PDP GOVERNORS' FORUM

Posted By Admin The PDP Governors Forum has congratulated all its members on the landslide victory recorded on the various post-election petition cases at the several Courts of Appeal across the country. In a press statement released on Friday and signed by the DG of the Forum, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, the forum said the Appeal Courts have by their judgments affirmed the wishes of the people who not only voted en-masse for their preferred PDP Candidates, but defended their votes and the mandates they granted the governors during the gubernatorial election of March 2019. In the statement, the forum urged the electorate not to relent their efforts in giving the necessary support, prayers and loyalty to their leaders. It also pleaded with the governors to reciprocate the love of their people with the resolve to continue to do more in delivering democratic dividends to the people who have not only put their hopes on them but have given them their wholehearted trust and undiluted loyalt...

By Tony Okechukwu In order to be able to access funds from the Kuwaiti Government for sectoral development, Bauchi State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consulting company, Africa Energy S. A. Nigeria Limited. Under the MoU, the company will design, engage, advocate, facilitate, lead and make efforts towards assisting the State Government to be able to access the Kuwait Fund which is one of the Agenda 21 windows of the development fund from the donor basket. While speaking at the signing of the MOU held at Government House on Thursday, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, said that the company in accordance with its policies, resources and programme, and given the mutual interest of both the State Government and Africa Energy S. A’s development goals and agenda, shall agree on priority areas of the project that is but not limited to natural resources, management, food and agriculture development projects, renewable energy and water rec...

By Admin Governor Bello Matawallen has expressed his confidence on the current Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Usman Nagogo, especially in the Commissioner's  drive to make the State free from all forms of banditry and criminality. Matawalle made this  known yesterday, Thursday, at the Government House while receiving firearms voluntarily surrendered by two repentant bandits, Sani Mochoko and Alhaji Shehu Bagewaye, who in the past had terrorized communities in the State but have now come to join hands with the State Government following the Governor's peace and reconciliation initiative. "I wish to declare that I pass a vote of confidence on the Commissioner of Police, Usman Nagogo, because he has shown the Government and good people of Zamfara that he is here to demonstrate what police work really means, which is the protection of people's lives and property while trying to show the irresponsible ones among us that all hope is not lost and that they c...

By Pat PA Okon Governor of Delta, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday urged Nigerian leaders to be closer to the people to strengthen the processes of good governance. He made the call in a keynote address at the 2019 edition of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Day celebration organised by the State chapter in Asaba. According to the Governor, leaders must be close to the people they lead and identify with them for good policies to be made. He said, "A godly leader, at whatever level, is empathetic with the pain and suffering of the people he is called to lead". "There are far too many leaders in our society who are disconnected from the reality on ground and that does not augur well for people-centred policies and good governance". Quoting some Bible verses, the Governor emphasised that Nigeria would experience great relief "if we will heed the divine injunction to repent, seek God's face and turn from our wicked ways". He commen...

- Set Fresh Agenda for Economic Diversification The PDP Governors Forum has begun the countdown to hosting the 2019 Edition of its annual IGR Summit in Abuja. Glimpses into the event show that an array of tested IGR experts are billed to make strategic presentations, aimed at boosting revenue generation initiatives in the PDP-governed States. The ultimate intention of the Forum in hosting the strategic event is aimed at increasing the economic well-being of the citizenry, and more access to dividends of democracy, a cardinal objective of the PDP. The summit is expected to parade finance and IGR experts like Dr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, a former CBN Deputy Governor, Mr. Akinyele Oladeji, an IGR Expert and Managing Consultant/Country Representative of Canadian Software Development Corporation (CSDC Consulting Nigeria) and a coterie of frontline speakers, session chairmen, faculty members amongs...

By Tony Okechukwu Government Ben Ayade of Cross River State has threatened to sack any Head of Local Government Administration in the State (HOLGA) that allows illegally logged woods pass through his or her domain. According to a press statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita, the Governor is insistent that such an administrator would be sacked or or have his appointment terminated from the State Civil Service. “It should be noted that any HOLGA that allows illegally logged woods to pass through his or her Local Government Area, faces termination from the Local Government service", the statement added. It further said that the State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade, has approved the dissolution of the State Anti-deforestation Task-Force with immediate effect. Consequently, “His Excellency has approved the appointment of an interim task-force to enforce the anti-deforestation policy of the government". "The new in...

