HOW THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA STRUCK OUT THE CASE FILED BY RIVERS STATE ON THEIR BOUNDARY WITH BAYELSA

As we talk about the boundary dispute between the people of Nembe of Bayelsa State and the people of Kalabari of Rivers State of Nigeria, in the West African Sub Region some may think  that it just started yesterday or today,
But No! It rather started during the colonial era, precisely in 1920, that was 40 years before the birth of Nigeria, October 1st 1960.
And that time, the people of Kalabari in their own history were not up to 100 years, because they celebrated their first ever centenary in 1984, while Nembe also celebrated centenary on their war with the British at Akassa in 1995, which establishes the fact that Nembe and  Kalabari are not twin brothers born into the family of the Niger Delta region the same day.
But that is not the issue, the issue is that Nembe and Kalabari lived in peace together many years during the colonial era before the issue of the boundary dispute came in 1920.
The Nembe and Kalabari are neighbours and that is the way God has made it and there is nothing anybody can do to change it.
It was a sad episode that in Rivers State before Bayelsa was created, there were crisis between the two parties which led to the killings of sons and daughters of fellow Niger Deltans, fellow Nigerians which resulted in the Constitution of the historic, Justice Akiri Commission of Inquiry with a view to bringing a lasting solution between the two neighbouring Communities.
Well, it was the most appropriate thing to have the Nembe/Kalabari   (Rivers/Bayelsa) boundary delineated for the interest of peace and development., but that had to be done with due process  by the National Boundary Commission (,NBC).
However the Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Wike's controversial claims last week Monday that:
"Justice Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja declared, examining the  documents from Government agencies and facts before the Court that the Soku Oil Wells/Fields belonged to Rivers State.
"He ordered the National Boundary Commission NBC to rectify in the 12th Edition of the administrative Map of Nigeria..,"
The Judgement which mounted fresh tensions between Bayelsa and Rivers State on the issue of the boundary was like a bomb or a wild fire that spread across the nation and beyond. The worry of the common man at the boundary area was the security threats they suffered sleeping with their two eyes opened, because of fears of the unknown.
Thank God that the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Bayelsa State, Andrew Arthur timely intervened by calling on the people of the State to remain calm  The Attorney General made a stertling revelations, the way and manner the judgement was announced in the Court rooms of Justice Ekwo before Rivers State and without the knowledge or presence of Bayelsa State. Hear him:
"...the judgement transferring the lands and Oil Wells and Fields of Bayelsa in the Oluasiri axis to Rivers State to the Soku axis "would be upturned... the application by the Rivers State Government was cunningly hidden from the Bayelsa Government adding he only got to know about it on the judgement day.. "
The Bayelsa State Attorney General went further to say that he would not say anything at that moment till a copy of the judgement be delivered into his hands, while calling on the people to remain calm pointing out that, this is not the first time the Rivers State Government had brought similar applications about four occasions, reads:
"Don't forget that we were not party to the said action that was brought by the Rivers State, we were not even aware of the pendency of the action..I had to call to intimate the Governor that there was a judgement..." The Bayelsa State Attorney General concluded.
But it is on record that the same issues contained in the Justice Ekwo's controversial judgement passed through the Çourts and decided by even the Apex Court:
"THE SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON SOKU MADE EASY By  Fortune God's Son Alfred makes a good reading:
"Introduction: Before anything, let me remind us that Rivers Sttate was the (Plaintiff) one that went to the Supreme Court. Let me also remind us that Rivers State Government earlier took Bayelsa State Government to Federal High Court on this same issue and lost.
And instead of following the normal appellate process via the Appeal Court, the Rivers State Government instead invoked Constitutional provisions and filled a suit at the Supreme Court in 2011... precisely on the 10th day of July, 2012, the Supreme Court delivered judgment and struck out her case for lack of evidence."

