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Tag: Delta

  • BREAKING: Former Delta Gov, Uduaghan dumps PDP, defects to APC

    BREAKING: Former Delta Gov, Uduaghan dumps PDP, defects to APC

    …meets Buhari, attend apc caucus meeting

    The immediate past governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan on Tuesday formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after weeks of speculations.

    Uduaghan who served two terms as governor of Delta State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made the declaration in a statement he personally signed and exclusively sent to TNG ahead of the meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The medical doctor turned politician also turned heads when he attended the APC caucus meeting at the presidential villa on Tuesday night.

    Since returning to democracy in 1999, Delta State has remained under the stronghold of the PDP.

    Read Uduaghan’s full statement below:

     

    MOVING ON TO THE BIGGER PLAYING FIELD.
    by
    Dr Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan CON immediate past Governor of Delta State.

    The toughest challenge for any leader in the Niger Delta since 1997 has been the issue of Peace and Security. For over 12 years, I was deeply involved in the management of the issues of the region, first as Secretary to State Government, SSG, and then as Governor of Delta State for 8 years. Strategically, we had ENGAGEMENT as our major tool. This involved government officials, with me in the forefront (sometimes personally going into the creeks without security at nocturnal hours), community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, our youths, retired military officers, activists, etc. Of course, ensuring that Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, was active was also part of the engagement process.

    ENCOURAGING INTERESTS, ACTIVITIES
    Since the inception of the current All Progressives Congress, APC, administration at the federal level, there has been an encouraging interest and activities by President Muhammadu Buhari to bring a permanent solution to the Niger Delta crisis. This has pointed in a direction that is at once progressive and developmental.
    Topmost in these activities are the ENGAGEMENT PROCESSES. Rather than using the military to harass our people, the Buhari administration has embarked on various engagement processes that have led to agreements and brought hope to the people of the Niger Delta. In the last years, Mr. President has personally engaged several regional leaders and youths. Senior officials of his administration also engaged many Niger Delta leaders and youths. Very significant is that Mr. President mandated the Vice President Prof Yemi Osibajo SAN, to visit virtually all the oil producing states, engaging various stakeholders. This is unprecedented in the history of the region. Such engagement processes have brought some measure of peace in the Niger Delta. Things can only get better.

    Beyond the engagement processes, however, the Buhari administration has embarked on some infrastructural and human capital development activities in the region. In Delta State, the opening of a Maritime University; the setting up of a steering committee for the EPZ (GAS CITY), the plan for a deep sea port, the dredging of the Escravos-Warri River; the opening of the railway line to Delta Steel Company, the soon to be flagged off, by Mr. President, the Omadino-Escravos Road that will pass through many riverine communities; the various road construction works by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the various TCN projects across the State are some of the positive activities in the region.

    There are also various human capital development programmes especially the school feeding and the “social security net” that is making 5,000 Naira available to the poor, the continuation of the YouWin programme, the various SME programmes, and several other projects across the region have brought hope to the people.

    Indeed, once Mr. President was able to set his priorities pursuant to creating an environment for peace in the region, it became incumbent on every well-meaning Niger Deltan and Nigerian to assist the process of building an economically prosperous nation.
    In this era of partisan politics, it is necessary for the people of the Niger Delta, and Delta State in particular, to identify more with the Federal Government led by the APC. By so doing, we can push some of the agreements between our leaders and the Federal Government through, and also engage the government to do more. Politics is about interests. The Niger Delta is a major area of interest for me, because I staked my life going into the creeks severally without security and sometimes coming back at night negotiating peace. I will, therefore, give the strongest support to any President that shows commitment in the affairs of the Niger Delta. I call on, and enjoin, other well-meaning leaders in the region, who have very useful contributions to make, to come on board and join hands in helping this Federal Government to pursue a robust development agenda that would uplift our people. Whatever milestone that appears not to have been achieved yet is not for lack of efforts. Joining hands with and supporting the process will lead to a faster delivery on expectations.

    It is in the pursuit of this noble objective that I’m offering myself to help drive a process that would give the lives of our people in the Niger Delta more meaning. President Muhammadu Buhari needs people who will join hands with him to uplift our people. From my political experience, you have to be well represented and actively so at the “board room” when decisions are being taken. Delta State must be well represented. Niger Delta must be well represented.
    It is noteworthy to state that some organisations have been deeply involved in efforts to develop the Niger Delta and can always be relied on to collaborate with our President. It is also noteworthy to add that some previous administrations made significant efforts to develop the region. The current administration made such a significant impact in spite of the fact that apart from Edo State, President Buhari did not score the required 25% in the entire Niger Delta in the election that brought him into government in 2015. This speak volumes of his genuineness to uplift the Niger Delta. Such an administration should be encouraged by the people of the Niger Delta. We can never be sure of the genuiness of another person who becomes the President.
    I have, therefore, after series of consultations and prayers, taken the decision to leave the PDP and join the APC. In doing this, I want to thank the numerous leaders, supporters and interest groups that have been urging me to remain in PDP. I am happy that after explaining some of the deeper issues to you, some of you that are politicians have agreed to join the APC in the near future. So I am going into APC as “John the Baptist” to the numerous Deltans that are coming in, soon – very soon.

