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HURIWA Lauds NDLEA for Winning Inter.Recognition, Urges NASS to Fast-track Operational,Funding Autonomy

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By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has applauded the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for bringing international recognition and positive attention to Nigeria through its remarkable transformation of the country’s drug control architecture.

HURIWA particularly commends the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and the entire management and workforce of the NDLEA for demonstrating that Nigerian public institutions can deliver measurable results, earn international respect and provide practical solutions to complex security challenges when given purposeful leadership.

The rights group notes that the recent presentation of Nigeria’s drug control achievements at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York has placed the country in positive international spotlight, with the NDLEA’s institutional reforms and operational milestones attracting commendation from the international community.

For HURIWA, this recognition is not merely a diplomatic achievement but an affirmation that Nigeria possesses the institutional capacity to confront organised crime, dismantle transnational criminal networks and protect vulnerable citizens when its agencies are adequately empowered.

The figures presented before the United Nations speak volumes about the scale of the Agency’s work. Between January 2025 and September 2026, the NDLEA recorded 38,242 arrests, seized more than 5.8 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs valued at over ₦2.5 trillion and secured 6,232 convictions.

The Agency also facilitated counselling, treatment and rehabilitation for more than 16,303 persons, while its drug prevention and sensitisation programmes reached millions of Nigerians.

HURIWA considers this combination of enforcement, intelligence gathering, rehabilitation, prevention, technological innovation and community engagement a significant demonstration of institutional transformation.

We are particularly encouraged by the NDLEA’s growing international partnerships, including the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), which provides for intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, capacity development and controlled delivery.

The agreement, alongside the Agency’s collaboration with international law enforcement institutions, demonstrates that Nigeria is increasingly becoming an active partner in the global campaign against transnational drug trafficking rather than merely a country struggling with its consequences.

HURIWA also acknowledges the importance of the Agency’s alternative development initiative, which seeks to help communities abandon illicit cannabis cultivation in favour of legitimate agricultural livelihoods.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MUST NOT DELAY NDLEA REFORMS

However, while celebrating these achievements, HURIWA wishes to draw the urgent attention of the National Assembly to the proposed amendments to the NDLEA Act aimed at strengthening the Agency through adequate and sustainable funding arrangements and greater operational independence.

We consider it contradictory and unacceptable for Nigeria to celebrate the international accomplishments of an institution while delaying the legislative reforms required to make its operations more effective, sustainable and independent.

The National Assembly must recognise that the war against illicit drugs is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Drug cartels are deploying advanced technology, exploiting international financial systems, establishing cross-border criminal networks and recruiting vulnerable young people into organised crime.

An agency confronting such formidable threats cannot be expected to deliver optimally when its funding and operational capacity are constrained by institutional and administrative limitations.

HURIWA therefore urges the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, the relevant committees and the leadership of both chambers to accord the proposed amendments the urgency they deserve.

The National Assembly must act without further delay.

We insist that the proposed legislative interventions should not be subjected to unnecessary bureaucratic delays, political considerations or avoidable legislative bottlenecks.

Granting the NDLEA stronger funding guarantees and meaningful operational independence would not amount to giving the Agency unchecked powers. Rather, such reforms should be accompanied by appropriate accountability, transparency and human rights safeguards to ensure that enhanced institutional capacity translates into better public service delivery.

HURIWA believes that the international commendation Nigeria is receiving through the NDLEA should serve as a compelling reason for lawmakers to consolidate the gains through legislation.

It would be unfortunate for Nigeria to showcase an institution’s achievements before the United Nations and the international community, only for the domestic legislative process to fail to provide the support necessary for sustaining those achievements.

We therefore call on the National Assembly to treat the proposed amendments to the NDLEA Act as an urgent national security priority and move decisively towards their consideration and passage.

Nigeria must not celebrate institutional excellence abroad while withholding the legislative support required to sustain it at home.

The time to empower the NDLEA is now.

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Okpoama Kingdom, Twon Brass women back President Tinubu for second term

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women of Okpoama Kingdom and Twon Brass in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The women of Okpoama Kingdom and Twon Brass in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have reiterated their total support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

The women spoke during a mobilisation visit to Okpoama and Twon Brass by the Nembe- Se Unites under the theme Ama- Ama Tour for PBAT.

