PDP Rep

    The National/States Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Yenagoa, on Friday nullified the election of Mr Fred Agbedi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa.

    The tribunal directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately withdraw the certificate issued to him and conduct fresh election in some polling units in the constituency.

    It directed INEC to organise a fresh election for 20,000 voters who were unlawfully excluded from the election.

    Mr Michael Olomu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) had approached the tribunal and prayed to be declared the winner.

    Olomu said that he should be declared as the rightful winner of the election due to incidents of violence that marred the electoral process.

    He alleged that the violence which was allegedly orchestrated by his opponent, had a significant impact on the election’s integrity.

    Olomu said that the election did not take place in five wards yet results were collated, saying that the wards included Ward 5 (Ebedebiri), Ward 11 (Ofoni, Sagbama), Ward 12 (Ekeremo ), along with Wards 3 and 4 in Ofoni, Sagbama.

    Reacting, Agbedi expressed readiness to take part in the supplementary election.

  • Bayelsa Govt announces wage awards for workers

    Bayelsa Govt announces wage awards for workers

    Bayelsa Government has assured that it would kickstart the payment of wage awards to all local government employees, with effect from August, to cushion the excruciating effects of fuel subsidy removal on the workers.

    The state Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the assurance on Monday at a meeting with Local Government Stakeholders, including the Eight Caretaker Committee Chairmen, labour leaders and principal officers of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) at Government House, Yenagoa.

    He announced that the state government, in collaboration with the local government councils, would also ensure the payment of gratuities to councils’ retirees who were yet to benefit.

    He informed that government had approved 30% payment of the gratuities across board for the retirees, which would also take effect from August.

    On the wage awards, the deputy Governor said council workers on grade levels one to six will now earn N20,000 as additional salary, grade levels seven to 10, N30,000, while those on grade levels 12 to 14 will now have N40,000 added to their salaries.

    He added that government had also approved N50,000 as wage awards to council employees on grade level 15 to 17, while Heads of Local Governments will earn N100,000 as additional salary.

    He said: “While waiting for the reliefs from the Federal Government, we are proposing a wage award for local government employees.

    “The Governor has given anticipatory approval but I believe he will give the final approval this week. And we will start implementing the approval.

    “That is why I have always encouraged local government workers to be patient with us. We are aware of your sufferings and the state government will not hesitate to intervene.

    “On gratuities, we have also made some proposal, which we want the local governments to support us. The proposal is that, we should pay 30 per cent across board to all those who have retired from wherever the payment stopped to 2022 and one month in 2023.

    “Our plan is for every local government retiree to get something at the end of this month (August). The Governor has already approved this. We are only going to raise a committee to supervise the payment because we still have some grey areas to address,” he said.

    Ewhrudjakpo, who commended local government workers and retirees for their understanding and patience, assured that the Prosperity Administration would continue to take steps to address issues concerning their welfare.

    On the ongoing data capturing exercise for the computerization of staff on the Oracle Payroll System, the deputy governor appealed to the workers’ union at the local government level to be a little bit patient with government to test run the software and make necessary corrections before full take-off.

    Responding to questions raised by some of the stakeholders, the Bayelsa Number Two Man assured that approval would be given for the conduct of the 2023 senior staff promotion exercise, due in 2023, to bring them at par with their state counterparts.

  • APC resists alleged moves by Jonathan to hijack Bayelsa’s ministerial slot

    APC resists alleged moves by Jonathan to hijack Bayelsa’s ministerial slot

    The Bayelsa Chapter of the Tinubu/Shettima  Independent Campaign Council (ICC) on Sunday allayed fears of the impending hijack of Bayelsa’s ministerial slot by politicians who do not belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The support group assured members of the APC in the state that former President Goodluck Jonathan would not be allowed to nominate Bayelsa’s ministerial candidate.

    The ICC said it was inconceivable for Jonathan, who is one of the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to nominate the state’s representative in the cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The ICC’s reaction is sequel to the tension generated in the party by reports suggesting that Jonathan was making attempts to hijack the Bayelsa’s ministerial slot.

    The report elicited concerns amongst APC stakeholders in the state, including members of the influential APC Elders’ Forum, which vehemently condemned the move.

    The ICC, in a statement issued in Yenagoa by its Director, Administration, Chief Joseph Fafi, appealed to party members who were angry at the report to calm down.

    Fafi, who described Tinubu as a thorough person who rewards loyalty, insisted that there was no way such injustice and unfairness would be allowed under the current president.

    Fafi, a former Chairman of APC in Bayelsa, said:  “At this point everyone needs to calm down.  Tinubu is a thorough person and is known to always reward loyalty.

