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Buhari Did Not Initiate Any New Project In Bayelsa State – Gov Diri

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During the inauguration and handover ceremony of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri made a statement on Tuesday claiming that the outgoing President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), did not initiate any new projects in the state throughout his eight-year tenure.

 

Governor Diri emphasized that the complex, which is named after former President Goodluck Jonathan, was actually initiated by Jonathan’s administration in 2011.

 

Diri said, “While it is good that the Federal Government completed some of the projects started by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, we want to place it on record that for the past eight years, we never saw one new project in Bayelsa State.”

 

In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri, represented by his deputy Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, highlighted the considerable cost challenges associated with executing infrastructure projects in Bayelsa State.

 

He emphasized that the cost of constructing a kilometer of standard road in Bayelsa surpassed the cost of constructing four or more kilometers of the same quality road in other parts of the country.

 

The governor drew attention to the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Federal Secretariat, initially budgeted at N2.5 billion, but underwent a cost variation due to the devastating flood in 2012 and the project was completed at a total cost of N3.1 billion.

 

Governor Diri expressed optimism that the experience with the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Federal Secretariat project would serve as a valuable lesson for the Federal Government.

 

He expressed hope that moving forward, the government would exercise greater caution in evaluating and executing project costs in Bayelsa State.

 

Diri said, “Some people who do not actually know what we are passing through in this state are quick to condemn us and make all sorts of comments about our level of development.

 

“But I’m happy and very sure that the Federal Government, having passed through what we experience in Bayelsa State, will not make such comments. In Bayelsa here, we spend a lot of resources to clear the road and create land for construction.

 

“I’m happy that the story will change, going forward, because they (Federal Government) have seen that what will cost them N2bn to build in Awka, Anambra State and Gusau in Zamfara will cost them N3bn in Bayelsa State.

 

“The Federal Government has seen that construction in Bayelsa here is more repulsive, resistant and difficult. The project here was billed for N2.5bn but after the flood in 2012, it was redesigned and re-evaluated.”

 

During his virtual participation in the ceremony, President Buhari acknowledged the significance of the completed secretariat projects in Yenagoa, Awka, and Gusau.

 

He mentioned that these projects would effectively eliminate the need for the Federal Government to spend funds on renting office spaces for its employees in the respective states.

 

Specifically, the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Federal Secretariat Project in Yenagoa was executed by MS Trenur Nigeria Limited which comprises a total of 342 offices, including a post office, a banking hall, and a standard conference hall named in honor of Ambassador Godknows Igali, a distinguished figure from Bayelsa State who served as a retired federal permanent secretary.

Politics

Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally

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2023: It is time to sing songs of unity, peace prosperity, says Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Stanley Nkwocha disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, announcing the Vice President’s visit to Ebonyi State for the campaign rally.

The rally is scheduled to take place at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, as part of the APC’s campaign activities under the Renewed Hope agenda.

SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Uyo for APC Presidential Campaign Rally

The announcement called on residents and party supporters to turn out in large numbers to welcome the Vice President, describing the event as an opportunity for massive political mobilisation.

“One city. Thousands of voices. An atmosphere of incredible energy,” the statement said.

 

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NDC Warns Judiciary Against Turning Courts Into Tools for Political Opposition

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned the judiciary against allowing itself to be used to undermine democracy following the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The party expressed concern that the judgment, alongside other recent court decisions involving opposition parties, could weaken Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and restrict political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

SEE ALSO: APC Pressuring Hotels to Deny Opposition Parties Venues – NDC Raises Alarm

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq. On Friday, the NDC said the manner in which some judgments, particularly those emanating from High Courts, were being delivered raised concerns about a possible attempt to exclude the ADC from the forthcoming elections.

While acknowledging the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, the party warned that court decisions capable of weakening opposition parties could create the impression that the judicial system was being used to frustrate democratic competition.

“The way some of these judgements are being churned out, especially from the High Courts suggests a deliberate effort to shut out the ADC from the forthcoming general elections by other means,” the statement read.

The NDC further argued that such developments could shrink the space for multi-party democracy, which it said was already facing significant threats under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party consequently urged the judiciary to safeguard its independence, impartiality and integrity, stressing the need to protect public confidence in the institution.

It also called on the ADC to appeal the judgment without delay, urging the appellate court to grant an accelerated hearing to ensure the leadership dispute does not linger ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the NDC, resolving the matter promptly would prevent uncertainty from undermining democratic participation and the ability of political parties to prepare for the forthcoming polls.

The party concluded its statement with the declaration: “A New Nigeria is Possible!”

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APC Pressuring Hotels to Deny Opposition Parties Venues – NDC Raises Alarm

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly pressuring hotels in Abuja to deny the opposition party access to their facilities, describing the development as an attempt to undermine democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party raised the allegation in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director on Thursday, who expressed concern over what it described as increasing attempts to restrict the democratic space and silence opposition voices.

According to the NDC, it has faced not only alleged violent attacks by agents of the ruling APC but also discrimination from hotels and hospitality businesses in Abuja.

SEE ALSO: Two Suspected Political Thugs Killed After Attacking NDC Candidate’s Convoy in Ebonyi

The party specifically accused Rockview Hotel of cancelling agreements to provide facilities for its meetings on two separate occasions.

The first incident, according to the statement, occurred in June 2026 when the hotel allegedly withdrew its agreement to host the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting shortly before the scheduled event.

The NDC claimed that the hotel recently rejected another request to use its facilities for a meeting, allegedly informing the party that the decision came through an “order from above.”

The party also accused BON Hotel in Wuse, Abuja, of refusing to provide its facilities for a meeting despite the NDC claiming it had fulfilled all the conditions required.

The statement further alleged that the unveiling of the party’s National Campaign Council (NCC) was nearly disrupted after its event venue initially asked the party to refund its payment, saying it was no longer interested in making its facilities available.

The NDC suggested that the decision might have resulted from alleged threats or instructions from influential quarters.

However, the party said its insistence on using the facility after making payment eventually compelled the hotel to honour the arrangement.

Describing the alleged incidents as a threat to democratic participation, the NDC called on the APC to allow opposition parties to operate freely and campaign without interference.

“This is not democracy. The APC should allow all parties to campaign without let or hindrance, and give Nigerians the opportunity to make their choice on who governs them,” the statement said.

The party also urged Nigerians and supporters of democracy to call out Rockview Hotel and BON Hotel over what it described as their “anti-people and anti-democratic actions.”

Reaffirming its commitment to national development, the NDC declared that Nigerians deserved better governance and insisted that it was prepared to serve with passion and patriotism.

“Nigerians deserve better, and NDC is prepared to serve with passion and patriotism,” the statement added.

The party concluded with its declaration that “A New Nigeria is Possible.”

 

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