Politics
FLOOD CONTROL: Bayelsa Deputy Gov. Urges Residents To Complement Govt’s Efforts

By David Owei, Bayelsa
Following the flood alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has urged residents of the state not to panic but rather cooperate with government in taking proactive measures to mitigate the effects of flooding.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo made the call on Tuesday during a meeting with the Ministry of Environment, the State Flood Control Directorate, the Environmental Sanitation Authority, Chairmen of local government areas and rural development authorities at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, assured that there would be less impact of flooding in the state because of the steps government is taking to address the menace.
He, however, urged the ministries of environment and information, the Flood Control Directorate and other relevant agencies not to rest on their oars but rather intensify efforts including embarking on sensitization campaigns on proper refuse disposal and clearing of blocked drainages.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo equally charged the flood control directorate to extend their operations to areas that are heavily impacted every year such as Biseni and Tombia in Yenagoa Local Government Area and Obirigbene in Ekeremor LGA.
He equally directed all relevant MDAs to work together to ensure that identified higher grounds in flood prone communities are sand-filled and made habitable in the event of any devastating flooding.
His words: “The Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Environmental Sanitation Authority and Flood Control Directorate should carry out sensitization programmes on the impending flood.
“They should also enlighten our people in rural areas using town criers because we really need to adequately inform our people on the need to stay safe. The Directorate should not pay attention to Yenagoa, the state capital alone.
“There is need to identify higher grounds in places that are flood prone like Biseni and Obrigbene communities so that flood victims could relocate there for safety”.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon Ben Ololo, said in the last couple of weeks, his ministry and the Flood Directorate Control made collaborative efforts in clearing drainages and canals.
According to him, more funding and machinery will be required to open up more drainages to reduce the impact of the natural disaster of flooding and erosion.
In their separate contributions, the Director General, Bayelsa State Flood and Erosion Control Directorate, Chief Omuso Wilson Omuso and the Mayor Of Yenagoa City, Mr Bulodisiye Ndiwari, confirmed that the people of Biseni had donated about 15 hectares of land for government to develop as a relief camp for flood victims.
Politics
Governor Adeleke is not Joining ADC Nor Aligning with Anyone in ADC- Spokesperson

By David Owei, Bayelsa
Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.
Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.
The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.
“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.
Politics
INC rejects bill granting exclusive co-chairmanship to Ooni, Sultan

By David Owei,Bayelsa
The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.
He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.
He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.
“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”
“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”
Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”
He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.
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