The Convener and President of Nembe- Se Unites, Hon. Mrs Beatrice Numonyo Awululu, highlighted the importance of unity and solidarity and active participation in the mobilisation process.

Mrs Awululu, who acknowledged the grassroots contributions of Bayelsa governor, Senator Douye Diri, MD, NDDC, Dr Sam Ogbuku and Dr Kojo Sam to the re-election campaigns of President Tinubu, reminded the women of their crucial role in the electoral process and urged them to use they are ready with the PVCs to vote in January 2026.

She expressed optimism that another term for President Tinubu would create opportunities for greater development and progress in Bayelsa East.

The women leader for Okpoama Kingdom, Iniemekuma Thompson, commended the initiator of the programme, Mrs Beatrice Awululu, for deeming it fit to mobilise women in the rural areas for President Tinubu.

Mrs Thompson commended Chief Dr Kojo Sam, the Managing Director of Labrador Security Services and Kojo Sam Logistics and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC) for the various developmental projects they have brought to Brass Local Government Area.

According to her, the women of Okpoama are going to reciprocate the development of their communities by giving massive votes to President Tinubu and the APC in 2027.

‘’ In 2027, we are going to massively vote for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu. He has done well for Bayelsa East, and we believe he is going to do more for us in his second term’’.

Also speaking, the secretary-general of Nembe- Se Unites, Mrs Abel IkioMuna Faith, maintained that APC is the only party that has been known to have touched the lives of the rural women in Okpoama and Twon Brass.

She declared that with the massive support the women would give to the APC, victory is sure for President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the January 2027 general election.

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NIDDEMOG caution Sen. Dickson, Gov. Diri, supporters against heating up Bayelsa polity, -seeks peaceful political campaign in Bayelsà

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By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Niger Delta Development Monitoring Group (NIDDEMOG) has called on the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and National Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson to exercise restraints and caution in their utterances and body language during the campaigns and activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

The group’s Team Lead, Chief Nengi James-Eriworio, Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, in a statement issued on Monday argued that what the supporters of various political parties needed at this time are issue based campaign and not casting personal grievances and aspersions against one another.

He said such unwarranted and personal attacks will only created tensed moments among supporters and throw them against one another which may lead to violence and possible deaths.

The Group reiterated and cautioned the political actors against use of cheap controversy on who enthrone one politician or another and other trivial issues to divert the attention of the massive voters but focus on telling each region, including the Niger Delta, their action plan for development, prosperity and empowerment.

Chief Nengi James-Eriworio, who is also the immediate past 2nd Vice President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), called on the duo of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and National Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson to exercise caution in the spirit of the Ijaw Nation.

” They should both show capacity in leadership by ensuring that their campaign do not instigate blood shed.

” What we need are road infrastructures, Sea Ports, Refineries, improved shore protection plan for communities being washed away from the region. And not who enthrone who to power. Each politician is enthrone by one person or another with the certification of the almighty God.”

Chief Nengi James, who is a mediation and arbitration expert described the recent campaign triviality as unnecessary, as what the people need is for solution to the challenges facing each region, particularly Ijaw nation.

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Unguarded Statements by Mr George Turnah MON: A Dishonourable Approach

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By Festus Daumiebi Sunday

The recent unguarded statements by Mr. George Turnah MON against the person of Governor of Bayelsa State is totally dishonourable and condemnable.

It is not only bad that Turnah MON has made disparaging His Excellency Sen. Douye Diri, the symbol of Bayelsa State his Stock-in-trade but it is worst when he carries on with a swagger as though he is doing the work of God.

For persons outside Bayelsa State, George Turnah is the factional State Chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa State which party the PDP is completely dead in Bayelsa State.

It is instructive to let you know that as of today, 29th October, 2026, in terms of membership, in terms of quality, in terms of structure and in terms of grassroots appeal, only one party, the All Progressives Congress is on ground in Bayelsa State while all others exist only in name and on the social media. More than that, the voters are with the APC as Bayelsans are happy with the Prosperity Assured Administration of Sen. Douye Diri. Thus, your claim that the APC in Bayelsa State needs the coliation of your under the radar party to deliver His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is presumptuousness taking too far.