    God bless you all.

  • Saraki visits Okowa in Delta, holds closed-door meeting [Photos]

    Senate President Bukola Saraki visited Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta state, on Saturday.

    The purpose of the visit was not clear but Saraki who dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared interest in the presidency and been consulting stakeholders across the country.

    This is the first time Saraki will be visiting Okowa, his former colleague at the Government House since his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    Saraki, who arrived unannounced was received by the governor and the state chairman of the PDP, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso.

    The Senate President had since his defection to the PDP consulted prominent leaders in the country including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former military President, Ibrahim Babangida.

  • Baby whale butchered in Delta state [Photos]

    A gigantic baby Whale that washed ashore in Delta state of Nigeria has been butchered by hungry residents.

    Residents of Obotobo 1 Community of Ogulagha Kingdom in Burutu LGA, Delta State have reportedly butchered a huge baby Whale after it washed ashore.
    The residents could be seen using an axe, machete and other weapons to devour the animal at their mercy.
    The jubilant residents couldn’t hide their happiness as they prepared to use the animal for food.

    See the photos below:

  • Gunmen attack policemen on stop-and-search in Delta, kill corporal

    Unknown gunmen on Saturday attacked, killed a Police corporal on a stop-and-search duty with his colleagues at Kpakiama junction in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

    It was learnt that the gunmen swooped on the policemen, who were on routine duty at the junction, opened fire and killed the corporal, and beat some of his colleagues to stupor.

    However, some of the police officers on duty were lucky, as they scamped for safety while trying to escape the firepower of the gunmen.

    At the time of filing this report, it was not clear if the gunmen carted away any rifle belonging to the policemen.

    When contacted, the Delta state Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Mustafa confirmed the report.

    CP Mustafa who could not give the name of the deceased stressed that the matter was a fresh one.

    According to CP Mustafa, “It is true and it is confirmed. It is a police corporal that was shot dead. The police and other security agents have entered the bush in search of the hoodlums. That’s the situation.”

  • Police seal off Delta APC secretariat as crisis deepens

    Police seal off Delta APC secretariat as crisis deepens

    The secretariat of the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Asaba was, on Friday, sealed by the police following attempts by the Jones Erue-led faction to re-inaugurate parallel state executive committee.

    Erue, who enjoys the backing of Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, had last month, inaugurated his executive even without being sworn-in by then national chairman, John Oyegun.

    Oyegun rather swore-in Cyril Ogodo as Delta State chairman of APC on June 4 in Abuja along with 32 other state chairmen.

    Ogodo came back and inaugurated his faction’s state executive committee at the state secretariat.

    But the coming on board of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as national chairman turned the table against Ogodo as he performed the swearing-in of Erue as Delta State APC chairman last Monday.

    Buoyed by Oshiomhole’s action, the Erue faction on Thursday issued out notice for the inauguration of the state executive committee on Friday.

    However, acting on a tip-off of possible bloodshed if another faction accesses the secretariat, the police were said to have taken a proactive measure by sealing it.

    Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Mustafa, who confirmed the sealing of the secretariat, said the action was taken to ensure peace and prevent mayhem, adding that a meeting with leaders of both factions would be held on Friday.

    As at the time of filing this report, operatives were stationed at the already secretariat, obviously to prevent forceful entrance by any of the parties.

    The action of the police, it was gathered, was based on an earlier letter from the then National Chairman, John Oyegun introducing Cyril Ogodo to the police as the state chairman.

    Meanwhile, a chieftain of the party and former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Victor Ochei has urged party faithful to sheathe their swords, and avoid inflammatory utterances but remain calm as concerted efforts were on to resolve the contentious issues.

    Ochei said the situation does not call for derogatory or uncomplimentary remarks capable of heating up the polity, as the Oshiomhole-led NWC has the capacity to effect amicable resolution.

    According to Ochei, “Oshiomhole is a renowned leader whose belief in the rule of law as well as natural justice, equity and good conscience is legendary and as such will ensure that the matter will be resolved satisfactorily either through the judicial process or the internal machinery of the party.”

