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Bayelsa guber poll: Panic hits Sylva’s camp as loyalists leave in droves
Bayelsa guber poll: Panic hits Sylva’s camp as loyalists leave in droves
By: Michael Mike
As the Bayelsa State governorship election, scheduled for November 11, 2023 gets closer, panic has hit the camp of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, as his support base is being eroded daily with supporters ditching him for the camp of the incumbent governor, Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The scenario has also been compounded by the reluctance of the national leadership of the party to support his campaign financially.
Only recently, the closest political ally of Sylva, who is also an immediate past member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Israel Sunny Goli, dumped him for the PDP over what was described as irreconcilable differences.
Also, few days ago, the platform of former legislators from 1999 till date declared their support for Governor Diri with the motion of vote of confidence on Diri moved by a former Sylva’s ally, Hon. Robert Enogha, and seconded by Rt. Hon. Werinipre Seibarugu, former Acting Governor and also a deputy governor to Sylva.
The development is becoming a source of worry to his supporters and party leaders in the state.
A close associate of Sylva, who spoke to our reporter in confidence, while taking stock of the political climate in the state ahead of the election, said: “if care is not taken, the way Sylva is going about it, Sylva and his supporters may be plunged into political oblivion and ultimately be retired from the Bayelsa political space, because the events of the past are hunting him and his followers.”
The source recalled how Sylva led a team of his supporters to meet the National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, to raise N11 billion to support his campaign.
“The team met a brick wall as the Chairman was not enthusiastic about the idea. Rather than buying into the idea as the usual practice during a serious election season like the governorship election, he mockingly threw the task back to Sylva by giving him the task to first list the number of persons he had empowered in his state.
“Sylva and his team were given one hour to do that, while Ganduje waited to no avail and they left the national chairman’s residence with forlorn faces and utter disappointment.”
Another source further expressed disappointment that APC supporters back in Bayelsa State are frightened by daily depletion of supporters, defecting in droves to the ruling PDP with confidence in the Diri administration soaring higher.
The indicators, according to the sources, are gloomy for the APC, so long as free and fair election is conducted in the state.
However, recall that in the past couple of weeks, the media has been agog with reports about the desperation of the APC governorship candidate to win at all cost.
Accusing fingers pointed at his direction over plans to use BVAS machines without appropriate codes, the allegation of co-opting fake policemen and INEC officials to do his bidding.
Also, he tried unsuccessfully to drag the Presidency into his campaign, trying to enlist the support of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
His effort was also futile.
Very significant to note is the fact that Sylva is hell bent on returning the state to its dark days during his five years reign of terror. Remember, the bombing of political opponent rallies, the unexplained death of the younger brother of his late ADC whom we gathered was ready to cooperate with the police.
A prominent community leader from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area bursted in anger while condemning his choice of a deputy from a local government that produced the first graduate in the person of late Chief N A Frank Opigo. He said: “Southern Ijaw people are appalled at the APC’s choice of a deputy governorship candidate whose credentials are well known to be questionable. What an insult to our collective sensibilities?
“His deputy governorship candidate we recall was boastful of his jail break while serving a ten year jail term for multiple felonies in Kaduna prison. Whither are we bound? Haba, has Bayelsa State become the state of jokers?”
The question on the lips of vast majority of Bayelsans is: Is there any interest the former Minister of State for Petroleum has other than coming to sell the state just as he was accused of revoking the state most priced asset , the Atala Oil Field OML 46 which is the common patrimony of the land of his birth . OML 46 recall is the marginal oil field allocated to Bayelsa State during the resource control agitations.
Rather than protect it for his state Sylva revoked it and reallocated it to a company that was only incorporated in September 2019 with no single asset or experience using fake receipts and unverifiable investment claims. These are some of the baggage the APC has to contend with in the days ahead of the election.
Bayelsa guber poll: Panic hits Sylva’s camp as loyalists leave in droves
Security forces quell clash between vigilantes, cattle herders in gubio
By: Zagazola Makama
Several persons have sustained injuries following a violent altercation between members of local vigilante groups and cattle herders at the Gubio cattle market.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Thursday at about 2:30 p.m.
