‎By David Owei,Bayelsa

‎Bayelsa Starlets Academy of Yenagoa, affiliated to FC Barcelona of Spain, came from two goals down to beat Uchenna Kanu Football Academy of Akwa Ibom State 3-2 in a Matchday One fixture of the ongoing Nationwide League One U-19 Youth League decided at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa on Sunday, 16th August, 2026.
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‎Starlets produced one of the tournament’s biggest comebacks to defeat the Akwa Ibom-based side, Uchenna Kanu FA. James Anthony put Uchenna Kanu FA in front from a close effort while Augustine Daniel doubled the lead for the visitors.
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‎Despite the scoreline, Starlets did not relent in their possessive style of play, mounting pressure on their opponents and their efforts paid off on 37 minutes with Jude Onisoya scoring from a 30 yard shot to make it 2-1, having failed to convert several scoring chances in the opening minutes of the game.
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‎Substitute Uduak Joel levelled the scoreline before half time, from Micah Kilete’s beautiful delivery.
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‎Kilete Micah on 71 minute made it 3-2 from Christopher James’ brilliant effort to slot in the ball. Up next, Bayelsa Starlets will be facing local rivals, Bayelsa United Feeders in their second fixture on Tuesday, 18th August, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium at 3.00pm.
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‎Dolphins ACA FC of Port Harcourt, in the second tie of the day white-washed Obago FA by five goals to one in what could best be described as a Port-Harcourt affair while Bayelsa United Feeders in the last encounter, played out a one-all draw with Benedi FC of Rivers State as Ayeke Godbless continues his brilliant form.
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‎Bayelsa Starlets Head Coach, Freeborn Onome in his post-match reaction, commended the lads for the team’s resilient spirit, pointing out that the attention of the team has moved to their next tie against Bayelsa United Feeders.
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‎Also, Uchenna Kanu FA Coach Adesola Ali, attributed their loss to the team’s lack of concentration when they took the lead, pointing out that the lads have learnt from their mistakes and would bounce back in their next fixture on Tuesday.

By David Owei

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State, has reaffirmed its readiness for the forthcoming 2027 elections, with State Chairman, Hon. Chief Alabh George Turnah, MON, Esq., assuring party members and Bayelsans of a fully prepared and increasingly strengthened political structure.

Speaking at the 1st Expanded Meeting of heads of Working Committees in the State and inauguration of the Campaign Budget Committee of the Party, Turnah confirmed that all PDP candidates have been successfully uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, with particulars of the Party’s National Assembly candidates already published. He disclosed that the particulars of the State House of Assembly candidates would be published shortly.

Turnah congratulated the candidates and expressed confidence that the Party would secure victory at the polls, while commending Party members for their commitment and sacrifice.

The Chairman also welcomed the governorship ambition of the Leader of the PDP in Bayelsa State, His Excellency Great Joshua MacIver, following his formal declaration of interest.

Describing the PDP as a platform open to every qualified and well-meaning Bayelsan, Turnah said the Party would provide a level playing field for all aspirants, irrespective of status or background.

“Bayelsa is PDP and PDP is Bayelsa. Now that MacIver has taken this bold step, we want to see more people coming forward who also want to contest the governorship position.”

A major highlight was Turnah’s disclosure that MacIver had approved a N70 million monthly subvention to support the administration and operations of the Party in the State.

According to him, the intervention followed earlier discussions on the Party’s critical needs, and would support Party structures and the welfare of officials from the ward to State levels, as well as national, zonal and other support personnel.

He stressed that the financial support was separate from MacIver’s governorship ambition, noting that the Party would remain neutral and committed to a credible process for all aspirants.

The Bayelsa PDP Chairman also expressed appreciation to the PDP National Leader, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for his continued support and leadership, which he said had contributed significantly to keeping the PDP alive and electorally prepared.

Turnah informed the meeting of the Party’s resolve to participate in the forthcoming Local Government elections in Bayelsa State, calling on members interested in Chairmanship and Councillorship positions to come forward and utilise the PDP platform. He directed intending aspirants to begin Consultations.

He also called on the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) to ensure that the elections are free, fair, transparent and credible.

Meanwhile, the Party has fixed its 100th State Executive Committee meeting for October 2, 2026, to also commemorate Bayelsa State at 30.

The PDP also approved the commencement of its Women Prayer Network, beginning with 100 women who will meet twice monthly, with each participant receiving a N10,000 monthly stipend.

