Niger Delta
Bayelsa Lawmaker Defects To APC
A Bayelsa state House of
Assembly lawmaker, representing Yenagoa Constituency 1, Mr Alfred Egba has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress, (APC).
Egba’s defection did not come as a surprise to political watchers as he has been nursing grievances against the party which denied him a return ticket to the House.
The lawmaker has became the first of the prominent members of the PDP who had planned to move into the APC because the rising political profile of the former Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva and the rising disenchantment by members of the PDP over the disciplinary stance of the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson over alleged anti-party activities.
Further check revealed that the early defection and regrouping by loyalists of the former governor, Timipre Sylva is based on the battle to unseat the PDP in Bayelsa during the Governorship election in 2016.
While most of Sylva’s former aides are considering ways to seek forgiveness from their former boss over alleged political betrayal after his removal as Governor, others are seeking defection to the APC as part of an alleged plot against the second term bid of the Bayelsa Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson.
Alfred Egba announced that he moved to the APC with his supporters and associates, including a former special adviser on special duties to the former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, Chief Sonme Ogilogi and a former commissioner in the State Independent Electoral Commission, Chief Tom Egba.
Further check revealed that the early defection and regrouping by loyalists of Timipre Sylva is based on the battle to unseat the PDP in Bayelsa during the Governorship election in 2016.
Alfred Egba, who had served on the State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation and a close ally of the former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, said in a statement issued last weekend in Yenagoa, that he decided to leave the PDP because the party could no longer give him the needed covering and that the PDP’s centre could no longer hold due to the raging crisis in the state leadership of the party.
According to him, “the PDP is clouded in series of controversies with parallel structures of leadership. The party is surrounded by the emergence of a factional chairman of the party, while another person still claims to be in charge of the party leadership in the state.”
“The PDP has been hijacked and there were many occasions when I was never aware of developments in my constituency and the PDP in the State. Even with my prominent position as a member of the State House of Assembly under the platform of the PDP.I have consulted with stakeholders and also seek the face of God before deciding to quit the party,” he added.
Fyneface Aaron, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Inirou Willsthe, briefing newsmen after inspecting SPDC oil spill sight on Edepie, Imiringi-Otuasegha Road in Ogbia Local Government Area, recently.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