"It is the position of the Court that: "a party who asserts must prove same. This is extant from the provision of section 135 of the Evidence Act."
In that case these were the reliefs sought by the Plaintiff (Rivers State):
"In the Plaintiff's amended statement of claim in  paragraph 77 thereof the relief sought against the defendants as follows:
"DECLARATION that the purported boundary between the Plaintiff State as shown in the 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria does not represent the correct boundary between the Plaintiff State and the Defendant State.
"2. DECLARATION that the correct boundary between the Plaintiff State and the 1st Defendant is Santa Barbara
"3. DECLARATION that the 1st Defendant's claim to Soku Oil Fields in the Plaintiff's territorial jurisdiction is false, wrongful, illegal, unconstitutional, vexacious, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
"4. DECLARATION: that the Soku Oil Fields /Oil areWells are situated within the territorial boundaries of Rivers State of Nigeria.
"5.DECLARATION that the Plaintiff State is entitled to all the revenue that has accrued and is accruing to the Federation Account from the said Soku Oil Wells/Fields from July, 2005, by reason of seriation principal stipulated in section 162 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
"6.DECLARATION that all accrued revenues from the Soku Oil Fields/Oil Wells however arisen and either being kept in the account know as Rivers State/Bayelsa State Excrow account"  or any other account be released forthwith to the Plaintiff with all accrued interest thereon
"7.AN ORDER against the 2nd Defendant for account of revenue that has accrued to the federation account from "Soku" Oil Fields/Wells on the basis of derivation principle, from July, 2005 which Rivers State should have received but for the wrongful payment of same by the 2nd Defendant to the 1st Defendant.
"8. AN ORDER for payment by the 2nd Defendant to the Plaintiff of any sums due from the Federation Account to Rivers State upon the taking of such account.
"9 OR IN THEr EVENT THAT all sums found due upon the taking of such account have been paid to the first Defendant, then an other directing the 1st Defendant to pay and/or refund to the Plaintiff all the revenue wrongly paid to the 1st Defendant from the Federation Account in respect of the Soku Oil Fields/Wells from July, 2005.
"10. FURTHER to relief (1) AN ORDER directing the 2nd Defendant to cause to be deducted from the statutory allocation of the 1st Defendant and cause to be paid over to the Plaintiff any sums due from the Federation Account to the Plaintiff State upon taking of such account.
"11AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Federal Government of Nigeria by itself, its servants, agents or aprivies and all its agencies or dependants and funtionaries howsoever called or described from allotting or continuing to allot the Soku Oil Fields/Oil Wells to the 1st Defendant
"12 AN ORDER directing the Federal Government of Nigeria by itself, it's servants, agents or privies and all its agencies or dependants and funtionaries howsoever called or described to continue to continue t and or pay the Plaintiff State all revenues and/or proceeds accrued and/or derived from Soku Oil Fields/Oil Wells."
After painstakingly examining the evidences before the Apex Court Judgement was delivered.
"THE JUDGEMENT
SULEIMAN GALADIMA, J,S.C:
Delivering the Leading Judgement.
"Nowto the merit of the Plaintiff's claim in this suit. The Plaintiff by the institution of this suit, challenges the allocation of revenues to the 1st Defendant by the 2nd Defendant from Oil proceeds to the Federation Account from Soku Oil Wells/Fields are located in Rivers State. This contention is based on the premise that the boundary between the Plaintiff and the 1st Defendant States is Santa Barbara River
On the order hand, the 1st Defendant asserts that the same Soku Oil Wells/Fields which he 1st Defendant refers to as Oluasiri Oil Wells/Fields are situated in Bayelsa State, because the boundary between the 1st Defendant and the Plaintiff is the St Bartholomew River.
"We do not require copious formulation of issues by the parties to resolve this case.
The sole issue is the actual location of Soku Oil Wells/Fields (as called by the Plaintiff) or Oluasiri Oil Wells/Fields  (as called by the 1st Defendant).
The determination of the issue is dependent on what the correct boundary of the Plaintiff and 1st Defendant States is. Is it Santa Barbara River as claimed by the Plaintiff or San Bartholomew River as claimed by the 1st Defendant?
That is the question.
"From the averments in paragraph 14,15,16,19,20,and 21, the official performances of the agencies, were not satisfactory and acceptable to the Plaintiff and are vehemently criticized and reproached thus:
"14, prior to 2006, derivative funds/proceeds from Soku Oil Fields/Wells had already been paid to Rivers Sttate on the basis that Soku Oil Fields/Wells are located in Rivers State.
"15 From 2006, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission single handedly and unilaterally changed the existing order and have since been giving derivative funds/money accruing from Soku Oil Fields/Wells to Bayelsa State to the detriment of Rivers Sttate where Soku Oil Fields/Wells are situated.
"16. The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission based its decision on the 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria which put the boundary between Rivers State and Bayelsa State as or at St.Bartholomew River.
"19. The National Boundary Commission (NBC)  admitted it's mistake of changing the natural administrative and political boundary between the Plaintiff State and the 1st Defendant State from River Santa Barbara to River St.Bartholomew in the letter dated 3rd July,2002 a d undertook to amend it in the publication of it's 12 Edition of Administrative Map. The letter is hereby pleaded.
"20 The National Boundary Commission (NBC) admission of error/fault was in reaction to the Plaintiff State's protest letters dated 28th March 2002.
"21 In the letter of 15th September, 2008 addressed to the Surveyor General of the Federation and copied the National Boundary Commission was reminded on the need to revive the 11th Edition of the Administrative Map as promised it's letter of 3rd July, 2002.
The Plaintiff claims that the 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria is fraught with irregularities and errors and even that "surreptitiously" changed the natural boundary, it promptly protested to writing to the National Boundary Commission on 25/03/2002 and on 20/06/2002 and 31/7/2002 the NBC admitted that the change in the Boundary from River Santa Barbara to River St. Bartholomew was an error and it was to be corrected in the next Edition of the Map.
"It is on account of the foregoing and because of the technical nature of the dispute and the claims of the parties this Court finds that the NBC as an authority vested with authorities and expertise, know-how in dealing with this matter should have once.and for all concluded an exhaustive exercise of delineating the disputed boundary.
Hence the long awaited 12th. Edition of the Administrative Map when completed soonest would have been of tremendous assistance in settling this lingering dispute.
"In the light of the observations I have clearly expressed above, I do not feel comfortable to grant the declaration sought until the NBC concludes it's exercise of delineation of disputed boundary to finality. It will be futile and premature to determine the boundary of the two parties States in the present circumstances.
However, the appropriate order to be made in the prevailing circumstance is that of striking out the Plaintiff's suit, and I so order accordingly, each party to bear it's cost."
Dahiru  Musdapher
Mahmud Mohammed
J.A. Fabiyi
Olufunlola Oyelola Adeyeke
It would be recalled that:
"The Nigerian Voice (TNV) wrote about the same boundary between Rivers and Bayelsa State with the Headline :
"Hard Facts About The Attribution Of Oluasiri (Soku) Oil Wells/Fields To Bayelsa State Jan.8,2014" reads:
""Now the HARD FACTS ABOUT THE OLUASIRI (SOKU) Oil Wells/Fields.
1. With the creation of Bayelsa State in 1996, the interstate boundary demarcation issue between Bayelsa State and Rivers States resurfaced inevitably with both parties making claims to appropriate agencies.
... The Federal Government in October 2000 set up a presidential Committee On Disputed Oil Wells headed by Maj. Gen. A.B.Mamman mni (rtd) to verify the claims and counter claims of disputed Oil Wells and fields in all the affected States.
The composition of the said Committee had representatives of the RMAEC, Nigerian Navy, National Boundary Commission, Office of Surveyor General of the Federation, Department of Petroleum Resources and other notable public figures drawn from all works of life.
The Committee Members include key personalities such as:
Chief Ejofor Onyia, Chief Olotu Frank Aakpoebi, Chief Bayo Akintola, Alhaji Bello Kware, Alhaji Yakubu Shehu, Barr. Ikechukwu Obiorah, Hon. Chief (Dr) Peter Amadi Nwskwo, Hon. Alhaji Abu Gidado, Hon. Chief Abu King Shuluwa, Hon. Mohammed Lamin, Hon. Barr. Emeka Wogu, Surveyor F.A Kassim, ( the then Surveyor General of the Federation), Surveyor J. O. Okafor NN, Capt. S.A. Akinbanmi, Lt. Comdr. T. Dick, Comrd O.M.Olatunji, Lt. Comdr. L.N. Ugwu, Mr. O.J Odogwu, Mr.I Frank Briggs, Surveyor M.O. Arowolo, Surveyor A.E Ayeni, Dr.M.B Ahmed and Surveyor A. Umar.'
"The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in its report the famialization/verification visit to Oil producing States, Volume 1 Main Report August 2006 in Chapter 3 page 30 also acknowledged the arbitrary naming of oil facilities...as follows:
The Bayelsa /Imo/Abia State Governments complained that the naming of Oil Fields was often done arbitrarily... This has given rise to wrong attribution by relevant agencies. It is on record that:
"The Special Presidential Committee On Verification of disputed Oil Wells in volume one of its report on disputed Oil Wells of December 2000 (pages 25/26) after painstaking field verification process and hearing from both States stated and recommended as follows:
"4,5,6 oil Field.
The team relied on the legal notice captioned "The Eastern Region Local Government Law, 1955 E R NO 26 of 1955. Instrument Establishing the Nembe District Council" tendered by Bayelsa State on pages 40-41 of its submission... that while the Kalabaris of Rivers State call the area Soku, the Nembe people of Bayelsa State call it Oluasiri which is one of the Councils mentioned in paragraph 5 of the above mentioned instrument."
And that Presidential Committee said this:
"In the light of the above, it is recommended that the production of the Soku Oil Fields be attributed to Bayelsa State"
" The said letter was dated 12th July 2004 when President Goodluck Jonathan was Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
"Following the above letter which conclusively decided that the above Oil Wells be attributed to Bayelsa State, the Rivers State Government instituted a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja in 2005 seeking to set aside the determination by RMAFC.
During the pendency of the suit, all parties agreed to open an ESCROW account into which sums accruing to the disputed Oil Wells were paid.
"Following Bayelsa State Government's Legal Objection to the said suit, the Rivers State Government realizing the futility of its case applied to withdraw whereupon the said suit was withdrawn and struck out at their insurance. This the EXCROW account arrangement put in place during the pendency also lapsed."
It was also reported that:
"In that same year, Bayelsa State Government applied for the release of funds based on the determination of RMAFC in its favor from July 2004, the Revenue Commission officially attributed the Oluasiri/Soku Oil Well to Bayelsa State and the amount of N7 292,218,892 was subsequently released from the  ESCROW account to Bayelsa State on 19th March 2007 during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo 'lAnother aspecl of the matter was that:
"Upon withdrawal of the case at.the the Federal High Court based on the objection by the Bayelsa State Government, this time the Rivers State Government instituted a fresh suit at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Vide Suit Number SC,106/2009, Attorney General of Rivers State VS Attorney General of Bayelsa State/ Attorney General of Federation. On the 10th of Luly, 2012 the Supreme Court unanymously struk the suit on the ground that the national institution set up by law for the purpose of boundary determination be allowed to carry out it's work of properly establishing the clear boundary between the two.states...
"The Supreme Court further opined that the National Boundary Commission should conclude... the interstate boundary delineation exercise. between Rivers and Bayelsa State to its finality...
"In compliance with the Supreme Court Judgement, the National Boundary Commission and its related agencies alongside Rivers and Bayelsa State's in January 2003 continued the boundary delineation exercise until the Rivers State Government Officially withdraw from the exercise."
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Wike is not unaware of all these, yet he went about telling lies and deceiving the nation and the world, crying 'wolf' where there was none.






