BOMBSHELL: BAYELSA APC GUBER FLAGBEARER TIMIPRE SYLVA WITHDRAWS FROM SOUTHERN/IJAW ELECTIONS.....RESORT TO LITIGATION

Unconfirmed reports from the APC hierarchy reveals that APC Governoship candidate Mr. Timipre Sylva has withdrawn from the Southern/Ijaw elections scheduled to hold on the 19th of December, 2015.The reporter authoritative said that the Mr. Sylva has his fears that Southern/Ijaw is the stronghold of the PDP and belueves that in a free and fair election, APC will not stand a chance.Sylva is poised to shift the battle to the Law Courts. It is pertinent to recall that Southern/Ijaw Local Government Area is indeed a stronghold of the PDP, being the LGA of origin of late chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, who until his demise was the chief campaigner of the PDP.Also, principal officers such as the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kombowei Benson, the Chief of Staff Rt. Hon. Rt. Talford Ongolo, the Chairman of the Council Hon. Remember Ogbe, and all three Law makers, the Senatorial and the House of Reps members are all members of PDP with massive followership. Sylva might have weighed the odds and concluded that the APC does not stand.However some political pundits posit that Sylva's credibility and popularity is in doubt as he won in only one LGA out of the seven LGAs where elections were conducted. "I am taking my case to court. There is no way I would stand a chance. I have no confidence in INEC and the military, he added."

BAYELSA POLLS: PDP FAULTS SYLVA'S LETTER TO INEC,SAYS HE CANT BE GOVERNOR

 

The Restoration Campaign Organization, an organ of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State as expressed dismay over a letter written by the candidate of the All Progressives (APC) candidate in the December 5 election, Chief Timipre Sylva to the Independent National Electoral Commission, describing it as mischievous.The group urged Sylva to stop his jejune political vitipurations and wake up to the reality that "he cannot be governor as the people have decided."In ‎the said letter copied to the Attorney-General of he Federation and Minister of Justice, Sylva requested that results from the Southern Ijaw LGA should be cancelled and he be declared winner.He reportedly told the commission to "in the interest of equity, fair-play and justice", cancel the elections in Ekeremor and Sagbama LGAs, wards 4 and 5 of Yenagoa and wards 8, 9 and 10 of Nembe LGAs.The RCO in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Jonathan Obuebite, said the letter was written against the will of the people.He said, "After carefully studying the letter, we have come to the conclusion that it was written with mischief and intended to put INEC in a position to subvert

GOV DICKSON RECEIVES OVER 2,000 APC DEFECTORS, SAYS APC IS GRADUALLY WINDING UP IN BAYELSA

 

 The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Monday alongside chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party received over 2,000 decampees from the All Progressives Congress, describing the development as a signal to the end of the party in the state.Governor Dickson said the action of more defectors from the APC to thePDP was an indication of the fact that, the machinations of the APC have been exposed, which it displayed in the Governorship election in the state.The returnees, according to the governor, were deceived by the leadership of the APC, noting that, now that they have known the truth, they have retraced their steps to the PDP, as over 5,000 have concluded plans to defect.Assuring the returnees of the readiness of the leadership of the PDP to give them a sense of belonging, Hon. Dickson said the umbrella is big enough to accommodate them.

The governor described the PDP as the only formidable party in the country, that operates within the guidelines that promotes unity among all Nigerians, which he noted has endeared it to the hearts of lovers of democracy, within and outside the country.Commenting on the violence that marred the conduct of the re-scheduled governorship election in Southern Ijaw local government, the governor said, the APC should be held responsible, arguing that, instead of preparing people for the election, the APC was preparing the innocent youths for

BAYELSA POLLS: SYLVA SUFFERS ANOTHER HUMILIATION, AS BUHARI FAILS TO REVERSE CANCELLED ELECTION

The embattled candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State governorship election, Timipre Sylva, left the Aso Rock Villa on Monday night disappointed after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari over the botched December 5 governorship election.Sources informed that after much pressure and lobby by Sylva, the President eventually granted him audience in a meeting which lasted for about 20 minutes but left disappointed as he failed in his mission to get the cancelled election reversed.Sylva was said to have initiated the meeting to urge President Buhari to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare him winner of the election following the controversial rerun in Southern Ijaw LGA.But after prostrating to Buhari and cajoling him, the President firmly told Sylva to return home and mobilise his supporters and be prepared for a rescheduled election.A source privy to the development but who pleaded anonymity informed journalists that the APC flagbearer left Aso Rock wearing a sad look as

