IPDI Condemns Henry Binidodogha Attempt To Dethrone Agadagba Of Egbema Kingdom, Says He Should Be Banished lmmediately

Press Release
11th May, 2020

IPDI Condemns Henry Binidodogha Attempt To Dethrone Agadagba Of Egbema Kingdom, Says He Should Be Banished lmmediately

Our attention has been drawn to an attempt orchestrated by Henry Binidodogha Egbema-1 to overthrow the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom.  This is barbaric, unlawful and punishable. This is a desperation taken too far.
It is on record that there has not been creation of separate Kingdoms for the Egbema people in Delta and Edo states and if it should be it must be discussed and agreed generally in the kingdom.

We were told that he has been lobbying community leaders in the kingdom with financial inducement for an endorsement. We are disappointed. The supposed freedom fighter is now a tool in the hands of enemies. The supposed celebrated MEND fighter is now a betrayer. It is a big shock. He should be called to order or exiled. His actions are condemnable. It is a plot to disorganized Edo Ijaws by Oba of Benin if not checked. He has made himself an enemy of Ijaw because a friend of your enemy is an enemy as well. He should desist as the ancestors and gods of our land may descend their anger on him.

We wouldn't have join issues with him if not that it has to do with the survival of Edo Ijaws. Edo Ijaws have been oppressed and intimidated over the years. It is a great surprise to have read that Egbema-1 is conniving with the Benins to be intimidating Edo Ijaws.
It is was said that a good name is better than riches. Attempt to impose himself or overthrown an existing king must be resisted. This must be condemned by every well-meaning stakeholder in Western Ijaw.

According to a communique rised by Egbema traditional Council, depicts that Henry Binidodogha has been parading that it is Oba of Benin that wants to make him a highness in Egbema Edo. It is glaring that the Oba of Benin wants to cause confusion in the kingdom and it must be resisted.
It is said that when a dog is about to destroy itself ,he no longer listen to his master's call. Egbema Delta and Egbema Edo have been ruled by one King.There has not been creation of separate Kingdoms for the Ijaws of Delta and Edo states and if it should be, it must be consensusly deliberated and it is not right for Egbema -1 to attempt imposing himself on a kingdom where there is an existing king.Oba of Benin is not Ijaw friend. He can't trick Edo Ijaws.

The mission of the Satan is to kill, steal and destroy. This is the mission of the Oba of Bini using Henry Binidodogha to accomplish it.  It is a pity. All hands must be on desk to check this evil plot. We are not ignorant of the devices of the Oba of Benin. He wants to impose Henry Binidodogha to be highness under his control, then use him to steal Ijaw lands and kill our children at every slightest provocation. We must say no to it. We must resist it with all our strengths. We are not subjects of Benin Oba and do not need to be confered with a title under him. It has been our call that the Edo government should present staff of office to our already existing kings in the state, and that is an obligation that is not within the jurisdictions of Oba of Benin.

It is our appeal to Egbema-1 to exercise
some restrains. He shouldn't throw caution into the wind. He shouldn't be a clog in the wheel of progress in Egbema Kingdom. He should tow the path of decorum and stop every move to betray and cause division in Egbema kingdom.

Signed:
Comrade Emma Keneware
Acting Secretary of Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI.

Rivers Hotels Demolition: Gov. Wike Is The Real Positive Change Of APC Agenda, Nigeria Needs More Courageous Leaders Like Him

Rivers Hotels Demolition: Gov. Wike Is The Real Positive Change Of APC Agenda, Nigeria Needs More Courageous Leaders Like Him

Francis Tayor

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Sunday, May 10 2020, oversaw the demolition of a hotel and a bar over the violation of the current lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state. The affected hotels are Prodest Hotel in Alode and Etemeteh Hotel in Onne both in Eleme Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. These buildings were demolished three days after Wike directed officials of the local government Task Force to identify hotels operating during the lockdown for demolition.

Deride him as much as you can and want. Hate him as many in the opposition have adopted to. Even some have chosen to see him as a trouble maker who is despised and criticised as brash and without finesse. Regardless however, we must come to terms with the reality that the Rivers State Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is consumed with the vision and objectives of true leadership.

Many governments around the world have effectively frozen social and economic activity in all or parts of their countries to contain the outbreak, shutting non-essential businesses and ordering residents to stay at home for weeks or months. Billions of people worldwide remain under some type of lockdown, costing the world several billions of dollar. If the threat of COVID19 is strong enough to practically shut down the global economy, no price is too much  (including the demolitions ordered by Gov. Wike) to stem the tide of spread of the virus.

