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2023: Diri’s Aide Faults Decampees, Dispels Rumours On Dickson

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The Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Inter-party Relations, Barr. Jackson Ebi Suokiri, has described the recent defection of some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state as ill-conceived.
Suokiri stated this in Kaiama, headquarters of the Kolokuma/Opokuma Council area of the state in a chat with journalists against the background of a gale of defections from the PDP to other parties in the past weeks in the state.
The Bayelsa Governor’s aide, who alleged that the trio of Hons. Victor Isaiah, Executive Chairman, Brass Council Area, Daniel Mark-Iworiso, former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, and Alex Dumbo, former Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s office, have benefited maximally from the PDP, restated that though it is normal and legal to defect from one party to the other, the defection of the trio from the PDP to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was not done with good conscience.
He urged Bayelsans and the public to discountenance any rumour that the defection of the trio who were alleged allies of the immediate past Governor of the State, Seriake Dickson, was a pointer that the incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the former now have a soured relationship.
He reiterated that Governor Diri and Senator Dickson have a blossoming relationship, noting that the allegations that those who were the latter’s loyalists were being mistreated in the Governor Diri-led prosperity administration were spurious claims.
Suokiri, who also stated that the recent PDP primaries were free, fair and credible, lauded the governor for ensuring a level playing ground, saying those defecting from the party are aspirants who were defeated in the primaries.
He emphasized that rather than allege that the primaries were not transparent and that they were being victimized in the PDP, the defectors, he insisted, should have ideally said having lost the primaries in the PDP, they would now like to test their popularity in the SDP.
“Governor Diri ensured that there were credible primaries. In every contest, there would be winners and losers. I, therefore, see no reason why after losing the primaries, a party member who has benefited immensely from the PDP should think of defecting. Instead, if I were them, I would’ve been very loyal and faithful now so that I can be carried along.
“Iworiso was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor, Seriake Dickson. From the position of a CPS, he was later appointed as Information and Orientation Commissioner. But honestly, I don’t see an Iworiso winning primaries. I don’t think he has the structure in Ogbia to do that even.
“For Victor Isaiah, the Brass LG Chairman, I also think he never thought it wise to have opted to defect at this time. Like the other defectors, he has benefited more from the PDP.
“He was appointed as Care-taker Committee Chairman of that LGA and was later elected as Executive Chairman.
“If I were him, I would’ve still toed the path of loyalty, especially now that his tenure as Chairman would be expiring soon.
“Imagine, just a few days after their defections, they were announced as flag-bearers of the SDP in their various elective Constituencies.
“Bayelsans know that Governor Diri has done marvelously well in both human capital and infrastructural developments and even timely payment of civil servants, etc.
“So, I’ld like to assure Bayelsans that the Governor has also graciously reinvigorated unity and love within the PDP, and so the party has all the structures needed to win any election here in the state”, Suokiri said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

 

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Bayelsa, Rivers To Establish Joint Anti-Vandalism Taskforce On National Grid, Others