BAYELSA: SYLVA BOYCOTTS NEDG EVENT.....AFRAID OF DEFEAT AT DEBATE SAYS PDP

Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the fear of defeat at the Bayelsa Governorship Election Debate was why All progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Timipre Sylva was absent at the forum.Director of Publicity of the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, said in a statement that having been properly invited by the organisers of the event, Sylva had no excuse to be absent.He said the debate was an opportune forum for the APC candidate to showcase his vision and competence to move the state forward if elected but missed the opportunity.He said Sylva lacked the ability to grapple with issues of governance, adding that was a major reason he could not perform as expected when he was governor of Bayelsa State for about five years.Obuebite also claimed Sylva knew the PDP candidate, Seriake Dickson, would defeat him in the debate and was reliably advised to sit out the debate.He stated that by his absence, Sylva had shown the people of Bayelsa that he was not ready and capable to become governor and confirmed the party’s conviction that he lacked the right competency to lead especially in a period of economic challenges requiring deep thinking and vision to make a difference in the lives of the people.“We have always stated the fact that Timipre Sylva lacked the vision and competency to be governor of Bayelsa State. So being absent deliberately at the Bayelsa Governorship Election Debate was a vindication of our conviction on this note. Of course, Sylva knew Governor Seriake Dickson will defeat him hands down on the issues of governance and development in the state and he cleverly stayed away. He just told Bayelsans he’s not ready and why the people have also rejected him ahead of Saturday’s election”.Obuebite said Sylva’s action was an indication of how he will disappoint those he’s promised federal appointments and lured into APC but which he noted were deceptions.

TORU-EBENI BRIDGE WILL BOOST ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, SAYS JONATHAN

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said the newly commissioned Toru-Ebeni bridge will help in opening up the hinterland in Bayelsa State as well as boost commercial activities in the area.Jonathan, who made this remark during the commissioning of the bridge, recalled that the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former governor of the state, conceived the idea of the project, but he started the construction, which the present administration completed.He said his administration saw the project as a priority, which would alleviate the sufferings of the people living in the riverine communities of Bayelsa Central and West as well as helping people of Ekeremor, who will no longer travel through Bomadi to their communities.Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Uche Secondus described the quality of the bridge as comparable to the best anywhere in the world.Secondus noted that, the state governor, Seriake Dickson, has achieved a lot for the state interms of high quality projects which, he said, would attract massive votes for his re-election.
On his part, Dickson pointed out that due to the former president’s commitment to infrastructural development of the state, he decided to complete the bridge projects for him to commission.He expressed delight that the contractors, Setraco and CCECC, were able to complete both projects in record time, stressing that he is committed to building more of such bridges and other infrastructural facilities in the state id re-elected.His words:”I am fulfilled for the completion and commissioning of the two bridges.  The former president was committed to the development of infrastructure in the state.  I want to remind you that the Ekoli and Toru-Ebeni bridges were initiated by him. That is why the commissioning of the Toru-Ebeni bridge project was reserved for Dr. Jonathan as a mark of honour for him”.

BAYELSA: APC PLANS ARREST OF OUR MEMBERS AHEAD OF ELECTION, PDP ALLEGES

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State yesterday raised alarm over alleged plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to implicate and arrest some of its members with strong and influential electoral support base a day before the December 5 governorship election in the state.The allegation was contained in a statement by the Director of Publicity of the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, who claimed that such PDP stalwarts would be arrested on trumped charges of arms running but that it is a political move to destabilize the party and its electoral chances.He said by the impending arrest, the APC believed it would impact negatively on the fortunes of the PDP in the affected localities.Obuebite listed those to be arrested to include Hon. Bonny Ayah, Special Adviser to the governor on Youth and Secretary of Bayelsa Volunteers, Hon. Tolu Amatu, a staunch PDP stalwart in Ekeremor, Joshua Maciever and Pastor Reuben Wilson. Maciever and Wilson are leaders of the party in Southern Ijaw.

According to him, the APC has identified these PDP leaders as influential with massive grassroots support who must therefore be taken out at all cost before it can have its way in the strongholds they control in the state.“We have it on good authority that the APC plans to frame up these individuals by planting weapons and ammunitions around their houses and then invite the police and JTF operatives to search their houses with the clear intention of implicating them in trump up charges of arm running”, he stated.The party has therefore called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the alleged plot and apprehend those who may be behind it.“The APC know too well that they can’t win in a free and fair contest and that’s why they are doing everything to rig the election. But we are confident that the authorities will be alive to their duties and ensure protective measures are taken to forestall any moves by the APC to rig the election”.

PHOTOS: GOV DICKSON ATTENDS INEC STAKEHOLDERS MEETING HELD IN BAYELSA AHEAD OF DEC 5 POLL

1- L-right: Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, Chairman, Restoration Campaign Organization Advisory Committee, Sen. Barigha Nimi Amangi and the Acting State Chairman of PDP, Barr. Serena Dokubo-Spiff at the Stat INEC Stakeholders Meeting in Yenagoa.
2- Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (centre) fielding question from Journalists shortly after attending the State INEC Stakeholders Meeting in Yenagoa.