 

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WHAT DID NEMBE DO TO YOU, DICKSON AND DIRI?

Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, you are the Governor of Bayelsa State, you were sworn into office as such on the 14th of February, 2012, that was Valentine's day, the day set aside globally for love memories.

Hon. Seriake Dickso

And you cannot easily forget that you announced yourself as 'Valantine Governor to the admiration of the masses in Bayelsa.
But how well your administration had fared for the nigh eight years should be a discussion for another day, though all the brouhaha surrounding the Bayelsa State   16th November 2019 Governorship election debate, may not be unconnected to your performance or otherwise in office.
Wearing the regalia of the father of the State, the Governor  of Bayelsa State, in which position, it was expected of you to 'do well with all manner of people without affection or ill-will", as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended, but from all indications you have not been fair in your utterances and actions towards the people of Nembe, where I come from.
From creation Bayelsa has been eight Local Government Areas which are autonomous as per the Constitution in the exercise of franchise. It's unconstitutional for any candidate or sponsors to use force to get votes at elections, you seem to be on the page of believing that every PVC owner must either vote for you or whoever you adopted or anointed.
The people of Nembe were all PDP supporters, until Chief Sylva came with the APC and planted that Party at Opu Nembe Bassambiri.
At that time in 2015 there was the 2nd tenure guber election, and there was the presence of the PDP, and the APC and at that Assembly Election PDP won all the three Assembly Constituencies in Nembe LGA, that time Nembe was good to you  but now  Nembe is no longer  good to you because they have voted the APC instead of the PDP. And that is the democracy the world is talking about and the Nigerian nation desires.

Senator Douye Diri

As a Lawyer I doubtlessly can say of you that you are not ignorant to the democratic principles of .persuasion as against coercion, because every aspirant or candidate must be a marketable product to win an election.
Your Excellency, I like to disagree with your position that there was 'no Governorship Election at Nembe Bassambiri and Nembe Ogbolomabiri', that is not true  It is a lie, and I believe, you may have been misinformed by some of your trusted supporters to take that position, because you were at Toru Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area casting your vote and could not by any means be in Nembe the same time.
I was surprised to have you standing on such a foundation of lie in your Tuesday 'world press conference.' A world conference of lies?
This is the second time I am disagreeing with  Your Excellency, and both issues are connected to elections and to my Communities and my LGA, Nembe.
Our first disagreement was during the Presidential/National Assembly Elections, February, 23rd 2019, when my medium, Golden  Pen Newspaper was accredited to cover that Election and I went home to vote and to cover the election. Friday evening I noted that there was increase of population as throngs of people from different sectors entered Opu Nembe Bassambiri.
The citizens from far and near came home to cast their votes, INEC officials, the Security forces: the Police, the  Army,  the Civil Defence etc. were all there, electoral observers and all other law abiding citizens entered Nembe Bassambiri that Friday, because it was the last day for vehicular movem

Chief Otonye Evans Tubonah

ents across the nation.
To have a peaceful election the community imposed early to bed  early to rise order 8pm-6am and everybody went home to sleep, but in the morning, it was rumoured that there was fracas that night in part of the community, where, when and why, could only be explained by the politicians.
The following morning, Saturday 23rd  2019, materials were distributed to the 7 Wards that made Nembe Constituencies 2 &3 at the Bayelsa State Assembly and election, but you on radio and tv announced that there was no Election in Nembe while you and Douye Diri were at your own LGAS, and misinformed the world that there was no Election at Opu Nembe Bassambiri.
When you saw the election photos you accussed INEC, accussed, the Army, accussed the Opu Nembe Bassambiri Community falsely that the results were not true and  you called for cancellation of the results, but the Courts saw that there was election and upheld all the results of the winners.
Now, the 16th November 2019 Bayelsa guber election had come and gone you and Douye Diri were at  your own LGA Sagbama and  scored the highest vote there, and you said there was election at Sagbama, but  when you hear the score of Nembe you began to accuse the FG., the INEC, the Army and the people of Nembe for massively voting APC'S candidates Chief David Lyon and Chief Degi Eremienyo...

