Tuesday, November 18Nigeria's Authoritative Maritime News Magazine
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Politics

I Won’t Insist My Deputy Moves With Me to APC…Gov Diri

I Won’t Insist My Deputy Moves With Me to APC…Gov Diri

News Feature, Politics
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said he will not compel his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join him in the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he formally joined on November 3. Governor Diri resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 15 citing obvious reasons for his decision but his deputy did not join him in the new party. Speaking during the weekly state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, with Ewhrudjakpo also present, the Bayelsa governor said as a matter of principle, he believes in engagement rather than confrontation and that he will continue to discuss with his deputy. While admitting that it is difficult for both of them to be in different political parties, Diri expressed the optimism tha...
We Tried To Save PDP, Says Diri At Formal Defection To APC  *He’s New Party Leader In The State – Shettima, Yilwatda

We Tried To Save PDP, Says Diri At Formal Defection To APC *He’s New Party Leader In The State – Shettima, Yilwatda

Politics
‎Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, disclosed why he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress APC), saying he did his best to salvage his former party. Speaking during his formal defection and reception ceremony in Yenagoa, Senator Diri said the PDP had been hijacked by undertakers bent on destroying the party and that he had no choice than to join the ruling party in order the protect the political future of members and his followers in the state. ‎ He also stated that President Bola Tinubu’s expressed love for development of the state and the Ijaw nation through developmental initiatives, including the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road and also a N4bn tax waiver gran...
Gov Diri Aborts PDP’S 26 Reign in Bayelsa, Dumps Party with 23 Lawmakers.

Gov Diri Aborts PDP’S 26 Reign in Bayelsa, Dumps Party with 23 Lawmakers.

Misc, News Feature, Politics
After months of speculation and rumoured defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Wednesday, officially announced his resignation from the party over what he described as “obvious reasons.” Governor Diri made the announcement during an expanded State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, which had in attendance Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, his deputy, Michael Ogbere, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) minority leader, Edward Brigidi and seven other lawmakers. A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that he took the decision after extensive consultation with leaders of the state. He expressed gratitude to his supporters, w...
Amid defection rumours, PDP Inaugurates Diri Chair of Zoning Committee *It’s Huge Responsibility, Says Bayelsa Gov

Amid defection rumours, PDP Inaugurates Diri Chair of Zoning Committee *It’s Huge Responsibility, Says Bayelsa Gov

News Feature, Politics
Nigeria’s major opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, inaugurated its National Elective Convention Zoning Committee at the national headquarters in Abuja. The 46-member committee is headed by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, with his Zamfara and Plateau counterparts, Dauda Lawal and Barr. Caleb Mutfwang as vice chairman and secretary respectively. A statement issued by Diri’s spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the Acting PDP National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, who inaugurated the committee, as saying that it had the onerous task of repositioning the party to make it stronger. Damagum, who expressed confidence in the leadership of the committee, said the inauguration was the first step ahead of the party’s convention slated for Novemb...
Douye Diri: The Burden of a Reluctant Defector. By ASU BEKS.

Douye Diri: The Burden of a Reluctant Defector. By ASU BEKS.

News Feature, Politics
A defector is a person who quits something despite a perceived duty or obligation. In some other climes, a defector is categorised as a deserter, some one who jumps ship. If there is any Nigerian politician that has been as troubled since the gale of defections currently sweeping across the length and breadth of Nigeria in the last couple of months, that person is mostly likely to be Sen Douye, Executive of Bayelsa State. Yes, his mien does not reveal he is troubled, but those very close to him can attest to the fact that he is worried. For Gov. Diri, this perhaps seems the most challenging and traumatic period in his entire polical career, spanning over three decades. Not even with his initial loss to David Lyon in the Bayelsa Governorship election before he was installed by the Supreme C...
PRO WIKE RALY REMAINS BANNED IN BAYELSA, GOV. DIRI INSISTS

PRO WIKE RALY REMAINS BANNED IN BAYELSA, GOV. DIRI INSISTS

News Feature, Politics
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration would always abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in respecting the fundamental rights of individuals but will ensure that the prevailing peace and security of the state was not compromised. Senator Diri stated this on Wednesday at the 158th state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa. The governor explained that the administration would not stop any group from holding rallies in the state but emphasised that it would be unwise and counter-productive at a time lasting peace was being sought to address the political crisis in Rivers State. He noted that Rivers and Bayelsa were sister states and that whatever happened in Rivers had a ripple effect in Bayelsa, and enjoi...
My Victory Will Propel Me To Serve Bayelsa Better, Says Gov Diri

My Victory Will Propel Me To Serve Bayelsa Better, Says Gov Diri

News Feature, Politics
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has dedicated his victory at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to people of the state, saying it will spur him to serve the state better in his second term. The tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Monday, affirmed the re-election of Governor Diri in the November 11, 2023 election in the state and dismissed the petition filed by Chief Timipre Sylva and the All Progressives Congress (APC) on grounds of lacking merit. Speaking with journalists shortly after the judgement was delivered by the Justice Adekunle Adeleye-led three-member tribunal, Governor Diri said the petition was a “needless distraction.” In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, the governor noted that by the judgement, the judiciary has again pr...
We’ll Diversify Bayelsa Economy In Second Term, Says Diri *Former Presidents, Nigeria, Liberia VPs, Govs, Large Crowd At Inauguration

We’ll Diversify Bayelsa Economy In Second Term, Says Diri *Former Presidents, Nigeria, Liberia VPs, Govs, Large Crowd At Inauguration

News Feature, Politics
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration remains committed to the progress and economic advancement of the state as it embarks on its second term. To this end, Governor Diri said a five-year economic plan has been developed, which outlined the strategies and initiatives to diversify and strengthen the state’s economy, create jobs and attract investments. Senator Diri stated this on Wednesday after taking his second term oath of office and oath of allegiance alongside his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, at 1.56pm at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. The governor said his Prosperity Government achieved remarkable milestones in various sectors of the state's economy in his first tenure. "We have developed a comprehensive and ambit...
Prepare Handover Notes, Gov. Diri Tells Cabinet Members

Prepare Handover Notes, Gov. Diri Tells Cabinet Members

Politics
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has directed members of the state executive council to begin to prepare their handover notes as his first term in office winds down. Governor Diri will be sworn in for another term on February 14. He gave the directive on Wednesday during the 126th state executive council meeting inside the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Yenagoa. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as asking them to dot the i’s and cross the t’s in their handover notes in order to achieve a smooth transition to his second term. The governor commended his cabinet members for adding value to the state through their performance and thanked them for the selfless service they rendered in the last four years....
No Apologies For Backing Diri’s Re-election, Says Jonathan

No Apologies For Backing Diri’s Re-election, Says Jonathan

Politics
Former Nigerian president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has said that he owed no one apologies for supporting the re-election of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, in the November 11, 2023 off-cycle governorship poll in the state. Dr. Jonathan also said it was the right thing to do as Governor Diri had the support of majority of the Bayelsa people to continue in office. He stated this on Tuesday during the Yuletide visit of the governor and a high-powered delegation to his residence in Yenagoa, the state capital. Wife of the former president, Dame Patience Jonathan, was also on hand to receive the governor and his entourage. Jonathan explained that he publicly endorsed Diri’s candidature during the campaigns because of his visionary leadership demonstrated in handling the af...