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Fintiri Hails Diri On Road, Housing Projects In Bayelsa

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Adamawa Gov.Ahmadu Fintiri(middle)and Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa State (right)

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi, Abuja

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, on Wednesday, commended his Bayelsa State counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, on what he described as an impressive five years in office.

Governor Fintiri gave the commendation when he inaugurated a new Commissioners Quarters and a dual carriage road in the New Yenagoa City in continuation of Governor Diri’s fifth anniversary celebration.

The Adamawa governor said his Bayelsa counterpart has had a commendable five years and that their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was very proud of his performance.

Fintiri noted that leaders that provide infrastructure for the people have their interest and overall wellbeing at heart.

He said: “Anyone who provides infrastructure does so for the greatest number of the people. Senator Diri has etched his name as a governor doing wonders in Bayelsa State and has cultivated special friendship across the country and a fraternal bond within the PDP family.”

He also stated that Diri meant a lot to people of the country and that like every other PDP governor, he has rendered honest service while translating his vision into reality.

“Like every other PDP governor, Diri is delivering on his campaign promises and changing the narrative of Bayelsa with speed and precision in a manner that has never been witnessed before in the state.”

Fintiri observed that anyone that was in Yenagoa a few years ago would attest that the city was different today.

“We must therefore, congratulate the people of Bayelsa for the positive transformation. It is exciting to know that this development is fairly distributed across the state. My brother, you have done what everybody knows is good for this state.

“This development has its challenges, especially in a terrain that is difficult as Bayelsa’s. It is a task that can only be executed by a large-hearted leader like Diri. You have not only responded to the yearnings of the people of Bayelsa but also made your party, the PDP, proud as well as your friends with this impressive score card.”

In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri expressed appreciation to the host communities of Onopa and Amarata for their peaceful conduct, which ensured the smooth delivery of the projects.

He stressed that for a city to grow like other cities in the country, it had to be properly planned.

“We thank you for the support. From day one when we came in, Bayelsa and indeed Yenagoa, the state capital, has been peaceful. And because of your support, we have been performing.

“I also thank the contractor and the New Yenagoa City Development Agency for their hard work, and together, we will deliver the New Yenagoa City.”

The governor directed Lubrik Construction Company to extend the road to link the Tombia airport road for easy accessibility, which he said should be completed by the end of this year.

While appreciating his Adamawa counterpart, Diri described him as a friend and brother of the Niger Delta, who had been very supportive of the region’s agitation for a fair deal on oil derivation.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. Perepuighe Biewari, said the completion of the housing project marked the beginning of development in the area as it would open it to more infrastructure and economic development, which would in turn stimulate the economic growth of the state.

The Lands Commissioner equally explained that the project, which consists of 40 units of five-bedroom duplexes, was approved in 2021 and the construction commenced on February 10, 2022.

Also speaking, his Works and Infrastructure counterpart, Mr. Moses Teibowei, explained that the city was intended to accelerate housing development in the state capital in a planned form with amenities such as public water supply, solar lights, electricity, play ground, shopping area, worship centre, security posts among others.

He said: “The road is one of the many dual carriage ways within the New Yenagoa City. It measures approximately 2.1km, 3.7 metre width on either side with a two meter shoulder on either side of the driveway.”

Teibowei expressed confidence that the road would improve vehicular movement of goods and services, aesthetics and accessibility for security operatives to protect the state and therefore attract economic growth.

Politics

IPU cannot consider Natasha’s petition – Jimoh Ibrahim

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Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of the Senate Inter-parliamentary Committee, remarked that the purported petition from the suspended Senator Natasha is “dead on arrival.”

He emphasised that Nigeria, rather than Senator Natasha, is the member of the IPU.

A petition can only be lodged against another member state by a member state.

This implies that the IPU cannot consider petitions from individuals who are not members.

The suspended Senator Natasha is not a member of the IPU, but Nigeria is!
Additionally, the suspended Senator cannot represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I served as the interim president of the IPU in Geneva in 2023, and I am familiar with how the IPU operates after presiding over its proceedings.

Furthermore, as Chairman of the Inter- parliamentary Committee in the Nigerian Senate, I did not approve or authorise the suspended Senator Natasha to attend the IPU on behalf of Nigeria to the Senate President.”

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Senate moves to establish Early Voting for Nigerians on essential duties during elections …..As Bill scales 2nd reading 

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By George Mgbeleke
The Senate on Thursday passed to second reading a Bill to amend the Electoral Act to provide opportunity for Nigerians on essential duties to perform their civic duties.
The Bill sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz zMusa Yar’adua seeks to amend the Electoral Act tagged “Electoral Act(Amendment -Early Voting Bill) 2024.

