By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, has credited the rapid socio-economic and infrastructural development in Bayelsa State to Governor Douye Diri’s peacebuilding initiatives, which have created a stable and secure environment, essential for investment, economic growth, and sustainable development.

While exchanging views with newsmen on Friday in Abuja, Prince Amgbare, praised Senator Douye Diri’s leadership, citing his empathy, passion for peace, and commitment to unity across political divides. He also congratulated the governor on his sixth year anniversary.

Prince Amgbare noted that Bayelsa State has made significant strides in infrastructure development under Senator Diri’s administration, highlighting the ongoing construction of a 30,000-seater modern stadium, a 9-storey iconic secretariat complex, and the procurement of a 60mw gas turbine to address the state’s power challenges.

These projects, he said, demonstrate the governor’s commitment to the socio-economic advancement of the oil-rich state.

The MD/CEO pointed out that the reintroduction of technical colleges and free boarding schools across local government areas, with twelve model schools equipped with modern facilities, is providing the youth with a brighter future in entrepreneurship, innovation, inventions, and skills development.

He stressed that Governor Diri has made remarkable progress in infrastructural development across all sectors, including sports, power, agriculture, education, road network, health, human capital, culture and tourism, transportation, blue economy, and social progress.

“However, without peaceful coexistence, there could be no meaningful development. These projects, particularly the massive road network, have improved connectivity, accessibility, and facilitated economic activity across the state.

“A peaceful environment can attract investors, both local and foreign, to invest in the state, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. Peace promotes social cohesion and reduces conflict, which can lead to increased social and economic activity, and improved relationships between different communities.

“There is no doubt that Gov. Diri’s administration has brought renewed hope and a new dawn to the people of Bayelsa State, with his commitment to completing all ongoing legacy projects, saying that the governor’s earlier peacebuilding efforts facilitated the rapid socio-economic and infrastructural development in the state.

“Peacebuilding empowers local communities to take ownership of their development, making them more resilient to conflict and more likely to sustain development efforts. It also reduces the costs associated with conflict, such as destruction of infrastructure, loss of life, and displacement of people, which can be invested in development projects.

“Peacebuilding fosters partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector, which can lead to more effective and sustainable development outcomes.

“It promotes dialogue and reconciliation between different communities and stakeholders, enhancing inclusive and participatory governance structures, while fostering economic development and investment, improving access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and clean water,” Prince Amgbare emphasized.

By George Mgbeleke

The Independent National Electoral Commission has addressed concerns over its recently released Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election, particularly regarding the dates fixed for the conduct of the elections.

INEC had on Friday announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on February 20, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly polls will be held on March 6, 2027.

The commission also fixed party primaries between May 22 and June 20, 2026, for the nomination of candidates.

However, concerns have arisen from some Nigerians, especially Muslims, over the date of the general election, as they noted it falls within the holy month of Ramadan. They emphasised that the physical demands of fasting may impact voter turnout, logistical, observers and electoral officers’ efficiency.

Notable among the voices is a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, who urged the commission to reconsider the February 20, 2027 date, citing concerns over its overlap with the Muslim fasting period of Ramadan.

In a post via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Atiku said the proposed date falls “squarely within the Ramadan period (February 7 – March 8, 2027), a sacred season of fasting, reflection, and spiritual devotion for millions of Nigerian Muslims.”

A former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, also urged INEC to reconsider the dates.

Tagging INEC, his post on X partly read: “If the intention is to encourage full and inclusive participation in the electoral process, scheduling such a critical national exercise during Ramadan may present challenges for a large segment of the population. Many Muslims tend to reduce engagement in demanding worldly activities during this period in order to focus on religious obligations.

“Given the significant Muslim population in this country, it may be worthwhile to reconsider the timing to ensure broader participation and convenience for all citizens.

“I do hope this observation will be taken in the spirit of inclusiveness and national cohesion.”

However, INEC, in a statement issued on Friday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the timetable was developed in strict compliance with the timelines contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.

