CrossFire Interrogator

PDP GOVERNORS FORUM WISHES GOV MATAWALLE HAPPY 51 ST BIRTHDAY By Michael Egiethua Governor Matawalle of Zamfara State The PDP Governors Forum yesterday issued a press release congratulating the Zamfara State Governor, Rt. Hon. Bello Mohammad Matawalle, on his 51 st birthday celebration. The press release conveyed the felicitations of the PDP Governors Forum, under the new Chairmanship of Sokoto State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and was signed by the new Director General of the PDPGF, Hon. CID Maduabum. Governor Matawalle turned 51 on Friday, 28 th February, 2020. FULL TEXT OF THE PDPGF BIRTHDAY FELICITATION: Rt Hon. Bello Muhammad Matawalle,  The Governor, Zamfara State. CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON YOUR 51ST BIRTHDAY: The PDP Governors' Forum under the Chairmanship of His Excellency Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, hereby congratulates His Excellency, Rt. Hon Bello Muhammed Mutawalle on this occasion of your 51st birthday. 51 years

PDP GOVERNORS FORUM UNVEILS GOVERNOR OKEZIE IKPEAZU AND ITS NEW VICE CHAIRMAN Report by Donald Sylva Governor Aminu Tambuwal The Peoples’ Democratic Party Governors’ Forum held its 2020/1st meeting yesterday, Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at the Sokoto State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja. At the end of the meeting, the following communique was signed and released by its new Chairman, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; 1.   We congratulate our great party, the PDP over the recent Supreme Court verdict and today’s affirmation of the November 2019 Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Elections; and we welcome our colleague and newest member, Senator Diri Duruoye and his Deputy, Senator   Lawrence Ewhruojakpo. 2.   We request the Supreme Court to also in the spirit of fair play, reverse its decision in the Imo State Governorship as a result of the extra-ordinary circumstances that attended the decision. 3.   The forum and the NWC of the party eq

UN Peace Ambassador Faults embattled Bayelsa APC Deputy Governorship candidate's claim of character assassination By Donald Sylva Amb. Miebi Brebena A United Nations Peace Ambassador and Bayelsa born public analyst Arc ( Pastor) Miebi Bribena has faulted an alleged claim of character assassination by the embattled Deputy Governorship candidate of APC in November, 16, Governorship election, Senator Degi Biobarakumo-Eremienyo. Senator Degi, in a press statement by his media aide, Mr. Ebinimi Omubo published online, alleged that Arc Bribena maligned his image while featuring on a popular current affairs programme on AIT- Focus Nigeria recently. He claimed that Senator Degi was accused of falsification and forgery of certificate while contesting for the position of councillorship in 1990. The media aide submitted that there was nothing of such as Senator Degi coasted home to victory without any challenge from his opponent Late Michael Inemo John. React

SUPREME COURT ONLY AFFIRMED GOD'S JUDGMENT - Diri …..Says it's ’’no victor no vanquished Report by Donald Sylva Governor Douye Diri Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling was only affirmation of God's judgement, which paved the way for him to emerge victorious. Senator Diri also said that there is no victor no vanquished as the victory is for all Bayelsans regardless of party affiliation. A statement by his acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the triumphant Bayelsa governor as commending the courage and sagacity of the apex court Justices in affirming their earlier judgement of February 13, 2020. His words: "Once again, I describe myself as a miracle governor. So the Supreme Court just affirmed the judgement of the Almighty God, who made it possible for me to become the governor of Bayelsa State. "For me, there is no victor no vanquished as the

MY PRINCIPAL FOCUS IS THE ECONOMY, AGRICULTURE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ….the number one agenda is to diversify the Bayelsa Economy …… Gov Douye Diri By Michael Egiethua Governor Douye Diri Newly sworn in Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri has said, while hosting Media Executives in Abuja on Sunday, 23 rd of February that, his principal focus is the Economy, Agriculture and Business Development. He said further that the diversification of the economy of Bayelsa State is the No. 1 priority of his government. He noted that a situation where federating units run to the Centre for monthly allocations would not augur well for the development of state economies. For this particular reason, the state government was appealing to investors to come to Bayelsa State. Governor Diri emphasized that no investors would come and invest in an environment where peace is absent. He said this is what has informed his full disposition to total reconciliation of all agg

