PDP GOVERNORS' FORUM

... Grand Finale show holds Sunday By admin About $12,000 is to be spent by government of Cross River State to hunt for young men and women with rare talent in the area of music, arts and craft. The aim is to assist talented youths in the state exploit their God given talents. The Cross River State Commissioner for Tourism, Eric Anderson disclosed this while briefing journalists in Calabar on plans for the grand finale event scheduled for Sunday, September 2, 2018. He said the governor, will lead other guests to the main bowl of the Cultural Center, Calabar to witness the rare rich display of talents and wits by Cross Riverians. Mr Anderson who gave a breakdown of cash to be won in the competition stated that winner of the star prize will go home with a cash amount of $5,000; second prize, $4000; and the third prize winner will take home $3,000, to boost their trade adding that the purpose of the competition is to boost entrepreneurship among the young men and women who ...

PRESS RELEASE FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON HOTEL, IKOT EKPENE: WHO IS LYING? The attention of Akwa Ibom State Government has been drawn to publications in the Nation and Sun newspapers of Saturday, August 25, 2018 where the All Progressive Congress (APC) alleged that the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene was over 98% completed as at the time Senator Godswill Akpabio vacated office in 2015. Ordinarily, the State Government would have ignored such spurious claims as it has never been our intention to join issues in the media but to focus on “Project Akwa Ibom”. However, it has become necessary for the public to know who is telling a lie and we feel obligated to state as follows. 1. That immediate past Governor commissioned the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene without a signed Franchise agreement and full complement of requisite furniture and fittings. 2. 95% of the total contract sum was approved and disbursed by the immediate past Governor as building and...

…Thanks Nigerians For The Outpour Of Condolences                    By admin As the People's Democratic Party (PDP) commences sale of nomination forms for the 2019 general elections, Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson has called on all aspirants seeking nominations into offices on the platform of the PDP to shun bitterness, violence and rancour and go about their consultations and campaigns with decorum! A press statement signed by the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo quoted the governor, as having made the remarks on Wednesday in Toru-Orua, when he received some eminent Bayelsans on a condolence visit over the passing of his mother, Mrs. GoldCoast Dickson.  Dickson said the PDP in Bayelsa State has never been associated with violence and called on politicians to always play by the rules of the party! The Governor also appealed to aspirants to approach the primary ele...

ByPat PA Okon                                                       Governor of Bayelsa State, Honourable Seriake Dickson on Tuesday expressed concern over the prevalence of cancer scourge in the state and the Niger Delta as a whole. Governor Dickson made the remark when members of the Delta Ijaw Political Assembly (DIPA) led by the Delta State Deputy Governor, Evangelist Kingsley Otuaro paid him a condolence visit on the death of his mother, Mrs Goldcoast Dickson in Toru Orua, Sagbama Local Government. A press release by the Bayelsa Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, quoted Governor Dickson as noting that, the pandemic was traceable to decades of exploration activities of multi-national oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region. According to the Governor, "My mum died of lung cancer. Unlike other families who hide...

....says Mrs. Dickson cancer centre ready soon By Pat PA Okon                                             Preparations are in top gear for the launching of three organisations linked to Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Plateau State, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, has said. The humanitarian organisations are Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation, Cancer Centre and Henry Seriake Dickson Institute. The Commissioner stated this in Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State while fielding questions from journalists on the plans by Dickson to float the three institutions. The governor had announced his intention to establish the three institutions during  condolence visits on him by friends n the death of his mother and matriarch of the Dickson family, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson. Iworiso-Markson said having l...

By Admin                                                           Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that  no official of the  Rivers State Government will appear before EFCC over her politically-motivated investigations until the commission approaches the Court of Appeal to set aside the 2007 Judgment barring the commission from investigating the state. In a statement on Sunday, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu quoted Governor Wike as describing the alleged action of the EFCC as a "political witch-hunt". The governor declared: "We are  not afraid of their probe and they have no power to probe  us. "No government official will appear before the EFCC until they set aside the court judgment of Rivers State Government against them in 2007. We c...

By Admin                                                             The father of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State, and Paramount Ruler of Ijigban Kingdom, HRH, King Christopher Onumah Agbo has commiserated with Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and his family over the passing of the Matriarch of the Dickson family,  Mrs GoldCoast Dickson, popularly called Mama Gogo.  He prayed God to grant the soul of mama eternal repose and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss. He urged the Governor to cry no more for Mama Gogo has passed to eternal glory, noting that it is better for a son to bury his mother than for the reverse. The Monarch assured the Governor of the continuous support and prayers of his family before,  during and after the burial. The monarch once more used the oc...

