By David Owei,Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to sustain the prevailing peace and protect critical national assets in the state.

Governor Diri stated this on Monday in Government House, Yenagoa, when he received the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Nigerian Army 6 Division, Major General Everest Okoro and other senior military officers who paid him a courtesy visit after their official posting to the state.

Other military officers that visited the governor included the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, and the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Vice Marshal Michael Onyebashi.

The governor applauded the military for their collaboration with the state government, noting that the synergy had contributed to the existing peace and stability in Bayelsa.

His words: “We appreciate you and commend the synergy you have established with other security agencies. The presence of personnel from various paramilitary and security agencies, alongside the military, demonstrates the importance of collaboration. By working together, you can provide sound advice to both the Federal Government and state governments on security matters.”

The Bayelsa governor, however, appealed to the military authorities to reconsider Bayelsa State’s alignment from the 6th Division, headquartered in Port Harcourt, to the 83 Division, which now has Delta and Bayelsa headquartered in Benin, Edo State.

He stressed that the state’s proximity to Port Harcourt would make coordination and logistics easier.

He welcomed the proposed establishment of additional Army formations in Oporoma, (Southern Ijaw Local Government Area), Ekeremor (Ekeremor LGA) and Nembe (Nembe LGA) as well as an artillery regiment and a Forward Operating Base in Sampou (Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA), describing the development as a boost to security across the state’s three senatorial districts.

While addressing the FOC CNC, Rear Admiral Ibrahim, the Bayelsa governor noted that the presence of the Navy in Brass would not only enhance security in the state but also in the country given the strategic importance of Bayelsa in oil and gas and maritime activities.

According to Diri, Bayelsa is one of the safest states in Nigeria, with no reported cases of sea piracy in several security council meetings, a feat attributed largely to the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Navy.

Responding to the FOC’s requests, Diri directed the Ministry of Lands and Survey to provide land in Brass for the construction of a naval jetty, to enable relocation of five warships to Bayelsa, as the move would assist in protecting offshore resources and ensure prompt response to security threats.

Also, the governor directed the same ministry to immediately make land available for the construction of the Nigerian Navy Referral Hospital at Elebele.

While reacting to remarks of the Commander, OPDS, Rear Admiral Oladipo, he described the JTF as a stabilising task force that has helped to achieve lasting security and increased oil production in the Niger Delta region.

“The history of the Joint Task Force is well known to us. For us in Bayelsa, it was a stabilising task force that came in when security and oil production were under threat. Today, the story is different. Oil production, which was declining, has started increasing, and you are doing well by working with the people and the government.

“Bayelsa is the nerve centre of the oil and gas industry, where oil was first struck in commercial quantity and made Nigeria an oil-producing country. It is no coincidence that the JTF headquarters is located here.”

Also, responding to the NAF AOC Mobility Command, AVM Michael Onyebashi, Diri promised to look into the command’s requests for more operational vehicles, furnishing of its primary schools among others with a view to addressing them.

In separate remarks, Major Gen. Everest Okoro thanked the governor for supporting the Army, particularly the 16 Brigade, and attributed its operational successes to cooperation among the military, other security agencies, the state government and local communities.

The GOC pledged to sustain the existing partnership with the government, traditional institutions, community leaders, and other stakeholders to maintain peace and protect critical national assets.

Also speaking, the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, commended the governor for the monumental development achieved under his administration.

The Naval Chief, who disclosed that he had 11 warships under his command, said the ships were currently stationed in Delta and Rivers states because Bayelsa does not have a port to host them.

Also, the JTF Commander, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, attributed increased oil production in the Niger Delta to improved security, noting that Nigeria exceeded its OPEC quota for the first time in over five years.

He also revealed that the command’s mediation centre resolved over 300 cases in the preceding month, urging oil operators and host communities to seek peaceful resolutions rather than disrupt production.

Oladipo projected that national oil production could surpass three million barrels per day by next year.

By Our Correspondent

Tensions in Enugu as a coalition of opposition political parties gather in solidarity with candidate of Igerian Democratic Congress following a series of violent disruptions targeting opposition political parties.
In a dramatic show of solidarity, key governorship candidates across major political parties—including Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Uche Nnaji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Ozor Obodoeze Ocho of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—convened a joint press conference to condemn the escalating state-sponsored violence, political intimidation, and systemic attacks on democratic freedoms.

​Addressing newsmen alongside National Assembly candidates, State Assembly members, and coalition party officials, the opposition leaders declared that Enugu’s democracy is rapidly devolving into state-sanctioned anarchy.

​”They Blocked Me Face-to-Face”: Chinyeaka Ohaa Recounts Airport Ambushes

​Detailing his ordeal, the NDC gubernatorial candidate, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, revealed how his homecoming and scheduled campaign office flag-off were met with brute force by state security operatives and armed thugs.
​”When I alighted from the airport, I was attacked. My members were humiliated by the Chief Security Officer of Enugu State… He was seen by everybody. Many people were wounded, a lot of cars were smashed, and most of the phones of event journalists were taken.” — Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, NDC Governorship Candidate
​Ohaa clarified that his party had strictly adhered to regulatory procedures by paying the required fees to receive supporters at the airport, adding that there was no plan to campaign on the tarmac.

Despite this compliance, he described how armed men blocked his convoy across multiple routes before confronting him directly:
​”When I came there, they blocked me face to face. And I came out and said, ‘Okay, you want to shoot me? Shoot me.’ My car was able to rescue itself out of the blocking, and I entered my car and went to my office.