BAYELSA GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION: DAVID LYON WINS DOUYE DIRI

The Bayelsa State Governorship Elections held 16th November, 2019  have come to an end with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief David Lyon  coming top with the total of 352,552 votes, while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Senator Douye Diri polled the total of 143, 170 votes. And on the powers vested on her, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC declared Chief David Lyon of the APC the winner.

Voters at Nembe 

DETAILS OF SCORES BY CANDIDATES FROM LGAS;
1. Sagbama  APC 7, 831 - PDP 60,339
2.Brsss.        APC 23, 831 -PDP 10,410
3.Nembe.  APC - 83, 041 -PDP.      874
4.Ekeremor APC-21,489 -PDP 18 344
5.Kolokuma APC- 8, 934 -PDP 15,360
6.Ogbia.     APC -58, 016 -PDP  13,763
7.S/Ijaw    APC--124, 803-PDP   4,898
8.Yenagoa APC-. 24, 607-PDP 19,184
Out of these results, Chief David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 352, 552, and won, while his opponent, Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 143,172 votes and lost.
Chief Lyon beat his opponent with a wide margin of 209,382 votes.
Now the tension that mounted at the build up to the election has been brought to an end by the powers of the balot box.

INEC has been receiving kudos for conducting such a transparent, peaceful and unbiased Governorship Election in Bayelsa State in spite of all faced challenges ranging from Security, deltaic terrain, political thuggery etc., INEC had performed creditably well, so had the Security forces  played pivotal roles keeping the peace of the nation, curbing the waves of violence in the just concluded Bayelsa Governorship elections is a great feat achieved by INEC

Otonye Evans Tubonah

according to the Bayelsan masses the media commentaries and public opinion.

INEC CONDUCTS MOST PEACEFUL GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS IN NEMBE

The people of Opu Nembe Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area have come out in full force to cast their votes on this 16th day of November 2019 Governorship Elections.

Chief S.D Ben Koru
Chairman, Opu Nembe Chiefs Council

Golden Pen Newspapers which monitored the exercise noted timely distribution of materials by the electoral umpire INEC, and timeliness in the commencement of voting at every electoral unit as perfect.At
 ward 4 Unit 3 the Chairman of the the Opu Nembe Council of Chiefs, Senananyu Ben-Koru exercised his franchise, and described the

A cross section of voters

exercise as very peaceful. 

Chief Abort Clinton Ogbu and Chief Arisimo Don, remarked that today's exercise is highly commendable for the level of preparation by INEC, and the commitment and agility of the security forces, stated that  such a hitch free electoral exercise in  Nembe was  unprecedented especially in the Nigerian Fourth Republican democracy.
INEC officials, the security forces, election observers, the Chiefs and people of the community all deserve commendation for the exercise being devoid of friction  or violence.

A physically challenged voting
shows a peaceful election

At Ward 5 Unit 1 Mein Polotiri/Mein  Musel, Ward 5 Unit 7 Osain Polo, Unit 9  Derri Okpu all in Nembe Bassambiri 11 amongst others confirmed that the election went on orderly and without a jot of challenge.
Please accept our apologies for the delay, due to poor Network.

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APC LAMBAST GOV. DICKSON, PDP, OVER POLITICAL VIOLENCE AT NEMBE

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Yekini Nabena has lambasted the Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson and the PDP as the perpetrators of violence at Nembe which resulted in the death fellow citizens.

Yekini Nabena
APC National Publicity Secretary

The Deputy spokesman of the APC  stated that knowing  fully well that Nembe is APC, Dickson mobilized  thugs to intimate the people and to force them to support his party and candidate which Nabena described as a condemnable undemocratic act.
He posited that the Governor being the Chief Security Officer of the state, aught to have paid priority attention to the lives and property of the people who voted him to power, but regretted that instead, they were killed and maimed by the thugs he mobilized to Nembe in the guise of organizing a political rally.
The APC warned that Dickson and the PDP cannot go scot free, but give accounts for the dead and the maimed.

APC SECURES STAY OF EXECUTION TO PARTICIPATE IN SATURDAY 16TH NOV.2019 GOV.SHIP POLL

The APC in Bayelsa State had announced that the judgement by the Federal High Court against the   the party not to participate in the Saturday, 16th November, 2019  Governorship Elections had been stopped by an Appeal Court sitting in Abuja. The APC Leader of Bayelsa State, former Governor and the Petroleum Minister of State, Chief Timipre Sylva announced this at a Press Conference in the Bayelsa State Capital,Yenagoa.
Haven been granted stay of execution by the appellate Court  Chief Sylva said Bayelsans can go  out and cast their votes to  the APC candidates, Chief David Lyon and Chief Degi Eremienyo.

  

TO DEVELOP BAYELSA IS NOT BY SPEAKING BIG BIG GRAMMAR- DAVID LYON TELLS PDP GOVT.

David Lyon addressing crowd of supporters

Gubernatorial Candidate of the APC in Bayelsa State, Chief David Lyon yesterday declared that Bayelsa State cannot be developed by speaking 'big big grammar as the Dickson led PDP Government has been doing close to eight years.
Chief Lyon made the remark while addressing a mammoth crowd of his supporters and well wishers at the occasion of his Governorship Campaigns tour which held at the OMPADEC FIELD AMARATA, in the State capital Yenagoa.
He described as embarrassing that Yenagoa city, which is the capital of the state had become a glorified village in the face of an  unwilling Government that had nothing to offer from inception  and had offered nothing indeed. Hear him:
" No be big big grammar Bayelsa want, na development"  (It is not about speaking jaw breaking English that  Bayelsa needs, what Bayelsa needs is development.
Chief David Lyon told the listening crowd of his citizenship of Epie/Atissa in view of the fact that  he started life in Yenagoa, and  had always been part of the the community.

 those who he said called him 'small Lion' saying:

"Don't mind them, they call me small Lion, can they stand before this Lion? And I am David, when David and Lion are together you know what that means. Don't be afraid of the PDP, you have to go out 16th of November 2019 with your PVC and cast your votes gently  for the APC and we will throw out the PDP and take over the Government for good governance."

