*Says no political oxygen for opposition parties, candidates.

Overall Development of Delta State will be the prime focus of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, if voted into power on March 11, this year.

Campaign spokesperson, Barr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, gave the assurance on Monday while speaking as a guest of Quest Radio and Television in Ughelli, Delta Central Senatorial District, saying that Oborevwori is the only governorship candidate with the required experience, competence and political willpower to govern a multiethnic state like Delta.

He noted that PDP developed the state from scratch to her present enviable status through the efforts of past governors and the incumbent, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, adding that other political parties are aliens in the socioeconomic and political affairs of the state.

Oghenesivbe who is the Assistant Deputy Director, Media and Publicity of Delta PDP Campaign Council, further asserted that the M.O.R.E agenda of the incoming governor, Oborevwori, is such that will advance Delta State from where Okowa administration will stop in May 29, with priority attention on the productive sectors, especially in the area of public-private partnership to accelerate industralization, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Agricultural sector reforms, human capital development to enhance sustainable economic growth.

He said Delta under the incumbent governor and Vice Presidential Candidate of PDP, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has been rated by national and multinational agencies as one of the best states in Nigeria, and second to none in poverty reduction through multifaceted entrepreneural skills acquisition and human capacity development which Oborevwori administration will sustain and improve upon to take out thousands of employable and unskilled job seekers from the labour market.

And on why PDP camapigns have been very peaceful despite the unprecedented mammoth crowd following, Oghenesivbe, a Distinguished Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy Management, Dfcism, revealed that the low level of poverty in Delta, rated as the second least poor state in Nigeria, as well as the good governance strides of governor Okowa, is largely responsible for the conducive environment for a peaceful and robust campaigns.

Another salient reason Oghenesivbe gave for peaceful and successful campaigns in Delta is the enviable personality, competence, integrity and humility of the governorship candidate, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, noting that he is greatly loved as a unifier, a philanthropist, a visionary leader and a Pan Deltan, who has been a key player in the affairs of Delta State since he became Speaker of the State House of Assembly in nearly six years and counting.

“Our party’s candidate, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori is doing fantastically well in his campaign as can be seen from the Mammoth crowd in all our rallies. He is the real deal in the governorship election.

“Deltans have adopted his M.O.R.E agenda and the political drum beats transcends the three senstorial districts, to the extent that the candidates of opposition parties are crashing out and gasping for political oxygen.

“PDP and Oborevwori will continue to ensure that no oxygen is available for opposition parties and their candidates to survive at the polls on February 25 and March 11, this year,” Oghenesivbe assured.

BURUTU:: The people of Delta State Riverine Communities has called on Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State and vice Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as well as the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and Delta State PDP Governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to consider the establishment of the proposed Coastal Areas Development Agency, CADA, to enable them get block votes from the riverine areas of the State.

The people who spoke under the auspices of Coastal Communities for Development, (CCD) gave the charge in Burutu, headquarters of Burutu LGA of the State on Monday January 16, 2023, while speaking with newsmen on the importance of infrastructural development of riverine/coastal communities ahead of the 2023 general elections, with special focus on Delta State.

The group noted that the Bill for establishment of CADA is not new to both the Delta State Governor and the Speaker, because the Bill had been submitted and re-submitted before Dr. Okowa and Hon. Oborevwori by a renowned Delta born development advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, National Coordinator, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, a foremost Non- Governmental Organization, NGO, in a letter addressed to them personally, and to the State House of Assembly on several occasions.

Whilst  buttressing the role and importance of the Bill to coastal communities in the state, CCD said CADA, when established, would bring real expansion, infrastructural, economic, human capital, educational, health and mental development to riverine dwellers in Delta State, irrespective of their ethnic differences.

The group urged Dr. Okowa to direct the Honourable Speaker, Hon. Oborevwori and other members as a matter of urgency, to considered and give speedy passage to the establishment of the Delta State Coastal Areas Development Agency, CADA. This gesture would give us sense of belonging under the current administration development strides ahead of the general elections slated for Saturday, February 25, and subsequent elections in 2023, if they wish to get block votes from the riverine communities of the State.

He further noted that CADA, when established, has the capacity for addressing environmental, ecological, human capital, infrastructural, educational and health needs of the coastal communities of Delta State.

CCD, asserted that about 50% of Delta State voters live in the riverine areas of the State, and their mandate is for only the candidate who is ready to establish CADA and or will sign concrete social contract for the establishment of CADA for riverine development. The group also called on all Riverine communities in the state especially the Ijaws and Itsekiris not to be carried-away by political deceit of politicians claiming to bring development to the area and yet to do the needful in establishing a development agency for the sustainable development of this critical areas

The Spokesperson of group, Hon Friday Egberike in his remarks said if CADA is established before the 2023 general elections, it would give the riverine people a real sense of belonging and that will stimulate support and votes for any political party that include the establishment of CADA in their manifesto in the forthcoming elections both at the State and National levels.