The Rivers State Governor issued an Executive Order with a clearly outlined consequence for any violator. A PDP youth leader in Eleme (same Politicial party with Wike) defied the Governor’s orders and threw a party that had large people in attendance. He reportedly also fired some gun shots at members of the taskforce set up by the governor, when they tried to stop the party. It was a ‘’show of might’’ which could send the wrong signal across the state that some ‘’powerful political figures are definitely above the law and untouchable, which will be detrimental to the objectives of the lockdown and checkmating the spread of the virus. Besides, it is also reported that the Youth leader had been using the hotel to perpetuate several acts of criminality in the state. There is always a red line, which in Gov. Wike's judgment, the owners of the hotel crossed on Saturday.

In a clime where indiscipline, chaos and disorder seem to be accepted as the norm; it is commendable that Wike rose up to show the world that it can no longer be business as usual. The government needed to send a very clear message to her citizens, and that was exactly what the said demolitions achieved.

As the Chief Security Officer of a nation or state, presidents or governors have both moral and constitutional obligation to use their executive powers to act when the security or life of her citizens are threatened. Executive orders are not acts of parliaments, they are not always necessarily subjected to judicial interpretation. It lies within the power of the executive to act.

This is the power President Trump exercised when he ordered the elimination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani without congressional approval. If President Trump is dragged to court over the order, all he's required in law is a proof that Soleimani posed an imminent threat to the Security of US and that he (Trump) acted in the best public interest.

Gov. Wike's action is consistent with the Governor's constitutional authorities as Chief Security Officer of the state, to do everything necessary, in his judgment, to protect the life and well being of her citizens.

From the foregoing, it is my strong conviction that the action of the Governor, is in line with the security and welfare policy of the state which he has vowed under the oath of the constitution to safeguard and protect. With the spread of coronavirus reaching the community transmission stage, many of the critics of the Governor’s action will be the same voices to clamour for his crucifixion if Rivers State gets hundreds or thousands of new coronavirus cases in the coming days.

It is pertinent to note that the Governor has made very little drama and  razzmatazz of his achievements since the fight against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic began; contrary to what most political office holders have elevated into national life. Rather, Governor Wike is about delivery and he allows his work to speak for him. His proactive leadership saw over 214 people recently discharged from the isolation center in Rivers State and this has kept the State as one of the most controlled states in the federation.

There are too many voices that are clamouring for positive change but it’s obvious that many are simply paying lip service so they can remain ‘’politically relevant’’. Everyone has a right to fair hearing and the defaulters of the Executive order knew the consequence before participating in this Swan Song. In the event that any aggrieved party feels the Governor has done wrong; they have the right to seek redress in Court.

Oromoni Warns Landlords ln Warri And lts Environ Against Erecting Illegal Structures, Marks Plaza, Filing Station, Church Building For Demolition

Oromoni Warns Landlords ln Warri And lts Environ Against Erecting Illegal Structures, Marks Plaza, Filing Station, Church Building For Demolition

Francis Tayor

Warri_____ The Chairman Delta State Environment Task Force, Evang. Sylvester Oromoni has warned landlords across Delta State, especially Warri and its environ against erecting illegal structures that contravene Delta State Government environment law order, noting that Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa led government will not tolerate any landlord that violates government order.

Oromoni gave the charge on Tuesday morning during inspection of some streets in Warri metropolitan as part of exercising the Delta State government order of identifying illegal buildings that blocks the free flow of drainage system across the state.

 Evang. Oromoni who was accompanied by some top members of the task force inspected Asiugwuru street, Cinema area in Okumagba layout Warri, and marked some illegal structures including Church building, plaza and filing station that blocks public drainage channels for demolition. He ordered the landlords of the buildings to pay fine for violating Delta State government environment law, as well as marked some part of the buildings and fencing for demolition.

Speaking to newsmen during the exercise, Evang. Oromoni warn residents not to dumped any harmful waste such as toilet fisease directly into the public drainage. He charged landlords across the State to obey government order and asked their tenants to always clean up the environment they live, stressing that an healthy environment is a wealthy life.

Just-In: American lady lnvited To Nigeria By A Young Man She Met On lnternet Dies Of Coronavirus At Osubi in Delta State

Just-In: American lady lnvited To Nigeria By A Young Man She Met On lnternet Dies Of Coronavirus At Osubi in Delta State

Warri______ A 67-year-old United States citizen who was invited to Nigeria by her young Nigerian lover who she met on the Internet, has died of suspected Coronavirus complications in Delta State.