In my candid but firm opinion, such online political party, the factional PDP should save its supposed political strength to deliver its candidates for the various National Assembly and State Assembly Seats at the polls, as the Factional PDP has no presidential candidate.

Let no one be deceived, in Bayelsa State, you are either a member of the APC, or you have the APC to contend with at the polls. No other political party would be able to poll 15% of the total votes on the election day in Bayelsa State as the Renewed Prosperity Administration of Sen. Douye Diri is not commissioning audio projects, as Bayelsans witnessed in the recent past.

His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri has done Excellently well, and have outperformed every other Governor that governed our state in our recent history, and that has earned him the confidence of Bayelsa State voters.

Politics should be played with decency, and campaigns should be issue based, not destructive contrivances in the hope to embarrass the State and place stain on the good name of the Governor.

I was the APC Bayelsa Central Senatorial District Candidate that contested against the His Excellency Senator Douye Diri in the 2019 General Election, it was a keenly contested election preceded by issue based campaigns and was done without insults on persons. I challenge anyone who can come up with evidence of statements credited to me where I insulted my then oppenent who is the current Governor of Bayelsa State.

I was also a principal actor in the Bayelsa State APC in the 2020 Governorship Election against the incumbent Governor of Bayelsa State and in all my public and private communications and campaigns, I did not ever insult the person of His Excellency Senator Douye Diri.

That is how politics should be played.

The citizens and inhabitants of Bayelsa State will recall that a seating Governor of Bayelsa State, once described the six years presidency of Bayelsa and Niger Delta’s pride, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s as “wasted six years”: and Bayelsans stood to the occasion unanimously and vehemently condemned the statement.

I respectfully call on all well meaning Bayelsans to call Mr. George Turnah MON to order.

I know the respectful and courteous disposition of the people of Ogbia LGA where Mr. George Turnah MON hails from. We have leaders in Ogbia that has the capacity to call Mr. George Turnah MON to order. The big question is why are they not doing it?

Be it known that nobody has monopoly of insulting leaders without any provocation. People are only exhibiting good home training by showing restraint as responsible persons.

There is nothing wrong craving the headlines, but everything is bad insulting and concoting charges in the media against the Governor of your State and someone more than old enough to be your father in the name of politics. We are Ijaw people. Culture forbids it, nature abhors it
even in the face of provocation.

Throughout Bayelsa State and beyond , Governor Douye Diri is known for his unrelenting peaceful disposition, advocating for peace, making peace, building peace and maintaining peace in Bayelsa State. No Governor has demonstrated and shown the high level of an exemplar of peace in Bayelsa State.

I urge Turnah MON not to take the Governor’s peaceful disposition for granted.

In this same Bayelsa State we have had terrible leaders that you dare not speak against on national Televisions programmes and go scot-free.

Mr. George Turnah MON should desist, forthwith, the unprovoked attack on the person of the Governor, and centre his campaign on issues that he must be able to substantiate, if the need arises.

Mr. George Turnah MON knows that Rainbow Coalition has no place in Bayelsa State as coalition may only work in politically conquered territories which Bayelsa State can never be.

It is this knowledge of the fact that Rainbow Coalition has no hold in Bayelsa State that is making him George Turnah to apply this unholy, dishonourable and ethically bankrupt approach of resorting to insulting the person of the Governor of Bayelsa State to please his paymasters at the expense of decency, respect for elder and decorum.

The point should also be made that every man is helped one way or the other by another man. Those who are claiming to have made the Governor of Bayelsa State who he is today should know that others or another also made them who they are. In all fairness , at the level of a Governor, it is not reasonable to expect a sitting Governor to always do the bidding of those who helped him to power. So where the Governor of Bayelsa took the decision to come to APC which decision did not go down well with those that helped him to power should not be an eternal crime. In the current reality, Governor Douye Diri’s decision to leave the PDP for APC is the best decision and is clearly because even those that claim to have made him who condemned the decision also justified the decision by their leaving the PDP.

Be that as it may, we have leaders in every Senatorial District of the State. Beyond being the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Sen. Douye Diri is a leader of a Pillar “the Bayelsa Central” Senatorial District of the State, and must be respected.

A word is enough for the wise

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