By George Mgbeleke

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned what it described as a gun attack and assassination attempt in Edo State targeting former governor John Oyegun, party leader Peter Obi, and Olumide Akpata, declaring that the ruling party is proving to be a terrorist organisation.

In a statement by National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the incident in Edo reflects a troubling pattern of political intimidation against the opposition. The party also accused Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo of making inflammatory claims and threats that have heightened tensions and could lead to a further breakdown of law and order.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, yesterday’s disturbing gun attack and assassination attempt in Edo State targeting Chief John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State and Chairman of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee; Mr. Peter Obi, a national leader of our party; and Mr. Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate for Edo State who recently joined the ADC.

This was not an isolated incident. It bears the unmistakable marks of a dangerous and escalating pattern of political intimidation and terror against our party across the country. The resort to gunfire against lawful political actors represents an act of terrorism against the opposition, which has no place in a constitutional democracy.

We are particularly alarmed by the pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and threats that have preceded these events, including the outrageous claim by the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who had earlier issued a threat that he would not guarantee the safety of Mr. Peter Obi should he visit Edo State. The Governor has since gone ahead to make further ridiculous and irresponsible claims that the ADC is sponsoring cultism in Edo State and has threatened to start demolishing properties of the opposition in the State.

Let it be said plainly: Nigeria is not a private estate. Edo State is not the personal property of any party or any governor. No elected official has the constitutional authority to threaten, harass, or endanger law-abiding political actors for exercising their democratic rights. Our members and supporters across Edo State and Nigeria have the constitutional rights to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and lawful self-defence.

The Federal Government and the Edo State Government are free to continue on their present course. But let there be no misunderstanding: if any harm comes to our leaders, members, or supporters as a result of this escalating climate of official hostility, intimidation, or incitement, the responsibility for whatever consequences follow will rest squarely with those who choose the path of provocation over the path of peace.

We are compiling all cases of acts of terrorism by the ruling APC against our party. We shall soon be making our reports available to all diplomatic missions as well as the ECOWAS Court of Human Rights.

Let no one be left in doubt: regardless of the level of intimidation, ADC will not bow to terror and will take all lawful means to protect its members and facilities across the country. We urge all our members to remain vigilant and to go about their lawful activities without fear.

By David Owei, Bayelsa

The Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, on Wednesday, swore in Dr. Peter Akpe as the new deputy governor of the state.

The ceremony took place inside the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Yenagoa.

Dr. Akpe, until his nomination by Governor Douye Diri and subsequent clearance by the state House of Assembly, was the Chief of Staff, Government House.

He becomes Bayelsa’s sixth deputy governor under the democratic dispensation from 1999, following the sudden demise of his predecessor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, on December 11, 2025.

While administering the oath of office and the oath of allegiance, Justice Ayemieye urged the new deputy governor to ensure that his words and actions serve as a reflection of the trust and confidence reposed in him by the governor.

“I am very convinced that the new deputy governor has all it takes to shoulder the responsibilities of the exalted office. I urge you to reaffirm your commitment to the Constitution of our great nation and to the people of Bayelsa State,” the Chief Judge stated.

Governor Diri, while delivering his charge to his new deputy, said his choice was guided by the need for continuity, competence, commitment, character and the fear of God.

He noted that swearing in the deputy governor was in line with Section 191(3)(c), which provided that “the Governor shall nominate and, with the approval of the House of Assembly of the State, appoint a new Deputy Governor,” when that office becomes vacant, as well as Section 193(1): “that the Governor of the State, may in his discretion assign State responsibilities to the Deputy Governor, including the administration of any department of Government.”

He expressed confidence that Akpe will be a dependable partner in the Bayelsa project and urged people of the state to accord him the needed support to enable him succeed in his role.

Governor Diri also commended the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly for the speedy approval of his nomination, saying the support of the state legislature has been crucial to the success story of his administration.

Also sworn in were a new Commissioner for Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development, Madam Joanna Gigi, and 18 permanent secretaries.

Madam Gigi filled the vacancy created by the demise of the former commissioner, Mrs Elizabeth Bidei, on December 30, 2024.

Governor Diri urged the new appointees to discharge their duties with utmost integrity, transparency and be mindful that good governance translates directly into the prosperity of the state.
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He said the civil service throughout the world was the bedrock and the engine room of sound governance and progress.
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He said: “I am pleased to affirm that we place confidence in our own civil service here in Bayelsa State. I deem it a fortunate coincidence that we are swearing in a commissioner alongside the permanent secretaries.
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‎”Permit me to underscore that commissioners serve as my representatives at the ministry level and as such, their leadership should not be questioned provided they act within the legal mandate.”
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While urging Bayelsans to support the new appointees, he stated that there was no political interference in their choice as they were picked on merit.
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‎”Your appointments followed very rigorous assessments, as you all can attest. This is a practical demonstration of your own competence. It is exemplified in your professionalism, dedication and ability.
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‎”With that achievement, however, comes very profound responsibilities. I charge you to discharge your duties with the utmost integrity, transparency, mindful always that good governance at this level translates directly into the prosperity of our dear state.”
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‎The new permanent secretaries are Awana Raymond, Egbuson Amanda, Ogregade Ileimokumo, Josephine Ketebu-Thompson, Burutolu Samuel, Bamotei Zachaeus Anne, Dagogo Edmunson, Enuma Charles and Salbot Owil.
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‎Others are Dr. Jones Stow, Pere Efeke, Doyowei Pulotua, Toloko Sylvester, Goodluck Ede-Alakere, Torutein Ovienadu, Ogbara Fanmene, Vincent Jonathan and Cole James.

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By David Owei,Bayelsa

The South-South Governors Forum (SSGF) has described President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Order mandating the direct remittance of all oil and gas revenues to the Federation Account as a historic and landmark decision.

The SSGF Chairman and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, in a statement on Wednesday, said the region’s governors welcomed the decision as a critical shift towards restoration of constitutional integrity in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

The Forum said the Executive Order was comprehensive, unambiguous and heartwarming, and that it raised hope that after many years of opaque and complex deduction structures, the federal, state, and local governments would begin to receive their rightful entitlements from the Federation Account.

The statement reads: “The South-South region particularly welcomes the key provisions of the Executive Order, which would eliminate opaque deductions and effectively strip the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of the nebulous 30 per cent Frontier Exploration Fund. This fund often led to large idle cash balances.

“Mandating all operators and contractors under Production Sharing Contracts to remit Royalty Oil, Tax Oil, and Profit Oil directly to the Federation Account will significantly plug revenue leakages.

“This decision is a positive step towards fiscal justice for sub-nationals, particularly the oil producing states, just as it would potentially increase available funds for critical infrastructure, healthcare, education and other sectors across the three tiers of government.”

The Forum also expressed delight with Mr. President’s move to undertake a comprehensive review of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), saying it is an affirmation that he is a leader that listens and places the interest of the people above other considerations.

It said that the states, particularly Bayelsa, had persistently advocated for a review of the PIA as the extant Act was a ticking time bomb.

“The PIA, as it was designed, is a time bomb because the Federal Government cut off states and local government councils to deal directly with communities. It is our submission that the percentage due oil communities that was reduced from 10 per cent, as proposed by majority of states in the region, to three per cent be revisited and reviewed.

“We also urge the Federal Government to immediately review the aspect where states and local government were excluded from administering what is due to the communities. The states and councils are closer to the communities and it was wrong to have excluded them from the administration of these communities. The current Act is a recipe for crisis and we urge Mr President to review it.”