By Pat PA Okon                                                               The Governor of Bayelsa State, the Hourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on Nigerians to carry out medical tests for early detection of cancer. Governor Dickson urged Bayelsans and indeed Nigerians to exploit the opportunity of the Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre established by his administration to test for cancer. The Governor made the comment while speaking at a special state thanksgiving service held for the repose of the soul of his late mother, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson at the Palace of Melchizedek in Toru Orua on Sunday. He said that while it was important for men over the age of 40 to test for prostrate cancer, their female counterparts should go for breast cancer screening. The Governor said that he would devote attention to the campaign...

-Onaiwu urges Edo and Delta Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders                                                                           By Pat PA Okon                                                                                                                                                                                        ...

Posted by Admin                                                        PRESS STATEMENT At its regular meeting today, Tuesday 14th August 2018, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) took a number of decisions. I.    Registration of New Political Parties The Commission approved the registration of 23 new political parties. It had received a total of 144 applications from political associations seeking registration as political parties. After a rigorous process of evaluation in accordance with the Constitution and Electoral Act which included assessment of the constitutions and manifestos of the intending parties and verification of membership of their executive committees and offices, the 23 associations met all the requirements and so have been registered as political parties. This brings the number of political p...

Posted by Admin                                                               Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has tasked Nigerians, especially the youths must rise and save the country from the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of recklessness, saying: “Events in the last few weeks are pointers to the fact that for Nigeria to be rescued from this impending anarchy, the people must rise to ensure that their votes count and rule of law is sustained.” The governor, who was addressing some stakeholders from Gbonyin and Ekiti East Local Governments on Wednesday, vowed to remain resolute in his defense of the common people of Nigeria against the tyranny of the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC federal government. Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, quoted him ...

By Pat PA Okon The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has said that the news of the death of the mother of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson came to them as a rude shock. The party in a statement signed by its chairman, Hon. Cleopas Moses said the late Mrs Gold Coast Dickson was a woman loved by all who came across her. While praying for the repose of her soul, the party noted that she will be missed by everyone, especially her children and all those who took her as a mother. The PDP prayed God to grant her immediate family, particularly Gov. Dickson and the people of Toru-Orua in Sagbama local governmebt area the fortitude to bear the great loss It also called on party members to take a moment and pray for the Dicksons and stand by them at this trying moment.

Posted by Pat PA Okon                                                             With less than one year to the 2019 general elections, the Bayelsa State government has warned youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of destabilisation during the period. The government said the advise became necessary because some politicians would use the energy and resourcefulness of youths to win elections and thereafter abandon them till another four years. The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, made the call in Yenagoa when the executives of the National Union of Ogbia Students (NUOS) paid him a courtesy visit. He therefore charged the Ogbia students not to fall for that usual gimmick but mobilise support for aspirants who have done creditable well for their people. The C...

                                                                  By Pat PA Okon                                                                              A clarion call to save Nigeria's nascent democracy has been made to the 36 Governors.            The call came from Earl Osaro Onaiwu, a former DG of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and one-time Edo State Gubernatorial candidate.                                    Onaiwu who made the call Monday during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja s...

Posted by Admin                                                             The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has expressed shock at the sad news of the death of Mrs Gold Coast Dickson, mother of Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency, Seriake Dickson. Prince Secondus said that the news came to him and the entire PDP family as a rude shock and wishes to pass our condolence to the family. According a statement from his media office signed by Ike Abonyi, the National Chairman said that Mrs Dickson would be remembered for the unique motherly role that enabled her raise up good children one of whom is his Excellency the Governor. Even as we take solace on her reaching the ripe age of 72 years and leaving behind huge legacies, we are not oblivious of the fact that death, no matter ho...

By Pat PA Okon                                                             The Bayelsa State Ministry of Information and Orientation has joined in condoling with Governor Henry Seriake Dickson over the death of his beloved mother. The Commissioner for Information, Daniel Iworiso-Markson in a statement issued on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Directors and staff said her death came at a time her motherly love and wise counsel is mostly needed. According to him, the late Mrs. Gold Coast Dickson (Mama GOGO) as she was fondly called by all who knew her, including Gov. Dickson was an outstanding personality who touched so many lives with her philanthropy.  Iworiso-Markson noted that the deceased who died of cancer will be remembered in so many positive ways and also prayed God to comfort those she left behind. The Commiss...

