Politics
Defection Of Gov . Diri To APC, ls a Blessing —-Says Prince Amgbare ..As Bayelsa APC Is Now United For PBAT 2027
By Owei David
The pioneer leader of the Progressive Movement in Bayelsa state, Hon. Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, has lauded governor Douye Diri for convening the All Progressives Congress ( APC) stakeholders meeting which he said has brought together all shades of politicians under the Party’s extraction in Bayelsa state .
The meeting , he noted , has further unified the state APC ahead of the 2027 elections for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The governor’s gesture , according to him, has further showed that he’s a Renewed Hope Prosperity Governor.
Prince Amgbare who spoke to Journalists shortly after the stakeholders meeting convened by governor Diri in yenagoa last Monday noted that the governor ‘s decamp to the APC has unified the hitherto divided party in the state .
Describing the defection of governor Diri to the APC as a great blessing to the party ,Hon Prince Amgbare who was also the Chairman , “Bayelsa state APC Reconciliation Committee” said the governor has unified all aggrieved persons as seen from the stakeholders meeting .
“The coming of Governor Diri to APC is a blessing “, noted Prince Amgbare, adding that governor Diri’s leadership of the party will take APC to enviable heights.
” I have always said this One thing is for the right Governor to come to your party , another thing is for a wrong Governor to come to your party . When the wrong Governor comes to.your party , is crisis ,trouble . But when the right Governor decamp or defect to your party you know that he has come to help your party .
Likening the governor’s defection to the party to that of the famous footballer , Ronaldo , Prince Amgbare who is also a renowned soccer star of his days noted thus: “It’s just like signing Ronaldo in a club that needs an attacker .So when a Ronaldo come to your team , especially a Ronaldo in his hey days you are sure that you have an attacker that will give you 40 goals in a season .So this governor has come in that form of a Ronaldo in his hey days . So we are going to get goals””
He said with the peace process put in place by governor Diri the APC was now ready to deliver the presidential elections come 2027 in Bayelsa state.
“Let me commend the Renewed Hope Prosperity Governor of Bayelsa state, 001 APC Bayelsa for convening this meeting .
“For the first time we come together in our numbers, all the key players, key politicians from Bayelsa state under the APC from both divides, came together .
“”It was more or less Bayelsa United for Asiwaju and for APC
” I must commend the Governor . Of course that is his lifestyle . We have found out that he’s a man of peace , he like to promote unity, and ofcourse as a prosperity governor, he has created that room for people to prosper and Unity is a key factor .
“Where there is no unity there can’t be progress and when there is no unity prosperity can never be assured . And so we thank him for doing that”, noted Amgbare who is also the Managing Director Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority.
“For now we are all working principally for BAT. I was the chairman of the state APC reconciliation Committee i hit the brick wall trying to get some major stakeholders to come on board but at the meeting, I was glad to see all of us there .
“The same chairman that some of us refuse to recognise as chairman when it was time for the Governor to call the chairman of the party to address us he was the same chairman that addressed us .
“So we are all in agreement, those that had grievances aired them there . Thanks to the maturity of the Governor” he added
Further commending governor Diri for brazing through the odds faced by the APC in the state , Hon. Prince Amgbare noted that himself as the pioneer leader of Action Congress (AC) and later Action Congress of Nigeria ( ACN) in the state, he’s aware of the challenges involved in nurturing a political party, and commended the governor for first bringing together all members of the party to start the process of galvanisation and mobilisation.
“”For me as the leader of the progressive movement in Bayelsa state I know what it means to nurture a political party in Bayelsa state . This is the first thing to do if you must nurture a political party that will become a political war machine . That’s the way to start , you must bring people together ,you must assure people that you are ready to provide leadership . I remember I started the Action Congress in Bayelsa state . I was the leader of the AC in Bayelsa state , as a matter of fact, the Broom Revolution in Bayelsa state . I later became the governorship candidate of the party and I was the leader of the AC until we moved to the ACN and.later it became the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“So I know what it means to organise a party . This is the way to go . So I thank him”
Highlighting the E- registration exercise which is aimed at knowing the proper number of APC faithfuls in the state Hon.Prince Amgbare stated that the exercise would also remind party members that as politicians “number” is key because politics is a game of numbers .
