Niger Delta
Jonathan’s Ally Rates Diri High …Set To Dump Labour Party For PDP
Former Bayelsa State governorship aspirant on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 gubernatorial primaries in the State, and bosom friend of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, has said he is desirous of defecting from the Labour Party to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State.
According to him, his political sojourn to the Labour Party during and after the just-concluded presidential elections and the governorship primaries in the State was borne out of his desire for the development of the State.
The Tide learnt that Chief Ikiogha, who has also been a former gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2019 governorship polls in the State, has also been appointed by previous administrations as Commissioner and Chief of Staff of the State’s Government House, respectively at different times.
He noted that his planned defection to the PDP was partly premised on Governor Diri’s sterling performance in office, especially in infrastructural projects.
He said he was also one of the founding fathers of the State, and that prior to the formation of the APC and his pitching of tent with the Labour Party recently, he has been a member of the PDP and served the State in various capacities.
The Epie-born politician, who lauded the state governor for his developmental milestones, however, noted that his reasons for leaving the Labour Party was because the party, from the state to the National Secretariat, has been embroid in series of disunity and political turmoil and fraction-alisation.
He continued that upon consultations with his political associates and friends, he believed the only alternative to him was to return to the PDP where his services and contributions were better acknowledged.
“I’ve compared, consulted and critically analysed that none of the candidates can unseat Governor Douye Diri in the forthcoming November 11 Polls in the state.
“Diri is one of the founding fathers of the state, and so he knew the problems and challenges of the state, and he’s solving them gradually. The Governor has a listening ear, and has promised to right all perceived wrongs within his time in office.
“I’ve met with the Governor and informed him of my desire to return to the PDP after my sojourn in both the APC and Labour Party.
“The reasons why I defected from the PDP to the APC, and from the APC to the Labour Party, and now going back to the PDP, my original party, was due to my quest to see the rapid development of Bayelsa State.
“And, for me, I’m so worried that Nigeria and my state, Bayelsa, haven’t reached the height they ought to have attained as a state and nation.
“But before I finally move back to the PDP on the 31st of this October, 2023 I’d want to consult with the father of all Bayelsans and by extension, father of all Nigeria’s current politicians. And you know whom I’m talking about”, Ikiogha added.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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.