Another major highlight of the meeting was the unanimous passage of votes of confidence and commendation on the National Leader of the Party, His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; the Bayelsa State Leader, His Excellency Great Joshua MacIver; and the State Chairman, Hon. Chief Alabh George Turnah, MON, Esq., in recognition of their continued support, commitment and leadership in strengthening the Party. The Party acknowledged their respective contributions towards keeping the PDP alive, united, firmly rooted and strategically positioned for the forthcoming electoral contests, while expressing confidence in their continued leadership and commitment to the growth and success of the Party.

These developments are part of efforts by the Bayelsa PDP focused on internal organisation, inclusivity, welfare and electoral preparedness as it moves into a critical phase of political engagement in the State.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), political parties and their agents that the Saturday August 15th 2026 Osun State governorship election must not be turned into another theatre of electoral violence, intimidation, vote-buying and institutional manipulation.

In a statement signed by the group national coordinator,Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko,HURIWA insists that there must be zero tolerance for armed thuggery, ballot snatching, vote-buying, voter intimidation, harassment of opposition supporters and every other form of electoral criminality before, during and after the election.

The rights group is particularly concerned about the conduct of security and law-enforcement agencies. The Police and EFCC must convince Nigerians that they are institutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not enforcement arms of the ruling APC or any other political party.

HURIWA will not accept a situation in which security agencies selectively arrest, intimidate or harass members and supporters of opposition parties while political actors aligned with the government are allowed to operate with impunity.

INEC MUST NOT FAIL NIGERIANS AGAIN

HURIWA calls on INEC to understand the enormous responsibility before it. The Osun election is not merely another off-cycle election; it is a critical test of whether the commission’s current leadership is genuinely committed to conducting elections in which the votes of Nigerians count.

INEC must therefore demonstrate absolute independence, transparency, professionalism and impartiality throughout the process.

The commission must ensure that every eligible voter is allowed to vote without fear or intimidation and that the collation and declaration of results are conducted in accordance with the law.

Most importantly, the electorate must not be shut out of the results-transmission process.

HURIWA demands maximum transparency in the electronic transmission and publication of polling-unit results. Nigerians must be able to monitor the movement of results from polling units through the various stages of collation.

Any attempt to create an opaque results-management system will inevitably fuel suspicion and undermine confidence in the election.

OSUN MUST NOT BECOME A TESTING GROUND FOR ELECTORAL MANIPULATION

HURIWA warns political actors against turning Osun State into a battlefield for political desperation.

The organisation will strongly oppose any attempt by politicians to deploy armed thugs, state-sponsored intimidation, financial inducement or security agencies to subvert the will of the people.

Political power must come from the ballot box and not from the barrel of a gun, bags of money or the manipulation of electoral institutions.

We therefore call on all political parties and candidates to sign up to peaceful and transparent elections and to reject violence before their supporters reject democracy itself.

THE 2027 QUESTION STARTS IN OSUN

HURIWA considers the Osun election a major litmus test for INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nigerians are watching the current Chairman and National Commissioners of INEC closely. The manner in which the commission handles Osun will significantly shape public confidence in its preparedness and willingness to conduct credible presidential, governorship and legislative elections in 2027.

If INEC cannot guarantee transparency in an off-cycle election, Nigerians will understandably question its capacity to conduct a credible nationwide election.

The commission must therefore use Osun to demonstrate that Nigeria’s electoral democracy is moving forward, not backwards.

HURIWA demands that:

– INEC guarantees a transparent, credible, free and fair election.
– The Police and EFCC maintain strict political neutrality.
– Security agencies protect voters rather than intimidate them.
– Vote-buying and financial inducement are aggressively prosecuted.
– Armed thugs and electoral criminals are arrested and prosecuted irrespective of political affiliation.
– Polling-unit results are transparently transmitted and made accessible to the electorate.
– Political parties respect the rules and commit to peaceful conduct.
– No candidate or political party is allowed to manipulate state institutions for electoral advantage.

HURIWA will not be deceived by cosmetic assurances of electoral neutrality.

The people of Osun State have the constitutional right to freely choose their leaders, and nobody — whether politician, security officer or electoral official — has the right to steal that choice from them.

Anything short of a transparent, credible, free and fair election in Osun State will be a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy and will be rejected by Nigerians.