BAYELSA: APC PLANS TO INDUCE VOTERS WITH N2 BILLION FAKE DOLLAR NOTES,PDP ALLEGES

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State said yesterday it has uncovered plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to induce voters with over N2bn fake naira and dollar notes which it also claimed was already in circulation in the state.Making this revelation in a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, the state capital, the Director of Publicity of the Restoration Campaign Organization, Jonathan Obuebite called on the general public to examine the money they are collecting from members of the opposition party. Obuebite, who said the act is a criminal and punishable offence under the law, asserted that the PDP reliably gathered that over N2 billion has been put into circulation by the APC to influence voters in a desperate move to rig the election.He stated that the resort to printing and circulation of fake currencies was due to inability of the APC to raise enough fundssince the high expectation of financial support from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) failed having refused to fund the campaign of its gubernatorial candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.Obuebite commended President Muhammadu Buhari who, he claimed, personally stopped the NDDC from releasing about N4 billion that was meant to fund APC candidate for the December 5 election in Bayelsa State.“It would be recalled that PDP had prior to this criminal actraised alarm over plans by the NDDC to award phony contracts to fund Sylva’s election. Having failed in this aspect, the party has perfected another plan to induce innocent voters with fake naira and dollar notes that are already in circulation”, the statement informed.The PDP, therefore, called on the security operatives and other relevant agencies to step into the matter and bring the culprits to book.

PHOTO SPEAK: BAYELSA STATE GOVERNOR, SERIAKE DICKSON'S COMMUN ITY TOUR STOP AT OFONI,BAYELSA STATE

1.Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (centre) on arrival at Angalabiri Town during his Coomunity to Community Meet  the People Campaign Tour in Sagbama Local Government Area of the State.

2.Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (centre) acknowledging cheers from the mammoth crowd shortly on arrival at Ofoni Town during his Community to Community Meet the People Campaign Tour in Sagbama Local Government Area of the State.

PDP LOCKS DOWN BAYELSA,AS EX-PRESIDENT JONATHAN,PRINCE SECONDUS,GOV MIMIKO,OTHER PARTY STALWARTS PRESENT GOVERNORSHIP FLAG TO DICKSON

Business and commercial activities were temporarily put on hold at the weekend in Yenagoa, as thousands of PDP supporters within and outside the State led by the immediate past President; Dr. Goodluck Jonathan thronged the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, venue of the PDP governorship flag presentation rally.The crowd, which political watchers described as unprecedented in the political annals of the state, further confirmed the supremacy of the PDP and its candidate, Governor Seriake Dickson over other contesting parties.With songs and dances, the party faithful left no one in doubt of their preparedness to come out en mass to vote for the governorship candidate of the PDP, which according to them, has rewritten the political history of the State in the last four years.The security operatives had hectic times, controlling the crowd as market men and women and thousands of the PDP supporters from across the creeks of Bayelsa defied the scorching sun to witness what is being described as the mother of all rallies.Describing Bayelsa state as a PDP stronghold, the immediate past president, Dr. Jonathan in his solidarity message said that, Governor Dickson by all conceivable standards has performed creditably well and is qualified to do a second term in office.He called on Bayelsans, particularly the youths to secure their future by voting for the PDP in next Saturday’s governorship election, adding, Governor Dickson is the only candidate that can secure your future.Describing Governor Dickson as a visionary leader, Dr. Jonathan stressed the need for Bayelsans to reciprocate his good deeds in terms of provision of infrastructure and laying the foundation for investment and entrepreneurship to thrive in the State. According to him,

BAYELSA PDP CLAIMS ELECTION POLL A FRAUD

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has discredited a purported polling firm, Election Frontline, over its survey on the forthcoming governorship election in the state which it claimed was sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC).In a statement yesterday by the Director of Publicity of the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, the PDP described Election Frontline as an “emergency polling firm” with no track record of having conducted any election survey anywhere and as such the whole efforts by the firm was nothing but a fraud.Obuebite noted that the party’s checks on the firm revealed it has no fixed address and no record of any polling was found to be associated with it nor has it done anything meaningful as a corporate entity to give any semblance of a going concern that it could ever be seen as a serious organization.

