POLITICS
Bayelsa: Dickson Gives Identity of Possible Successor

Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Seriake Dickson, has said his successor should be principled, bold and courageous enough to protect the collective interests of the Ijaw nation at all times.
A statement by the Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted Governor Dickson as having made the comment during a live media chat in Yenagoa, on Monday night.
He noted that in view of the challenges facing the state, Bayelsa could not afford to have what he described as an establishment errand boy as governor.
He also stressed that the next governor should have a clear agenda and God-fearing to serve the people with a sense of humility and compassion.
His words: “The next governor òf the Ijaw nation must be courageous, he must be ready to defend the Ijaw nation at all times. He must not be the errand boy of any ethnic group. I will be sad to see the governor òf Bayelsa playing just politics, without being able to take a decisive position on issues.
Governor Dickson who said he has raised the standard of governance and expectations, promised to publish an audited account of his eight years stewardship in line with his administration’s policy of accountability and transparency.
“The shoes I am leaving behind are very big. Posterity will judge.
Only very few of the people who come to talk to me have the interest of the state at heart. There is no free money to give anybody in Bayelsa. Don’t kill for anybody, none has the power to make you a billionaire.
“Our people are oppressed. We have a lot of stories to tell Nigerians. When it comes to speaking for the Ijaw nation, I have not been found wanting. I want that tradition to continue. I want my people to be safe.
“More, than any other time, Bayelsa needs a governor with the requisite courage to lead the Ijaw nation. What is at stake is your destiny and survival. Our people are Balkanized into small units from Ondo State to many many other states.
“In the Niger delta, the Ijaw voice must be heard. I hope those buying the forms are aware of the enormity of the responsibilities of being the governor of Bayelsa state.”
Governor Dickson also attributed the peaceful atmosphere in state to the new political culture of tolerance and maturity, his administration had promoted over the last seven and half years.
Dickson who commended the political class for the current peace n the state in spite of the multiplicity òf aspirants, expressed the hope that all political parties and candidates would abide by the rules for the greater good of the state.
The Governor stressed that the Peoples Democratic Party had so many governorship aspirants in the state because it remained the only solid and robust platform that could win election in the state.
He described the development as a testament to his democratic style of governance where people are allowed to pursue their political ambitions without any form of interferance.
“In spite of the multiplicity òf aspirants, we have a new political culture, there is no incidence of violence. I am happy that the state is growing politically.
“I want to see more engagement, I want to see people talk about their dreams and visions, I want to see more of the issues being addressed. The fact that you have 21 or so aspirants gives the clarity that PDP is the only party that can guarantee success; the platform that can connect with our people.”
“It tells a lot about the capacity of the party and the leadership that I have provided to make it attractive.”
Speaking also on the August 10, local council polls, Governor Dickson decried the desperation of some politicians who according to him, do not mean well for the state.
However he stressed that the election will hold as planned by the State Independent Electoral Commission.
The governor also pointed out that the boycott of the council election by the main opposition party, APC would not in any way affect the credibility of the poll.
“What happened was unfortunate. It showed the desperation of some politicians in the state. I know people who are planning to forge identities of delegates.”
“You can imagine how they can come within the party to frustrate local government election.”
DEFENCE
Army to Review Troops’ Conduct During Elections, other Operations

The Nigerian Army is set to review the conduct of troops in Operation Safe Conduct during the just concluded 2023 general elections across the country.
The review is expected to take place during the forthcoming Chief of Army Staff First Quarter 2023 Conference.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.
-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Thursday in Abuja.Nwachukwu said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, would interact with the General Officers Commanding (GOC), field commanders and other senior officers.
He said that the interaction would help to provide possible guidance towards enhancing army operations and other activities.
He said the conference, which would hold from April 3 to April 6 would offer an avenue for reappraisal of the administrative affairs of the Nigerian army.
He added that it would also help in evaluation and comprehensive review of ongoing operational engagements within the first quarter.
According to him, this will provide the army an in-depth insight to enable far reaching decisions towards achieving its set objective of addressing the multifaceted security challenges confronting the country.
Nwachukwu said that the COAS would present a new Toyota Hilux vehicles each to 14 Army Warrant Officers who had attained the peak of their soldiering career.
“Similarly, the COAS will commission the newly constructed Faruk Yahaya Historical Park located at Asokoro Abuja.
“The conference will also showcase some research and development effort of the Nigerian Army in an exhibition.
“The three days conference promises to be very eventful, as it will witness a review of the conduct of troops during the recently concluded Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2023 and other operations across the country,” he said.
Nwachukwu reaffirmed the commitment and resolve of the Nigerian army to discharging its constitutional mandate professionally.
“We will also be resolute in upholding our values of courage, selfless sacrifice, respect, discipline and unalloyed loyalty to constituted authority,” he added. (NAN)
POLITICS
Obidient Movement Not for Religious, Ethnic Considerations – Peter Obi