    “It is inconceivable to think that Jonathan would nominate a minister from Bayelsa.

    “While he is an elder statesman and we accord him that regard, but as drivers of Tinubu’s presidential campaign in Bayelsa under the leadership of Engr. Preye Aganaba, we know those who supported and those who worked against Tinubu.

    “It was open and incontestable. Giving him the right to produce a minister in this government isn’t among the privileges Tinubu is ready to offer Jonathan,” Fafi noted.

    Fafi said that Tinubu understood that APC Bayelsa was preparing for a major election and would make appointments to strenghten the party and not empower any PDP mole.

    He said: “For us, Bayelsans, this is not just any year. There’s some significance to the fact that this is an election year.

    “Appointments coming in must be precise and tactical. Tinubu knows better than to give the ministerial slot to a PDP mole who would only try to truncate APC’s chances of upstaging the PDP and Gov. Douye Diri.

    “While the rumours come with some “flesh“ because obviously a few PDP chieftains are scurrying around nocturnally to fly certain persons who campaigned heavily for Atiku, the rumours, in reality, will remain what they are: rumours.

    “We are optimistic Tinubu will appoint a core, seasoned and well-qualified party person who would be a huge positive in our gubernatorial elections come Nov. 11.

    “We urge our teeming supporters and entire campaign structure in the ICC, members of the APC and Bayelsans, in general, to relax for the right thing will be done, equity will take centre stage”.

    Meanwhile, Jonathan who had met frequently with Tinubu has denied lobbying to nominate a minister for Bayelsa.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, the erstwhile president said that his recent meetings with President Tinubu had nothing to do with Bayelsa politics but his role as ECOWAS envoy.

    According to Eze, Jonathan’s visits to Aso Rock Villa were to brief the president on developments in the ECOWAS subregion.

    Recall that Bayelsa is among the States that their ministerial nominees are yet to be submitted to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

  • I was only elected once as Bayelsa governor, Sylva tells court

    I was only elected once as Bayelsa governor, Sylva tells court

    Mr Timipre Sylva, the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Nov. 11 governorship election in Bayelsa, says he was never elected as the state’s governor on two occasions.

    Sylva, the immediate-past Minister of State for Petroleum, refuted the allegations that he was previously elected as Bayelsa governor on April 14, 2007, and May 24, 2008.

    He told Justice Donatus Okorowo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, in a counter affidavit he personally deposed to and filed by his lawyer, Adelani Ajibade.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the application was in reaction to the originating summons filed by Chief Demesuoyefa Kolomo, a member of the APC, praying the court to order INEC to delete Sylva’s name from list of candidates contesting the Nov. 11 governorship poll.

    Kolomo had asked the court to determine “whether having regard to the indisputable fact that Sylva occupied the office of governor of Bayelsa from May 29, 2007 to April 15, 2008 and May 27, 2008 to Jan. 27, 2012, he is qualified to contest and be elected for another four years term in view of Section 180(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

    Reacting in the counter affidavit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/821/23 dated and filed June 27, the ex-minister averred that except otherwise expressly stated, all the facts deposed to in the application were within his personal knowledge, information and belief.

    Although Sylva admitted he was a former governor of Bayelsa, he stressed that he had only been elected once as the state’s governor, insisting that there was no election in 2007.

    “I have only occupied the Office of the Governor of Bayelsa State on one occasion.

    “I was elected as the governor of Bayelsa State on 27rh May, 2008.
    “Contrary to Paragraph 5 of the affidavit (attached to the originating summons), I know that by virtue of the Court of Appeal judgment referred to, that is now reported as Amgbare Vs. Sylva (2009) 1 NWLR (Pt. 1121), there was no election in Bayelsa State in 2007,” he said.

    The former minister, therefore, said that he was within his constitutional and legal right to contest the governorship poll in November.

    According to him, the provision of Sections 180 (2)(a) and 182 (1) (b) is not applicable to me in this circumstance and cannot validly and legally disqualify me from contesting election into the office of governor of Bayelsa State.

    He said he was validly elected on April 15, defeating other five aspirants in a primary poll that was keenly contested and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    Sylva said on May 12, his name was published by INEC as APC candidate in the Nov. 12 election.

    He said the question raised in the suit were raised in bad faith and malice.
    “I make this affidavit in good faith, believing the contents to be true and in accordance with the provisions of the Oaths Act,” he said.

    NAN reports that Sylva had, on Monday through Ajibade, told Justice Okorowo that he would respond to Kolomo’s suit and the judge fixed July 3 for hearing.