]“We want to alert the general public to disregard the purported polling by the so-called Election Frontline (what a name!) over the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State which, obviously, was sponsored by the APC  for a favourable rating.We are convinced that it was a hatchet job. Our checks showed that” Election Frontline” has no address and no record of ever conducting any polling in the past. Our investigation also revealed that the survey administrator is a well-known fraudster and lacks integrity. The whole phantom election survey is a big fraud and stands discredited as we urge the public to disregard such unwholesome indulgence imagined to mislead the people”.Obuebite stated that the survey administrator had earlier approached the PDP to conduct similar survey but was turned down as it was made clear to him that the party did not need a polling to win the election, adding that Bayelsa voters were too discerning to fall for a fake poll.“The PDP don’t need any form of poll to help us win this election. We are a grassroots party and our candidate enjoys massive support across the length and breadth of the state. We will not only win, we will win by a very wide margin”, he stated.

 

GOV. DICKSON COMMENDS PRESIDENT BUHARI FOR DISCLOSING NATION’S ECONOMIC STATUS

Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for disclosing the economic status of the country.He urged Bayelsans to brace up for the harsh financial situation facing the state.Speaking during his charge to the new Special Advisers at Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, the governor said the way out of the present economic doldrums is diversification from oil and gas sector of the economy.Dickson said, "Already, you are all aware of the statement by the President that our country is in a very dire financial situation. That comment has attracted a lot of criticisms but I agree with the president that Nigerians are entitled to know the true state of the economy.“Investors who want to do business in Nigeria are entitled to know the true state of our economy. Let me use this opportunity to call on all Bayelsans to listen to what the President has said that the entire country is broke. He has made us understand that the financial situation that we are managing is a national phenomenon. It is not peculiar to Bayelsa.”for the allocation of last month, the Federation Account Allocation Committee could not meet until the past month because they didn’t have money to share to the state and , even when they met for the first time since I took over as governor, states have started getting zero allocation.“I don’t know why people are blaming the president for saying that our country is broke because that is the truth about the economy. States can’t pay salaries, we can’t meet our basic responsibilities. I can’t pay allowances to myself and my staff.“However, even in the midst of that we are managing to pay salaries. Even in this terrible month, we’ve directed that by Monday salaries of workers should be paid.”In his charge to the new appointees, the governor told them to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the present administration’s efforts to consolidate on its achievements.According to him, the new aides are coming into government at a crucial moment of election and, therefore, urged them to join forces with other critical stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to mobilize support for the party in the forthcoming election.He tasked them to work closely with the state economic team to resuscitate the Bayelsa Palm Limited as the future of the state economy rests on agriculture, industrial development and tourism.The newly sworn in appointees are; Chief Lambert Ototo, Special Adviser on Agriculture and Mr. Olaitari Ikemike, Special Adviser on Industrial Development.

OVER 625, EX AND SERVING COUNCILORS ENDORSE DICKSON FOR SECOND TERM

Over 625 ex and serving councilors under the aegis of Grassroots Forum from the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State on Wednesday put aside their political differences to endorse the incumbent Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson for second term, describing his achievements in four years as unequal.The councilors made the endorsement sequel to a motion moved by a representative of Brass Ward 8, Mr. Precious Daniel and seconded by Mr. Edward Oyaotu at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Yenagoa. Speaking, Chairman of the Councillors Forum, Mr. Tonkumo Igoniwari, said former and serving legislators from 1999 to date unanimously adopted Governor Dickson based on his achievements in the last couple of years, addressing the challenge of infrastructural deficit and issues of security and education in the state.Citing government’s efforts on the construction of the three senatorial district roads, Mr. Igoniwari expressed optimism that in the nearest future, he would be able to drive to Ekeremor.He described Governor Dickson as a true democrat by allowing them to serve out their tenure when he became governor of the state, pointing out that the gesture was a clear departure from the past.Responding, Governor Seriake Dickson expressed appreciation for the vote of confidence passed on him, noting that their support would spur him to do more exploits in the development of the state. The Governor who noted that even key opposition members were endorsing him, disclosing that more endorsements will still come as the election approaches.Describing the councilors as critical builders of democracy, he charged them to mobilize the people at the grassroots and ensure that they deliver their wards, units and local government areas in the coming election.The Governor, who emphasized that the opposition party does not have any structure in the state, said all the 105 councillors are of the PDP, 21 out of the 23 assembly seats belong to the PDP in addition to the PDP 8 local government chairmen. 