Golden Pen and other signatories

"They said they have some money in Government House to buy your votes, the money they stole from the Bayelsa people, the money that is your own which they cut from your salaries, the money meant to pay pensioners they diverted to their private accounts, the money from illegal deductions on salary grades they made etc; with that  they say they want to bribe you. They cannot bribe you, you cannot be bribed, if they bring money to you out of the amount they cheated you or stole from you take it, it's yours, but take note that it has nothing to do with your PVC or your voting rights. Your vote is for APC not for sale." David Lyon emphasized.

Diamond Daughters Group

In their separate speeches, the Director General of the David Lyon, Biobarakuma Degi Governorship Campaign Organization, Professor Brisibe, Former Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly and former Acting Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Werinipre Seibarugu, former Commissioner  of Agriculture and former Chief Staff Government House, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, two times Chairman of the Yenagoa City Local Government and others spoke well of the candidature of Chief David Lyon and assured of giving their votes to the APC.

The Otita Force Group Yelga

 It was a merry making occasion of sort, when the Epie/Atissa people thronged out joyfully in droves to receive their hope giving guber candidate of the APC, Chief David Lyon in funfair. All class of people were there. The fathers, the mothers, the old and the young, it was a voluntary crowd not a rented one.
Most interesting was the carnival atmosphere created by the dancing groups, Community based groups, groups led by top politicians, Women groups, Youth groups etc.,
placed joy on the faces of the celebrating congregation.
There were many groups, but the arrival of the Prince of Kpomgbokiri, Gabriel Jonah the Founder/Leader of Otita Force led his Yenagoa Group rally round and took their position.
In an interview with Golden Pen News, a former Honorable Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Epengule said that David Lyon and Biobarakuma Degi are men of honor, men of integrity and  of vision who will take Bayelsa State to high levels

Hon. Epengule

Hon. Epengule, a former Chairman of the Bayelsa State owned ,Plastic Industry noted with concern that the nigh eight years administration of the present PDP Government  in Bayelsa State were wastede therefore called on the people of Epie/Atissa and all electorates across the state to use their PVCs wisely by voting for the APC candidates, Chief David Lyon and Senator Degi Eremienyo.

ENEYI ZIDOUGHA, TWO OTHERS SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY

The former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advocacy Council (IPAC) in Bayelsa State, Mr. Eneyi Zidougha had been suspended indefinitely with immediate effect. Also suspended with him were the former Secretary, Mr. Henry Brisibe Kpodoh and the former Vice Chairman, Ibubeleye Ikoli Etunghe.

IPAC Leaders Addressing the Press 

The suspension of the three leaders was announced by William Ifidi, Hon. James Inegite, Hon. Kalas Agai, and Hon.Samuel Adaga at the NUJ Press Centre during a Press Conference in the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa
Before their suspension, there were  widespread allegations of  violations of the code of conduct reads:
"... having violated the sacred provisions of the revised Code of conduct of the Inter-Party Advisory Council the state general council drawing from the powers vested in it, in accordance with Section 7 (c) of the Code of conduct hereby resolve and declares as follows:
1. "The...persons listed above have been removed as executive officers of  Inter-Party Advisory Council,, and are hereby stopped from parading themselves as elected Representatives of the Council in Bayelsa State....

A cross section of IPAC members

2 "That all authorities, agencies of government, individuals and the general public are hereby informed of the resolutions and circumstances for their removal and should not do any business with them in the name of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)  Bayelsa State.
3. "That the remaining elected officers are hereby commissioned to carry out the duty of.managing the affairs IPAC Bayelsa State in accordance with the provisions of the Code of conduct with immediate effect, pending when general elections  will be conducted.
4. "That Chief Hon. Obi Macwilson, of the current elected state organizing committee who is the next senior officer remaining in hierarchy shall immediately assume the position of Acting Chaiman of IPAC, Bayelsa and see to the day to day running of.the affairs of the... State Chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council"
The group unequivocally stated that the: "Press statement was issued as resolutions reached by the State General Assembly in the meeting convened and held on the 27th day of October 2019 ...at the Conference Hall of LATIK HOTEL INEC road Kpansia Bayelsa State and singed by a majority of the Council members present."
What caused the provocation that led to the indefinite suspension of Mr. Zidougha and the two others according to the agrieved members of IPAC, were the following:
"That Mr. Eneyi Zidougha contrary to Section 7 of the Revised Code of Conduct of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) used the name and letterhead of the Council to endorse the Candidates of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) on the 12th Augus, 2019, even as he went ahead to undermine the interest of other party Chairmen who participated in the Bayelsa State Local Government Council Elections by stating that an election marred with irregularities was free, fair and credible on all fronts, even as he commended the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission and the Government for a job well done."
"That contrary to 4.3 (D) paragraph (b)  and (f) of the Code of Conduct, Mr. Eneyi Zidougha wrote letters to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) without due consultation of the  State General Assembly and made representations  inimical to the development of the Council and also wrote letters calling for the postponement of the Bayelsa State Inter-Party Advisory Council Elections contrary to the wishes of the State General Assembly."
Another issue the IPAC members frowned against the embattled former Chairman and co. reads:
"That contrary to Section 5 (ii) of the Code of Conduct Mr. Eneyi Zidougha, Mr. Kpodoh.... received political appointments as Special Advisers to the Governor of Bayelsa State, while still in office as elected officers  of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and in the face of several infractions of  the Code of Conduct (Revised) 2019.
"That contrary to Section 4.3 (D) para (h) Mr. Eneyi Zidougha as the leader of the Council refused to honourably report himself and members of the State Executive Council who were given political appointments into the Governor Dickson led  Bayelsa State Government as Senior Special Assistants to the Executive Governor respectively."
The former Chairman, was accused of flagrant disobedience to the Code of Conduct by refusing to call monthly general meetings of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC). Hear this:".. Mr Eneyi Zidougha flagrantly violated the provisions of the code with impunity when he refused to call monthly general meetings to enable Council members air their opinions on general issues... Contrary to Section 8 of the code.. failed to publish reasonable notices of meeting agenda... minutes of previous meetings... to enable members follow up in line with the activities of the Council in line with best practices, standards applicable to such Organizations all over the world." they continued..
The most contrary and most disturbing aspects of the alleged Mr. Eneyi Zidougha's controversy was graphically posited as follows:
"... contrary to the code Mr. Eneyi Zidougha is now occupying multiple appointments and assignment as an IPAC Chairman, a Gubernatorial Candidate  in the Bayelsa State 2019 election, a Senior Special Assistant in the PDP led Government and also applying to contest for Chairmanship position in the coming IPAC Election.. Mr. Brisibe Henry Kpodoh is a political appointee and also current Secretary of IPAC Bayelsa State"