He said “E- registration captures only human beings that are alive you can’t use a shadow for e-registration .If it is manual you can capture every name”.
Recalling the 2007 rerun election where inaccurate registration led to annulment of the election which he was a governorship candidate, Prince Amgbare noted that one of the grounds that led to the annulment of that election between AC and PDP then, was because there were fictitious names in the register.
” We were able to proof that even the foundation of the results was faulty because there were fictitious names
” So what APC is doing today is to have register of people so that , for instance , tomorrow, if APC says it has one million people in the Bayelsa state APC , you can point to the People , because it happened in the last elections too.
In some states APC boosted that we have 100million members but when it was time for elections our results did not show that we had 100million members .
“So this is what we want to achieve now , we want to ensure that when we say we have 100million members , we want to be sure that is the number . Even if all of us do not turn out ,or even if we loss some people before then , the number will not be too far from the 100million or can be verified” he added.
He said the governor, as the leader of the Party in the state , has concluded arrangements with ICT team from APC headquarters in Abuja to train the trainers who would also spread the training programme to the grassroots .
“Thanks to the Governor, thanks to the 001 Bayelsa . He brought the trainers , the ICT team from head quarters to train the trainers who will in turn train the down liners and take the exercise to the grass roots .
“When we get to that phase we will make the link available to the public so that from the comfort of your room you can also register to make the exercise seamless , and we will also embark on strong grassroots mobilisation ….. I have started already as from that meeting I went down to meet with key stake holders who will in turn mobilise the grassroots, this is our own census we will work hard to achieve it “.
As a progressive party , Prince Amgbare commended further governor Diri for his progressive approach to the party’s affairs by convening the stakeholders’ meeting and advised on the need to temporarily drop their political ambitions for now to ensure a seamless building process
“”We pride ourselves as progressives so we must do things differently . That’s why he (Diri ) even said drop all your ambitions for now . This is the building process , when it is time for elections feel free to come out and declare your intentions. But don’t frustrate the system because of your personal.ambition
” This has been the problem in the past congresses are not transparent , one man seats in his house and write the names in the comfort of his bed room.Such a party can never be transparent .
“So The governor is telling every one that the only election that we are all in agreement to execute in Bayelsa state is that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu . As I said earlier Bayelsa United for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.(BUPBAT) , and also United for APC. And so when we go through the process and eventually candidates begin to emerge , this same unity , this same united force is what will deliver our candidates in the next elections.
Politics
President Tinubu Flags Off 2027 Campaign In Kaduna, Seeks Renewed Mandate
By Our Correspondent
The All Progressives Congress,( APC) has flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections on Saturday in Kaduna, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term on the strength of his administration’s record.
President Tinubu the declaration at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, saying that it was a great honour to return to the historic city where Nigeria’s early leaders converged before independence.
Tinubu thanked Kaduna voters for the victory they gave him in 2023, saying he had come to thank them and seek their mandate for a second term to fulfil his promises of prosperity, continuity and progress.
He dismissed opposition talk about hunger, saying “Who created it? They did. We are trying to eradicate it,” noting that his administration and APC governors now pay salaries regularly and are developing their states.
The President urged supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs), and come out en masse on January 16, 2027 to re-elect APC at all levels. “Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more smuggling. We are ushering in a new era,” he said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigerians elected Tinubu in 2023 not because he was richest or best speaker, but because the alternative was calamity, and he urged Kaduna people to renew APC’s mandate.
Shettima listed gains in Kaduna, including Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Federal University of Education, Zaria, vocational institutes in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf with over 4,000 graduates, and NELFUND support for students.
He said Tinubu has identified with the North for years, recalling how he gave political succour to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2007, supported Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and stood behind late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019, describing Tinubu as a man of honour.
Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said Kaduna is the spiritual centre of Northern politics and that all northern governors were present to show support.
Yari said Tinubu’s economic record, from exchange rate reforms to subsidy removal and trade balance, shows improvement, adding that APC will campaign with its records in infrastructure, health, education and cash transfers.
Yari declared, “Northern Nigeria is 101 per cent for you, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by God’s grace.”
