Niger Delta
PDP Seeks Arrest Of Sylvia’s Running Mate Over Incisive Campaign
The Bayelsa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Campaign Council has called on the Inspector-General of Police and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately invite a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Joshua MacIver, for questioning.
Chairman of the Publicity and Media Directorate of the PDP Governorship Election Campaign Council, Hon. Ayibaina Duba, in a statement issued in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Monday, said Mr. MacIver made inciting comments capable of truncating the peace of the state in a video now in circulation.
A statement from the Publicity Directorate of the PDP campaign council made available to The Tide alleges that the APC gubernatorial candidate, Timipre Sylva, has been disqualified by a law court, but that during their recent campaign in Twon-Brass, headquarters of the Brass Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, the disqualified APC governorship candidate’s running mate made an incendiary comment during their rally.
The PDP campaign council alleged that in a video which has gone viral on social media, the former militant leader, who they also alleged to have broken jail after being sentenced for terrorism by a Federal High Court in Kaduna, urged the people to “throw into the sea anyone that misbehaves on November 11 and ensure the person(s) dies”.
The campaign council noted that it strongly condemned MacIver’s thoughtless comment, saying it had the potential of throwing the state into anarchy before and during the November 11 governorship election.
The PDP further alleged that the APC leader was notorious for instigating political violence and that his comments only confirmed what Bayelsans generally know about the party’s plot to cause violence during the election.
“Recall how the quasi-security outfit, Operation Famoutangbe, created when Chief Sylva was Governor, in Gestapo-like manner, visited mayhem on hapless Bayelsans and political opponents in the state.
“We wonder if MacIver and his party were having a dress rehearsal to again visit Famoutangbe on people of the state.
“Under Governor Douye Diri, peace has been fully restored in Bayelsa and the people now sleep with their eyes closed. But because the opposition had nothing good to offer the state, it continued to incite violence. With MacIver’s recent comments, the height of the party’s desperation to seize power is at all costs”, the PDP campaign council said.
The PDP restated its call on the security agencies to ensure the governorship poll was peaceful and devoid of Interference.
It also urged security agencies to perform their professional and non-partisan roles in elections and ensure anyone that breached the electoral process is brought to book.
“We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be transparent and ensure that the November poll is free, fair and credible.
“Election is about the ballot and not the bullets”, the PDP 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.
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