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Diri’s second term: Yenagoa Constituency I demands Fair & Better Treatment in Political Appointments
Diri’s second term: Yenagoa Constituency I demands Fair & Better Treatment in Political Appointments
By: Michael Mike
political stakeholders in Yenagoa constituency I, mainly the indigenous people of Epie/Atissa hosting the State capital have demanded for a fair and better treatment in political appointments from Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State as he gets sworn in for second term of four years.
The stakeholders under the aegis of Equity Vanguard in a statement signed by Onizibe Samuel Asuefien and made available to our correspondent, lamented that since 1999 the executive arm of government has sidelined the people of Epie/ Atissa as no one has been privileged to occupy the office of Governor or Deputy Governor.
They further pointed out that even the legislative arm of government in the State has consistently left out elected officials from Yenagoa Constituency 1 in its key appointments as none has occupied a principal office ranging from Speaker to Deputy Whip.
The Group stated that though Prof Steve Azaiki was Secretary to the State Government (SSG) for 18 months during the tenure of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Chief Diekivie Ikiogha as Chief of Staff under the administration of Henry Seriake Dickson, these appointments are not commensurate with the contributions and sacrifices of Yenagoa constituency I to the development of Bayelsa State.
The statement read in part: “Surprisingly, in the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial election, Yenagoa constituency I delivered 24,441 votes for PDP, a figure higher than total votes of most local government areas in the state and wonder why Yenagoa constituency I should continue to suffer marginalization in key political appointments in the State.
‘’The people of Yenagoa Constituency have contributed their lands in the state capital for the development of Bayelsa State, a situation that has denied them their full participation in sustainable farming and fishing, the main source of their livelihood. Bayelsa state should be fair to the people of Yenagoa constituency I by ensuring that important political appointments and positions in the executive and legislative arms of government are given to them in recognition of their remarkable contributions to the electoral strength of the Peoples Democratic Party and development of Bayelsa State.
The Group called on Senator Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa State to ensure a better and fair political deal for the people of Epie/Atissa by appointing its valued sons and daughters to key political positions so that they will in turn always show their love and support in the implementation of his policies and programmes.
They said: “To do otherwise will be sad and disappointing but we know and trust that Governor Douye Diri will reward the people of Epie/Atissa this time for their support by addressing their pains.”
Diri’s second term: Yenagoa Constituency I demands Fair & Better Treatment in Political Appointments
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
By: Our Reporter
Judge bars him from inciting public, undermining national security
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned a politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, before a Federal High Court in Abuja, for alleged cybercrimes, with the court barring him from further making statements that are detrimental to the peace and security of the country.
Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling, threatened to revoke the bail granted Sowore’ should he ever make such statements. The arraignment came after two previous attempts, with the politician’s lawyer introducing what the DSS lawyer, Akinolu Kehinde SAN, called legal obstacles.
On Tuesday, however, Justice Umar held that since there was evidence that Sowore was a presidential candidate in the country before and having also earlier been granted bail by the court, with his international passport still being held by the court, he was entitled to be granted bail on self-recognition.
The ruling was on a bail application argued by his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, shortly after Sowore was arraigned on a five-count charge, in which he is accused of defaming President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as a criminal in his posts on X and Facebook.
When the charge, being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS), was read to him, Sowore pleaded not guilty.
In the charge, Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 elections, is accused of contravening the provisions of the the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024 and the Criminal Code Act by calling President Bola Tinubu a criminal
The two other defendants listed in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 are X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.
Details shortly.
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
News
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have carried out a series of coordinated attacks across parts of Zamfara State, killing one person and abducting several others in Zurmi and Bungudu Local Government Areas, security sources have confirmed.
In the first incident, bandits invaded Tungar Tsamiya village in Moriki District of Zurmi LGA at about 10:40 p.m. on Nov. 30, shooting dead one resident and abducting 10 others.
Security forces launched a search-and-rescue operation to locate the victims.
Barely hours later, on Monday morning, another group of bandits attacked Doguwar Gona forest in the same Moriki District.
The assailants abducted 17 men and women who were in the area fetching firewood. Security personnel are tracking the movement of the attackers with the aim of rescuing the captives.
In a separate incident in Bungudu LGA, gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed Makwa village in Kurar Mota District at about 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 1 and abducted an unconfirmed number of residents.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and police operatives, supported by local vigilante groups, have intensified efforts to rescue all abducted victims and restore calm across the affected communities.
Search operations are ongoing.
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday paid a sympathy visit to the Bishop of Kontagora, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, following the recent abduction of students of St. Mary Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The NSA, who arrived Kontagora by helicopter at about noon, was accompanied by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Tony Ajayi; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs; and senior officials from the Office of the NSA.
Ribadu and his entourage proceeded to the office of the Bishop at St. Michael Church, where they met with representatives of families of the abducted students, the school principal, and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern States, Bishop Joseph Hayap.
During the meeting, the NSA assured the community that the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and staff.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending attacks on schools and ensuring the safety of students across the country.
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
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