By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has passed a resounding vote of confidence on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, in recognition of what it described as his courageous and stabilizing leadership in sustaining the party through challenging times.

The decision was reached during the Party’s 99th State Executive Committee (SEC) Meeting, the highest decision-making body of the PDP in Bayelsa State.

At the meeting, the SEC also approved the nomination of former Deputy Governorship candidate, Joshua MacIver, as a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP to represent Bayelsa State. In addition, the committee adopted him as the leader of the party in the state, signaling a renewed drive toward unity and consolidation within the PDP fold.

Speaking at the meeting, the State Chairman of the Party, Hon. Barr. Alabh George Turnah, MON, who presided over the strategic engagements, commended members of the SEC for their steadfastness, loyalty, and commitment to the survival of the party. He particularly lauded Wike for his pivotal role in strengthening the PDP at both the national and sub-national levels.

Turnah expressed optimism over MacIver’s return to the party, describing it as a significant boost to ongoing efforts to reposition the PDP for future political engagements. He emphasized that under the current leadership, the party remains resolute and better prepared to reclaim its mandate.

The chairman further urged party leaders and stakeholders to intensify grassroots mobilization, especially as the ongoing e-registration and revalidation exercise enters a critical phase across communities, wards, and local government areas in the state.

In his remarks, MacIver expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed his commitment to the growth and unity of the PDP. He noted that the party he has returned to is revitalized and well-positioned for resurgence.

He maintained that the PDP continues to enjoy widespread support among Bayelsans, particularly at the grassroots, and dismissed concerns about recent political developments in the state, insisting that the party remains a dominant force.

MacIver also commended Turnah for his leadership, courage, and sacrifices in steering the party through turbulent times, pledging his full support and hinting at a massive return of party faithful in the coming months.

Earlier, MacIver was formally received by the State Chairman and members of the State Working Committee (SWC) during a meeting held at the Chairman’s office.

The 99th SEC meeting was a defining moment in the ongoing efforts to reposition the PDP in Bayelsa State ahead of future political contests.

By David Owei

Immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said the pace of development of Bayelsa has left him emotional.

Speaking at Oporoma community, headquarters of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, on Monday during a grand reception in his honour, the former Vice President said he was impressed by the people-oriented projects of the Senator Douye Diri administration, stressing that the governor understood the reason for governance.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted Prof. Osinbajo as recalling his visit to the state on February 19, 2022 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Angiama-Oporoma bridge project, saying he had his doubts when he saw that the area was a forest.

Osinbajo, however, expressed delight that Governor Diri had proved him wrong by ensuring the completion of the 630-metre bridge and the access road to Oporoma, which had been on the drawing board for over six decades.

He said by his development strides, Diri had proved that God did not make a mistake in his choice as governor and that the people of Bayelsa were happy with him.

He hailed the completion of the referral hospital in Oporoma, which he also inaugurated, saying that he was impressed that the hospital, initiated 53 years ago in 1973 but was completed by the Diri administration, was already performing surgeries.

Innagurating the Agbura-Oxbow Lake road in Yenagoa Local Government Area, the former VP described the project as impactful, saying it not only linked communities but also reduced travel time and connected communities to key federal government offices such as the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Secretariat.

While commending Diri, Osinbajo said he is a man that keeps to his words and that it was rare to find such quality within the Nigerian political space.

His words: “I am privileged to be alive and to be a part of history. This is a very special day for me; an emotional one.

“I was here for the groundbreaking (of the bridge at Angiama). At that time, it was a dream because there was no access road to one of the most prolific oil producing local government areas in the country.”

Osinbajo profusely commended the Bayelsa governor.

“I had my doubts but here we are today witnessing history. I believe that once a leader understands the reason God gave him the opportunity to serve, the people will be happy. Douye Diri has proved that God did not make a wrong choice in him. He proves every day that he is the right man for the job.

“Let me thank my brother and friend for the kind invitation to be here because it is not often that you find men and women able to keep their words in politics. He is a man a character, who keeps his promises; faithful and loyal to his friends. Any man who keeps his promises will be faithful to his people.

“I commend him for doing what he ought to do, providing facilities to make life easy for the people. I pray for the governor that the progress today is only the beginning and the Almighty God will enable you achieve more and Bayelsa will prosper.”

In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri appreciated the immediate past vice president for accepting to visit the state again to inaugurate key projects executed by his administration.

He said Osinbajo loves development and the people of Bayelsa as exemplified in his readiness to always respond positively whenever he was invited.

Diri stressed that the essesence of governance is to bring happiness to the people, assuring that his administration will continue to embark on people-oriented projects.

