Elections: Ex Bayelsa Governor, Sylva, incumbent Dickson renew rivalry

Ex-Governor of Bayelsa Chief Timipre Sylva and incumbent Gov Seriake Dickson have renewed their rivalry, taking their political differences to the public domain ahead the general elections.

Sylva had ruled Bayelsa under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2007 and 2012 and later joined the later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014 and became APC guber candidate in the 2015 election.

Sylva had alleged that Gov Dickson was bent of misrepresenting, pitchin him on a collision course with the Presidency with a campaign of calumny based on falsehood, an allegation the Dickson camp promptly denied.

Sylva in a statement issued Friday in Yenagoa by his Media Assistant Julius Bokoru dismissed Dickson’s denial as ‘feeble’

Niger Delta: Dons urge leadership to look inwards to tackle development challenges

Academics from the Niger Delta region on Wednesday challenged leaders from the area to look inwards in tackling the developmental challenges facing the area.

The Dons spoke as discussants at a colloquium to kick off burial rites for Pastor P.Z. Aginighan, former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The colloquium coincides with the 60^th post hummus birthday of Pastor Power Ziakede Aginighan, fondly called P.Z. Aginighan who died at 59 in an auto crash at the Mbiama section of East-West road on Sept.1, 2018.

The former NDDC boss, had lost his life along with his son and Police orderly.

Koluama Community launches manhunt for those behind false report of attack on Conoil in Bayelsa

The people of Koluama 1 in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa have launched a manhunt for those behind the false report that an oil facility in the area was attacked on Friday.

A group 'Koluama Seven Brothers' had on Sunday claimed that it blew up a pipeline operated by Conoil in Koluama citing failure of the company to address issues like MoU, scholarships, and  jobs among others.

Reactions from community people, military sources have revealed that the claim was a hoax by a group seeking attention.

Mr. Sese Lloyd, who hails the area and the chairman, Maritime Workers Union in Bayelsa said on Tuesday that the people had launched a manhunt for those behind the false report.

Otuokpoti Spill: NGO petitions NOSDRA, seeks best practices in remediation process

Oil and Gas Producing Areas Enlightenment and Empowerment Initiative (OGPAEEI) has petitioned the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) over a 2016 spill in Bayelsa.

It would be recalled that an oil leak from an oilfield operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) had in November 2016 discharged yet to be ascertained volume of crude into the Ekoli River in Bayelsa.

SPDC had on November 7, 2016 confirmed the spill and said  the source of the oil leak that polluted Otuokpoti communities in Bayelsa was being investigated.

Mr Precious Okolobo, who was then Medial Relations Manager at SPDC  had said that there was no oil leakage from its operations in the area.

2019 : INEC assures of level playing ground for all parties in Bayelsa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bayelsa on Sunday assured a fair treatment to all parties participating in thr forth coming polls

The Commission said it is ready and has concluded arrangement to ensure the 2019 elections is conducted in a free, fair and credible manner in the state.

Mr. Timidi Wariowei, Head of Department Voters Education/Publicity said in Yenagoa, that INEC remains irrevocably committed to credible polls.

He assured that all political parties would be treated equally, as well as their candidates because the commission is committed to zero tolerance to unfair advantage in dealing with all candidates.

Ohanaeze Youth Wing Zonal chapters condemn exclusion from Aso Rock New Year visit

Zonal leaders of Ohanaeze in South South, South West and Northern states on Sunday frowned at their exclusion from the New Year visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

 The Zonal leaders in a joint statement issued in Yenagoa urged President-General of the parent body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chief John Nnia Nwodo to sanction those behind the visit as it did not follow set rules.

The aggrieved chapters said that one Kingsley Chiedozie, a Deputy President of Ohaneze Youth Wing unilaterally led some persons to the visit without regard to the procedures of the youth body.

According to the statement signed by Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, South South, Chief Obinna Nwankwo, Northern states and Mr Alexander Ezeobi, South West Coordinators, they were not party to the visit.

Military, Community sources in Bayelsa say reported militants attack on Conoil pipeline is ‘fake news’

Military and Community sources in Bayelsa on Sunday described reports of militants attack on oil pipeline operated by Conoil in Koluama 1, in Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa as ‘fake news’.

Some online media had reported that a militant group had blown up a pipeline within Conoil’s oilfield near the atlantic coastline in Koluama 1 settlement.

Several sources in Koluama 1 community contacted by telephone on Sunday said that they were not aware of the incident and denied hearing the noise of the explosion claimed in the report.

James Dou, a resident in the area said that the area had been peaceful since the new year with frequent patrols by the joint military force in Koluama area dominating the waterways.