IPAC Member on interview with the Press

They also alleged that: "... contrary to the provisions of the Code of conduct, Mr. Eneyi Zidougha, Mr. Henry Brisibe Kpodoh and Ibubeleye Ikoko  Etunghe are now appointees as Senior Special Assistants in the PDP led Government while still maintaining their various positions in IPAC, Bayelsa State.
As the way forward after announcing the suspension of the three, the party leaders stated:
"That the remaining elected officers are hereby commissioned to carry out the duty of managing the affairs of IPAC Bayelsa State in accordance with the provisions of the Code of conduct with immediate effect pending when general elections will be conducted.
"That Chief Hon. Obi Macwilson, the current elected State organizing committee who is the next Senior officer remaining in hierarchy shall immediately assume the position of Acting Chaiman of IPAC Bayelsa State..." they concluded.

DAVID LYON/DEGI EREMIENYO STORM EKEREMO, OTHER LGAS RECEIVE THUNDEROUS WELCOME

There had been great crowds of Bayelsans across Local Governments of APC members, supporters defectors and well wishers following the Chief David Lyon/ Chief Degi Eremienyo Campaign train.

It would be recalled that Monday 21st October instant, occasioned the flag-off of the historic APC guber rally at Ogbia Town, Ogbia Local Government Area, the domain of former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan where the APC Notional Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his entourage were received most honourably.
That was a great occasion because there had never been any event like it in the history of Ogbia and Bayelsa State.  Apart from the unprecedented crowd that gave a thunderous welcome to the APC political leaders across Nigeria, the most significant aspect of the campaign was the defection by some of the Ogbia political front liners of the PDP to the APC.
When a former Speaker of old Rivers State and the Pion

eer Chaiman of  the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Bayelsa State Chapter, Rt. Hon. Claudius Enegesi, mounted the podium and announced that he had dumped the PDP for the APC it was a thunderous ovation to his defection. But that was just the beginning of the defections at Ogbia Town
The immediate past Chairman of the Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Authority, two times member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and CEO of Ayalla Hotels, Chief Robert Enogha also defected from the PDP to the APC.
Other defectors include:  A former Honorable Member of the National Assembly, Graham Ipigansi, immediate past Member of the National Assembly of Ogbia Federal Constituency, Hon Lady Sodaguwo Omoni, Member Bayelsa State House of Assembly, alias the Oracle of the House Chief (Hon) Eliton Osomu, and one of the former political appointees of Governor Dickson, Hon. Mike Ogiasa also defected amongst others.

And from that good start  had been the crowd all the way following the APC Governorship candidate and his running mate David Lyon and  Degi Eremienyo from community to community and from LGA to LGA it had been thunderous welcome and celebrations all the way with gales of defections.
Some of the LGAs and Communities visited include: Sabagrea, Opokuma and Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma, LGA Egbemo Angalabiri, Peretorugbene, Toru  Ndoro and Ekeremo in Ekeremor LGA,
Olugbobiri in Southern/Ijaw LGA...

LYON AND DEGI WILL BRING PROSPERITY TO BAYELSA STATE-APC WOMEN LEADER

Count down to the governorship election scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold on the 16th of November 2019 in Bayelsa State, the women wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed to win the election.
The State Women Leader of the APC, Synthia Princewill made this known to the public during an interview with the Golden Pen News in her office at the Party's Secretariat in the State capital, Yenagoa.

According to the Women Leader, the gubernatorial candidates of the APC, Chief David Lyon and Chief Biobarakuma Degi Eremienyo being men of proven integrity on assumption of duties as Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, respectively shall put smile on the faces of the masses.
On how the Women Wing of the Party is working to  clinch victory at the election,  Synthia Princewill has this to say:
" The women of Bayelsa State are very happy that the APC had come out with the best candidates for the governorship election. Chief David Lyon, a successful business man and Chief Degi Eremienyo a successful career politician would bring their experiences to bare on their administration.

"They will not withhold salaries of workers, they will not deny retirees their retirement benefits, they will not cut salaries of workers or sack innocent employees, frustrate and or impoverish the people of the state like the PDP government has been doing over the years.
"The PDP Government had made Bayelsans miserable in their own land  in the past eight years, and as you can see, there are problems everywhere: Security problems, Academic problems, Unemployment problems, Poor salaries payment problems, salaries cut problems and the problems of mismanagement of finances "
The APC Women Leader told this medium, that thousands of women across communities, across political parties, across wards, and across Local Government Areas have defected to the APC in droves and assured of more defections as the campaigns continue. Hear this:

" You can see the crowd of women gathered here at the prayer ground, there are more, calling my phone line to join the APC and we are going to receive more of them as they come, because the PDP umbrella is thorne to pieces and all those our sisters that are coming to join us are welcome. I can assure you that we are now very ready to go out with our PVCS on the election day and celebrate our victory.." she concluded.

IDUMANGE CALLS ON NASS TO CREATE MORE LGAS FOR BAYELSA

There has been a renewed call on the National Assembly to create additional Local Government Areas in Bayelsa State in line with the 1999 Constitution.

Dr. John Idumange

The General Manager of Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. John Idumange stated this during an interview with the Golden Pen News which paid him a courtesy visit in his office in  Yenagoa.
He said it was unfair that the National Assembly had not acted the law for refusing or denying the people of Bayelsa State on the creation of not less than two (2) or more Local  Government Areas as per the Constitution of our Country, Nigeria.

Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan

John Idumange who is also a Human and People's Rights Activist said the National Assembly should  consider the deficit of Local Governments in Bayelsa as a constitutional matter of public interest, and  in earnest create additional Local Government Areas to complete 10  or more. Hear this:
" The National Assembly should treat this as a special case, Bayelsa deserves fair treatment as per the provision of the Constitution that every state should have at least 10 Local Government Areas, but at 23 years, the National Assembly is yet to fulfill the Law", Dr  Idumange
said.