Governor Uba Sani, who welcomed guests, paid tribute to Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their love for Kaduna and the North, saying Renewed Hope Agenda has brought massive interventions in transport, education, healthcare, agriculture and security.
Sani recalled that Tinubu defied security advice to travel to Birnin Gwari in December 2022, and has now fulfilled his promises, with N117 billion released for the 123km Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road abandoned for over 40 years, and restoration of security on the corridor.
He also cited ongoing Zaria-Soba-Pambegua road, the $865 million Kaduna Metropolitan Red Line with $300 million already mobilized, N84 billion NELFUND benefit to North-West students, and 95 percent completion of N740 billion Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway.
Sani challenged the “so-called Northern candidate” to show track record of 200km of road while in office, noting that over 1,000km of roads have been constructed in the North under Tinubu and Shettima.
He warned supporters to be vigilant, alleging opposition has upgraded its campaign “from Facebook and Twitter to AI.”
Politics
APC Flags Off 2027 Campaign In Kaduna, Tinubu Seeks Renewed Mandate. From Cyril Mbah, Abuja. The All Progressives Congress, APC, on Saturday flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections in Kaduna, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term on the strength of his administration’s record. Speaking at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, President Tinubu said it was a great honour to return to the historic city where Nigeria’s early leaders converged before independence. Tinubu thanked Kaduna voters for the victory they gave him in 2023, saying he had come to thank them and seek their mandate for a second term to fulfil his promises of prosperity, continuity and progress. He dismissed opposition talk about hunger, saying “Who created it? They did. We are trying to eradicate it,” noting that his administration and APC governors now pay salaries regularly and are developing their states. The President urged supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs), and come out en masse on January 16, 2027 to re-elect APC at all levels. “Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more smuggling. We are ushering in a new era,” he said. Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigerians elected Tinubu in 2023 not because he was richest or best speaker, but because the alternative was calamity, and he urged Kaduna people to renew APC’s mandate. Shettima listed gains in Kaduna, including Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Federal University of Education, Zaria, vocational institutes in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf with over 4,000 graduates, and NELFUND support for students. He said Tinubu has identified with the North for years, recalling how he gave political succour to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2007, supported Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and stood behind late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019, describing Tinubu as a man of honour. Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said Kaduna is the spiritual centre of Northern politics and that all northern governors were present to show support. Yari said Tinubu’s economic record, from exchange rate reforms to subsidy removal and trade balance, shows improvement, adding that APC will campaign with its records in infrastructure, health, education and cash transfers. Yari declared, “Northern Nigeria is 101 per cent for you, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by God’s grace.” Governor Uba Sani, who welcomed guests, paid tribute to Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their love for Kaduna and the North, saying Renewed Hope Agenda has brought massive interventions in transport, education, healthcare, agriculture and security. Sani recalled that Tinubu defied security advice to travel to Birnin Gwari in December 2022, and has now fulfilled his promises, with N117 billion released for the 123km Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road abandoned for over 40 years, and restoration of security on the corridor. He also cited ongoing Zaria-Soba-Pambegua road, the $865 million Kaduna Metropolitan Red Line with $300 million already mobilized, N84 billion NELFUND benefit to North-West students, and 95 percent completion of N740 billion Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway. Sani challenged the “so-called Northern candidate” to show track record of 200km of road while in office, noting that over 1,000km of roads have been constructed in the North under Tinubu and Shettima. He warned supporters to be vigilant, alleging opposition has upgraded its campaign “from Facebook and Twitter to AI.”
By our correspondent
As the 2027 election draws close, the All Progressive Congressive,(APC) on Saturday flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections in Kaduna, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term on the strength of his administration’s record.
The President who made this declaration at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, President said it was a great honour to return to the historic city where Nigeria’s early leaders converged before independence.
Tinubu thanked Kaduna voters for the victory they gave him in 2023, saying he had come to thank them and seek their mandate for a second term to fulfil his promises of prosperity, continuity and progress.
He dismissed opposition talk about hunger, saying “Who created it? They did. We are trying to eradicate it,” noting that his administration and APC governors now pay salaries regularly and are developing their states.
!
The President urged supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs), and come out en masse on January 16, 2027 to re-elect APC at all levels. “Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more smuggling. We are ushering in a new era,” he said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigerians elected Tinubu in 2023 not because he was richest or best speaker, but because the alternative was calamity, and he urged Kaduna people to renew APC’s mandate.