He said the referral hospital had not only been completed but had also been fully equipped, and promised to construct the road from Oporoma to the hospital at Osokama as well as fence the hospital.

He said: “A few years ago, on February 19, 2022, as Vice President, you visited and was part of the process that marked the beginning of the Angiama bridge. Our collective prayers have been answered as that project was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu on April 10.

“Today you have graciously returned to celebrate with us. For that staedfastness and support, we are grateful. You are a true son of Bayelsa State.

“These projects you have inaugurated are important to our people. Development must be felt in our communities. For us, there is nothing like difficult terrain. This is what God has given us and it is our duty to tame it.

“Today, this government has not only completed the referral hospital, it has been equipped and ready to serve the whole of constituency 2 and 3 in Sputhern Ijaw. Your government is bringing healthcare to your doorsteps.“

Earlier at the Agbura-Oxbow Lake road commissioning ceremony, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, remarked that the 6.72km road will create easier and shorter access to Swali and other parts of Yenagoa thereby reducing travel time.

He thanked Governor Diri for his visionary leadership and expressed optimism that Bayelsa wil witness more infrastructural development under the incumbent administration.

At Oporoma, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, said the people of Southern Ijaw were grateful to the administration for giving them access road after decades of neglect despite being one of the local governments with the highest production of crude oil in the country.

The event featured the presentation of gifts to Osinbajo and a cultural performance by the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture troupe.

By Our Correspondent

Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has dismissed allegations that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is working to undermine opposition parties through the electoral system, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains an autonomous institution deserving of respect.

Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly lobby in Abuja Tuesday during activities marking his 66th birthday, the former Abia State governor described claims by opposition elements, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as “frivolous” and harmful to Nigeria’s democratic image.

According to him, the APC has no control over INEC, stressing that the electoral umpire, under the leadership of Professor Joash Amupitan , operates independently.

Kalu said: “The APC as a party has nothing to do with INEC. INEC is an independent body and we have a lot of respect for the Chairman of INEC. He is an erudite Professor of Law… So, let us stop this frivolity. People should take the electoral process and democracy seriously instead of de-marketing the country ”.

The lawmaker also rejected insinuations that the ruling party is coercing politicians, particularly governors, to defect into its fold. He maintained that party membership remains a matter of personal choice and negotiation, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never pressured anyone to join the APC.

“President Tinubu has never begged anybody to leave his party or to join our party… If a governor decides to join APC, that is his business. When you come, we negotiate; if it is good, you stay; if not, you go your way. Nobody is forcing anybody,” he stated.

On permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly speculations that the Senate Presidency may be zoned to the South East, Kalu said he was unaware of any such arrangement, describing zoning decisions as the exclusive prerogative of party leadership. While not ruling himself out, he emphasized that he is not lobbying for any position.

“I’m not aware of that. It is for the leadership of the party to decide. If anything is given to me, I will take, but I’m not going out of my way to look for anything,” he said.

Addressing concerns raised by some members of the 1999 class of governors about alleged marginalisation by the current administration, Kalu downplayed the claims, asserting that President Tinubu maintains cordial relations with his contemporaries.

He cited recent interactions between the President and several former governors as evidence of ongoing engagement.

On governance and regional development, the former Senate Chief Whip cautioned against narratives suggesting that the South East has been sidelined in successive administrations.

He noted that both the late Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu have contributed meaningfully to national development, including the South East.

“Every President has something to add. Buhari has contributed his quota, Tinubu is contributing his quota. We are getting what we are supposed to get… maybe even more today. That does not mean Buhari did not do well,” Kalu remarked.

Turning to the economy, the senator offered a nuanced assessment of the Tinubu administration’s reform agenda, stating that while macroeconomic indicators show progress, challenges persist at the grassroots level due to insecurity and sabotage.

“The upper end of the reform is working… investors are coming in. But the lower end has problems because of insecurity and sabotage. Reforms take time; they don’t happen in one day,” he explained, drawing parallels with long-term reform trajectories in countries like China and Singapore.

Kalu further expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s re-election prospects in 2027, describing the opposition as weak and lacking viable alternatives. He argued that the APC’s growing membership base and nationwide acceptance position it strongly ahead of the next electoral cycle.

“I don’t think anybody will defeat President Tinubu in a free and fair election… APC is like a moving train. Even in places that were not APC before, people are joining. We are rocking like a hurricane,” he declared.

The senator concluded by urging political actors to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and presenting credible policy alternatives rather than engaging in what he described as unproductive criticism.