He posited that such a matter of public interest need not be politcised or ignored by the Nation's Parliament which has the sole Constitutional Right and responsibility to correct the number of Local Government Areas for Bayelsa State.
Talking about the gap of inequality in the number of Local Government Areas between states, the General Manager made the following observation, reads:
"Bayelsa is the most viable State for a considerable number of Local Government Areas to be created based on the Nigerian Oil and Gas driven economy which had it's foundation from the soil of Bayelsa.
But whereas Kano state alone has 44 Local Governments,  Katsina 34, Oyo 34 and Osun 30, Bayelsa is still left with just 8 Local Government Areas."
He therefore appealed to the National Assembly to without further delay create additional Local Government Areas for Bayelsa to fulfill the requirements of the Constitution on creation of States.

APC GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE MAKES WAVES IN KOLGA

Chief David Lyon
The Governorship Candidate of the APC
Bayelsa State

The stage is properly set now for political activities in Bayelsa State in tandem with the timetable by the electoral umpire, INEC to hold  gubernatorial election 16th November 2019.
And to cap it, the coast is also clear now for vigorous campaigns across nooks and crannies  of the state. Whereas some political parties were not keen to accrediting men of the pen fraternity to give coverage for their activities, the All Progressives Congress APC had consistently given such accreditations
The APC marathon Governorship flag-off at Ogbia Town, Ogbia Local Government Area spoke in volume of the crowd that gathered to celebrate the incoming David Lyon and Degi Eremienyo  Government. As a follow-up Golden Pen News on Tuesday went with the Campaign Train of the APC to Kolokuma Opukuma Local Government Areas to cover the event.

Senator B.W. Degi Eremienyo
The running mate to the APC Governorship candidate

At Sabagrea, it was great with the excitement and joy that welcomed the David Lyon Biobarakuma Degi Campaign Train there. People of Sabagrea and of the neighbouring Communities dominated the open square and spread out and made an over-flow to the right and left sides of the road.

David Lyon arrives and takes seat

Chief David Lyon expressed appreciation for the massive turnout by the people and assured that his administration will turn around the destiny of the people and urged all and sundry to vote the APC massively in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
The Director of Campaigns Professor Brisibe, Hon. Ndutimi Komonibo and others spoke well of the candidature of Chief Lyon and Chief Degi pointing out that their election will take Bayelsa to the next level, the level of peace and prosperity.

Hon. Ndutimi Komonibo
Addressing the Crowd

Thousands of people gathered also  under the Kaima bridge, venue of the campaigns and ceremoniously received the APC guber candidate Chief  David Lyon  and his entourage.

Cross sections of crowds at Kaiama

OSHIOMHOLE WARNS DICKSON OVER WITHDRAWAL OF BAYELSA FUNDS....

As Nigeria's largest  political party the All Progressives Congress APC, flags-off her gubernatorial campaign at Ogbia Town, Bayelsa State, South-South Nigeria, the Chairman, Comrade  Adams Oshiomhole had given a marching order to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr.Henry Seriake Dickson to make himself available for inspection of the Cargo airport  project he claimed to  have built, for the APC to ascertain the true cost of the Airport, it's functionality and why he (Seriake Dickson) had neither landed nor flew out of that airport, but always traveled through Port Harcourt.
The vibrant and excited APC National leader also sent another word to the Bayelsa Governor who he calls his good friend to be careful with withdrawals of funds from the state treasury to avoid unpleasant consequences.
He used the medium to assure Dickson that David Lyon is a gentleman who will not go for a physical or gun battle with  anyone, but will use the voters cards to defeat the PDP and take over the state, come 16th November 2019, Oshiomhole emphasized.
On the choice of David Lyon as Governor the APC National Leader lauded the APC Leader of Bayelsa  State former Governor and the Minister of Petroleum for state on that vision, while anticipating a undeniable victory for the APC at t he Governorship polls  come 16th November instant.
Comrade Oshiomhole who added "Gold"to the names of Chief Timipre Sylva also appreciated the Ogbia People for the warm reception accorded the APC entourage.
Earlier in his speech, the APC Leader of Bayelsa, former Governor, and Oil Minister for state Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva gave praises to the people of Ogbia Kingdom for being pace setters to the life of the Nigerian  nation.. Hear him;
The Ogbia Kingdom is known for beginning many good things in Nigeria. In 1956 Oil was discovered in Ogbia Kingdom and it has continued to be the mainstay of the Nation's economy.

"We of the South-South had been waiting to have the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and it started from Ogbia Kingdom. So, we are more then happy to come and tap the blessings of Ogbia land"
Chief Sylva announced.
He used the medium to graphically explain how the nigh eight years administration of Seriake Dickson led PDP Government had impoverished the land and people of Bayelsa State and gave a startling revelations of how the funds accruing to the state were mismanaged.
Chief Sylva told the listening crowd that out of a whopping amount of N1.6 trillion that Dickson had received, all that he had continued to emphasize to have done as a major achievement was a 'cargo airport', while the amount said to have been spent on the controversial airport project  being collosal far above every other airport  project across the world.
Sylva used the medium to announce good tidings to the people of Bayelsa in the coming of Chief David Lyon and Chief Biobarakuma Degi Eremienyo as Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State respectively.

Also speaking, the APC Governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon said he has come to serve the people of Bayelsa State to make life meaningful to them and not to impoverish them.
He made it clear that though Bayelsa had been facing two dire challenges "insecurity and darkness"  assured that as a security expert,  his administration will pay prioty attention to that, and also address the challenge of darkness, while assuring the Ogbia People of restoration of the Kolo Creek Gas Turbine on assumption of duties as Governor.
The climax of the occasion was the presentation of the party's flag to the candidate, Chief David Lyon and the running mate, Chief Biobarakuma Degi Eremienyo and a gale of defectors from the PDP supporters to the APC.

FRESH TROUBLES FOR AITEO, AS FIRM FILES BANKRUPTCY ACTION AGAINST THE OIL GIANT

Oil multinational , Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited, the firm that acquired the juicy OML 29 oil bloc in Bayelsa State from Shell Petroleum Development Company in 2015, may either be fishing in troubled waters or indeed, swimming in same, as a Port Harcourt-based company, Charlietam International Services Limited Tuesday (15th Oct 2019)  filed an  action before the Federal High Court in Lagos to commence winding-up proceedings against the oil giant for its prolonged inability to pay a debt of N259,068,753.00 owed the company for various services rendered between December 2017 and March 2019.