BY NELSON NSEABASI Economic planning and development has been the bedrock of thriving economies all over the world. The issue of income generation for a micro and macro level is vital to the well being of a particular economy, as it is with it that development is planned. In recent time, the nation Nigeria has witnessed a period of drastic decline in the economy, leaving the price of stocks very low in the trade market while unemployment rose to an alarming rate. Firms were forced to relocate resources, scale back production and lay off employees. To salvage the situation, it is recommended that government adopt strategic macroeconomics policies. Intermittently and constantly, there are series of discussions on how to continually improve the economy, as against inflation and deflation. It behooves of the leadership and persons responsible in various offices at federal and state levels, to see to it that they generate a tangible percentage of the resources required to meet the...

By Pat PA Okon Cross River State Governor, Sir Benedict Ayade, has presented the sum of One Trillion, One Hundred Billion, One Hundred and Seven Million, Five Hundred and Seven Thousand Naira and Nine Kobo only, as the 2020 State Appropriation Bill to the Cross River House of Assembly, Thursday, in Calabar. The Appropriation Bill is christened "Budget of Olimpotic Merristamasis" Governor Ayade equally exempted all civil servants earning less than One Hundred Thousand Naira monthly from Tax.

By Tony Okechukwu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has reassured the people of the State that his administration will continue to promote peace in the State in order to enhance good governance and rapid development. The Governor reiterated that his administration will not take the existing peace in the State for granted, stressing that he would do whatever is necessary to sustain the existing peace throughout his tenure. Speaking during an official visit to Aninri Local Government Area, to inaugurate some development projects executed by the council Chairman, Hon. Ezekiel Chukwu, including the seven-classroom block at Community Primary School, Amacharauka, Oduma, fully equipped with learning materials and the two thousand-capacity event pavilion at the Local Government Secretariat, Gov. Ugwuanyi commended the Chairman and his team for the bold initiatives. The Governor also laid the foundation stone for the construction of an ultra modern civil hall at Ndeabor adjace...

By Tony Okechukwu The logo for the Ahiajoku Festival 40th Anniversary was unveiled at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Chambers, Government House Owerri, Wednesday. Ahiajoku Festival was instituted forty years ago as an avenue to get in touch with the history, culture, and civilization of the Igbo nation. The unveiling ceremony was directed by His Excellency, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, who is the Chairman of the Ahiajoku Festival 40th Anniversary Planning Committee. This year’s Ahiajoku Festival, scheduled to take place from the 29th to 30th of November, 2019, is lined up with a plethora of events, among which is the historic Ahiajoku Lecture. The Ahiajoku Festival 40th Anniversary is guaranteed to be an intellectual harvest of Igbo culture. The unveiling ceremony was well attended by His Excellency, Governor Emeka Ihedioha; his deputy, Engr. Gerald Irona, and other members of the State Executive Council.

... Charges new Head of Service on Reforms, Efficiency By Tony Okechukwu Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, CON, has reiterated that the State is in a hurry to develop, even as he insists, his administration, will break all barriers that may impede delivering dividends of democracy to the citizenry. Speaking at the swearing-in of the Head of Service, Dr. Chibuzor Iwuagwu, Wednesday, at Sam Mbakwe Expanded Executive Council Chambers, Government House, he said that his administration will not condone any attempt to undermine its efforts towards rebuilding the State, which has suffered serious infrastructural decay and maladministration in the past eight years. According to him, “The Rebuild Imo Agenda is on course, and all hands must be on deck to make Imo great again.We are in a hurry to develop Imo State". “As a government, we are prepared to lead and we have shown our desire and commitment to serve Imo State with our best intentions and to the best of our abil...

By Pat PA Okon Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie  Ikoeazu, has sworn in three new judges whose nominations were recently approved by the National Judicial Council (NJC). This was made known in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka. The new judges sworn-in by Gov. Ikpeazu are Benson Anya, Enyinnaya Okezie and Ogbonna Adiele. Performing the swearing-in ceremony at the Executive Chamber of Government House, Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu charged them to contribute to the building of a strong judiciary in Abia State. He said that with the knowledge they have bequeathed themselves over the years, he has no doubt of their credibility in delivering justice for a better society. Governor Ikpeazu said that he counts on the members of the Judiciary to raise the bar of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State and hoped that their support would add value to the government of the State. “The State Chief Executive,...

