Lifestyle

Jonathan Condoles Bayelsa Government, Ewhrudjakpo Family

By Web News 319

By Alambo Datonye (Yenagoa)

Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has described the death of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as shocking and a major loss to the state.

Dr. Jonathan made the remarks during a condolence visit to Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri and the Ewhrudjakpo family at Government House, Yenagoa.

The former president said the news of Senator Ewhrudjakpo’s death came as a shock, describing his passing as tragic and painful for Bayelsa State.

A former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State himself, Dr. Jonathan described the late deputy governor as a humble public servant who demonstrated commitment to duty and contributed meaningfully to the development of the state.

Responding, Governor Diri thanked the former president for being the first national figure to formally commiserate with the Bayelsa State Government and the Ewhrudjakpo family.

The governor described the late deputy governor as a close friend and brother, noting that they had worked together in the service of Bayelsa State for about 14 years.

Governor Diri then cautioned against the politicisation of the deputy governor’s death, stating that he had ordered an autopsy to establish the cause.

After the condolence visit, Dr. Jonathan and Governor Diri also visited the deputy governor’s wife, Mrs. Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, at her residence within the Government House.

Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo reportedly died last Thursday after collapsing in his office while preparing for an official engagement.

He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Edited by Taiwo Akinola

Follow us on Telegram and YouTube, and join our WhatsApp Update Group for more news updates.

Politics

We are not interested in any coalition with anyone – PDP Governors Forum

By Web News 169

By Iyabo Adebisi

Governors under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have dissociated themselves from forming a coalition with any political party ahead of the next general elections. 

The chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State made this known while reading the communiqué after the meeting of the forum held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

While ruling out coalition, the forum posited that the door of the party is open to any groups or individuals interested in joining the party in its bid to take over power in 2027.

The forum, however, recommended that the Deputy National Secretary of the party act as the party secretary pending the nomination of a substantive secretary from the South East Zone.

It condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu expressing its solidarity with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The PDP Governors equally expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, particularly in Borno, Katsina, Edo, and Plateau States.

It therefore called for a strategic overhaul, advocating for a bottom-up approach that empowers sub-national entities to become frontline defenders in combating insecurity.

The forum condemned the recent attacks in Plateau State, offering condolences to affected families and communities.

In preparation for the party’s future, the forum resolved to hold a PDP Stakeholders Meeting on May 27, 2025, and to convene the party’s national convention in Kano on August 28–30, 2025 and announced the formation of two key committees: the zoning and national convention committees.

While the zoning committee is chaired by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, with Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State as Vice Chairman, Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) will serve as its Secretary.

The National Convention Committee is to be chaired by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State is Vice Chairman, and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State is Secretary.

Present at the meeting were Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Peter Mbah of Enugu and Agbu Kefas of Taraba.

Others include Dauda Lawal of Zamfara; the host, Seyi Makinde of Oyo; Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau; Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, Ademola Adeleke of Osun and Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.

While Governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom States were represented by their Deputy Governors.

The suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, was absent at the meeting.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels, and also join our WhatsApp Update Group

Politics

Voting Materials Hijacked in Bayelsa

By Web News 352

Some political thugs have reportedly hijacked and destroyed voting materials meant for wards 2, 3, 4 and 5 in constituency five of the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State for the House of Assembly election.

Governor Douye Diri has already strongly condemned the act, according to his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah.

The Governor urged the Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police for Bayelsa State to restore peace in the area. Meanwhile, accreditation and voting were yet to start at wards polling units 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 in Atissa Constituency, Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State as of 9 am.

It was observed that INEC officials and balloting materials had yet to leave the Atissa RAC as of 8:45 am.

Buses and other vehicles were seen being loaded with voting materials to depart for polling units in the area.

Punch/Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group