Haruna stated that the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, in effect since 2019, fixed the dates elections are to be held.

He quoted paragraph two of the regulation as stating: “Election to the office of President and Vice President, as well as National Assembly, shall hold on the third Saturday of February of any general election year, while election to the office of Governor and Deputy Governor and the State Houses of Assembly shall hold two (2) weeks thereafter.”

He said, “Accordingly, and in faithful observance of these extant legal and regulatory provisions, the Commission fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections.

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission has taken due notice of concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the coincidence of the scheduled dates with certain nationally recognised holidays and observances.

“The Commission wishes to assure the public that it remains sensitive to all legitimate concerns that may impact electoral participation and the overall conduct of elections.”

He stressed that, in view of the developments, “the Commission is currently undertaking consultations and may, where necessary, seek appropriate legislative intervention to address the concerns raised, while ensuring that any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements.

“INEC reiterates its unwavering commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and the credible conduct of the 2027 General Election. The public will be duly informed of any further developments.”

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Thursday, inaugurated coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) in the eight local government areas under the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Diri, who charged the local government coordinators to mobilise members of the party for the ward, local government and state congresses and ensure success for the APC at all levels, said the state coordinator remains Chief Tiwei Orunimighe.

He urged the RHA to operate an inclusive leadership at the local government and state levels as well as work with the South-South zonal coordinator, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, a former governor of Delta State.

The Bayelsa governor gave the charge during the APC stakeholders meeting at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.

He cautioned leaders of the party against divisive tendencies, urging them to ensure unity of purpose and success in their various wards and local government areas.

He also implored members to shelve personal political ambitions for now and focus on President Bola Tinubu’s second term re-election bid in 2027.

His words: “We are aware that some of you have personal political ambitions. However, put such ambition on hold for now. You belong to a political party that has only one ambition that is above every other ambition, which is the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

“So, the major purpose of this meeting is to ensure that the nomination of President Tinubu as the only presidential candidate of the APC in the forthcoming election is our number one priority.“

The RHA local government coordinators are Kuro Matthias Nyenye (Nembe), Dr. Godson Torukuru (Yenagoa), Uroh Kiani (Brass) and Engr. Biewari Orupeighe (Southern Ijaw)

Others are High Chief Okubokakpo Ombu (Sagbama), Chief Ebinyo Turner (Ogbia), Rt.Hon. Tonye Isenah (Kolokuma/Opokuma) and Hon. Orubebe Ogeibiri (Ekeremor).

Governor Diri also announced committees to oversee the party’s ward congresses.

For Brass, members of the committee are the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Hon. Sunny Goli, and Victor Sam-Ateki.

Ekeremor has the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Michael Ogbere, former Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi, Chief Fidelis Agbiki, and Hon. Tari Porri as members.

Chief Isaac Kumokou (KOLGA Constituency 1) and Dr. Tarilah Tebepah ( KOLGA Constituency 2) are in charge of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA.

In Nembe, the committee has the APC acting state chairman, Dr Dennis Otiotio, Senator Degi Eremienyo, former Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (Rtd) as well as Hon. Ebi Ben-Ololo and Hon. Oteigbanyo Braah.

Ogbia has Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Senator Benson Agadaga and Hon. Gabriel Ogbara as members while for Sagbama, the members are the Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Commission, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, and Chief Kemi Prefa.

The ward congress committee for Southern Ijaw has as members Senator Konbowei Benson, Hon. Rodney Ambaiowei, Monday Obolo-Bubou, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, and Chief David Lyon while Yenagoa has a former acting governor and former Speaker of the State Assembly, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, Hon. Oforji Oboku, Dr. Gentle Emelah and Chief Boma Spero-Jack.

In his remarks, the chairman of the APC caretaker committee, Dr. Otiotio, said the party’s national secretariat had published the timetable for ward, local government, state congresses and the national convention.

He stated that the ward and local government congresses would hold on February 18 and 21 respectively while the state congress is slated for March 1, 2026.