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State Assembly Election: Gov. Diri’s allegation of invading collation centre grossly untrue – Sylva

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By Okem Green Mbah, Yenagoa

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has debunked the allegation by the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri accusing him of seizing election results in Brass Constituency 2 and invading collation centre in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri had slammed the Minister over his allege involvement in acts that violates provisions of the electoral act, accusing Sylva of seizure of elections results in Brass Constituency 2, intimidation of Ad-hoc staff and invasion of collation centre in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area.

This was after an election monitoring group, Transparency Initiatives, accused the Minister of excessive show of desperation to win the Brass Constituency 2 State House of Assembly election with a clear attempt to compromise the electoral officials in the area and engaged in a show of force in his bid to manipulate the results from polling units in Okpoama and Ewoama communities using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Ad hoc staff.

Sylva in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs, Mr Julius Bokuro dismissed the claims as “grossly untrue and puerile”, while cautioning Governor Douye Diri and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over “impulsive lying” about the election in Brass Constituency 2.

He said, “The electioneering process at Brass Constituency II has been stable, safe, free and fair. The people went about freely voting for candidates of their choice according to their conscience and their hearts.

“The state government, instead of remedying its incompetence and lack of acceptance, has unfortunately deployed the tactics it inherited from the Dickson days: impulsive lying, violence and a steady desire to attract plastic sympathy. What the Douye Diri government does apart from making life hellish for Bayelsans is that, it projects its own anxieties, insecurities and natural unpreparedness to others”, the statement read.

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But the Bayelsa State government through the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ayibaina Duba berated Chief Timipre Sylva, for what it describes as a futile attempt to deflect attention from his shameful act to brazenly manipulate the results of Saturday’s House of Assembly election in his constituency.

While speaking on the reports received from monitors who covered Brass/Nembe Local Government Areas of the state, the Transparency Initiatives convener, Dr. Charles Otabor, said though elections materials arrived the Brass Constituency 1 and 2 early and voting concluded despites threats to the PDP members, “the journalists and election observers were shocked that the Nigerian Minister of Petroleum ordered that result should not be announced.”

“Attempts to prompt security agencies to prevail on the Minister to do the right thing was met with rebuff indicating that they may have been compromised. Sylva has suddenly returned to his old ways of manipulating results of election, which has become old fashion following the new electoral law and introduction of BVAS”, Otabor said.

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Politics

Tinubu passes vote of confidence on APC leadership

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President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence in the ability of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to build the nation, and significantly contribute to Africa’s growth.

Tinubu said this on Tuesday while addressing the APC Caucus meeting at the State House in Abuja.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the Renewed Hope Manifesto of the APC.

“We can steer the future of this country and make a difference. I like what is happening around the world.

” It is teaching a lesson that we, particularly Nigeria is a great African country that can build and help Africa to grow,” he said.

He underscored the importance of achieving food sovereignty and not just food security to better reposition the country as the nation with the capacity to reposition the continent.

“I am a very happy man, the sunny side of this country is on the horizon. Things are getting better, the days of gloom are gone.

”We are looking at the brighter and the sunny side of our country and our people.

He reassured the party members of his resolve to deliver in spite of the misleading, baseless, and pessimistic assertions made by his critics.

Tinubu noted the challenges confronting Nigerians regarding some of the policies introduced by his administration.

He said the fuel subsidy would have wrecked the country and denied citizens the opportunities of benefiting from the well-intended government interventions.

“Our determination to deliver is unshaking in spite of the cacophony of misguided unfounded and gloomy claims on the stage of the nation made by our detractors.

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” They will continue to do it but we are extremely focused,” he said.

Tinubu appealed to the APC Caucus members to further bear with his administration

” Our strategic repositioning requires us to build on our success and project a forward looking agenda that resonate with the hopes and aspiration of Nigerians.

“I am here promising that we are doing that, I have a commitment to our manifesto progressive ideas and the believe.”

Tinubu commended the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje for the successes recorded in various elections.

“I thank the chairman of our party, Thank you Mr Chairman ,you have earned accolades from various elections

“You are our pride, we have a hardworking individual that have led the party so well and the members of working committee.” President Tinubu added.

Also, Sen. Abdulaziz Yari (APC- Zamfara West) testified during the APC Caucus meeting that the security situation had significantly improved in Zamfara. (NAN)

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APC united, supportive of Tinubu’s government – Uzodinma

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Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is united, stronger, focused and supportive of President Bola Tinubu led administration.