BAYELSA POLL: IJAW LEADERS SLAM TAMBUWAL, SAY APC PLANS TO RIG ELECTION

The Ijaw Leaders Forum (ILF), a body of leaders of thought, has expressed concern over the comments made by Sokoto State governor, Waziri Aminu Tambuwal, during the inauguration of the campaign council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva.The ILF said the comment was a kite being flown by APC to rig theDecember 5 Bayelsa state governorship election.Tambuwal had said at the occasion that the APC will “deliver the state” but which the leaders said suggested a plot to rig APC into power by hook or crook. The leaders had predicated their understanding of Tambuwal’s comments on the notion that Sylva was not a popular candidate and as such could not win in a free and fair election except through rigging. In a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the body, Prof. Friday Brisbie-Williams, on Wednesday and made available to the Press, it took a swipe at Tambuwal, warning that any attempt to rig the December 5 governorship election will be resisted by the people.The statement which noted that only Tambuwal among the five other members of the campaign council constituted by the APC national leadership attended the event, said plans by the opposition party in the state to manipulate the election will fail.It also said the absence of the other members was an indication that Sylva has been deserted because he carries much baggage that could dent their image and should better be avoided.The ILF commended Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, for turning down the offer to chair the campaign council just as the other absentee members were praised for “their sense of decency”.The statement recalled the role Tambuwal was

BAYELSA POLL: STOP TAKING US FOR A RIDE, GROUP TELLS SYLVA

The governorship ambition of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva suffered another setback on Wednesday as a socio-cultural group, Ijaw Elders for Good Governance accused him of taking the people of the state for granted by ignoring their calls to showcase his achievements while in office and what he intends to do.

The group noted with dismay that with less than forty days to the conduct of the governorship election, neither Sylva nor the leadership of his party is yet to intimate the people with the campaign plan.Making this known in a statement signed by its chairman, Elder Goodness Abbey, said Sylva has vindicated the position of opposition party that he has nothing to offer the state.The group posited that; if Sylva thinks President Mohammadu Buhari will support its violent approach to issues in order to win the election, he is making a mistake. Mr. President will not support anything that will tarnish his reputation.

Describing the APC approach as not only crude but undemocratic, the group said it is unheard of that a party is contesting an election without embarking on any campaign.

Calling on the security operatives to beam its searchlight on the APC, the group said the position of APC on the forthcoming election has lent credence to the submission of the Peoples Democratic Party that it is planning to seize power through violence.

The statement reads in part; the position of Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) is clear on the issue of campaign. It is an opportunity for the party to unfold its developmental plans.However, this is not the case with the APC, rather than embarking on campaign, its members are disrupting the existing peace in the state.

Even though we are non partisan, we commended the efforts of the Peoples Democratic Party, especially its community based campaign approach. This has afforded the people the opportunity to assess its performance.

The APC should borrow a leaf from the PDP rather than banking on federal might and the use of violence.

APC THUGS ATTACK DICKSON'S CONVOY,AS GOV'S CAMPAIGN GROUP FAULT APC CAMPAIGN STRATEGY....DESCRIBES IT AS DECEITFUL

Suspected thugs in the All Progressives Congress, (APC) uniform on Tuesday attacked the campaign train of Governor Seriake Dickson at the popular Swali market in Yenagoa local government area of the State.The incident would have degenerated into a bloody brawl but for the prompt intervention of security aides attached to the Governor’s convoy.Describing the attack as barbaric and undemocratic, the Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organization, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite  in a statement made available to the newsmen said the attack lends credence to what the people of Bayelsa have always known that the APC is a violent party.The statement reads, ‘clearly the APC in Bayelsa state is not prepared for any election. They are prepared for war but as a disciplined party, as a peaceful party and with a Governor like Dickson who came to restore peace in Bayelsa state.‘We advise all our supporters not to allow themselves to be provoked by the APC and its brand of violence politics.We must preach peace at all times and maintain law and order because we are people of peace’ he said.In another development, the Restoration Campaign Organization, has described as deceitful the campaign strategy adopted by the APC, advising the party to look for other sane and more dignifying means of campaign.The RCO advised Bayelsans and other residents of the state to be wary of the antics of the APC members "who are desperate to grab power through the back door by advancing various dubious means."A statement issued in Yenagoa by its Director of Media and Publicity, Hon. Jonathan was reacting to the flash sanitation exercise carried out by the APC which, it said, "has now confirmed to everyone the earlier assertion that it is indeed the so-called change party that is responsible for the heap of refuse around the state, particularly in Yenagoa the state capital. Obuabite described as embarrassing such cruel campaign strategy of the APC, adding that "they decided to carry out the show of shame on a day that is usually set aside by the state sanitation authority for evacuation."He advised the APC and its embattled candidate, Timipre Sylva to look for other sane and more dignifying means of campaign as this latest style would not secure for him the votes required to be elected.Obuebite added that Governor Dickson is fully committed to governance and ensuring a cleaner and healthy environment for all.