Warri South Local Government Council in Delta State, has announced the appointment of a 5-man interim youth executive committee to pilot youth affairs in Okere Community, Warri, for the next three months, shattering the interests of the two factions, whose tussle for power, led to disturbances in the community last week.

Second-term Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael E. Tidi, who made the announcement, during an emergency security meeting held at his office in Warri South Council Main Secretariat, Monday January 16, averred that the decision was taken after due consultations with the Delta state government, The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III and the Olare-Aja of Okere, Ogieboro E. F. Esisi.

The 5-man interim committee, whose mandate takes immediate effect, has a former Youth Chairman of the Okere Community and serving Councilor in Warri South Local Government Council, Hon. Solomon Temile as Chairman, while one Martins Edema, will serve as Vice Chairman.

Other members of the short-term committee are: Temisan Oki; Secretary, Philip David; Treasurer and Alero Akuruli; Women Leader.

Whilst noting that he promised to protect lives and property of people in Warri South Local Government Area while subscribing to the Oath of Office, Dr. Tidi, declared: “We already had a working model for resolving intra community and inter community conflicts. The Council, is suspending the youth election, until after the general elections. The interim committee, will put modalities in place for a proper election of new exco, after the forthcoming February and March general elections to be held across the country. Their nominations, came from each of the quarter in Okere Community. Persons in Okere, who closed their shops, should immediately reopen the shops and go about their legitimate businesses”.

The Warri South Local Government Chief Security Officer, added: “Previous factional committee inaugurated, stands dissolved”.

The emergency security meeting was attended by Secretary to Warri South Local Government, Mr. Joseph Oribioye, Major ST Kauru of 3 Battalion Effurun, Enamudu Emmanuel O of the DSS, SP Inyere Elias C from the Police ‘A’ Division, Warri, representative of the Police Area Command in Warri, SP Ukoba S. and Warri South Council Supervisor for Youths, Information, Sports and Community Development, Mr. Eboh Okpako Elvis.

Alhaji  Chief Tairu Saliu, aka Ogbegbe, The Kasaiki of Agbede Land

Sapele: A Charismatic Muslim Cleric and a People’s Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart in Sapele local government area of Delta State, Alhaji Chief Tairu Saliu, aka Ogbegbe, has stated that the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, General Felix Mujakperuo,JP, is a Godly inspired monarch who was enthroned by God as the Orodje ( the traditional ruler of Okpe Kingdom) for continuous service to humanity, after his retirement from the Nigerian Army whom he served meritoriously.

Areanewsng.com reports that Alhaji Tairu, was speaking on the occasion of his 73 years birthday anniversary at the Sapele Central Musque, also described one of the newly installed Chiefs of Okpe Kingdom, Chief Hon. Austine Opubor, as a great and compationate personality whose legacies as the People’s politician will remain indellible in the anal of Sapele history.

The cleric maintained that the Orodje of Okpe inspired him by his humility when he followed his friend to the palace during the installment of his chietaincy tittle, and noted that like the biblical king David, God enthroned the Okpe King because of his good nature and Godly desire to do good for his subjects.

He prayed for God to bless the Orodje with long life and prosperity, peace and development of the Okpe Kingdom.

Alhaji Saliu, aka Ogbegbe, who prayed for Chief Opubor, to attain the desire heights in politics, described the Okpe people as kind hearted and receptive to visitors, remarking that it was this element in them that pushed him to befriend the Okpe people and eventually married from them.

By: Chris  Emoghene

*Market women welcomes party with excitement

Omo-Agege/Osanebi APC convoy passing through Jeddo 

Massive turn out for the campaign train of the Delta Governorship Candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and his Deputy Rt. Friday Ossai Osanebi as APC campaigns in Jeddo Ughoton and Ugbokodo communities in Okpe LGA, Delta State.

The APC Governorship campaign team of the Deputy Senate President, DSP Omo-Agege were received Friday January 13 at the ward to ward campaign with excitement at Jeddo where Sen. Omo-Agege came out of his car and received direct salute and handshake from the people in the area , which according to them such never happened in the area since the country transit back to democracy in 1999 till date.

Delta APC Guber candidate DSP Omo-Agege during the campaign said Deltans will punish Okowa and his party PDP at the polls with their votes for his poor performance as a governor of the oil-rich state.

Some APC enthusiast were seen sweeping what they term as ‘bad governance away’ at Jeddo market axis , describing the APC and Omo-Agege as the EDGE and real rescue of Delta state and Nigeria at the Presidential level in the forthcoming February 25 and March 11, 2023 elections.

The mammoth crowd at Ughoton the headquarters of the ward where the campaign rally were held, supporters expressed delight on the kind of support they are having from the grassroot in Okpe LGA.

Jeddo Ughoton and Ugbokodo residents however assured the APC and DSP Omo-Agege of their votes at the poll.