The failure of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to clichéd the governorship seat in Bayelsa State has been blamed on the party leadership. The PDP youths, under the aegis of PDP South South Youth Vanguard, also blamed Governor Seriake Dickson’s highhandedness for the failure The PDP youths, in a statement by its National Chairman, James Efe Akpofure, alleged that monies exchanged hands between the party leadership and the governor over his choice of candidate. The youth further alleged that monies also exchanged hands between the party leadership, Timi Alaibe and Ken Koko over the party ticket. The group noted that Bayelsa people were not happy with Governor Dickson's decision to feature a candidate that is not popular among the people. The PDP Youth Vanguard added that the decision of the governor on his choice of candidate was selfish, adding that if Dickson had listen to the voice of the people, things would have been different. Aside blaming Dickson...

- Dr Peter Obi to deliver keynote speech - Summit to tackle newer IGR options in a recessed economy The PDP Governors Forum is set to host the 2019 Edition of its annual IGR Summit in Abuja. In a statement released Tuesday by the Summit Organizing Committee and signed by Patrick PA Okon on behalf of the Forum; the Summit will hold at the BON Hotel Stratton, (formerly Protea Hotel), Asokoro, Abuja,  on Wednesday/Thursday, November 27-28, 2019. The statement in part reads: ‘’The current economic reality in the country has more than ever informed the need for the forum’s initiative to escalate same for public discourse at the upcoming summit. It added that: “The challenge of declining internally-generated revenue and the need to boost alternative sources of income for the PDP-governed states outside reliance on the monthly federal government allocation will be receiving adequate attention at the converge. “It will also strive to define the extant possibilities and p...

By Pat PA Okon The focus is, access to 'Water Supply, Sanitation and  Hygiene' (WASH) services which are the basic determinants of human capital outcomes that include early childhood survival, health and education attainment. Hitherto, assessment of the  WASH in Nigeria revealed that the sector is in a very critical condition and needs increased attention to achieve the  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Water and Sanitation by the Year 2030 . It is equally on record that about 47 million Nigerians practise open defecation, this ranks us as the country with the highest number of people indulging in the act in Africa and second, globally, after India. Therefore, today's occasion is a national transformation initiative aimed at mobilizing the populace to imbibe the culture of safe defecation practice towards the attainment of the national target of making Nigeria Open  Defecation Free by  2025 in line with the national roadmap. The Bauchi Stat...

By Tony Okechukwu Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State has approved the creation of more licensing centres in the State to ease access to the essential services of the licensing centres and revenue generation. The Governor also advocated for more presence of men of the Federal Road Safety Corps at strategic locations in the State for the Yuletide. The Governor has also assured that his administration would continue to support the activities of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the State. He stated this while receiving the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi and his team, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Government House in Owerri, last week Thursday. Governor Ihedioha noted that Imo, being the home of hospitality in the country with the only operational airport at the moment in the South East would witness increased vehicular and air traffic as visitors and tourists would use the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport to their various destinat...

By Tony Okechukwu Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has called on people around the world to show kindness to one another in order to promote humanity. Ayade, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, made the call on Sunday in Calabar during the second dry run of the 2019 Calabar Carnival with the theme "Humanity". He said that the theme was chosen to make people see the need to be humane and to live in peace with one another. The Governor, who said that peaceful co-existence, unity and tolerance should rule the midnset of people around the world, urged the bands to do their best in interpreting the theme of the 2019 Carnival. "This year's theme is humanity; I hope that the band leaders are doing their best to give full interpretation to the theme". "For us, the theme is about humanity and kindness to people. We should be tolerant of one another and also treat every human being as a human being irrespective of any affiliation...

...ASK INEC TO DECLARE HIM GOVERNOR ELECT Posted By Tony Okechukwu The Peoples Democratic Party Governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said that he won the Saturday Gubernatorial election in  In the State. Diri therefore that called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare him winner of the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state. Senator Diri who  made the call on Monday while briefing newsmen in Yenagoa, said that the results monitored by his party's situation room in the eight local government areas, showed in clear terms that he won and  should be declared the governor-elect of Bayelsa state. The PDP governorship candidate who announced 98,582 as the total figure scored by the PDP said the APC got a total of 55,903 in the election. Giving a breakdown  of the figures, he said the PDP scored 4,096 in Brass local government area while the All Progressives Congress (APC) got 2,525. Accord...

By Admin The Governor òf Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson has accused  the General Officer Commanding the 6th Division òf the Nigerian Army of compromising security in Favour òf the All Progeessives Congress against the PDP. The Governor  said that even though Gen. Sarham has been transfered to the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, he refused to move and waited behind to supervise the use of the Army to perpetrate heinous electoral crimes and irregularity  in the Bayelsa guber polls. The Governor said that the GOC and the  Brigade Commander òf the Artillery Brigade, attached soldiers to all APC leaders in all the wards who they use to terrorize people from one polling unit to another. The Governor added that the GOC moved to Yenagoa to  personally supervise  the undemocratic and illegal activities  of the Army in the Bayelsa polls using the Brigade Commander of the Artillery Brigade as the commander of his  soldiers in...