BAYELSA POLL: TIMIPRE SYLVA BROKE, OFFERS CHOICE PROPERTIES IN LAGOS, ABUJA FOR SALE

Indications emerged on Saturday that the Bayelsa State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, is broke and may have resorted to selling his properties to raise funds ahead of the December 5 election.A source privy to the development who played a major role during the last governorship primary where Sylva emerged candidate confirmed that it was a desperate move to keep his campaign going and probably make some impressions during the race.According to him, since then, most of the funding of the campaign had been undertaken by Sylva as other key players who could have assisted were said to have distanced themselves from him because of alleged betrayal.“Timipre Sylva is broke, now flat, but there is hope very soon”, the source who craved anonymity declared.Sylva was said to have initially told most governorship aspirants that he was not running and actually collected huge sums of money from at least six persons with the understanding that he will make them the APC candidate only to turn around as aspirant and eventually maneuvered the electoral process to clinch the ticket.This, it was further gathered, had sowed the seed of discord between Sylva and the other former aspirants who are believed to be engaging in a ‘sidon look” attitude towards the election."Running a governorship election is money consuming and in the current circumstance of the APC in Bayelsa State, Sylva would have to take every step that could

VIDEO: LATE CHIEF ALAMEISEIGHA'S SPEECH,LAST WISH FOR THE IJAW NATION

ALAMIEYESEIGHA: GOV DICKSON SIGNS CONDOLENCE REGISTER

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, officially signing the condolence register for the death of the first civilian Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, at the Government House, Yenagoa.

 

ALAMIEYESEIGHA: BAYELSA DECLARES 7 DAYS MOURNING, AS FLAGS FLY AT HALF MAST

 

The Bayelsa State Government has declared 7 days of mourning in honour of the first civilian Governor of the State Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, who passedon last Saturday at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.A Government House statement to this effect also directed that, all flags in all public buildings and premises across the State be flown at half mast for the period.The 7 days mourning period and the flying of the flags at half mast takes effect from Today, while condolence registers have been opened in Government House, the State Secretariat complex and Ijaw House, all in the State capital.

MORE IJAW GROUPS BLAME APC FOR ALAM'S DEATH

More reactions by pan-Ijaw groups yesterday trailed the sudden death of former governor of Bayelsa State, Dieprieye Alamayiesiegha, with a common stand that the All Progressives Congress (APC) should be held responsible for the incident.In their separate statements made available to the media, the groups said the recent extradition notice purportedly issued by Britain on the former governor aggravated his health condition and his eventual death.The Ijaw Heritage and Cultural Club based in the United States in its statement said it was shocked beyond words by the news of the sudden death of DSP Alamasieyiegha and regretted the circumstances surrounding it.It noted in the statement signed by one Prof. Julius Eteli that Alamayiesiegha's death was curious given the fact that he regularly received medical treatment abroad, adding that the former Governor-General of the Ijaw nation had actually returned from such medical trips in Dubai believed to have been facilitated by the Bayelsa State Government."From available reports, the Bayelsa State Government has always been of assistance to him, taking care of his medical bills and upkeep. The question is: how can a man who had just returned from Dubai having been

BAYELSA APC CRISIS DEEPEND,FACTION DRUMS SUPPORT FOR DICKSON

Efforts to reconcile aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Bayelsa State by the leadership of the party have continued to proved abortive.Already, a faction led by the state chairman of the party, Tiwe Oruminige, hasi threatened to mobilise support and ensure that his members vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Governor Seriake Dickson in the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for December, 5 2015.The faction had last week in Yenagoa, protested against the choice of a retired Permanent Secretary, Ogiri as a running mate to ex-governor Timipre Sylva.In the protest that lasted for several hours at the APC secretariat along Mbiama/Yenagoa Road, they pulled down Sylva’s billboard, chanting war songs and calling for immediate replacement of Sylva’s running mate which was said to have been ratified by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. To further press home their demands, placards with various inscriptions were displayed during the protest.Sensing the danger ahead, the NWC summoned a meeting in Abuja to address the issue but it was deadlocked as the two groups were not ready to shift ground.A source at the meeting stated that representatives of the Tiwe led group accused Sylva of betraying his followers, adding that they supported him on his promise that he would pick Tiwe as his running mate. The agreement was sealed before the APC primaries in Yenagoa.Other governorship aspirants suffered similar fate as Sylva promised them governorship ticket before joining the party only for him to renege on the agreement.A member of the group said that they have opened talks with the leadership of the PDP Bayelsa state.He said, "We are not ashamed of making what I will describe as progressive U-turn to the PDP. This is politics and it is all about interest. As at the time that we are leaving PDP, we thought of better treatment in APC but it is the other way round."We are going to vote enmasse for the PDP even as members of APC. We are going to pay Sylva back in his own coin."Some of us have planned to make appearance at Governor Dickson campaign flag off on Saturday and there is no going back.APC and Sylva have failed us and we are saying no to impostor."