The lady who arrived Nigeria on March 3, died on Sunday May 10, after manifesting symptoms of the virus and was rushed to a private hospital at Osubi, Orerokpe under Okpe Local Government Area of the state.  

 A security official attached to a police station in the local government, disclosed that the young man and the white lady had been lodged at a hotel in Osubi town since she arrived in Nigeria.   “The young man and the American white lady lodged in a hotel in Osubi where they spent some weeks.

The white lady fell sick and she began to manifest some symptoms of COVID-19, especially severe coughing. At this stage, her lover rushed her to a private clinic in Osubi but she gave up the ghost this morning.

Immediately she died at the hospital, her Nigerian lover carried her corpse in a Venza car to the Orerokpe Police Division and he was arrested by the police. While still at the station, a doctor was brought and took samples from the corpse for test.” the security guard who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

Delta State PDP Chairmanship: We Won’t Give Up, Sapele Political Leaders Vow

Delta State PDP Chairmanship: We Won’t Give Up, Sapele Political Leaders Vow

Francis Tayor

Sapele political leaders on Sunday rose from a meeting in Elume, insisting that the chairmanship of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State must come to Sapele Local Government Area.

They also said that the speculations that some individuals in the party would try to jettison the zoning tradition and attain second term in office for the Delta State PDP chairman, Mr. Kingsley Esiso was raising political tensions and if proven true, threatens to unleash a major turmoil and conflict.

‘’There is an impending injustice and injury about to be meted to the long suffering people of Sapele Local Government. The only position zoned to Sapele Local Government is on the verge of being hijacked by the forces of darkness. Some people are bent on causing crises and possible implosion of our great party, PDP in Sapele Local Government Area’’ the leaders said.

Briefing journalists in Sapele on the forthcoming Delta State PDP Congress, the spokesman of the Sapele PDP Leaders Forum, Mr. Gibson Egbedi said though Esiso had not officially declared his intention, but that there was need to respect zoning.

‘’At the federal, state and local government levels, zoning is strictly adhered to. The case of Delta State must not be different’’.

Egbedi said the position of Sapele leaders on the Delta State PDP chairmanship remains unchanged.

‘’The former Sapele Local Government chairman, Mr. Godwin Atose is the only candidate for the party’s chairmanship’’.

 They described as huge joke, ridiculous and unacceptable the purported plan to impose Mr. Kingsley Esiso on the good people of Sapele.

‘’We believe in the principles of truth and steadfastness. There are 25 Local Government Areas in Delta State and for the sake of equity, transparency, fairness and inclusiveness, the party zoned the various offices to different  local government areas’’

The leaders advised those behind the mischievous agenda not to destroy the party.

‘’This is a flagrant violation of party procedures and disregard of the principle of zoning in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

They underscored zoning aberration and the deliberate intention of some people to kill Sapele PDP because of their inordinate ambition.

‘’Zoning is a time tested winning formula of the greatest party in Africa, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The secret for the longevity or the phoenix nature of the PDP is the utmost respect for the zoning of all party’s positions’’

The leaders, under the aegis of Sapele PDP Leaders Forum, urged Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Ex-Governor, Chief James Ibori, Former Minister of Information, Prof Sam Oyovbaire and other PDP leaders in Delta State not to put the party and Sapele Local Government Area through unnecessary shocks and strains.

‘’The peace loving people of Sapele Local Government Area humbly appeal to well-meaning PDP members all over the country and Delta State in particular to do what is right by ensuring that the party’s State Chairmanship  zoned to Sapele Local Government Area is occupied by an indigene’’

They also reminded PDP leaders in the state of justice, equity and progress demonstrated by the founders of the party in the dark days of military dictatorship.

‘’It is a truism that all politics is local. In all the 24 local government areas, the positions zoned to them are occupied by the indigenes of the local government areas and the case of Sapele Local Government Area must and cannot be different’’

The Honourable Felix Anirah led Sapele PDP Leaders Forum, is backing Godwin Atose for the chairmanship of the party.

DELTA RATING: IPDI WANTS NBS REPORT TO BE DISREGARDED, SAYS FRED LATIMORE IS LOOKING FOR CHEAP PUBLIC ATTENTION OVER ATTACK ON SHERIFF

Press Statement
10th May, 2020

DELTA RATING: IPDI WANTS NBS REPORT TO BE DISREGARDED,  SAYS FRED LATIMORE IS LOOKING FOR CHEAP PUBLIC ATTENTION OVER ATTACK ON SHERIFF

It is not true that Delta State is the second riches state in Nigeria.
We read with rude shock on the rating of Delta State as the second riches state in Nigeria by the Nigerian Bureau Of Statistics, NBS.