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December 13, 2024

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The Governments of Bayelsa and Rivers States have resolved to jointly work towards strengthening security architecture to protect power and other critical national assets in their border communities.
This decision, The Tide learnt, followed the outcome of a meeting between the Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu, at the Brick House, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, Senator Ewhrudjakpo underscored the importance of effective collaboration between the two states to tackle power outage and its attendant socio-economic losses occasioned by criminal activities of vandals.
Lamenting that it cost Bayelsa so much political and financial capital to have power restored after a four-month period of blackout, the Acting Governor stressed the need for urgent and drastic measures to forestall the recurrence of such harrowing experience.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo seized the opportunity to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Prof  Odu, for showing concern over the Bayelsa plight and indicating readiness for collaboration to curb the menace.
“For the past four months, the transmission lines between Bayelsa and Ahoada in Rivers State have been vandalized almost three times. And to fix it, TCN was telling us one story after another.
“So, we decided to take it upon ourselves to make sure we fix the line. But having fixed it, what we need to do is to have a team that provides surveillance for that facility so that it will not be easily vandalized again.
“We believe if we have this kind of joint collaboration, it will be easier for our communities to protect the facilities. So we need to have a joint committee that will monitor the line between Rivers and Bayelsa”, the Bayelsa Ag. Governor said.
Earlier, the Rivers State Deputy Governor had assured the Bayelsa delegation of her state’s preparedness to contribute meaningfully towards the fight against transmission lines vandalism.
“We must do something about it because you don’t leave your problems or sweep them under the carpet. If you sweep them under the carpet, they remain there. You have to bring them out and find the strategy that works best to solve them”, Prof. Odu said.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Mrs.  Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, and  her  Rivers State Local Government Affairs counterpart, Prince Charles Beke, disclosed that both states had resolved to establish anti-vandalization taskforce committees that will work jointly to check the activities of power vandals.
Mrs. Koku-Obiyai, who emphasized the need for active community engagement in the security arrangements, informed that Bayelsa had already constituted and inaugurated a 10-member anti-vandalism taskforce, which has since commenced operations in the state.
Government officials who accompanied Senator Ewhrudjakpo to the meeting which was at the instance of the Governors of Bayelsa and Rivers State were, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Peter Akpe, and the Commissioner for Power, Engr Kumoko Kharin.
Others included the Commissioner for Community Development, Hon, Watson Belemote; the Mayor of Yenagoa City, Mr. Bulodisiye Ndiware; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, CP Agberebi Akpoebi (Rtd); and the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Anti-Vandalization Taskforce, CP Mary George (Rtd).
The Chairman of Ahoada West, Mr. Iyekor Ikporo, and that of Ahoada East, Mr. Chibudum Ezu, were part of the Rivers team, while the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was represented by Engr Juliet Ndidi at the meeting.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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C’River Magistrates Threaten Indefinite Industrial Action

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December 13, 2024

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Magistrates in Cross River State have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike last Monday over alleged poor welfare and other conditions of service.
This is contained in a release jointly signed by the State Chairman of Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Godwin Onah, and his Secretary, Solomon Abuo.
The Tide’s source reports that the Magistrates noted that the strike will not cease until their demands are met by the government.
They had earlier embarked on a 3-day warning strike to press home their demands and also warned that they will commence an indefinite industrial action should the government fail to meet their demands.
They said the government has failed to implement their promotions and see to their overall welfare and working environment.
According to the statement dated December 8, following the expiration of the warning strike, the magistrates have decided to embark on indefinite strike from Monday, December 9.
“Furthermore, sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River State dated 11th November, 2024, where  the notice of strike, was extended to Friday 22nd November, 2024 to enable the State Government to attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.
“In line therefore, with our congress resolution to proceed on a three days warning strike is hereby declared by the state chapter of the Magistrates.
“This action in the first instance, will be  effective from 6am of Wednesday, 27th November 2024 to Friday , 29th November, 2024.
“If the State Government fails to meet our demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met”.
Before the warning strike, the magistrates had earlier in November issued a seven days ultimatum to the state government to effect promotion for its members that have remained stagnant since 2015.
The magistrates also decried the payment of N15,000 as monthly  impress to magistrates in the state when compared to magistrates in neighbouring states that receive between N200,000 and N250,000 monthly.
While also demanding for the rehabilitation of magistrate courts across the state, the association further condemned the government for none provision of official vehicles to it members.
It further demanded immediate implementation of promotion and regularisation of magistrates in the  state with necessary financial benefits across all cadres as well as the implementation of all accrued arrears.
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NSCDC Holds Walk Against National Assets Vandalism In Edo

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December 13, 2024

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo State has staged  a walk to educate the public on the importance of protecting national assets and infrastructure from being vandalised.
State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Gbenga Agun, who led the sensitisation walk, said it was meant to intimate the public of its role in ensuring the protection of the assets at all levels.
“It is to sensitise the people on the importance of guiding our properties, that is, critical national assets and infrastructure from being vandalised”, he said.
Agun noted that protecting national assets was a collective responsibility because it encompassed everyone.
According to him, vandalism can be natural or man-made, and that the economic situation in the country can push some people to engage in destructive activities.
The NSCDC boss, however, encouraged the public to report cases of vandalism at any of the divisional offices in all local governments or the outpost stations.
Also speaking, the Head of Department, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure of the command, Mr Sule Muhammed, called for intelligence sharing on vandalism of any national assets for prompt action.
The Tide’s source reports that the walk, which featured the distribution of leaflets to motorists, shop owners, and passersby, began from the command headquarters at the Blessed Avenue in Benin and covered several major roads in the city.
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