Politics – Shipping World News Magazine

Aug142025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

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

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...

Jul122025 by adminNo Comments

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...

Apr32025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

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...

May272024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

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...

Feb142024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

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...

Jan242024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

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....

Jan32024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

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...

Nov202023 by Asu BeksNo Comments

PDP knocks APC over attacks on Jonathan

News Feature, Politics

Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lambasted the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for attacking former President Goodluck Jonathan over personal comments he made during a visit to Governor Douye Diri last Friday. The PDP State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ebiye Ogoli, in a statement on Monday, accused the APC of twisting the former president’s comments in order to pour out its frustrations after woefully losing the November 11 governorship election in the state. For clarity, His Excellency Dr. Jonathan, while congratulating the governor during the visit, said: “I told myself that if Diri loses this election, I might consider moving my mother to Abuja.” The PDP, therefore, wonders how in an election contested by candidates of 16 political partie...

Nov172023 by Asu BeksNo Comments

INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Bayelsa Gov, Deputy *I’ll Remain A Servant-Leader, Says Diri

News Feature, Politics

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday, presented the Certificate Of Return to winner of the November 11 off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and his running mate, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. Governor Diri and his deputy, Ewhrudjakpo, were the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election that had 15 other contestants. A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the INEC National Commissioner for Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers states, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, presented the certificate to the duo at 11:11am at the state headquarters of the commission in Yenagoa. Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu said presenting the Certificate of Return by the commission was a statutory provision in fulf...

Nov132023 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Bayelsa Poll: Jubilation As INEC Declares Diri Winner *Says I’ll Continue To Be Governor For All

News Feature, Politics

Bayelsa State erupted in jubilation on Monday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the off-cycle governorship election in the state. Governor Diri polled 175,196 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 110,108 votes. In the state capital, Yenagoa, jubilant crowd trooped into the streets singing, dancing and waving the PDP flags in carnival-like celebrations. Governor Kefas Agbu of Taraba State and his Delta State counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori joined Governor Diri among other leaders of the party and the state at the PDP situation room inside the Government House annex at Onopa as the results were being announced. The...