By Jude Opara, Abuja
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and the leader of the ‘Obidient Movement’ both in Nigeria and diaspora, Mr. Peter Obi has warned that the movement has no room whatsoever for religious, ethnic, and other parochial interests.
Obi in a series of tweets on Wednesday said that there is no looking back on the Movement’s objective of taking back Nigeria from those holding it down, saying that now is the right time.
“In the life of every nation, there is a turning point. For Nigeria, that time is now; a time to save Nigeria, save our democracy, and give the Nigerian youths hope.
The Obidient Movement has been the arrowhead in the take-back Nigeria mission.The former governor of Anambra state said his role in the Movement is just to provide leadership and direction, “My role in the Movement is that of a Focal Point. As I’ve always stressed, Nigeria remains a secular state. As such, the movement is not about my tribe or my religion, and it is not an Igbo agenda or in any way, to Christianize Nigeria”.
“My aspiration is for a new Nigeria, where the children of a nobody will become somebody. A nation anchored on national interests, and not sectional interests; where the entire youths from the six geopolitical zones will have a sense of belonging in the affairs of their country.
He said that his ambition is to lead a united and indivisible Nigeria and warned against ascribing ethnic or religious coloration to the OBIdient Movement.
Obi drew the attention of Nigerians to what is happening in Scotland where “A 37-year-old, Humza Yousaf is set to become Scotland’s first minister, having won the keenly contested SNP’s leadership contest. Born to Pakistani parents, who emigrated to Scotland in the 60s, Yousaf is from the ethnic minority and a Muslim.
“I have always maintained that Nigerians must rise above ethnicity, religion, and sectarian politics in matters of governance; and that the leadership selection process must be strictly based on Character, Competence, Capacity, and Compassion, only then, shall our democracy flourish, and our society progress. Contextually, the Scottish reality is instructive and presents us with some lessons learned and missed opportunities,” he said.
Earlier, the leadership of the Labour Party (LP) held an interactive strategy session with Senate-elect and House of Representative-elect members, a session Obi said was to discuss leadership and working modalities for the incoming legislators and which he noted was very constructive.
The LP standard bearer who also on Tuesday attended the 16th Ayiam Osigwe Lecture in Lagos chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku where the former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, was the guest speaker, strongly maintained that democratic and economic development hinges on credible polls, education, rule of Law.
Obi finally enjoined Nigerians, to strive for a leadership imbued with character, competence, capacity, credibility, and commitment.
POLITICS
AA Holds Governorship Primaries for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi April 17

The Action Alliance (AA) Party will hold primaries for its governorship candidates in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states on April 17.
This is contained in a statement by Mr James Vernimbe, the party National Secretary and made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
He stated that the party had notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about preparations for the conduct of the exercise.
According to him, the party will first conduct a delegate election in the three states on April 5 for those participating in the primaries.
“We wrote to notify the commission of the delegate elections to elect delegate that will participate in the Governorship primaries in the upcoming Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states 2023 Governorship Elections.
“The exercise is scheduled to hold simultaneously in the affected states as follows. In Bayelsa state on 5th April, 2023 at Action Alliance Ward/LGA Offices at 8am Prompt.
“In Imo state on 5th April, 2023 at Action Alliance Ward/LGA Offices at 8am Prompt. In Kogi state on 5th April, 2023 at Action Alliance Ward/LGA Offices at 8am Prompt.
“Consequently, the party has scheduled the Governorship Primaries to hold simultaneously in the affected states on 17 of April,” he said.
Vernimbe, however, said the primaries would hold in AA secretariats in Yenegoa, Owerri and Lokoja respectively.
He also stated that the mode of the governorship primaries would be indirect.(NAN)