By David Owei

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has mocked Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri for refusing to identify with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

The party’s publicity secretary, Ikaebimo Mark, said in a press statement issued in Yenagoa that the Diri-led APC government is afraid to associate with the Tinubu re-election campaign by erecting billboards without President Tinubu’s re-election.

According to him, several billboards in Yenagoa, the State capital, showed that Diri was urging the electorate in Bayelsa to vote for all the APC candidates in the National Assembly and State Assembly elections without mentioning the President.

Mark stated that Diri’s body language is enough indication to show that he is not on the same page with the APC national leadership.

‘’When we said that the governor, Senator Douye Diri, is not supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we knew exactly what we were saying. Now Governor Douye Diri has erected APC campaign billboards across Bayelsa State without Tinubu’s picture. He is even afraid to associate himself with the photograph of the Presidential candidate of his own party. How can this governor claim to be supporting President Tinubu?

By Mike Obi, Abuja

Ahead 2027 general election, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike has given reasons on why it would be a stress free victory for President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State in the forthcoming 2027 general elecAnthonytions.

Wike stated this during a town hall meeting with the people of Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.

While giving the reasons, Wike claimed that Rivers State had received no fewer than 47 federal appointments under Tinubu’s administration, a figure he described as unprecedented when compared with the previous administrations of Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.

He also cited the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road as one of the major benefits of the Tinubu administration to Rivers State among other things he mentioned,noting that residents who previously depended on water transportation could now travel by road.

He urged the people to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, as well as the APC governorship candidate, Kinsley Chinda, and other candidates.

The minister also canvassed support for APC candidates seeking election into the Senate, House of Representatives and Rivers State House of Assembly.

Wike said the APC had become the strongest political platform for the forthcoming elections, insisting that voting for candidates outside the party in the area would amount to wasting votes.

He specifically cautioned the people against supporting a son of the area contesting the governorship election on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that the party lacked the political strength to win the presidency or governorship.

“I know one of your sons is running for governorship under NDC. We want our son to be governor, but we must be realistic. As it is today, he cannot be under that party. It is not possible,” he said.

Wike argued that the people should distinguish between emotional attachment to a candidate and the political realities of winning an election.

He said the area already had a governorship candidate and deputy governor from its political fold under the APC, adding that supporting another candidate on a platform he described as electorally weak would not advance the interests of the people.

The former Rivers governor also dismissed the prospects of opposition parties challenging Tinubu in 2027, citing the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the difficulty of building a formidable opposition coalition.

“Talking about the crisis in the PDP, I have said it will be difficult for us to present a credible presidential candidate that can challenge this election. Therefore, there is no need to bother ourselves. Let us continue to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

Wike defended Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, describing the decision as a demonstration of political courage and leadership.

He acknowledged that the policies had brought hardship to Nigerians but maintained that the sacrifices were temporary and necessary to reposition the country.

According to him, Tinubu took decisions that previous administrations avoided because of their potential political consequences.

“Leadership is key. This country requires leadership with courage. Our problem has been leadership,” he said.

Wike cited the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as having questioned whether a conventional politician would take such politically risky decisions while seeking a second term.

He said the President’s policies would yield positive results when fully implemented and stabilised.

The minister also credited the Tinubu administration with improving federal revenue allocations to states and local governments, noting that local government chairmen now had greater financial resources to execute projects.

Wike had earlier paid a traditional homage to the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, HRM King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel (II).

The monarch expressed profound gratitude for past infrastructural interventions in the community and remarkable peace, development and cooperative spirit within the region.

The King said: “The only thing we wish you is that now that you’re all together, we have the confidence that every election season, we used to panic that there would be crisis. But I thank Almighty God that this time around, there will be no crisis”.

The chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Aboiya Bob-Fubara vowed to continue to mobilize his people from the re-election of President Tinubu and other candidates.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has cautioned corps members against allowing politicians to use them to undermine the will of the people, stressing that no temporary gain is *worth sacrificing their future.*

Governor Diri gave the charge on Friday, 6th November 2026, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch C Stream II corps members at Permanent Orientation Camp, Boro Town, Bayelsa State.

Represented by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on NYSC Matters, *Hon. Dr. Wisdom Poyeri,* His Excellency urged corps members to uphold integrity, remain patriotic and resist any form of political manipulation, particularly as elections approach.

He emphasised that their future and personal integrity must not be compromised for temporary benefits, urging them to conduct themselves as responsible citizens committed to protecting the democratic will of the people.

The Governor described the NYSC scheme as a vital platform for fostering national unity and integration, bringing together young Nigerians from diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds to contribute meaningfully to national development.

He further noted that the orientation course was designed to prepare corps members for life beyond the camp by equipping them with essential skills, promoting teamwork and exposing them to responsibilities that would shape their personal and professional development.

Governor Diri encouraged the corps members to take full advantage of their service year by participating actively in camp activities, respecting constituted authorities and making meaningful contributions to the development of their host communities.

He urged them to embrace Bayelsa State as their home and strive to leave a lasting positive impact wherever they are posted, contributing to the growth and progress of the state.

Earlier in his address, the NYSC Bayelsa State Coordinator, *Mr. Samuel Amaramiro Pepple,* congratulated the corps members on the successful completion of their academic pursuits and their subsequent mobilisation for national service.

Mr. Pepple explained that the orientation course was structured to prepare corps members mentally and physically for the demands of the service year and life beyond national service.

He expressed appreciation to Governor Douye Diri for his continuous support and commitment to the success of the NYSC scheme in Bayelsa State.

The State Coordinator also disclosed that the camp was hosting corps members deployed to Rivers State, who were undertaking their orientation exercise alongside their counterparts in Bayelsa.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the administration of the Oath of Allegiance to the corps members by Justice I. Eradiri, formally inducting them into the National Youth Service Corps.

The event also featured a demonstration of the Centipede Walk by the Man O’ War, adding colour to the ceremony.

The swearing-in ceremony attracted representatives of service chiefs, paramilitary and law enforcement agencies, the King of Opokuma Kingdom, a representative of Kolokuma Kingdom, camp officials and jubilant corps members who took the Oath of Allegiance.