Senate in session in the chamber

In his lead debate Senator Yar’adua noted that the Bill seeks to enfranchise a significant group of Nigerians who, due to the nature of their duties on election days, are denied the opportunity to exercise their most fundamental democratic right; the right to vote.
He said,”This very important bill seeking to introduce early voting in the Electoral Act 2022 to enhance the inclusion, participation and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, and for related matters, was read for the first time on Wednesday, the 15th day of May  2024.
“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, due to the far-reaching nature of this Bill, let me crave your indulgence to extensively highlight the background, which I believe will not only provide a proper context for this legislative initiative but also motivate this hallowed chamber to accelerate the legislative process in enacting the Bill.
“Background and Rationale
In any democratic process, equal opportunity must be given to all citizens to participate in elections regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, occupation or socioeconomic status. This ensures the true reflection of the will of the people thereby enhancing the stability of the democratic process. Unfortunately, a huge number of Nigerians who are involved in making Nigeria’s elections a success are excluded from the crucial decision-making of choosing their leaders through the ballot.”
The lawmaker further observed that,”Over one million citizens who play critical roles in ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections are disenfranchised.
” These include INEC officials, including ad-hoc staff, the security personnel, journalists, observers and others who work on election day to uphold the integrity of the process are effectively denied their right to vote because they are deployed to polling units far from where they registered. This is an irony that should not be lost on us, and this bill seeks to correct that by making provision for early voting for such citizens.
“Mr President, Distinguished Colleagues, this exclusion has characterised all elections in the Fourth Republic and became more alarming in the 2023 General Elections with over 1 million ad-hoc staff, 310,973 police personnel, 93,495 military and Department of State Service (DSS) personnel, 51,000 personnel from the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), 21,000 from the Federal Road Safety Corps, 11,336 from the Nigeria Correctional Service, 9,447 from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and 350 personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who were actively engaged in election activities were disenfranchised. Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission reported that 144,800 observers were deployed by 196 national and domestic organisations, with the implication that those citizens were also unable to vote. This is in addition to journalists and others involved in elections in various capacities. The number of those excluded from voting could change the outcomes of election results.”
Continuing he said,”Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, the figures highlighted above makes this bill a necessity to address the ‘disenfranchisement’ of eligible voters. As lawmakers, it is our duty to ensure that every Nigerian citizen, regardless of their profession or duty on election day, has the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral process. Incorporating early voting in our electoral legal framework shall strengthen universal adult suffrage as our Constitution guarantees every eligible Nigerian the right to vote.
” Furthermore, this Bill strengthens democratic values as democracy thrives when participation is broad, inclusive, and representative. By preventing those on election duty from voting, we are limiting the breadth of participation and undermining the very principles of democracy.
“Distinguished Colleagues, here are the highlights of the bill:
Provision for eligibility and registration of early voters:  Political parties will receive a list of registered early voters to ensure transparency.
Eligible individuals include security personnel, electoral officials and those deemed eligible by the commission who must apply 30 days before the early voting date (Clause 44A (2)-(6)).
“Implementation and Voting Procedure.
A designated early voting date will be set, not more than 7 days before the general election (Section 44A (1)).
Voting centers will be established in every ward, with early votes counted on the official election day (Section 44A (10)-(17))Cross-Country Survey.”
The Lawmaker noted  that early voting has been part of the electoral legal frameworks in other jurisdictions with its attendant huge success stories in promoting voter participation, reducing election day pressure, and increasing accessibility.
” In the United States, early voting varies by State, with some states allowing a few days to several weeks (up to 45 days) in advance of election day. In Australia, early voting starts about 2-3 weeks before the election, with the 2019 federal election recording 40% of voters that cast their ballots early. In Canada, early voting takes place 12 days before election day allowing voters greater flexibility. In Germany, Postal voting is initiated four to six weeks before the election, enabling voters to participate ahead of time.
“Distinguished Colleagues, it is interesting to note that early voting has also gained traction in several African countries as a tool to improve electoral efficiency, increase voter turnout, and enhance inclusivity, especially for marginalized groups. In South Africa, the Independent Electoral Commission allows early voting 2 days before the general election for individuals such as the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, security forces, and those working on Election Day.
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No Individual Bigger Than PDP, Says Diri

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PDP zonal caretaker C'ttee members with Gov Douye Diri (2nd from the Rt)

By David Owei ,Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was bigger than any individual and that its internal challenges would be fixed once the members resolve to tackle them.

Speaking to journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday after the inauguration of the party’s South-South zonal caretaker committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi, the Bayelsa Governor said the political will to confront those fomenting trouble in the party resided with the members and not solely on the leadership.

Diri, who is also Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, stated that for the party to be competitive as the oldest in the country, it must look inwards and fix its internal issues.

He said: “For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues.

“It is very easy to point accusing fingers. But the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others.

“I want the PDP to be competitive with other political parties. We are the oldest political party in Nigeria. So we have no reason to be accusing outsiders.”

On whether the party’s leadership had the political will to discipline those fomenting trouble, Governor Diri averred that such will resided with the members.

“We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party.”

He stressed that the newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee had the mandate of the National Working Committee to look into every issue affecting the party in the South-South.

The Bayelsa helmsman expressed the hope that the event was a step forward for the party.

“In our zone, which is the only area in the country you have four governors of the party, we have all resolved and are together on this. You can see the deputy governor of Delta State, who represented the governor. I have also received messages from the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. It shows that we are together and what we need to do is to show leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP.”

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