This is unbecoming of Enugu State democracy.” — Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa

​The former Federal Permanent Secretary lamented that opposition parties are banned from raising billboards, wearing party vests, or holding peaceful gatherings.

Highlighting the severe human toll of the attack, Ohaa noted:
​”In our own case, they attacked my people and wounded eight persons, including a woman that they shot on the breast. Another one’s stomach was ripped into pieces that they had to join his intestine… The young man that videoed everything live, they’ve taken him to prison as we talk now.” — Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa stated.

​Opposition Coalition Unites Against Political Highhandedness

​Standing side by side with Ohaa, PDP governorship candidate Chief Uche Nnaji condemned the brutal suppression of citizens exercising their democratic rights.
​”We are assembled here to show solidarity to our brother in the NDC for what he went through… You don’t play politics with bitterness. The more you harass people, the more people troop out. Politics is not about do-or-die.” — Chief Uche Nnaji, PDP Governorship Candidate stated.

​Nnaji, who personally visited hospitalized victims, expressed outrage over the usage of live ammunition against civilians:
​”There are people that have bullet wounds stuck behind their back, right by the spinal cord… There is a woman that has three bullets in her breast. They move to kill, and their names are known. They are known gunmen, they are not unknown… We are calling on all agents of security in this country to come and help us in Enugu.” — Chief Uche Nnaji.

​Addressing rumors of personal threats, Nnaji declared the coalition’s unyielding stance:
​”They say it’s dangerous, they say they will kill us, but let me assure them that we are unkillable. Nobody can kill anybody; nobody can kill us. We are unkillable.” — Chief Uche Nnaji.

​ADC Decries Premeditated Violence; Demands Answers from Security Agencies:

​ADC gubernatorial candidate Ozor Obodoeze Ocho countered claims made by state officials attempting to exonerate the administration from the airport saga. Ocho noted that ADC was the first party to experience violence when their thanksgiving canopy and venue were destroyed earlier in the campaign season.

​”We are just here to commiserate with NDC on the unfortunate incident that happened to them. It could have been anybody… When you release projectiles, you don’t even know who it is going to hit.” — Ozor Obodoeze Ocho, ADC Governorship Candidate.

​Exposing holes in official government statements, Ocho questioned the selective enforcement of rules at the Enugu airport:
​”There is a divisional police office inside the airport, and FAAN, being a federal government agency, has been allowing a lot of people to come in and receive their loved ones… So, I’m wondering why the day of the incident was different. The state government cannot deny ignorance.” — Ozor Obodoeze Ocho.

​Joint Press Question & Answer Segment
​When confronted by journalists regarding prohibitive campaign signage fees, restrictive access to event venues, and election day security, the coalition candidates responded jointly:

​On the one hundred and fifty million Signage Fee & Venue Restrictions:

​On the issue of signage Nnaji started, it’s 150 million Naira. I don’t know why 150 million Naira is so much money; it should be able to feed a nation… Moreover, all the billions they have received for the past three years, we do not even know what they use the monies to do.”
​”Even if you query the 150 million, you still have to go to the advertising agency—they have been mandated not to allow you.

Even most of our programs, they don’t even allow us to use people’s facilities including hotels. All these things, they are just trying to strangulate us, but you can’t strangulate the will of the people.” Nnaji said.

​On Election Safeguards and Voter Protection:
​When you give your votes Ocho started, you wait. You wait for your result to be recorded from the polling unit before you go away. That is why we are calling on the security agents to help us with this issue of hoodlums and cultists… If we have legal federal security on ground—not vigilantes, not forest guards—election will be free and fair.” Ocho concluded.

By our correspondent

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has dismissed claims by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, that the ongoing indefinite strike by public school teachers in the territory is politically motivated, insisting that the industrial action is rooted in unresolved labour and welfare concerns.

In a statement issued by the council, the union maintained that the strike was triggered by unresolved issues affecting teachers, including the enforcement of the controversial vacancy clause in promotions, the failure of the FCT Administration to conduct the 2025 promotion exercise, and the alleged demotion of directors covered under the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.

The NLC also criticised the Minister’s directive ordering the enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy, as well as the reported instruction to principals and head teachers to open attendance registers for teachers participating in the strike.

According to the council, the industrial action followed all laid-down procedures and remains lawful. It warned that any attempt to withhold the salaries of striking teachers or subject them to intimidation, harassment or other forms of victimisation would be resisted through appropriate legal and industrial relations channels.

The labour union further directed all affected teachers and workers to refrain from signing attendance registers introduced during the strike. It urged members to remain peaceful, comply fully with the industrial action by staying away from work, and promptly report any threats, intimidation or disciplinary queries to the NLC FCT Council Secretariat.

The council called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to urgently resolve the outstanding issues by abolishing the vacancy clause in teachers’ promotions, conducting the delayed 2025 promotion exercise and addressing the cases involving the affected directors.

The latest position by the NLC comes as the face-off between organised labour and the FCTA over teachers’ welfare and promotion conditions continues.

While Wike has maintained that the strike is unnecessary and politically motivated, insisting that his administration has substantially addressed the workers’ demands, the NLC argues that key grievances remain unresolved.

With both parties standing by their positions, efforts to end the industrial dispute have yet to produce a breakthrough, leaving the indefinite teachers’ strike in the FCT unresolved.