    In the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023 dated and filed June 13, Kolomo had sued Mr Sylva, APC and INEC as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

    Kolomo, who sought two questions for determination, prayed for a declaration that by virtue of Section 182(1)\(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sylva was not qualified to contest the election to the office of the governor of Bayelsa on APC’s platform or on any other political party’s platform in the election scheduled for sometime in November or any other time for that matter.

    In the affidavit attached, Kolomo deposed that besides being an APC member, he was also a registered voter in the state.

    He said INEC recently published the names of governorship candidates for the state, including Sylva’s name.
    The plaintiff said he was motivated by the need to vindicate Sections 180 (2)(a) and 182(1)b) of the1999 Constitution, the rule of law and to know the applicability of same as it relates to Sylva based on the above facts.

    Kolomo also averred that the question raised by the instant suit was a constitutional one and of grave importance to him as a voter and other voters in the sate so that they would not vote for someone who was not qualified to contest in the poll and had their votes wasted at the end of the day.

    NAN reports that Sylva served as Bayelsa governor on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s platform.

    The former minister had, in 2006, joined the PDP governorship primaries challenging ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who at that time, was vying for same position

    However, after Sylva emerged the PDP candidate, he went on to win the election in 2007 and succeeded Jonathan, who had also become the Vice President to late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

    But Sylva’s opponent in the 2007 election, Ebitimi Amgbare of the defunct Action Congress (AC), challenged his victory.
    While the Bayelsa State Election Petitions Tribunal upheld Sylva’s election, Amgbare took the matter to the Appeal Court, Port Harcourt in Rivers which upturned the tribunal’s decision and nullified Sylva’s election on April 15, 2008.

    The five justices of the Court of Appeal were unanimous in their decision and ordered that Speaker Werinipre Seibarugo be sworn in to replace Sylva as acting governor, with a new election to be held within 90 days as stated in the Electoral Act.

    When a new election was held on May 24, 2008, Sylva was again overwhelmingly elected with 588,204 out of about 598,000 votes and was sworn in.
    But on Jan. 27, 2012, his tenure was terminated by the Supreme Court, with an acting governor appointed to oversee the state until the election of February 2012, won by Seriake Dickson.

  • Gov Oborevwori visits accident victims in Bayelsa, sympathises with survivors

    Gov Oborevwori visits accident victims in Bayelsa, sympathises with survivors

    The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Monday visited victims of the Bayelsa State Football Supporters Club who were involved in a fatal accident on Sunday.

    The Bayelsa supporters’ team were on transit to Asaba for the Nigerian Women Football League final between Delta Queens and Bayelsa Queens when a bus in the entourage was involved in a fatal crash after Kwale, leading to the death of 4 members of the supporters club with 7 others sustaining injuries.

    Oborevwori, on arrival at the Asaba Specialist Hospital, was received by the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr Peace Ighosewe, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Mr Daniel Igali, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Johnson Erijo.

    Conducting the Governor round the male and female surgical wards to see the casualties, Dr Ighosewe took time to explain how the emergency situation was handled.

    Speaking to Journalists after the ward visitation, Gov. Oborevwori commiserated with the victims and expressed satisfaction with the hospital’s ability to handle their cases effectively.

    According to him, “as at this time yesterday (Sunday), we lost four persons and the other seven persons who sustained injuries are responding to treatment and they are in stable condition. It is our prayer that they survive.

    “I am very sure that God being on their side, they are going to survive because the CMD of the Asaba Specialist Hospital and her team were very proactive and they have been doing a great job taking care of them.

    “When I got the call yesterday from His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, we immediately sent an ambulance to rescue them to Asaba.

    “The doctors were on standby to receive them and they have done very well to keep them in stable condition. This hospital is well equipped and with the right manpower in place, they can handle any situation and they have been doing just that.

    “They have operated on some of them and as you can see they are all in very stable condition.”

    He said the State could not celebrate the victory of Delta Queens because of the unfortunate incident that occurred yesterday.

    “It’s a mixed feeling for us because we were supposed to be rejoicing that we defeated Bayelsa in the Nigerian Women Football League Final yesterday. We are not too happy because of the sad incident that occurred where four persons died and seven injured.

    “Because of the accident that happened, there is no way we can celebrate when we lost four persons and for them to lose four persons and also lose in the finals is like double jeopardy.

    “As a State, we are in pains over the loss of those four persons and we have commiserated with the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri over the loss.

    “We want to once again on behalf of the Government and people of Delta commiserate with the good people of Bayelsa over the sad incident. May God grant their souls eternal rest,” Oborevwori said.

    Meanwhile, the Governor who also visited other patients approved the purchase of artificial legs for a diabetic patient who was amputated at the hospital.

    The approval was sequel to a request by the woman praying the Governor to assist her in procuring artificial legs to enable her walk again.