Posted By Admin The gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Bayelsa state, Senator Douye Diri, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is colluding with the security agents to manipulate the election. Senator Diri stated this shortly after casting his vote at his polling unit, ward six, unit four in Sampou community, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state. “It is going on peacefully in my unit and Kolga. Voting orderly here. It’s going on well here. However, I have reports of pockets of electoral fraud commited by APC, coming on with thugs to hijack materials denying PDP members from voting. I raised the red flag about Nembe Bassambiri. What I have is that no PDP agent is allowed to go into Nembe Bassambiri. At Eniware in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, the reports I have is that the APC thugs went there. The same with Opolo, and other places. But we are monitoring the process”, Diri stated. The PDP candidate als...

Posted By Admin A Coalition of Civil Society groups currently in Bayelsa have raised alarm over a sudden deployment men of the Nigerian Army from the 6 Brigade Port Harcourt Rivers, towards the end of the ongoing governorship election in Bayelsa. They said they have been authoritatively informed that the soldiers some of whom have just arrived Yenagoa are being positioned to take over the collation centers and headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, in the state capital. Speaking in a press statement signed by its Coordinator, Barrister Atari Emmanuel, the said "The world is watching with breathtaking attention the funny game currently being played by the Nigerian Army, in the ongoing governorship election in the state.  We are worried that despite aiding thugs across the various local governments, particularly in Southern Ijaw, Nembe and Ekeremor local government areas to unleash terror on innocent voters, the Army is going further, by import...

The Rev John Pofi Foundation and some communities in Bayelsa State, have warned the Nigerian military personnel against turning communities into war zones, following an intelligence that the security agency was being mobilised to disrupt collation process. The foundation warned that the Military personel in large numbers and stationed at Aridof hotels , the political base of All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipriye Silva, is currently experiencing unusual large presence of military officers. The military personnel were drafted to communities  allegedly by the APC stalwart and the Governorship candidate, David Lyon, on the suspicion to be used to disrupt the collation of election results. "They are allegedly camped in a location within the communities  in preparation for disruption of results", said Mr. Owie Luke one of the indigenes of Bayelsa. Rev. John Pofi of Reverend John Pofi Foundation, expressed great worries...

At Ward 5, Unit 7 and 9,  Opolo Town Hall polling centre, where two persons were shot, an INEC official said the people refused to vote, insisting they would not vote and allow others to vote for another party apart from APC  INEC officials have started relocating their materials to yet to be known destination. Security have however been beefed up in the area with police, army and DSS officials stationed in the area.

Reports of hijacked electoral materials as well as detention of some party leaders currently mars the ongoing governorship election in Bayelsa State. Also, INEC officials were absent in many polling units including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, in Ogbia local government. In Ekeremoh local government, political thugs were allegedly led by a top party leader to hijack sensitive electoral materials to his residence at Ekeremoh LGA. An INEC official, after collecting sensitive materials from Oporoma allegedly arrived Otuan without the sensitive materials, after voters discovered that the original sheet were not in the list with her. The official was however apprehended by party agents who questioned her motives for showing up at the polling unit without the original voting sheets. In SILGA Ward 14, the military stationed around the area were also allegedly holding top party leaders hostage in Ogboinbiri community. The leaders have reportedly been held hostage ...

By Tony Okechukwu Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has announced the release of N132 million for the payment of monthly allowances for corps members serving in the State. Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Governing Council of the National Youth Service Council (NYSC) at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday,  Governor Wike said that the payment process has been activated by his administration. "We have released N132 million for the payment of the allowances for corps members serving in the State", he said. He further informed that funds have been released for the construction of drainage,  completion of the 5,000 capacity auditorium,  3,000 mattresses and 1,500 double-bunk beds for the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp at Nonwa. He said: "The corps members are serving the interest of the State. We are only investing to enhance their performance". "We have released funds for the construction of internal roads, drainage, 1...