Benedict Peters
CEO of AITEO

Information reaching us indicates the petition was filed by the company, one of Aiteo’s contractors, through its Solicitors, Anthony Enyindah, Victor Okezie and Dr Dickson Omukoro of Ntephe Smith & Wills.

The petitioner is praying the court to wind-up the company on grounds of insolvency pursuant to sections 408 and 409(a) of the Company and Allied Matters Act.

In a six paragraph affidavit verifying the petition, Mr Unye Sunday Micah, Managing Director of Charlietam International Services Limited, affirmed that between December 2017 to March 2019, his company rendered services valued at ₦265,068,753.00 and was only paid the sum of ₦6million without payment advice, leaving an outstanding balance of N259,068,753.00.

The petitioner averred that several demand letters, including those from the petitioner's solicitors were sent to the Company's Abuja and Lagos addresses, but as usual Aiteo refused or/ failed to respond to any of the letters. The final demand letter dated 28th August 2019, was sent by the petitioner pursuant to sections 408 and 409 (a) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. In the said letter, the petitioners demanded to be paid amount owed and informed Aiteo of an impending legal action.The petition, accordingly read in part, "More than twenty-one (21) days have since elapsed from the last demand without the Company making good the moneys owed as aforesaid. The petition further stated that the Company is insolvent and unable to pay its debt and your Petitioner therefore humbly prays as follows:

"That the Court, under the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990, winds-up AITEO EASTERN E & P COMPANY LIMITED; and for such further or other orders as this Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances." 

Symbol of Justice

The Petitioner also alleged that Aiteo is indebted to several of its Local Contractors, cumulatively to the tune of billions of naira and the said sums have remained unpaid despite repeated demands.

A motion of notice filed before the court and brought under Rule 19 of the Winding-Up Rules of the Companies and Allied Matters Act also stated, ‘‘take notice that this Honourable Court will be moved on the...day of…2019 at the hour of 9 O’ clock in the forenoon or soon thereafter as the Petitioner/Applicant or Counsel on its behalf may be heard praying for: An order granting leave to the Petitioner to have this Petition advertised according to the law pursuant to Rule 19 of the Companies Winding-up Rules, by advertising the Petition once in:  One National Daily Newspaper, and one other Newspaper circulating in Lagos being the city where the registered address and/or principal place of business of the Company is situated and such further order or Orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances’’.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the petition which is expected to generate a lot of interest in the local and international oil business community particularly in Bayelsa State where Aiteo has, since August 2015, been locked in a legal battle with its host communities before Hon. Justice A. O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court 2, Yenagoa.

OML 29 is probably the largest oil producing onshore bloc in sub Saharan Africa with a maze of multi-billion oil and gas assets including the famous Nembe Creek Trunk Line which conveys crude oil to the Bonny Export Terminal. It was initially operated by SPDC since 1962. But in 2015, Aiteo acquired ownership of the bloc and the Nembe Creek Trunk Line from Shell Petroleum for $2.7billion in a process the host communities described as flawed and unethical.

It would be recalled that the license expired on June 30, 2019 amidst grave speculations that it may have been surreptitiously renewed by the regulatory authorities after an initial down payment of $82million was reportedly made by Aiteo, despite the suit filed by the host communities which sought to, among other things halt the renewal and bring the oil company to account for years of cumulative environmental injustice and corporate social irresponsibility and neglect.

PUBLISHER AT APC SECRETARIAT, DECLARES SUPPORT FOR DAVID LYON/DEGI-EREMIENYO GOVERNORSHIP TICKET

From right Chief Martin's Alabo and
Chief Evans Tubonah

As the date scheduled for the Bayelsa State Governorship Election by the electoral umpire INEC, 16th November 2019 draws closer, there had been upsurge of politicians defecting seriously from every other party to the APC following the emergence of the Chief David Lyon and Chief Degi Eremienyo as the APC candidate and running mate respectively.

This wears the look of a very serious election that touches almost all sectors of the economy, which means it does not just begin and end with partisan politicians but with the masses of the state.

This might be the reason behind the gale of defections by some leaders and staunch members of the ruling party in the State PDP defecting in droves to the APC in  anticipation of good governance  and prosperous statehood with David Lyon and Degi Eremienyo at the helms of affairs as Governor and Deputy Governor come November 16th  2019.

And that is the state of mind with  both the public and private sectors, all praying for a people oriented government that will take the state to the level the founding fathers have desired.

The founding fathers led by Brambaifa had declared support for the forthcoming David Lyon/Gegi Eremienyo administration.

It is not a small thing that majority of the political gladiators of the PDP before and immediately after the Governorship primaries of the PDP have taken a greater part of the umbrella and entered into the 'Ark of the APC', which is big enough to accommodate millions of defectors.

Non Governmental Organizations across the state have in their numbers declared support, women groups in their numbers, Community based Organizations, the opinion leaders all and sundry have declared support.

The media is also part of the society and being a critical stakeholders had always played key roles at elections. And that informed the visit, by Chief Otonye Evans Tubonah Publisher Editor-in-Chief of Golden Pen Newspapers to personally visit the office of the State Secretary of the APC, Chief Martins Alabo received the Publisher with a warm handshake.

In a brief moment, the Golden Pen Publisher,  Chief Evans Tubonah told the youthful, brilliant, humble receptive State Secretary of the APC, Chief Martins Alabo that the state media has a responsibility to market the manifestos of political parties and ideologies of candidates to the electorates, which the Publisher emphasized as very important to transition programme.

Chief Evans Tubonah graphically explained that though he and his  colleagues are not  card carrying members of any political party, they are critical stakeholders and opinion leaders that are duty bound to play their Constitutional role to inform, enlighten and entertain the masses.

To that end he called on the APC Leader to forward. Press Releases,  policy statements, advertorials etc to the state media for effective dissertation.

In his response, the APC  Secretary of Bayelsa State, Chief  Martins Alabo thanked the Publisher for the visit assuring of a symbiotic relationship between the APC and the Media in the state and beyond.

Chief Alabo used the medium to inform the Publisher that, the APC will soon flag-off  her Governorship campaign and  urged the Media to attend.