Niger Delta
Opokuma Violence: Group Alleges Plans To Indict Alaibe
Following last week’s violence that erupted in Opokuma, the country home of the erstwhile Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) and gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Timi Alaibe, a group has alleged that it has uncovered plans to indict him over the killings of two of his supporters by the gunmen.
Making this known in a statement signed by Douye Diri, the Timi Alaibe Campaign Organisation said there was an underground plan to arrest Alaibe adding that some people have been paid to mount pressure on the government to set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
The Statement reads in part, “it has been gathered that one these groups and persons, who have since been paid handsomely for the project, intensify their calls, the state Government would proceed to set up a so-called Judicial Commission of Inquiry which it would task to indict Chief Alaibe at all cost, and consequently move for his arrest and prosecution over the attacks on his own home and supporters”.
The ploy, according to the political group, is aimed at diverting the attention of security agencies from the alleged State Government’s involvement in the dastardly murder of innocent supporters of Chief Alaibe in Opokuma last Friday.
Meanwhile, many have not stopped wondering how the Bayelsa State Government came into the hurried conclusion, less than 24 hours after the sad event, that it was a clash of rival cult groups invited to welcome Chief Alaibe’s home.
The question has, therefore, been “why is the Bayelsa State Government bent on preempting and prejudicing investigations?”
Even when it is conceded tht it is the duty.
According to the organization, the attack “is only a feeble attempt to intimidate and scare the long suffering people of Bayelsa State, who are clearly resolute in their determination to put a new government in place in the state by May 2011.
“The truth is that the current leadership in Bayelsa State is drowning and it is prepared to cling to straw to stay afloat. The regime’s trump card is violence and more violence”, the organization continued.
Meanwhile, the growing trend of violent activities in the state, which started last year with the bombings in Yenagoa, and later destruction of prominent people’s homes in different locations and stoning at campaign rallies culminating in killings, has now become a source of worry to many Bayelsans.
According to a statement made available to The Tide via e-mail, and signed by the State Commissioner of Information, Hon. Nath Egba, there was relative peace in the state until Mr. Alaibe’s governorship ambition became public knowledge, just as was the case in 2003, when he sought to intimidate Dr. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha from the governorship position before he was defeated at the primaries.
The statement, therefore, appealed to politicians in the state to imbibe democratic culture by allowing the people to be the ultimate deciders of who gets what.
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.