  • APC Delta crisis: Sheathe your swords, Ochei tells party faithful

    Arising from the factional tendencies in the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, a frontline political figure and former speaker of the Delta state house of assembly, Rt Hon Victor Ochei has urged the party faithful to sheathe their swords, eschew inflammatory utterances and remain cal as concerted efforts are in top gear to resolve the contentious issues.

    He made the call while reacting to a flurry of statements credited to some members of the APC in Delta state.

    According to him, the situation calls for neither derogatory nor uncomplimentary statements capable of heating up the polity, as

    National Working Committee under the able and wise leadership of His Excellency, Comrade Adams Oshiomole possesses the requisite capacity and expertise to effect an amicable resolution of the issue in ground.

    He further maintained that his call for caution is premised on the fact that Comrade Oshiimole is a stickler for justice and peace, backgrounded on his pedigrees as a time-tested unionist and excellent administrator of human and material resources.

    According to Ochei,”Comrade Oshiomole is a renowned leader whose belief in the rule of law as well as natural justice, equity and good conscience is legendary and as such will ensure that the matter will be resolved satisfactorily by either through the judicial process or the internal machinery of the party.

  • Steer clear of Taraba, Delta, PDP cautions Oshiomhole

    Steer clear of Taraba, Delta, PDP cautions Oshiomhole

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, to wake up from his pipe dream of thinking that his anti-people party can forcefully take over Taraba and Delta States in 2019.

    The party said Oshiomhole should concentrate his energies on saving his APC from imminent collapse rather than attempting to bully and override the people of Delta and Taraba states ahead of 2019 elections.

    Perhaps Oshiomhole mistook Delta and Taraba states 2019 elections for the APC 2018 national convention where President Muhammadu Buhari bullied and intimidated delegates to foist him as National Chairman, without proper election.

    Nigerians know that Delta and Taraba states are major strongholds of the PDP for which we clearly won the 2015 governorship and presidential elections in the states.

    The PDP, in 2015, enjoyed overwhelming followership which has now tripled in the last three years, signposting our inevitable victory in 2019, particularly due to the sterling performance of Governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Darius Ishaku in delivering good governance and development to the people.

    Furthermore, it is an unpardonable assault on the sensibilities of the people of these states for Oshiomhole to mute that they will vote for the same APC, which has failed to protect their lives and has continued to play helpless while marauders slaughter their brothers and sisters and ravage their communities.

    We are however not unaware of Oshiomhole’s pattern of deploying false assertions, propaganda and instigating confusion, but we assure him that such cannot work in Delta and Taraba states, no matter the machination, as the people are solidly behind the PDP in our quest with majority of Nigerians to rescue our nation from the clutches of the APC.

    Instead of wasting his time fixating on PDP states, we advice Oshiomhole to direct his energy on how to save his crumbling party from the misfortune of being stuck with an unpopular candidate in President Buhari, who has become the fixed omen of inescapable electoral humiliation of the APC in 2019.

    Even Oshiomhole, who by now ought to have surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of humongous corruption and stealing of public funds hanging on his neck, knows that he is a derelict salesman of a very bad product, but had to believably take up the job to save himself from prosecution.

    We know that Oshiomhole, in the excitement of his prosecution cover, would do everything to please his benefactor, but rather than seeking to distract our governors, who are busy delivering and commissioning projects, he should direct attention to President Buhari and APC governors who cannot boast of any serious achievement upon which they can campaign in 2019.

    The PDP cautions the APC to perish the thoughts of muzzling the electoral process at any level in 2019, as such will be stiffly resisted by Nigerians across the country.

     

  • Delta peaceful despite IPOB’s stay-at-home order – Police

    The Police Command in Delta says there is no cause for alarm over the stay-at-home order issued by the terrorist group, IPOB, to reinforce their demand for a sovereign state.

    The command Spokesman, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, told newsmen on Wednesday in Asaba, that the police had been able to neutralise any attempt to breach public peace in the state capital.

    “Let me say generally here that in Delta, there is utmost peace and the residents are enjoying it. Regarding the threat or order by the IPOB, the police have taken care of that.

    “We have officers and men on ground who are carrying out surveillance and are also to deal with any attempt to breach the public peace. We don’t have any issue concerning IPOB threat or order here.

    “They (IPOB) decided to jettison the idea of their usual protest and come up with the idea of sit at home. If they decided to sit at home, better for them and the society if you ask me,” Aniamaka said.

    On security situation in Asaba, Aniamaka said the state capital was calm and residents went about their businesses without any cause for alarm.

    He said the command had its men on the streets and patrols to forestall any attempt by any group or persons to cause public disorder.

    The spokesman also disclosed that the command recently arrested some members of the outlawed IPOB in the state capital and put them on trial for unlawful activities.

