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Tag: Diri

  • Gov. Diri hails Pinnick’s election into FIFA council

    Gov. Diri hails Pinnick’s election into FIFA council

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has applauded the emergence of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, into the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) council.

    Diri in a congratulatory message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, on Thursday in Yenagoa, described the election as another positive development for Nigeria on the global scale.

    The governor said with Pinnick, Nigeria had put its best foot forward to occupythe top seat in the global football community.

    According to him, the NFF president has displayed a remarkable passion for football development in Nigeria since his assumption of office.

    The governor said that he was not surprised that Pinnick had continued to excel as a football administrator.

    Diri, also a former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Bayelsa, observed that Pinnick’s dedication had earned him a deserved recognition and elevation, urging him not to rest on his laurels.
    “Pinnick has shown remarkable passion for football development, not only in Nigeria but also, at the global level.

    “I, therefore, congratulate him and Nigeria, which put its best foot forward to ensure that he was elected into the FIFA council.

    “It is a deserved call to further service towards football development in Nigeria, Africa and on the global level.” Diri stated.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Pinnick was, on Saturday, elected as member of FIFA council at the 43rd CAF Ordinary and Elective General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco.

  • Bayelsa: Why I distance myself from Diri’s government – Ex-Gov Dickson

    Bayelsa: Why I distance myself from Diri’s government – Ex-Gov Dickson

    Former Governor of Bayelsa, Sen. Seriake Dickson says he has no rift with Gov. Douye Diri, who took over from him on Feb. 14, 2020.

    Dickson said his noticeable absence from government functions was deliberate and in consonance with his values and principles of non interference.

    In a statement issued on Thursday, Dickson, who is now a senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District of the state, said he remained supportive of Diri’s administration.

    He said he had no hand in the media attacks against Diri’s administration by some of his former aides.

    Dickson’s explanation came on the heels of claims by Dr John Idumange, a former General Manager of Bayelsa Broadcasting Corporation, alleging diversion of N3 billion agricultural loan obtained by Dickson’s administration.

    Idumange, who was an aide on Research and Documentation to Dickson, who was governor from 2012 to 2020, claimed the present administration was diminishing the efforts of Dickson’s government.

    He claimed that he had so far, recorded 17 cases of diversion of the N3 billion loan obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Idumange also claimed that he would report the alleged fraud to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when the count reached 25.

    Dickson, who washed his hands off the allegations, urged his supporters to close ranks and work for the success of Diri’s administration.

    “I want to advise that no one who is supportive of me, a member of our party or who claims to be, should be publicly critical of our government. This is unacceptable.

    “I am aware that some of our party stalwarts and members that I led in these unprecedented battles and victories, have one complain of non-inclusion or the other which is normal.

    “The governor and the party are available to address these issues and as such, do not call for a public attack on our government because an attack on the governor and his government is an attack on our party and I do not approve of such.

    ”My role and my duty as former governor and the first governor to have done eight years, who midwifed the process of reelection, is to advise, support and pray for the success of this administration.

    “My take is that every person in the current administration at all levels, beginning with the governor is part of our team,” he said.

    The senator however, urged the governor, members of his team and the party leadership to take steps to unify and create an atmosphere of inclusiveness and togetherness.

    Dickson maintained that as a political family, the governor remained the leader of the party.

    “The governor is head of both the party and the government and he has my support and I urge all stakeholders to stop the divisive politics and give him their support,” he said.

    He said where the present governor deemed fit, he could consult stakeholders for their inputs and advice.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Diri was sworn in on Feb. 14, 2020 following a Supreme Court Judgment of Feb. 13 which sacked the erstwhile governor-elect, Chief David Lyon.