Uzodinma said this while briefing newsmen at the end of the party’s caucus meeting presided over by President Tinubu, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The governor debunked claims that the party operated as a one-man show, adding that the APC’s diverse representation across six geopolitical zones, including governors from various states at the meeting, underscored its inclusive nature.

He said the party’s structure, as outlined in its constitution, included multiple leadership positions and a hierarchical framework that ensured broad participation in decision-making processes.

“Our party is united, stronger, focused, and supportive of the government. We need to celebrate our own.

“The government is heavily supported by the APC, and from time to time, we must show that we are behind the government,” he said.

On internal party democracy, Uzodinma stated that APC was a very large political party with executives at all levels.

“We have our internal mechanism for selection. Why are we winning all these elections? It’s because we have demonstrated high capacity and respect for democracy,” he stated.

The governor said due to good leadership provided by Tinubu, the county was better off in terms of revenue generation which translated to more infrastructure, social change, and other economic dynamics.

According to him, APC is the party to beat and the envy of other political parties, not only in Nigeria but in Africa.

He said the party had inaugurated the Progressive Institute, its intellectual arm, to conduct research, training for manpower development and to build the intellectual capacity of members.

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He said President Tinubu’s efforts in managing insecurity were also commended at the meeting.

“The President has done very well in terms of managing the insecurity in the country, as testified today by one of our members in Zamfara State, where there is relative peace.

“Now, people are going about their businesses. Farmers have gone back to their farms in the southeast,” Uzodinma said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting brought together key party leaders, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima and the President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC National Chairman, Gov. Umar Bago of Niger, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, Gov. Nasiru Idris of Kebbi, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, among others, also attended the meeting. (NAN)

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Alleged disorderly conduct: Senate refers Natasha to Ethics Committee

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The Senate on Tuesday referred Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi) to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions over alleged disorderly conduct during a recent plenary session.

The committee, chaired by Sen. Neda Imaseun (LP, Edo), was mandated to turn in its findings in two weeks.

The upper chamber’s resolution was sequel to a voice vote after the lawmakers had revisited the controversy surrounding the recent altercation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the senate leadership over seat allocation.

Coming under Order 1(b) and 10, the senate’s Spokesperson, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, condemned what he described as Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “extreme intransigence” during the senate session on Feb. 20.

“From that Thursday, the media was awash with this issue and I had to work on mending the perception of the 10th senate.

“The senate is not a platform for content creation but a place for lawmaking and oversight functions,” he said.

Adaramodu urged the senate leadership to enforce discipline, warning that ‘where there is sin, there must be penalty’.

“This chamber is not a place for theatrics or social media content creation. We are here to legislate, advocate for our constituents and provide oversight over MDAs, not to engage in media dramatisation,” he said.

Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim (APC-Ondo) also supported the motion, emphasising the importance of maintaining order and decorum in the senate.

Ibrahim urged all senators to respect the institution’s guiding rules, comparing the Standing Orders to the Bible and Quran for lawmakers.

Also, the Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the disciplinary review, affirming the senate’s commitment to its rules and internal order.

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According to him, there is no one who does not have an opinion on this issue, but we are unified by our rules.

“Under our watch, we will not allow this institution to be discredited beyond what we inherited. Our integrity is non-negotiable,” he said.

Bamidele dismissed claims that the dispute was rooted in gender bias or discrimination, citing examples of senior senators who had accepted seat changes without protest.

Contributing, the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro, described the incident as “an avoidable drama” and apologised on behalf of Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He urged the senate to focus on its legislative responsibilities, while allowing the ethics committee to handle the matter.

Responding, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, directed the committee on ethics and privileges to review the entire incident and report back to the chamber in two weeks.

According to Akpabio, the senate rules allow members to sit anywhere, but that contributions must be made from their designated seats.

He said that lack of familiarity with the senate procedures might have contributed to the altercation.

“The first day she (Akpoti-Uduaghan) was sworn in, she stood up to contribute and I was worried if she had even read the rule book.

“There is nothing wrong with being vibrant but everything is wrong with disobeying procedures,” he said.

Citing Order 66(2) and Section 55 of Senate rules, he underscored the need for senators to conduct themselves with decorum, including prohibitions on chewing gum, drinking water or being disruptive during sittings.

“The rules empower the senate president to suspend a senator for infractions for, at least, 14 days. It’s not me who made the rules; it’s in the rule book,” Akpabio said. (NAN)

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