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Tinubu behind all projects in my community, peace in Niger Delta -Eradiri

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1 month ago

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Engr. Udengs Eradiri being received by APC leader
By David Owei, Bayelsa
The immediate past Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Bayelsa State, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is behind all the projects in his Agudiama/Ekpetiama community, Yenagoa Local Government Area.
Eradiri, who registered for the APC in Ward 10 Constituency 2, Yenagoa Local Government Area, said President Tinubu through the Dr Samuel Ogbuku-led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) gave his community potable water, shore protection, solar lights and one kilometre road.
He said besides his community, almost all the communities in the Niger Delta had benefitted from the light-up project and other interventionist programmes  of the NDDC.
He said the Tinubu’s government through the NDDC had also promised to carry out other projects such as remodeling of the secondary school and a quality lodge for members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in his community.
Eradiri, who was received by crowd of residents and APC members in his ward said through the Tantita Security Services and the NDDC backed by Tinubu, the Niger Delta region had experienced peace and steady progress in its infrastructural development.
For instance, he said recently the President signed the Maritime University Bill into law and the bill establishing the  University of Technology and Environment in Ogoni saying they would help to deepen the already existing peace in the region.
He said gradually and steadily, President Tinubu was addressing the injustices and marginalization suffered by the region over the years.
Besides, Eradiri said the Tinubu’s government had given Bayelsa the Head of Service, Ministry of Petroleum and the Managing Director of the NDDC.
He further observed that through the Ministry of Petroleum led by Minister Heineken Lokpobiri, there had been consistent increase in oil production.
The former Commissioner for Youths and later Environment in Bayelsa further observed the tremendous progress in the ongoing construction of the East-West Road saying the road had witnessed better attention in Tinubu’s government through the Minister of Works, Dr. Dave Umahi, than in other past administration.
He said with all the contributions of the President in his community and the Niger Delta through Tantita, the NDDC and the Ministry of Petroleum,  it was only reasonable for him to join Tinubu and work with him in the APC to ensure the success of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
He insisted that President Tinubu meant well for the Niger Delta and the country and called on his teeming supporters and all stakeholders in the region to work with the President.
Udengs commended all APC faithful in Bayelsa for warmly receiving him in the party and vowed to work with all the party stakeholders to reposition the APC in the state and the country.
He said: “In my community we have water project done by the APC government: shore protection being done by the APC government, solar light and one kilometre road. The APC government has also  promised to carry out other projects like corners’ lodge and renovation of our secondary school.
“The best thing to do to thank such leadership is to join them and work for the success of the party. For me President Tinubu is one man I have admired since I was young and this will provide me the opportunity to learn from him and work with him to ensure that he succeeds.
” In 2006 when we attended the PRONACO meetings in Lagos he was one man who believed in a restructured Nigeria. I supported the PRONACO Movement and partook in it. I think that this is the best time to work with him. The Tinubu government gave us Head of Service, Ministry of Petroleum and the NDDC. His government has ensured the light up of the Niger Delta which has reduced crime to its barest minimum.
” Tinubu government is behind the Tantita project that has seen many young people in the Niger engaged because of the pipeline surveillance that has ensured the growth in the production of oil and reduction of crime in the Niger Delta. There is no other way to say thank you than to join the government that is doing well.
“The government is talking about tax reforms that will go a long way to bring about seriousness in governance and curb laziness. It will bring innovation and creativity as states and local government will begin to work harder and such will provide jobs for young people and engender  growth and development.
*I see that the government has a lot to offer Nigeria and I won’t be an onlooker. I want to participate and contribute to it. I want to be part of those that participated in the revival and reorganisation of the country”.
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Politics

IPU cannot consider Natasha’s petition – Jimoh Ibrahim

Published

24 hours ago

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March 14, 2025

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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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Politics

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

Published

1 day ago

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March 14, 2025

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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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Politics

No Individual Bigger Than PDP, Says Diri

Published

2 days ago

on

March 13, 2025

By

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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