BAYELSA NASS CAUCUS KICKS AGAINST ALAMIEYESIEGHA’S EXTRADICTION NOTICE.....SYLVA FINGERED BEHIND THE PLOT

Chairman of the Bayelsa State caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Foster Ogola, has condemned fresh moves to have former governor Diepreye Alamieyesiegha, extradited to Britain.While speaking at a function where Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, was endorsed for a second term by several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the collective of the civil society in Yenagoa, the state capital yesterday, Senator Ogala raised posers on the rationale for the extradition notice by Britain.According to him, the latest moves were suspicious, noting that Alamieyesiegha had gone through a legal process, prosecuted by a competent court of jurisdiction, indicted, sentenced and was granted presidential pardon.He asked:” What is the basis of this new extradition having gone through all legal process culminating in a presidential pardon?”Ogola, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues in the National Assembly therefore called for restraint on the extradition moves in the interest of justice.Lending his voice to Ogola’s position, Bayelsa State

GOV POLL: APC CRISIS PORTENDS DANGER FOR BAYELSA, SAYS DICKSON

Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson on Tuesday said that the ongoing crisis in the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) portends grave danger to the democratic fortunes already established in the state. Governor Dickson stated this during the inauguration of of 8 new Special Advisers and the General Manager of the Bayelsa State Transport Company, Hon. Emomotimi Fanama in Yenagoa.The new Special Advisers are Deacon James Dugo, Chief Bernard Agai, Chief Patrick Osunu, Hon. Agatha Goma, Hon. Ayobegha James, Mr. Alex Dumbo, Chief Kienyosuote Degi and Henry Orumieyefa. According to him, the inability of the APC to properly coordinate its activities has confirmed his earlier position that those opposing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP do not have the interest of the people at heart. Dickson, who restated his call on those who defected from the PDP to return, maintained that, the PDP would serve their interests better rather than remain in a party to be treated as strangers.While congratulating the new appointees, he described them as high caliber people, who have been tried and tested in various political capacities.Dickson urged them to strengthen their contacts with the people, especially as the gubernatorial election approaches.He re-assured Bayelsans of the restoration government’s commitment to working for the greater peace, stability and sustainable development of the State.   

PHOTO SPEAK: GOV DICKSON SWEARS-IN PERMANENT SECRETARY, 8 SPECIAL ADVISERS

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (2nd L), his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (Rtd) (L), newly sworn-in Special Advisers; Hon. James Dugo (2nd R), and Mrs Agatha Goma (R), shortly after the swearing-in ceremony of the 8 Special Advisers, at the Banquet hall, Government House, Yenagoa.

BAYELSA: APC CRISIS DEPEENS AS CHAIRMAN, EX-MILITANT LEADER ATTACK SYLVA IN ABUJA.....BATTLE OVER CHOICE OF DEPUTY

The crisis of confidence bedeviling the Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened yesterday when the fuss over choice of running mate to the governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, shifted to his Abuja palatial home leading to hot exchanges. In the process, Sylva was said to have got a hot slap on his cheeks for what said to be a result of his “deception and betrayal”.Both the state chairman of APC, Chief Tiwe Oruminigbe and an ex-militant leader, General Africa, were involved in the fracas.Since the APC primary where the former governor emerged as candidate, there have been a relentless battle over who becomes his deputy as the jostle for the slot kept shifting from one supposedly anointed person to the other.Sources privy to the development reliably told our reporter that Sylva had all along promised no fewer than six persons who would be picked as his running mate but none of them has so far been named. APC state chairman, Tiwe Orumingbe, was one of those initially favoured as Sylva was said to have repeatedly

DICKSON CALLS ON PDP DEFECTORS TO RETURN, SAYS ELECTION NOT ABOUT HIM

Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on all former leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to the party without further delay and join him in his re-election for the development of the state.His call came yesterday in the light of what he felt were the” humiliation and betrayal” meted to them by the APC leadership in the state, which had rendered them onlookers in the quest for political participation and relevance.He also noted that, the opposition party did not represent any viable alternative to peace, unity and development of the state, reminding them that the APC leadership in the state only had a repressive and retrogressive past, which will not serve any better purpose in this dispensation.While stressing that the forthcoming election was not about him, but for the greater good of Bayelsa State, Dickson urged all PDP defectors to put their grievances behind them and join hands with him to uphold the interest of the state and the Ijaw nation above personal interest, adding that none of them could afford to allow the state slid into the dark days of the past.
“We may have had our differences, but in the light of current realities, it is only desirable that all our former members return to the PDP and join hands with me for greater development of Bayelsa State. Certainly we cannot afford a return to the dark days of our past and allow the state slid into anarchy, killings, maiming, kidnappings, cultism and state-sponsored terrorism directed at political opponents.The harrowing experiences of many Bayelsans, who fled into exile in neighbouring states and far-flung places, under the APC candidate when he held sway as governor for five years remain vivid and should not be allowed to be repeated. This is why we have to reason together and make amends”, he said.He charged Bayelsans not to be afraid or be intimidated, but come out en-mass and exercise their civic duty on election day, assuring them that, adequate security will be provided to ensure voting takes place all across the state in a peaceful atmosphere.He allayed the fears of rigging, saying nobody can rig the election, adding that the votes of every Bayelsan will count and results will be declared in every polling unit.He stated: “Let me assure you all Bayelsans that the fear of rigging in this election, reasonable as it sounds, will not be possible. Nobody can rig this election, because the whole world will be in Bayelsa to monitor the process. Your votes will count. When you vote on election day, wait and be a monitor yourself. There will be adequate security and all key federal institutions that will be saddled with the task of conducting the election such as INEC and law enforcement agencies will be fully on ground to ensure there are no hitches or give room for manipulation in favour of a particular candidate. Your votes will count”.