    “Recently, the police arrested some members of the IPOB and they are currently on trial in the law court, charged with belonging to unlawful society because the group has been proscribed,” Aniamaka said.

    NAN reports that Asaba, the Delta capital, was relatively calm on Wednesday, as residents moved about freely and businesses were opened to customers, in contrast to the sit-at-home- order.

  • I Go Dye builds hospital for community

    I Go Dye builds hospital for community

    Nigerian comedian, I Go Dye isn’t just another social critic that comments on national issues, the entertainer has shown his benevolent side by building a healthcare centre in his community of Ovu, Delta State.

    The showbiz practitioner took to his Instagram page to share the picture of what looks like a high class edifice meant to serve as healthcare hospital for the people of Ovu, in Delta State and environs.

    In his words: “The challenges facing most people across Nigeria is the same, irrespective of our religious, political and ethnic backgrounds; in line with the United Nations Goal 3 ,I have commenced the building of an health care hospital in my community. We can make life more beautiful than we met it,” he writes .

     

    The comedian is fast becoming popular for his fervent stance on national issues. Recall that he queried former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s genuineness in using the Nigerian youths as the reason to drive his campaign agenda in a bid to gun for the presidential seat in the 2019 elections.

    He wrote:” Don’t use sentimental empathy on the youths to express your political ambitions. Sir, you are one of those that have immensely benefited from Nigeria since your birth in 1946”.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BioZH9qA1tf/?taken-by=igodye_

  • Omo-Agege congratulates Delta APC for successful ward congress

    Senator representing Delta Central senatorial district in the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege on Monday congratulated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) particularly the Delta state chapter for successfully conducting its ward congresses across the country.

    This was revealed in a statement released on his behalf by his media office.

    Recall that party held its ward congresses across the country on Saturday, May 5, 2018.

    Read full statement below:

    CONGRATULATIONS TO APC DELTA STATE FOR SUCCESSFUL WARD CONGRESSES

     

    1.0. The Most Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege joins his fellow leaders in the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) to congratulate the entire APC family on the official Ward Congresses results just announced by the Congress Organising Committee headed by Alhaji Sanni Dododo. By the official results duly endorsed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies, our Party’s grassroots across almost all 270 Wards in Delta has chosen a new reality that demands total focus on APC’s resolve to defeat the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s general elections. Today’s results confirm that our grassroots want unity of purpose, not divisiveness or acrimony.

     

    2.0. Senator Omo-Agege is particularly thankful to the Alhaji Dododo Committee for its steadfastness and total respect for the rules of the game. He is equally grateful to our security agencies for rising up to the unique demands of the exercise. His gratitude also goes to the officials of INEC who monitored the Congresses. The Obarisi of Urhoboland is especially grateful to and congratulates all APC leaders, members and supporters for the progressive outcome. Because our Party has just received fresh, trusted leadership, everybody is a winner. All, especially the new Ward Executives, have a duty to urgently unite and reconcile the party. We should never be tempted to believe that our fellow party men and women are losers or lesser members of the Party. That should never happen. We must work together.

     

    3.0. For Delta Central Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Omo-Agege hereby specially congratulates all Ward Executives elected in the 85 Wards. Even in the midst of avoidable challenges, they remained focused on the real prize of leading our Party to better territories. At his immediate home front of Ughelli North Local Government, the following leaders were returned as Ward Chairman and Secretary respectively: Akpomedaye Stephen and Epete Lucky (Ward 1); Ogortanure Ativie Perry and Umukoro Wilson Edojah(Ward 2); Oviri Andrew and Alfred Umukoro (Ward 3); Gabriel Orogun and Solomon Erharadjeke(Ward 4); Austin Asaware and Omokri Anthony (Ward 5); Useh Etawarien Peter and Eko Wilson (Ward 6); Enajome Monday and Wilson Egbenine (Ward 7); Akpobasa Solomon and Avwiariemu Benjamin (Ward 8); Samuel Evinighono and Atagadama Hezekiah (Ward 9); Patrick Evuarherhe and Oshare Francis (Ward 10) and Mayor Okeh and Pastor Obire Oghenewarho (Ward 11). We congratulate them heartily.

     

    4.0. Finally, the Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege strongly appeals to all our leaders and members to put the collective interest of our people beyond self. Progressive party politics is about the people. For their sake, let us summon the courage to unite our Party and direct our electoral arsenal against the PDP. Our determination to defeat and take out PDP from Delta is not small at all. We need all hands, including new friends and alliances to win comprehensively in 2019. God bless us all.

     

    Signed:

    Prince Efe Duku

    For: The Office of Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege