Niger Delta
Jonathan, Diri, Alaibe Commend INEC, Electorates On Off-cycle Elections … As Ex-President Canvasses Electoral Calendar Overhaul
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, Governor of Bayelsa, and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 11th 2023 off-cycle governorship elections, Senator Douye Diri, as well as an ex-Managing-Director (MD) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief NduTimi Alaibe, have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for improvement recorded in the conduct of the off-cycle governorship elections in the state.
The ex-President and the duo, who also lauded electorates across the state on the exercise of their franchise, gave the commendations in their respective polling units shortly after casting their votes.
The Tide, which monitored the polls, reports that while former President Jonathan and his wife, Mrs Patience Jonathan, voted at his Otuoke home town Ebele Square, Unit 39, Ward 13 of the Ogbia Local Government Area, Governor Diri voted alongside his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, at his Kalama-owei Wari Unit 4, Ward 6 in his home town, Sampou Community in the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.
The ex-NDDC MD also cast his vote at Unit 14, Ward 7, Igbainwari, Opokuma Clan in the Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of the State.
Jonathan noted that though the electoral umpire has made significant landmark achievements in the conduct of the polls, the electoral cycle needed to be overhauled to ensure that all Governorship elections are held at the same time in the country.
He cautioned against the conduct of off-cycle polls, calling on the National Assembly to make amendments in the nation’s electoral laws where necessary so that elections concerning a particular facet of the nation’s political life could be held at same time.
The erstwhile President advised the INEC to emulate the developed Democracies in formulating and planning for the conduct of elections in the country, stressing that if proper care was not taken off-season polls could create political logjam for the nation in the future.
“I want to commend INEC for the timely distribution of electoral materials for the conduct of the three off-season elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states. I also want to congratulate the three states for their elections this day, Saturday 11th, November 2023.
“I’ve been getting briefings from different parts of Bayelsa State concerning the governorship elections today. So far, from reports at my disposal, there’ve not been any major issues bothering on violence, except for some parts of Nembe where the problems started even before this election. But that’s not to say there’ve not been problems in other parts which I may not have heard now.
“INEC and the National Assembly should make sure that they act timely and do what’s necessary to forestall the issue of off-season elections.
“You’d remember that in 2007 when I was running mate to President Yar’ A Dua, and later as Vice President, there was almost an off-season presidential election, but in the court then, out of the seven Justices, four ruled in favour of that presidential election, and so that prevented the occurrence of an off-season presidential election in the nation”, Jonathan said.
Similarly, the State Governor, Senator Diri, expressed concern over the hijack of sensitive election materials at Ward 6 in Sagbama LGA and commended INEC for taking prompt action.
He said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) made the voting process fast and seamless.
A statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying: “We’ve concerns at Nembe-Bassambiri where our party members were stopped from going into their community.
“Our party has written an official letter to the INEC Chairman to ensure that our people are allowed to go in there and vote. What we call for is a free and fair process where the BVAS is used just as l have done here.
“Special attention has to be given to Nembe-Bassambiri because every thing points to the fact that PDP members were chased out of the community.
“You know that we have been raising the issue of the violent character of the APC candidate, Timipre Sylva. Over the years, every election he is involved in experienced violence.”
On his part, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe scored INEC high on the conduct of the polls, saying in Bayelsa State, this off-cycle elections can be judged as the first elections in which both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials and Ad-hoc staff arrived promptly for the conduct of the exercise.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Kevin Nengia, Yenagoa
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The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said the resumption of operations at the 210,000 barrels per day Port Harcourt refinery and the 150,000bpd Warri refinery is a step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency and fostering economic sustainability.
In a statement signed by the Acting Director of Communication and Stakeholders Management, Obiageli Onuorah, on Sunday, the agency said these accomplishments represent significant strides toward addressing Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on imported petroleum products.
It said the milestone will reduce the staggering costs associated with fuel importation and create a ripple effect across key sectors of the economy.
NEITI also congratulated the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on the successful completion of the first phase of the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation project and the gradual resumption of operations at the Warri refinery.
Although not operating at full capacity, this achievement marked a significant milestone, as it revived vital infrastructure that had long been neglected and underutilised.
Acknowledging the milestone, NEITI said it will positively impact Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves and reduce the staggering costs associated with fuel importation.
“NEITI acknowledges that the revitalisation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries has the potential to enhance energy security, create jobs, stimulate local industries, and free up critical funds that can be redirected towards national priorities like health, education, and infrastructure”, the statement read in part.
It added that through its Industry Reports for the Oil and Gas 2023, it was disclosed that between 2006-2023 (in 18 years), a total of N15.87tn has been expended as under-recovery through price differentials (subsidy), with 2022 recording the highest sum of N4.714tn.
“2022 also recorded the highest importation of PMS put at 23.54bn litres, while 2017 recorded the lowest import volumes of 16.88bn litres.
“Between 2022 and 2023, importation volumes declined by 3.25bn litres (14 per cent) from 23.54bn litres in 2022 to 20.28bn litres in 2023. This is attributed to the announcement of the removal of fuel subsidy.