Shettima listed gains in Kaduna, including Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Federal University of Education, Zaria, vocational institutes in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf with over 4,000 graduates, and NELFUND support for students.
He said Tinubu has identified with the North for years, recalling how he gave political succour to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2007, supported Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and stood behind late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019, describing Tinubu as a man of honour.
Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said Kaduna is the spiritual centre of Northern politics and that all northern governors were present to show support.
Yari said Tinubu’s economic record, from exchange rate reforms to subsidy removal and trade balance, shows improvement, adding that APC will campaign with its records in infrastructure, health, education and cash transfers.
Yari declared, “Northern Nigeria is 101 per cent for you, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by God’s grace.”
Governor Uba Sani, who welcomed guests, paid tribute to Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their love for Kaduna and the North, saying Renewed Hope Agenda has brought massive interventions in transport, education, healthcare, agriculture and security.
Sani recalled that Tinubu defied security advice to travel to Birnin Gwari in December 2022, and has now fulfilled his promises, with N117 billion released for the 123km Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road abandoned for over 40 years, and restoration of security on the corridor.
He also cited ongoing Zaria-Soba-Pambegua road, the $865 million Kaduna Metropolitan Red Line with $300 million already mobilized, N84 billion NELFUND benefit to North-West students, and 95 percent completion of N740 billion Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway.
Sani challenged the “so-called Northern candidate” to show track record of 200km of road while in office, noting that over 1,000km of roads have been constructed in the North under Tinubu and Shettima.
He warned supporters to be vigilant, alleging opposition has upgraded its campaign “from Facebook and Twitter to AI.” Flags Off 2027 Campaign In Kaduna, Tinubu Seeks Renewed Mandate.
F
Politics
Sea Incursion: Senate Demands Urgent Shoreline Protection As Ayetoro Community Faces Extinction
By our correspondent
Senate on Thursday called for immediate and comprehensive shoreline protection to save Ayetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State from being wiped out.
The call followed a motion moved on Thursday by Senator Dayo Faduyile (Ondo South) on the urgent need to save the historic coastal community from sea incursion.
Presenting the motion, Faduyile told the Senate that homes, livelihoods, cultural heritage and public infrastructure in Ayetoro are being progressively destroyed by ocean surges, with recent reports indicating that about 80 per cent of buildings in the community have been lost to the sea.
He said the destruction has devastated schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship and traditional institutions, displacing thousands and disrupting fishing and other economic activities.
“Continued destruction of homes and community infrastructure has displaced families, threatened access to safe water and healthcare and put the future of the historic community in grave uncertainty,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed concern that previous shoreline protection interventions have faced implementation challenges, including reported delays in earlier Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) contracts, necessitating verification of project status, expenditure and outstanding obligations.
He noted that the scale of the crisis exceeds the capacity of residents and requires urgent intervention by the Federal Government, Ondo State Government, relevant development agencies and international development partners.
Faduyile added that the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has indicated that substantial financial resources are required to address the crisis, underscoring the need for adequate funding, sound engineering and sustainable protection measures.
He warned that further delay may result in additional loss of lives, property and livelihoods, while exposing vulnerable groups, particularly women, children and the elderly, to worsening humanitarian and environmental conditions.
The Senate, in its resolutions, called on the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment, the NDDC and other relevant agencies, to work with the Ondo State Government and OSOPADEC to implement an adequately funded shoreline protection programme for Ayetoro.
It also called for a transparent review of all ongoing shoreline protection contracts for the community, including their funding status, outstanding obligations and completion timelines, and for necessary remedial action to be taken.
The upper chamber urged the Federal Government to explore budgetary provisions and climate adaptation financing to support sustainable coastal protection, including construction of embankment where technically appropriate, and restoration of essential community infrastructure.
It further urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant authorities to provide immediate humanitarian assistance, safe water, healthcare and temporary shelter for residents whose homes and livelihoods are threatened.
The Senate mandated its Committees on Environment, Niger Delta Development, Ecology and Special Duties to liaise with relevant ministries and agencies on implementation and report back within four weeks.
It also mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor implementation of its resolutions and report accordingly.
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