  • Bayelsa Assembly breaks silence on impeachment moves against Gov. Diri

    Bayelsa Assembly breaks silence on impeachment moves against Gov. Diri

    The Bayelsa House of Assembly says there are no plans to impeach Gov. Douye Diri, describing the speculations as a distraction.
    The House Committee Chairman on Information, Mr Tari Porri, representing Ekeremor Constituency 1, dismissed the rumour that the sixth assembly has concluded plans to impeach the governor.
    Porri was reacting to reports that the legislature was at dispute with the executive over the disbursement of N38 billion refunds from the Federal Government.
    He stated this during a newsmen briefing in the conference room of the Bayelsa Speaker, in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
    According to him, this is the second time such alleged impeachment plot against the incumbent governor of Bayelsa is making the rounds.
    Porri said the state legislature had recorded such alleged impeachment in the past.
    “The 6th Assembly under Speaker Abraham Ingobere have shown that they don’t know what those behind the alleged plot are talking about.
    “The 6th Assembly have no reason to impeach the governor, we have never contemplated on that before.
    “We strongly believe that those peddling such rumour never mean well for our dear state.
    “Under the leadership of Hon. Abraham Ingobere, we have never thought of such for a man who have started most of his promises to his people,” he said.
    The spokesman flayed such rumours, assuring that the assembly is working with the govenor to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
    The information committee chairman explained that the constitution had spelt out a process before impeachment could be carried out.
    Porri said the 19 PDP members and their five APC colleagues are working in synergy with the governor and the leadership of the Bayelsa Assembly.
  • Newly discovered comedian bags appointment as SA Entertainment to Bayelsa Gov

    Newly discovered comedian bags appointment as SA Entertainment to Bayelsa Gov

    Governor of Bayelsa State Douye Diri has appointed a Nigerian comedian known as Aproko as his Special Assistant on Entertainment.

    Aproko was appointed few days after he won The Next Naija Comedy Star, a show organized by Ayodeji Richard Makun famously known as AY.

    Aproko, judged by Ali Baba, I go dye, MC Acapella, and MC Shakara, won the grand prize of 5 million naira and a car.

    He, however, announced his appointment via his Instagram page and thanked everyone who contributed to his success.

    He wrote: “First I’d like to thank God, my fans, my family and friends for standing by me all through the NEXT NAIJA COMEDY STAR CONTEST, thanks to bross @aycomedian for giving me the chance to prove myself to my country, thanks to my father @alibabagcfr for being everything to me. And also I want to specially thank GOV H.E DOUYE DIRI the executive governor of Bayelsa state, for finding me trustworthy to be appointed special assistant to the governor on entertainment (SA). I promise not to sleep on this sir. God bless you all for the love, I can’t thank you enough. Lastly, I’d like to be addressed as HONOURABLE APROKO from now on????. #nextnaijacomedystar.”

  • Supreme Court upholds Diri’s election as Bayelsa Governor

    Supreme Court upholds Diri’s election as Bayelsa Governor

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed six appeals filed against the election of Douye Diri of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) as Governor of Bayelsa State.

    A seven man panel of the court led by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, in its first decision, dismissed the appeal by the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) following its withdrawal by the appellant.

    The court noted that the appellant’s claim of wrongful disqualification of its candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was wrongly made because the said candidate did not meet the constitutional age requirement in the first place.

    The other appeals dismissed on Wednesday are Alliance for Democracy (AD), Liberation Movement (LM) and Accord Party (AP).

  • Wike, Okowa, Tambuwal, others storm Edo for Obaseki’s second term swearing-in

    Wike, Okowa, Tambuwal, others storm Edo for Obaseki’s second term swearing-in

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu on Thursday took their Oath of Office for a second and final term in office.

    The Oath of Office was administered around 12 noon by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Esther Edigin.

    In attendance at the inauguration which took place on Thursday at the Tennis Court of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, were governors of the Peoples Democratic Party including Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, and Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State.

    PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, was also present at the event with some other party officials while Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was represented by a government official.

    Obaseki had defected to the PDP from the All Progressives Congress after he was denied the ruling party’s ticket in the primary election due to intra-party wranglings.

    He later defeated the APC candidate in the September 19, 2020 governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to be re-elected governor of the state.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Obaseki promised to consolidate on his first-term achievements.

    He said, “We will also rapidly develop our critical energy, housing, digital and road Infrastructure, which provides a framework to drive inclusive growth as well as build the economy and drive industrialization, trade and investment, to solidify our state’s status as the choice investment destination in the country.