By Pat PA Okon                                                       Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has confirmed the passing on of his beloved mother,  Mrs GoldCoast Dickson. She was 72 years old.        The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary,  Francis Ottah Agbo,  said the late GoldCoast died of cancer early hours of today at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre,  Houston, Texas,  where she had been receiving treatment. Governor Dickson expressed appreciation to the Centre especially the team of medical professionals who did their best to save the life of his mother.  Dickson  also thanked family members, friends, political associates and Nigerians generally for their prayers and support in the most trying times for the Dic...

Posted by Pat PA Okon                                                     Members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have reaffirmed their “support and solidarity” with Udom Emmanuel, Governor of the state. . With Godwill Akpabio, Udom’s predecessor, widely expected to seal a move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, there have been permutations on both sides on how the defection would alter the power balance in the state. . However, the state legislators have resolved to stay with “leader” Emmanuel and the PDP, insisting that their support for him is “based on the superlative performance that has characterized his leadership in the state”. Onofiok Luke, Speaker of the Assembly, said this on Monday when he led his colleagues on a visit to the Governor at the Government House, Uyo. . Lu...

By Pat PA Okon                                                         Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has condemned the Police and Department of State Services invasion of the National Assembly Tuesday morning and also urged all patriots to resist what he describes as impunity. In a statement signed by Terver Akase, his Chief Press Secretary, the governor said: "I condemn police invasion of the National Assembly and urge patriotic Nigerians to reject this impunity which is an assault on our democracy. We cannot afford to remain the laughing stock of the world". The Governor insists that the action of the security operatives has made the country a laughing stock and is capable of degenerating into lawlessness. He says there are rules and procedures as well as Constitutional provisions that govern the conduct of the business of the Nat...

Commissioner, Victor Antai - Locked out of 5-Star Hotel  By Pat PA Okon                                                                                                      There was wild jubilation by his staff as the Akwa Ibom State Government Tuesday  with immediate effect sacked the Commissioner, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Rt. Hon. Victor Antai from the state Executive Council. This was contained in a release signed by the Secretary to the State Government; Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem and made available to the media in Uyo. According to the release Rt. Hon Antai had to be removed from the State Executive Council following his reluctance to comply with good governance processes of government. With the develop...

Posted by Pat PA Okon                                                             Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has described today's invasion of the National Assembly by armed security men as a coup against democracy as well as Nigeria and its people, saying those with history of collapsing democracy in the country must not be allowed to truncate it now. The governor, who reacted to NASS invasion through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said Nigeria was obviously under the worst government ever in its history. Governor Fayose said events of late had proven the unprecedented desperation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC government, adding that “the sack of the Director General of DSS, Lawal Daura is only face-saving, having failed in their coup-de-tat to topple the leadersh...

Posted by Admin                                                             The Rivers State government has opened an education endowment fund for the children of late Joseph Blankson. The State Governor, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, announced this while receiving the family of the late hero at Government House yesterday afternoon. Governor Wike who condoled with the bereaved family also gave immediate employment to the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Mercy Blankson, a graduate of microbiology and advised her to put the money in a scheme that will best benefit the children and guarantee their future. The governor further directed the Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Council, Hon. Tony Philmoore, PhD, to collect Mercy Blankson's credentials  to perfect the employment offered to her by the government. Govern...

‘Where Is President Buhari’s Fight Against Corruption? Gentlemen of the press, we have called you up today to, through you raise serious posers for which we demand immediate response from President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC), whose administration has scammed Nigerians and the international community in the last three years. President Buhari and his APC deceived Nigerians to secure power on the promise of transparency, accountability and zero tolerance for corruption. Little did Nigerians then realize that they had boarded a “one chance bus” driven by vicious and vengeful liars, scammers and a falsehearted and heavily corrupt leaders, parading as saints and messiahs. The Buhari Presidency and the APC-led Federal Government have been doing all to divert public attention from their ocean of corruption and primitive stealing including launching a brutal attack on the opposition, hounding innocent Nigerians for no just cause and seizing the airwaves t...

By Pat PA Okon Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has condemned the siege on the National Assembly by Federal Government Security Forces, urging Nigerians to rise up against the growing dictatorship of the APC Federal Government. Governor Wike on Tuesday declared that the assault on the National Assembly by Security Forces ordered by the APC Federal Government is condemnable and has the capacity to truncate the nation's democracy. He  said: "All well meaning Nigerians should stand up against this dictatorship.  All over the  world this has never happened. "Nigerians should not stand aloof and watch what is going on. This will consume so many  people if we don't rise against it." Governor Wike called on National Assembly members to stand firm in defence of the nation's democracy. "All members of the National Assembly should resist that anti-democratic attempt and stand-up to defend our democracy ". The governor be...