It may interest you to know that those supporting this blind report are looking for cheap attention from Delta State Government.
We are taken aback over Fred Latimore support for the unsubstantiated and baseless report.  We equally condemn his verbal attack on Chief Sherriff for carpeting such misleading report. Latimore, a supposed lawyer is now a self-effacing press secretary to His Excellency Ifeanyi Okowa, holding unnecessary briefs on behalf of Delta State Government in support of NBS misleading report of Delta State being the second riches state in the federation.  Mr. Latimore has gone miserable. He has loss sense of reason and created bad public impression about himself for diving into issues he doesn't have knowledge about. His attack on Chief Sheriff Mulade is uncalled for. Comrade Sheriff was right for condemning such fake reports. He should stop looking for cheap public attention.

It is appalling that Latimore, the supposed lawyer has found a new trade of praise singing to make a living. His recent brief in support of rubbish NBS rating of Delta as second riches state is a clear testimony that he has gone miserable. Latimore has turned a disgrace to the noble legal profession. He should retrace his way and engage in other meaningful ventures to earn a living.

We wouldn't have responded but the truth must be told. The NBS rating is politically motivated as it wasn't based on any fact. NBS rating and Latimore positions were self-serving. Delta can't be the second riches in IGR and Oil production in the country.  In demographic rating Delta can't be second riches. A state without industry can't be the second riches. A state with no improved science and technology can't be the second riches State. A state without functional businesses can't be rated the second riches.

This shows that NBS statistical analysis was wrong. Delta State who couldn't provide palliative for her citizens for just one day can't be the second riches state in the federation. A state that only shared a cup of rice to few party members can't be the second riches State. A state that more than 80% of her citizens are jobless can't be the second riches in the country. A state where more than half of her population is motor park thugs can't be the second riches state. A state where more than half of her population engage on Motorcycle operation to earn a living can't be the riches State. A state tricycle operation becomes the mainstay can't be the second riches. NBS should bury it face in shame. Latimore should not be taken serious.

We are not surprised over the NBS outburst. What do you expect from NBS whose trade mark is making false statistics to cover up the country's mess. Except an isane, no sane person would have made such unsubstantiated, unguided and misleading report. You don't need to be told that NBS goofed and its analysis is based on nothing.
Latimore should not be taken serious and NBS outburst tells how our institutions have been managed by empty heads.

We are calling on the general public to disregard such unguided and misleading statistical reports that are not based on any fact.

Signed
Comr. Comrade Ozobo Austin
Ijaw People's Development Initiative ,IPDI.

Activist Mulade Asks EFCC, ICPC To Save Nigeria From Fraudsters Over COVID-19 Pandemic, Appeals To State Governors Not To Exploit Situation To Defraud Economy

Activist Mulade Asks EFCC, ICPC To Save Nigeria From Fraudsters Over COVID-19 Pandemic, Appeals To State Governors Not To Exploit Situation To Defraud Economy

Francis Tayor

A Niger Delta born human rights and peace advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff has called on anti-graft agencies, EFCC and ICPC amongst others to rescue Nigeria from unpatriotic leaders who want to seize the global health emergency as an opportunity to defraud the nation's fragile economy.

Comrade Mulade who is the National Coordinator of an NGO, the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, made the call while reacting to the rising figures of COVID-19 cases in parts of the country, appealing to relevant anti-graft agencies to help save the Nigerian economy from opportunistic politicians in government who may want to exploit the virus situation to embezzle public funds.

He particularly appealed to State Governors who do not have genuine or tangible evidences of COVID-19 in their States to stop reading out fake figures of coronavirus cases from their Government Houses, and quoting guidelines from the Ministry of Health and NCDC without proper arrangements to cater for their citizens.

Comrade Sheriff Mulade, a traditional High Chief in the Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State, expressed displeasure with the manner in which some Governors in the Niger Delta Region had used the innocent poor and vulnerable persons to glamorize themselves in the media without actually touching the lives of the people during the critical COVID-19 lockdown period.

He however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for standing tall against COVID 19 pandemic and urged Nigerians to give him maximum support towards overcoming the global health challenge devoid of religious, political and ethnic considerations. He also called on the Governors to genuinely reach out to their people with quality palliatives to cushion the effects of the hardships at this critical time.