    “We will preserve the environment and public utilities, to make our state more functional and adapt to the challenges of climate change and rural-urban migration. Our major drive will be the clean and green Edo initiative and sustaining our campaign to plant trees and restore the forest.”

  • Okowa congratulates Gov Diri on appeal court victory

    Okowa congratulates Gov Diri on appeal court victory

    ov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated his Bayelsa counterpart, Sen. Douye Diri, on his victory at the Appeal Court on Friday.

    Ochoa’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued in Asaba on Saturday Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to the Delta governor.

    The Delta governor noted that the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which nullified Dari’s election earlier, ought not to have entertained the petition in the first instance as it was a pre-election matter and was status barred.

    He commended the INEC for acting well on the matter as the petitioner, the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) indeed, failed to present a qualified candidate for the election.

    He also commended the five-man panel of the Appellate Court for overturning the ruling of the tribunal.

    According to the governor, the judgment of the appellate court on the matter is a victory for the nation’s democracy and a reaffirmation of the powers of INEC to act as an unbiased umpire.

    “I welcome the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which sat in Abuja on the Bayelsa governorship election petition with immense joy and also appreciate the judiciary for doing justice to the matter.

    “This ruling has once again reaffirmed the powers of INEC to act as an unbiased umpire, especially in dealing with issues of improper nomination by political parties.

    I must commend the courage and sagacity exhibited by the five-man panel of the court which ruled that the ANDP failed woefully to show that it had a valid candidate that was unlawfully excluded by INEC.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate my brother governor, Sen. Diri, on this victory.

    “The case was a needless distraction as the election petition tribunal ought not to have entertained the petition because it was a pre-election matter and was also status barred.

    `”This victory is for all Bayelsans, and I urge the ANDP to sheathe its sword and work in the interest of the people of the state,’’ the governor said in the statement.

  • Bayelsa guber: Diri reacts to another Appeal Court victory

    Bayelsa guber: Diri reacts to another Appeal Court victory

    Govenor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State on Friday said he is God’s messenger and that nobody can unseat him.
    Diri while reacting to Friday’s separate Court of Appeal victories in his favour and that of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

    The appellate court in a unanimous decision overturned the August 15 Bayelsa Election Tribunal Judgment in favour of the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP), which nullified the election of Diri on November 16, 2019.

    The court on same day also dismissed the Liberation Movement appeal against the deputy governor.

    The governor in a press release by his spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, applauded the five-man panel of Justices for upholding the law and dispensing justice to all.

    He attributed the victory to God whom he referred to as the supreme leader of the universe ruling over the affairs of men.

    His words: “I want to thank God for this victory. Today, a Daniel came to judgement in the name of the Court of Appeal, which has given the true position of the law and we are happy about it.”

    Diri said his administration was instituted by God and as a messenger, he is only holding brief for Him.

    The Governor noted that the governorship candidate of the ANDP, King George, had earlier withdrawn his case at the tribunal and equally left the party but wondered why some persons would remote-control the purported chairman of the party.

    While appealing for support, Diri described the litany of electoral cases as distractions, stressing that it was time the “portfolio political parties” stopped fanning the embers of disunity in the state.

    “For those who are fanning the embers of disunity in our state using portfolio political parties, this is a time to put a full stop to it. If they really love the state, why are they still fanning the embers of destabilisation and moving on to unseat us?

    “The governor of Bayelsa State is God Himself. I have told those who care to listen that I am only a messenger-governor. The governor of Bayelsa is His Excellency the Supreme Leader of the universe and that is God Himself.
    He kept me here to hold brief for Him and you cannot unseat God. There is a God that rules over the affairs of men and that God that has brought me here will protect me, my deputy governor and everybody put together to lead this government.”

    Diri also called on the political class to exercise caution and desist from divisive politics particularly as the senatorial bye-elections are fast approaching.

  • INEC speaks on nullification of Bayelsa governorship poll

    INEC speaks on nullification of Bayelsa governorship poll

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it may respond to some of the issues raised by the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal when it is availed of the full judgment of the case.