According to the sources, the clash involved one Mohammed Nasuru, 23, also known as Alasura of the Vigilante Group Gubio; one Modugana Modu, 23, alias Shoki of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF); one Kadar Awana, 22, of the Vigilante Group Gubio; and one Abdullahi Salisu, 22, a nomadic cattle herder, alongside other herders who fled the scene.
“During the altercation, dangerous weapons were freely used by both parties. One Mustapha Babagoni, 22, a trader at the cattle market, was hit by flying pellets fired by a member of the quasi-security group.
Nasuru sustained serious machete cuts on his left leg and hand, while Abdullahi Salisu sustained a machete injury on his forehead,” the report stated.
Sources added that troops of Operation HADIN KAI were swiftly mobilized to the scene and successfully restored order.
The injured persons were evacuated to the Primary Health Care Centre, Gubio. While Salisu was hospitalised and responding to treatment, Babagoni and Nasuru were referred to the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, for further medical attention.
Sources confirmed that some suspects have been arrested and exhibits recovered from the scene, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
Security forces quell clash between vigilantes, cattle herders in gubio
NGO empower women farmers in Adamawa to strengthen food security
Nuru Nigeria a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has sensitized and supported no fewer than 7,500 women farmers in Adamawa State as part of national efforts to enhance food security.
The initiative, organised in collaboration with financial institutions, policymakers, and other partners, in commemoration of 2025 International Day of Rural Women.
Mrs Amy Gaman, Managing Director, Nuru Nigeria, said, the purpose of the celebration was to encourage and empower women farmers, especially those who are vulnerable in rural communities.
She explained that participants were selected from various local government areas and educated on how to access agricultural loans and financial services to improve their productivity.
She said in line with this year’s World Food Day theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future” a lot would be achieved in creating an inclusive and sustainable national food system.
Gaman added that stakeholders from different sectors came together to engage in dialogue on how to protect the food system and ensure rural communities are not left behind.
According to her, the Organisation has reached over 40,000 people through its women’s empowerment initiatives in the local government areas where it operates.
In his remarks, Professor David Jato, Adamawa Commissioner for Agriculture commended the Fintiri administration for creating an enabling environment for agricultural development.
According to him, several policies have been implemented by the state government to support rural farmers, especially women, and praised organizations like Nuru Nigeria for complementing government efforts.
Martha Igu, who spoke on behalf of the participants shared testimonials about how Nuru Nigeria has improved their farming practices.
She said their intervention has positively impacted their lives through access to resources, training, and financial support among others.
NGO empower women farmers in Adamawa to strengthen food security
Scores of Boko Haram terrorists killed in Borno ambush
…… As security forces also sustained casualties
By: Ndahi Marama
Dozens of Terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram/ISWAP have been killed in an ambush on troops of 21 Armoured Brigade along Bama-Kashimri village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The troops according to Credible Military Source revealed that they were on clearance operations around the Kashimri general area when the incident took place last Friday (Yesterday).
The Source said, troops of the Joint Task Force North East ‘ Operation Hadin Kai’ responded swiftly with firepower, as over 30 terrorists were neutralized, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
He said, unfortunately, the Officer who led the clearance operation (Names withheld), with some soldiers, two members of Civilian Joint Task Force and two Vigilantes paid the supreme price during the encounter.
“Yes, out troops came under Boko Haram ambush along Bama- Kashimri village last Friday while on clearance operations.
“Troops responded swiftly and nuetralized dozens of the terrorists, as scores fled with gunshot wounds.
” Unfortunately, the Officer who led the clearance operation (Names withheld), with some soldiers, two members of Civilian Joint Task Force and two Vigilantes paid the supreme price during the encounter”. The Military Source revealed.
He however said, the troops have sustained high spirit, as further operations are ongoing in all fronts to maintain pressure on the terrorists and deny them freedom of movement.
Scores of Boko Haram terrorists killed in Borno ambush
Gunmen attack zonkwa police station in Kaduna, kill two officers
Security forces quell clash between vigilantes, cattle herders in gubio
NGO empower women farmers in Adamawa to strengthen food security
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