From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa Rescue Mission (BRM) has called on Governor Douye Diri to urgently address what it described as a disturbing pattern of political exclusion of the people of Bayelsa East Senatorial District and significant sections of Yenagoa Local Government Area from key positions of political influence within the state administration and the leadership structure of the ruling political party.

The group said its demand was not for political patronage but for fairness, inclusion, equity and a sense of belonging for every Bayelsan.

In a statement issued in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, by the Publicity Secretary of the Bayelsa Rescue Mission, Hon.

It stressed that no Senatorial District, Local Government Area, community or group of citizens should be made to feel excluded from the affairs of the state or denied a meaningful place at the table where decisions affecting their future are made.

According to the statement, the people of Brass, Nembe and Ogbia Local Government Areas, which constitute Bayelsa East Senatorial District, as well as the people of Epie/Atissa, Okordia, Biseni, Zarama and Gbarain/Ekpetiama in Yenagoa Local Government Area, have legitimate reasons to question their level of representation in the strategic political architecture of the state.

The BRM recalled that at the commencement of Governor Diri’s administration in 2020, the composition of key government offices reflected what it described as a commendable measure of geographical balance and sensitivity to the diversity of the state.

It noted that the then Secretary to the State Government, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson, was from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa Central Senatorial District; the Chief of Staff, Chief Benson Agadaga, was from Ogbia Local Government Area in Bayelsa East Senatorial District; the Deputy Chief of Staff was from Sagbama Local Government Area in Bayelsa West; the Principal Secretary was from Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area in Bayelsa Central; while the Political Adviser was also from Sagbama in Bayelsa West.

According to the group, the arrangement gave the various Senatorial Districts and sections of the state a meaningful sense of belonging in the administration.

The BRM, however, expressed concern that following the resignation of the then Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff to pursue their respective senatorial ambitions, the governor replaced the SSG with another appointee from the same Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, while the people of Ogbia and the entire Bayelsa East Senatorial District were allegedly denied a replacement in the strategic office of Chief of Staff.

The BRM said it considered this the point at which the previously observed geographical balance in the principal offices of the Government House began to deteriorate, particularly to the disadvantage of Bayelsa East.

It added that, more concerning was the fact that after Dr. Akpe was subsequently elevated from Chief of Staff to Deputy Governor, the governor had, to date, failed to restore the Chief of Staff position to Bayelsa East, where it was originally represented before Chief Benson Agadaga’s resignation.

The BRM maintained that the people of Bayelsa East deserved a meaningful place at the highest levels of governance, just as every other section of the state, and called for the alleged imbalance to be corrected in the interest of unity and the collective destiny of Bayelsans.

The group further warned against a situation where some citizens would be regarded as “core” and others as “non-core” based on language, geography, political connections or proximity to power.

The BRM urged the administration to take urgent steps to address what it described as an anomaly, warning that the situation could weaken the bonds that hold Bayelsans together and undermine their common identity as a people.

It also pointed to the economic and strategic contributions of the affected areas, arguing that their roles in the state’s economic life should be reflected in the distribution of political responsibilities.

The BRM therefore called on Governor Diri to review the existing political arrangement and take deliberate steps to restore what it described as fairness and inclusiveness in the composition of government and the political leadership of the state.

The Bayelsa Rescue Mission said it would continue to hold the government accountable on issues affecting the people, adding that it would speak for those who feel unheard, demand fairness for those who feel excluded and insist that governance must focus on the welfare and dignity of all Bayelsans.

The group concluded: “Every Bayelsan deserves a place at the table. Every community deserves a voice. And every part of Bayelsa deserves a government that works for it.”

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly and member representing Kwande West State Constituency under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Thomas Dugeri, has dumped  APC and joined the main opposition  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Dugeri was formally presented to the  immediate past Governor of Benue State and leader of the PDP in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom, at the former governor’s residence in Abuja by the Deputy Chairman of  PDP in the State, Adzua Ashongo.

During the meeting, which was his first with the Benue PDP leader since joining the party, Dugeri expressed appreciation to Chief Ortom, other leaders and members of the PDP for the warm reception accorded him since his defection.

He particularly thanked PDP members in Kwande and across Benue State for embracing him and his supporters, describing the reception as encouraging.

The lawmaker who is State Assembly Candidate for Kwande West State Constituency for the 2027 elections, assured the party of his unflinching loyalty and commitment, pledging to work with other stakeholders towards securing victory for the PDP at all levels in the 2027 general election.

Receiving Hon. Dugeri and welcoming him to the party, Chief Ortom assured him and his supporters of equal opportunities and a level playing field within the PDP.

The former governor described the PDP as a broad political family where both old and new members have an equal role to play in strengthening the party and advancing its quest to return to power in Benue State in 2027.

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has said he didn’t bargain for the “deluge” of good will messages, which came his way on  his 70^th birthday, on August 8.

In a statement at the weekend, the former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) said  while it was “no doubt a privilege worthy of appreciation to attain the age of three scores and ten on August 8, 2026” he   was overwhelmed by the show of love from   different parts of the country and beyond.

“My attempts to write individualized responses to the thousands of messages have come to nought as I lose count of who and what messages to respond to.

“I take this opportunity therefore, to convey my most sincere and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the multitude of well wishers across all divides who have, in their various ways shared the momentous day with me. 

I, however, want to thank notably, Allah (SWT) for enabling the attainment as well as so many other favours that only He is capable of” he said in the statement to the media.

He appreciated President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu,    the Speaker, House of Representatives, Dr Tajuddeen Abbas,  Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, members of the National Assembly, the set of 1999 governors and other former governors, His Highness Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, Emir of Zazzau and several other Emirs and Chiefs from both within and outside Kaduna State, leaders of various political parties, other political leaders as well as candidates to various offices across partisan divides, religious leaders, and friends and well-wishers, as stated   who he said either called or wrote goodwill messages to him.

“I equally appreciate the numerous youths and youth groups that took to the social media to felicitate with me.

I want to say that the various messages, many of which described me in superlatives that made me wonder as to who the references are, have humbled me but at the same time will serve as a tonic that gingers me to continue to give my best to support the unity, peace and progress of our country and its people” he stated.

He urged his friends, political associates and supporters to close ranks and confront the myriad of problems bedeviling the nation saying the challenges were surmountable with a strong will and spirit.