By Pat PA Okon Zamfara State  Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle,  has announced his government's readiness to make the State's 2020 Hajj Exercise the best in the country. The Governor made the announcement, Thursday, while receiving the 2019 Hajj Exercise reports from the Chairman of the State Government delegation and Amirul Hajj of the State, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi and that of the State Pilgrims Commission from the commission's Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar S. Pawa Danko. Matawalle who expressed concern over the uncomfortable  conditions the State pilgrims go through annually, due to poor facilities and other basic amenities, assured that the State Government will look at all the loopholes and issues raised in the two separate reports with a view to addressing them. He said, while the government will complete renovation works at the State Pilgrims Camp to make it more befitting, it will ensure that the State contingents receive the best treatment in terms of...

By Pat PA Okon To facilitate the evacuation of house hold wastes dumped along major roads within Bauchi and environs, Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has approved the release of N28.7 million naira for the construction of six waste collection centers within the metropolis. While speaking during the commissioning ceremony of waste collection centers (Phase   I) at Bakin kura, Bauchi, the Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Housing. Alhaji Mu'azu Hamisu Shira, said, to further demonstrate commitment, the project was planned, designed and built to last the test of time, with an expected utilization period of twenty (20) years. In the same vein, the Governor also approved the release of N9.7million to the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency. for the repairs of the agency's equipments. Bala Mohammed commended the efforts of the management and staff for the job done, through direct labour. He maitained that the collection cent...

By Pat PA Okon Oyo State Government through the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, has reiterated that the present administration is committed to running an economy that will improve the standard of living for the good people of the State. Mrs. Adeosun stated this during a courtesy visit paid to her by the University of Ibadan, “Pharmacy Class of 89 set" and senior members of the Pharmacy Faculty, which held at the Governor's Office, Secretariat, Ibadan. The Secretary to the State Government said that the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in the State is keenly interested in the welfare of the people of the State, providing adequate security of lives and property and also focusing on health, education and expanded economy. She assured the delegation that the State Government would continue to support pharmacists working within the State by providing an enabling environment that will allow them practise their chosen careers, effectively...

By Admin The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths have warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) to perish the thought of trying to allegedly manipulate the judiciary to remove Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde. The youths, under the aegis of PDP South South Youth Vanguard, said that they have watched with keen interest what played out in the state during the appeal court judgement. The youths, in a statement by its National Chairman, James Efe Akpofure, said they could detect the "hands of Esua, the voice of Jacob," in the entire scenario that played out during the appeal case, where the judiciary couldn't stand its ground and pronounce judgement. The youths cautioned APC to stop any plan to gag or manipulate the judiciary to do its bidding as doing so will only ridicule the laws of the land and make the country a laughing stock before the comity of nations. "The idea of manipulating, harassing and intimidating the judiciary to subvert the will of the p...

By Pat PA Okon Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that the Judiciary is the most powerful arm of Government,  regretting that the strength of the judiciary has been lost due to fear. Addressing the Governing Council of the Eastern Bar Forum during a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday,  Governor Wike noted that it is  the responsibility of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to strengthen the Judiciary. "In terms of being powerful,  the Judiciary is the most powerful arm of Government. But they have lost that power due to fear". "The NBA needs to strengthen the Judiciary. People are saying that the NBA is now a toothless bulldog. I am not the one saying so, people are saying it". "As lawyers, we have the responsibility, as conscience of the society, to make sure that the right thing is done", he said. Governor Wike said that the Rivers State Government will partner with the Eastern Bar Forum ...

By Pat PA Okon Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has directed the commencement of the reclamation of lands belonging to  Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Port Harcourt for the restoration of the lost glory of the institution. Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Executive Committee of the Comprehensive Old Boys Association (COBA) on Thursday,  Governor Wike directed the State Surveyor General, the Permanent Secretary, Lands and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education to commence the process for the restoration of the school. He said: "We will  work together  to reclaim the school. The Surveyor General must start immediate  works to map out the  original lands belonging to the Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Port Harcourt". "By Monday, the Permanent Secretary, Lands will start issuing quit notices to those illegally occupying the lands of the school.  The quit notices should be for a month". "The Hono...

Less than 60 hours to the Saturday, November 16 Guber Election in Bayelsa State, the main opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been engulfed in a dire straits. The gloom, insiders say is not unconnected with the turn around of events in the last hours of Wednesday. Sources have it that in the closing hours of the day, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), were both served with an order, disqualifying the APC Governorship candidate, Mr. Lyon David and his Deputy Governorship Candidate, Senator Degi-Eremienyo, from participating in the November 16, 2019 Bayelsa State Gubernatorial election. Scoops from sources close to the corridors of the decision makers at the APC boardroom have it that the party has already lost its sleep since being hit by the shocking service of the court order, and the subsequent adherence by INEC in disqualifying of the David Lyon ticket. Recall that Tuesday the ...