    The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, stated this in an interview newsmen on Monday in Abuja.

    The commission was reacting to the nullification of the state’s governorship election which produced Governor Duoye Diri.

    Mr Okoye, however, noted that the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) nomination for the election was invalid while the party did not exercise its right guaranteed in the Fourth Alteration to the constitution by filing its suit within 14 days of the accrual of the said right.

    Mr Okoye recalled that the ANDP was one of the political parties that signified its intention to contest the November 16, 2019 Bayelsa governorship election.

    He said the party conducted party primaries and submitted the name of one Peter David as its deputy governorship candidate.

    “As at the time of the submission of the name of the said candidate, he was 34 years-old, contrary to Section 177(b) of the constitution that makes it mandatory for a candidate for such office to attain the age of 35 years to be eligible to contest the election.

    “In the candidate’s statutory declaration of age and affidavit attached to his form, the party stated that he was born on February 10, 1985.

    “On Sept. 13, 2019, the commission wrote to the party drawing their attention to the constitutional age requirement of 35 years for Governorship/Deputy Governorship candidates as stipulated in Section 177(b) of the constitution.

    “The commission also informed them of the invalidity of their nomination for the November 16, 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State,” he said.

    Mr Okoye also recalled that on September 21, 2019 and in response to the letter of the commission dated September 13, 2019, the ANDP wrote the commission acknowledging the invalidity of its nomination and forwarding the name of one Inowei Janeth as their new deputy governorship candidate.

  • Tribunal judgement: Continue with screening of commissioner-nominees, Diri tells Bayelsa lawmakers

    Tribunal judgement: Continue with screening of commissioner-nominees, Diri tells Bayelsa lawmakers

    Members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Monday paid a solidarity visit to Governor Douye Diri following the ruling of the state’s election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja.

    The lawmakers declared total support for the governor and his appeal of the tribunal judgment.

    The Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said in a statement that the delegation was led by the Speaker, Abraham Ingobere, and accompanied by the House of Representatives member representing the Ogbia Federal Constituency, Fred Obua.

    The visit came just as Governor Diri urged the Assembly to go ahead with the screening of his commissioner-nominees, saying he would swear them in after the exercise.

    “I hear you are having some august visitors on Tuesday, August 18. Go ahead and perform your legislative duties by screening them, and I will swear them in as commissioners. The state is already in motion and we are not going back,” Diri said.

    Continuing, Ingobere said the House suspended its plenary when they received the news of the judgment.

    He emphasised that as a God-fearing leader, the Assembly would stand solidly behind the governor because he had proved that he had the interest of Bayelsans at heart.

    The Speaker said: “Your Excellency, the House is solidly behind you and we believe strongly that it is the Supreme Court that will give the final judgment on what happened today.

    “The world is aware of how elections were conducted in a volatile situation and where the opposition party caused crisis that claimed the lives of Bayelsans. But we thank God for averting their plans by giving power to you and we are sure that He will do the same for you again.”

    Ingobere stressed that the assembly leadership was not interested in wresting power from the executive and that their only interest was the wellbeing and development of the state.

    Receiving the delegation, Diri described the visit as a morale booster that would inspire him to forge ahead with governance undeterred.

    The governor said the tribunal judgment, which had a dissenting ruling by its chairman, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo, was not enough to slow the wheel of governance, and thanked the legislators for their show of solidarity.

    He said: “It actually encouraged me. It gave me the strength and hope that we have a brighter tomorrow, and that we have an assembly that cares. Let me use this opportunity to call on Bayelsans to be calm as nobody has removed the governor.

    “This is the court of first instance and we respect the judiciary. The judiciary is there for the common man and we believe that justice would be done.

    “Even this judgement is not unanimous. The chairman of the tribunal said the judgment by the other two Judges was not correct and he has read his own, saying what they did was wrong. He said as far as he was concerned, the governor remained validly elected.”

    While expressing confidence in God to complete what his administration had started, Diri noted that although the legal fireworks had not ended, he is confident that it would end in his favour.