“With the current efforts to put the refineries back to work, NEITI is delighted that the huge payments expended on subsidy will henceforth be available to support national development, ongoing rebuilding of the national infrastructure and poverty reduction”, it stated.
The Acting Director also urged the NNPCL to expedite action on the second phase of the Port Harcourt Refinery and the ongoing rehabilitation of the Kaduna refinery.
“This should be followed closely with the restoration of phase 1 of the Port Harcourt refinery to optimal capacity in the ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
“We commend the leadership of the NNPCL team for their resilience, dedication, and unwavering determination in executing this complex and challenging task.
“As stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy sector, NEITI said that it remains committed to supporting NNPCL’s efforts to ensure the long-term success of these projects and to share the achievements with national and global partners, including the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative community.
“NEITI stands ready to collaborate with NNPCL to sustain and expand these gains in the national interest and Nigeria’s energy security”, the statement concluded.
The Government of Bayelsa State has urged residents of the state and the general public to cooperate and support its policies aimed at promoting efficiency and effectiveness in the transport sector.
Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the call recently when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Bayelsa Ultramodern Transport Terminal at Igbogene, a suburb of Yenagoa, the state capital.
Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, appealed to the motoring public and commuters to be patient with the present administration as it takes steps to address some of the problems confronting the sector.
He explained that the recent policy mandating transporters and commuters to use only government approved motor parks was made in the best interest of the state.
According to him, the shutting down of illegal parks and their subsequent relocation to the state-of-the-art transport terminal at Igbogene for intercity transport has brought decency and serenity to the hitherto chaotic Tombia Junction and other areas in the state capital.
The Deputy Governor noted that while government intends to build more befitting parks to make commuting easier, he said the Ekeki Motor park would continue to cater for the needs of those travelling within the state.
He thanked the immediate past Governor and now Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, for conceiving the project and bringing it to near completion before leaving office.
The Bayelsa’s number two Man also commended the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for completing the project and putting it to use, describing the recent relocation order as part of the state government’s efforts to implement its urban renewal policy.
The Deputy Governor, who sympathized with the people for some of the inconveniences thrown up by the new policy, assured that government was doing everything possible to address all reasonable challenges associated with the use of the new transport terminal.
“You know there’s no state that has this kind of facility in our country for now. This is an airport terminal for some states and even for some countries. It was a well-thought-out plan by the immediate past Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson.
“We want to thank him for coming up with this project, which we inherited as part of the assets though there was some liability of completion.
“We also thank His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri for not only completing the project but also putting it to use by ordering the movement of all transporters involved in intercity transport to this place because that is the standard in every international city.
“What we have come here to do is to evaluate the implementation of no side parks in Bayelsa State. And as you know, for now, we have two parks in Yenagoa: the Ekeki Park and this park.
“Those who ought not to come here to load, for example, what is the business of somebody going to Ogbia, or Nembe, coming as far as Igbogene to takeoff? What will somebody going to Amassoma, or anywhere in Southern Ijaw come to do here instead of Ekeki park?
“So, it is better they are somewhere there, so that it is only those who are actually going out of the state that will come here. That is part of the thinking we are doing, and in any case, we have a few issues as to the inadequacy of the space and the issue of the utilization of the spaces available. And we are addressing them.
“All that Bayelsans and commuters need to do is that they have to be patient. As a government, we are trying to moderate the issue of trekking to junction before boarding vehicles to the city centre. Those issues are being managed. So they should be patient”, he said.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied on the inspection by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Preye Broderick, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, their Bayelsa Central Special Duties counterpart, Mr. Mandy Sylvanus Akpalo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Johnson Dagana, and other top government officials.
Edo State has recorded 56 Lassa Fever cases and eight deaths between December 30, 2024 and January 2025, says the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole confirmed the incident in Benin while formally declaring the situation of Lassa Fever in the state.
“The 2025 epidemic year began on December 30, 2024. Since then, 336 suspected cases have been reported, with 56 confirmed and eight resulting in death”, he said.
He said outbreak posed significant public health risks due to its rapid transmission potentials and severe outcomes if not effectively managed.
Oshiomhole revealed that 14 patients are currently receiving specialised care at the Lassa Fever Treatment Center in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH).
He also noted that “In 2024, the state recorded 3,270 suspected cases, 292 confirmed cases, and 41 deaths, showing a decline from 2023 which recorded 65 deaths from 372 confirmed cases”.
According to him, the state has activated its Public Health Emergencies Response Management Team, collaborating with healthcare facilities, community leaders, and stakeholders to contain the outbreak.
Part of the response measures include “enhanced surveillance, expanded treatment centers, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), public awareness campaigns, and partnerships with health organisations”.
He urged residents to report anyone with symptoms like fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, or bleeding to the nearest health facility for early detection.
The commissioner also tasked the response team to reduce the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) and assured of government support to enhance Lassa fever management efforts.
He further said the molecular laboratory at UBTH had been optimised for Lassa fever testing, increasing the state’s capacity with two testing centers at UBTH and ISTH.
The Tide’s source reports that Dr. Ekaete Tobi of ISTH has been appointed as the state Lassa fever Incident Manager to coordinate outbreak control activities.
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