DRUMS OF WAR IN BAYELSA - APC planned protest  I am told of a planned protest by my party and I must express my disapproval. Reports reaching me is that the planned protest is actually a plot to cause instability and unrest in the state. The recent activities of my party supporters in the state reveals that the intentions of these young people is not to have a peaceful protest but an opportunity to revenge, destroy houses and properties belonging to members of the other party in the state, disrupt business activities, loot stores and shops, harass their owners and all those going about their lawful businesses, interrupt school activities and shot down every means of transportation in and out of the state. They have purposed to go to any length to distort the peace Bayelsans have enjoyed since the inauguration of Senator Douye Diri and his deputy. Though a member of APC Bayelsa, I  must state here that supporters of my party have shown times without number that they are viol

DICKSON TO POLITICAL LEADERS: WORK TO PRESERVE OUR DEMOCRACY, PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE By Donald Sylva Representative of former Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson delivering the Guest Speaker's speech on behalf of Hon. Seriake Dickson Former Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson on Friday called on political leaders in the country to continue to work for the sustenance of the nation's democracy. He said twenty years after the return of democratic rule in the country, the foundation of democracy is still shaky because of the ignoble actions of some politicians, especially during elections. Dickson who was speaking as a guest lecturer at the Daily Asset Newspaper annual awards and lecture in Abuja, stressed that no sacrifice is too much for democracy, which he asserted remains the best form of government the world over.  Represented by his former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Mark

DICKSON, OTHERS FOR DAILY ASSET ANNUAL AWARDS AND LECTURE  By Donald Sylva The immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson will on Friday join some notable Nigerians at the annual awards and lecture of Daily Asset Newspaper.  Dickson who will be represented by his former Commissioner for Information & Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson will deliver a lecture on Election, Good Governance and Democracy in Nigeria. In a statement released to journalists on Thursday, Iworiso-Markson confirmed the event which he said will hold in the nation's capital, Abuja.  The former Commissioner said he will be sharing some personal experiences of the ex-Bayelsa Chief Executive on the theme of the lecture. According to him, the choice of the former governor was agreed by the management of the newspaper because of his vast knowledge in the evolution of the nation's democratic experiment.  He noted that the lecture will

GOVERNOR DIRI OFFERS RENEWED HOPE TO BAYELSANS …..Condemns attack on Supreme Court Justices Report by Donald Sylva Governor Douye Diri Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration is poised to offer a renewed hope to the people of the state towards improving their welfare and wellbeing. Governor Diri, who gave the assurance during a state-wide broadcast on Thursday, contended that victory in a political contest should not be seen as an end in itself but as a means to foster peace, stability and development in all spheres. A statement by his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as stressing the need to make life more meaningful by creating an enabling environment that would engender economic activities and provide employment opportunities for the teeming youths of the state. The governor noted that his administration acknowledges the outstanding issues arising from the implementation of his prede

A HERO'S  RECEPTION FOR A WORTHY SON….as Hon Henry Seriake Dickson is given a hero's welcome by his people By Donald Sylva Ex-Governor Dickson being received by his kinsmen in Toru Orua The Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson was yesterday 15 th February heroically escorted from the government house by leaders and members of the house of assembly, government officials, Leaders of PDP, well-wishers and supporters. The usual lengthy convoy that escorted him was decorated with the queue of female dancers and bell ringers, pedestrians and onlookers who waved passionately.  On his arrival in Toru Orua, the country home of the ex-governor, he was yet received by a waiting but jubilant and colourful crowd who turned out in their numbers purposely to receive their own who has served meritoriously and especially recorded feats that no other in the state in the capacity he served have attempted. Having successfully confronted and defeated the APC Federal might twi

SENATOR DOUYE DIRI EMPHASIZES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND POLITICAL RECONCILIATION… as he dedicates his victory to God and the People By Michael Egiethua Senator Douye Diri Senator Douye Diri yesterday while answering question from the AIT crew at his residence in Abuja on the victory at the Supreme Court said the victory was by the grace of God and the support of the people of Bayelsa State who stood by him all through the period of litigation. He therefore dedicated his victory to the people and God. Sen. Diri in warm embrace with a former colleague at the House of Reps, Hon Dr. Ogbeide Ihama at his residence yesterday Speaking on his plan for the state, Senator Diri said Youth development was a priority. He said a situation whereby youths sit at home and collect meagre stipends of twenty or thirty thousand Naira from Oil Companies was not good and that it was under developing Bayelsans. He emphasized that education and skills acquisition of the youth would be