BAYELSA RANKS 4TH IN 2014/2015 SSSCE…AS DICKSON INVESTS N25BN IN 3 YEARS IN EDUCATION SECTOR

It has been revealed that, Bayelsa State was ranked 4^th in the federation in the last Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, (SSSCE). This has put paid to the efforts of the present administration at re-positioning the education sector.According to the report released by the West African Examination Council, (WAEC), the six leading states are, Anambra 65.92%, Abia 58.52%, Edo 57.82%, Bayelsa 52.83%, Rivers 52.73% and Enugu 51.91%.Prior to this period, Bayelsa State always lead the table from the rear as this was attributable to poor management and bad educational policies.Governor Seriake Dickson on assumption of office three and half years ago, expressed dismay over the standard of education in the state, especially the unimpressive position of Bayelsa among the comity of states.He said, “the development necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in the sector and the government has invested N25 billion, so far in the last 3 and half years to revamp the sector"Speaking during the 2015 Teachers Day Celebration held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, Hon. Dickson enjoined the teachers to always strive to put in their best, stating that, his administration will continually address their welfare as well as improve the infrastructure in the sector.Governor Dickson, who applauded teachers for their contribution to the growth and development of society, assured that in the next 2 weeks, the Teachers Training Academy would be inaugurated to train and re-train teachers to excel in their profession.Describing the teaching profession as crucial in nation-building, the Governor warned school Principals in the state against extortion of students under the guise of collection of NECO and WAEC fees, stressing that, the government has been picking the bills for such fees to alleviate the plight of parents and wards.Responding, the state secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Okoroafor Okechukwu expressed gratitude to the state government for the prompt payment of salaries to workers, despite the austere times.Comrade Okechukwu, who was full of praises for the government’s approval for the payment of the arrears of N18,000 minimum wage, pledged the union’s total support for Governor Dickson’s second term re-election bid to enable the restoration government consolidate on its achievements.

DICKSON CALLS ON PDP DEFECTORS TO RETURN, SAYS ELECTION NOT ABOUT HIM

Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on all former leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to the party without further delay and join him in his re-election for the development of the state. His call came yesterday in the light of what he felt were the” humiliation and betrayal” meted to them by the APC leadership in the state, which had rendered them onlookers in the quest for political participation and relevance.He also noted that, the opposition party did not represent any viable alternative to peace, unity and development of the state, reminding them that the APC leadership in the state only had a repressive and retrogressive past, which will not serve any better purpose in this dispensation.While stressing that the forthcoming election was not about him, but for the greater good of Bayelsa State, Dickson urged all PDP defectors to put their grievances behind them and join hands with him to uphold the interest of the state and the Ijaw nation above personal interest, adding that none of them could afford to allow the state slid into the dark days of the past.“We may have had our differences, but in the light of current realities,

BAYELSA: CHOICE OF SYLVA’S DEPUTY TEARS APC APART.....MASS DEFECTION LOOMS

Fresh crisis is believed to be tearing apart the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State as the choice of who becomes the deputy to the the governorship candiadate, Timipre Sylva, is causing unease among party leaders and the nucleus of the campaign organization.Sylva had earlier promised in his address after emerging as candidate to name his running mate by last Saturday but it never materialized.Impeccable source within the top echelon of the APC in the state who pleaded anonymity confided in our correspondent weekend that the matter had become so worrisome that if care was not taken, it could lead to breakaway ahead of the December 5 governorship election.“It is now a fight to finish”, the source said.It was gathered that the trouble with the choice of deputy governorship candidate was caused by Sylva himself who, it was said, had promised too many political associates in order to elicit their support to clinch the gubernatorial ticket during the primary election.Having got the ticket, however, redeeming his promise became a problem. No fewer than six persons were said to have got Sylva’s nod to become his deputy and who are all jostling for the slot now. This is why it had been a herculean task for Sylva and the party’s leadership to wade through since the primary was concluded.The source informed that