By: Ella  Ochang

A group led by Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, Comrade Amaechi Ogbonna, Tsola Emiko Amoye and Isaac Dorsu acting on behalf of the Indigenes and members of Oil and Gas producing communities of Itsekiri ethnic extraction in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas, Delta State, have dragged the new NDDC Board to court , praying the Court to restrain the new Board from accessing funds and implementing budget pending the determination of the suit filled.

The group noted that their ethnic group (Itsekiri) are of the major oil and gas producing communities in Nigeria, hence they approached the Federal High Court Warri to restrain the newly constituted NDDC Board from accessing funds of the Commission pending determination of the issues surrounding the constitution of the board which the group alleges does violence to the Constitution as well as the NDDC Act.

The case filled with the suit No: FHC/WR/CS/131/2022 brought by PRINCE EMMANUEL OKOTIE-EBOH AND 4ORS VS THE PRESIDENT F.R.N AND 7 ORS, the Group contends that the screening, clearing, inauguration and constitution of the Board constitutes a threat to the unity and oneness of Nigeria.

Counsel to the Group Jolone Ikomi, Esq., Chief Robinson Ariyo, Esq and Brenda Modupe Alabi (Nee Saliu) argued that the combined reading of the provisions of sections 2, 5 (2) of the Niger-Delta Development Commission (establishment, etc.) Act Cap N86 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria; section 14 (1), (2) & (3); paragraphs 7 & 8 (1) (a), (b) & (2) of the third schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) can only lead to one conclusion; the constitution of the NDDC Board was unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and should be set aside.

The group by its Originating Summons dated and filed on the 29th day of December, 2022 submitted the following questions to the court for determination:

“1. Whether Madam Lauretta Ifeanyi Onochie, the 8th Defendant qualifies as an indigene of an oil producing area.

“2. Whether quantum of oil production/contribution is not a mandatory qualification for determining priority of appointment into the NDDC Board.

“3. Whether it is not mandatory that a person to be nominated to fill the slot of Delta State as either the Chairman or Managing Director or the Delta State Representative on the Governing Board of the Niger-Delta Development Commission must be an indigene of an oil producing community in the circumstances.

“4. Whether it is not illegal, unlawful and repugnant to equity and good conscience for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to nominate Madam Lauretta Ifeanyi Onochie, the 8th Defendant and for the National Assembly to screen her notwithstanding her obvious non-qualification.

“5. Whether it is not illegal, unlawful and repugnant to equity and good conscience for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to exclude Delta State of Nigeria, a prime oil producing state from its due of the slots of a State Representative and Managing Director of the Commission in the circumstances”.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Okon Abang ordered that in view of the sensitive nature of the subject matter of the suit, that the Defendants should be served the processes and be given the opportunity of being heard. He noted that the suit is too sensitive for an Order of Interim injunction.

The Learned Judge, Justice Abang however ordered that the Defendants be served immediately and adjourned the matter to January 19, 2023 for the Motion on Notice.

By: Celestine Ukah

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah has declared that governance in Nigeria is a criminalised enterprise due to the way and structure it is being operated .

Bishop Kukah made this disclose known Wednesday January 11, 2023 during a live interview on ChannelsTv, he took a swipe on some politicians in the country describing them as major problem to Nigeria.

Bishop Kukah is also the Coordinator National Peace Committee, he noted that the political reward system in Nigeria causes and encourages violence thereby making violence inevitable in most parts of Africa.

The revered clergy who spoke on the nations politics and the voters in 2023 election, advised youths to take advantage of their number and work together to vote  the right persons in 2023 at Presidential, Governorship, Senate, House of Reps, Houses of Assembly and other subsequent polls.

By: Celestine Ukah

*Solicits for vote for all PDP candidates

The Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives and Deputy Chairman House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Hon. Chief Dr. Thomas Ereyitomi, JP has urged residents of Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West LGAs who registered in the last concluded Continuous voters exercise to go collect their Permanent Voters Card, PVCs in their various wards and point of registration.

Chief Ereyitomi made the appeal to his Warri Federal constituents recently as the Independent  National Electoral Commission, INEC began distribution of PVCs from ward level January 6-15, 2023 across the three Warri LGAs and all parts of the state and country respectively.

He described the PVC distribution as a clear way to build confidence and add more people to exercise their franchise by  voting PDP candidates as Warri LGAs and Delta are for PDP all the time, noting that PDP has all it takes to rescue Nigeria at the federal level and add more sustenance to the development strides recorded under the Okowa administration in the state growth.

Rep Ereyitomi who is also seeking return to the House of Representatives solicited for votes for all PDP candidates from presidential, Atiku-Okowa, Governorship – Sheriff Oborevwori/Onyeme, Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly in the 2023 polls.

Dr. Ereyitomi stressed the need for INEC to make the PVC collection to be done in an easy and stress free process in order to encourage eligible voters not to be disenfranchised by not accessing their PVCs on time.