BAYELSA NEWS ONLINE

  By Toyyib Omowale The Sagbama-Ekeremor Host Communities Development Trust , HCDT, Board has relieved its Chairman, High Chief Idani George, of his duties following allegations of conduct deemed contrary to the principles guiding the office. This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Secretary of the Board, Barrister Pereyi Foubai, and a member, Reverend Dr. David O. Ogaga. According to the statement, Chief Livinus Odudu has been unanimously elected to replace the former chairman, emerging unopposed in a peaceful transition process. The board expressed gratitude to its members for maintaining calm and order throughout the leadership change. In the statement, the board called on Oando Energy Resources Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government Areas, the Bayelsa State Government, and the general public to cease any official engagement with the former chairman, High Chief Idani George. It furth...

By Gabriel Ukuta Senator Seriake Dickson,PDP, Bayelsa West has described President Bola Tinubu's democracy day message to the Senate as undemocratic. Speaking during a joint meeting of the National Assembly today, Senator Dickson explained that words alone do not show democratic commitment, rather actions do. He accused the President of celebrating democracy while trampling on it with his policies.  Referring to the lingering State of emergency declaration in Rivers State that President Tinubu failed to address in his democracy day speech to the Senate,  Dickson expresses displeasure at the President's failure to restore democratic and normal constitutional rule in Rivers State even on democracy day. He stressed that democracy is about upholding the Democratic rights under the constitution and laws of the Nation. Dickson added that President Tinubu's silence on the undemocratic rule in River State is a threat to democracy in Nigeria.

  All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Forum of Bayelsa state has called for inclusion of its members in political appointments by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Dame Julie Donli, Chairperson of the forum, made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja. Dame Donli, a former director-general of NAPTIP, said that the forum had enough technocrats and professionals who could add much value in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu-led government, if given the opportunity. She appealed to the party’s leadership to consider its members for political appointments at all levels. Donli said that the demand for inclusion by Bayelsa APC Women in Tinubu’s government also reflected a broader call for greater representation of women in governance. She said that the movement was driven by the promises made during Tinubu’s campaign, where he vowed to increase women’s participation in government to at least 35 per cent. Donli expressed concerns about lack of women’s rep...

  In support of Senator Seriake Dickson, youth leaders of various communities in Sagbama Local government area have called for unity, order and progress in Bayelsa West. A statement jointly signed by representatives of Ofoni, Angalabiri, Toru-Orua, Bolou-Orua, Ebedebiri and Angiama communities lauded the quality representation of Senator Dickson, his dedication to the welfare of the people of the district, Bayelsa State and Ijaw Nation at large right from his house of representative days till present. The group stated further that elections in the district has never been zoned to any local government area, stressing that every son of the district has only exercised their franchise by contesting for the National assembly elections which is subject to the votes of the people. However, it stated that the only principle existing in the district is that of fairness, that does not allow for a local government to produce both Senate and House of Representatives Member for the district...

A salient feature of a good leader is the number of followers he garners even after he leaves office. Senator Seriake Dickson has garnered followers and admirers in Bayelsa West, Bayelsa State, Nigeria and globally because of his model of leadership that is rare in our evolving world. His love and respect for everything that has life  has earned him a place in the heart of everyone he comes across. Elders, political stakeholders, Women, youths, followers and admirers eagerly flood the Bayelsa State airport in their numbers at the news of his arrival to the state to receive him in a grand style. They express their love and admiration for his heroic representation. Whenever he speaks at the floor of the Red Chambers, he speaks the minds of his people and they express gratitude to God for the gift of this Man.  His doors are readily open to accommodate and receive all, both his constituents and others from all over Bayelsa and beyond who look up to him as their father, leader and...

Senator Seriake Dickson, PDP Bayelsa West,  recently reminded members of the coalition now mobilising against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 that they are the same political actors who spearheaded the movement against former President Goodluck Jonathan, brought an end to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) era, yet failed to deliver on the promises they made to Nigerians. Indeed, former President Muhammadu Buhari; President Tinubu; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and other opposition had formed an alliance that birthed the All Progressives Congress (APC), which sacked the PDP in 2015. When the coalition visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s hilltop residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on December 21, 2013, it was Tinubu who told the form...