Labour Party backs Delta Speaker, says he has extraordinary ability

Support for the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya mounted on Sunday as member representing Ethiope East Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Evance Ivwurie lauded his leadership qualities, describing him as “an inspiring and magnetic political figure.”

“I will describe Igbuya as a democrat in our hallowed Chamber and in leadership. He is a team player. He is a very energetic, hard-working, disciplined, committed and very effective law-maker. Rather than deny any member of his or her right, he fights for and protects the rights of every member daily” he said.

In a statement issued in Asaba, Ivwurie, a Labour Party (LP) member, described his relationship with Igbuya as “beautiful”.

“My relationship with Speaker Igbuya as someone elected from a different political party from that the Speaker is bipartisan, friendly, mutually respectable and cordial. Mr. Speaker finds common ground through compromise in legislation with opposing political parties. He does not adhere only to his political party interest. He does not advance his own political party agenda unduly in the exercise of his duty as Speaker at the expense of the other political party because of conflicting ideologies. Speaker Igbuya especially, and every member of the Delta State House of Assembly has not left anyone in doubt that he and we all have the interest of a united, indivisible and strong Delta State at heart, in ways that the interest of the State has overriding effect over and above Mr. Speaker and all members personal interests and considerations” he said.

In a statement titled: “My Perspectives on Mister Speaker”, Ivwurie listed patience and persistence as two most useful character traits of Igbuya.

“Mr. Speaker is completely bipartisan and this has reflected in all of the bills, acts, resolutions and policies we have dealt with in the House in which the Speaker and all members have agreed about all or many parts of the choices by finding a common ground in bipartisanship and that is why there is no cynicism and gridlock in Delta State political and economic system. It has been a strong spirit of Delta State first, bipartisanship and hard-work. I can assure you that Speaker Igbuya is always looking out for the best interests of Delta State”.

Emphasizing that the speaker is an honest politician who has a clear vision for the House and the State, Ivwurie accused critics of Igbuya of pursuing selfish agenda.

“My Assessment of his performance will start with his weakness. First thing I will like to talk about is the general weakness of Mr. Speaker which is well known to so many people because it continues to cause him problems regularly. He is considered highly and overtly too prudent, frugal and inexpensive, even journalists and those seeking services have this quarrel with him all the time. He always wants to make sure Delta State does not waste or spend money that she does not have. He is also considered by many members to be too open and transparent especially on finance and funding. He has no reservation as to correcting his colleagues behind as he is unable to compromise or accept unethical conducts no matter who is involved”.

The Labour Party member also offered some genuine insights on how the Delta State House of Assembly functions.

“Mr. Speaker is quite spiritual. He possesses a vision of a strong, strengthened and united Delta State. He is not temperamental but very decisive. He is very unflappable. His actions toward law making are matched with a political savvy that often includes a measure of expediency. Although he is consensus-seeking, he has always led the House by the House Rules as they exist, not as he would like them to exist. He is internet and Facebook friendly and has strong capacity to endure negative criticism. He believes that many criticisms are meant to keep him continuously on his toes.

He thanked Mister Speaker for his service to the state.

“Rt. Hon Igbuya is a leader who understands that our Country and State is in a total mess. He knows the depth and enormity of the predicaments and task that lies ahead of the State and he is seriously working with the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to surmount the challenges. He has self-discipline and he is very persuasive. He taps into the authentic need of his colleagues and members easily. So far, Mr. Speaker has shown clearly that he is neither a dealer nor a transactional leader. The interest of the State has always superseded his personal interests”.

He also heaped praise on Igbuya for cherishing the mood of his colleagues, saying, “The perspectives that I have shared above has resulted to many accomplishments and achievements of the Delta State House of Assembly under one year of Mr. Speaker’s passionate leadership and strong ability to mobilize members to attain goals as reflected in the speed of work in the several pro-development debates, considerations, confirmations, policies, acts, resolutions and bills that the House has dealt with and passed.”

Labour Party backs Delta Speaker, says he has extraordinary ability

Bayelsa Election: Call your power-drunk aides to order - Delta Group tells Buhari

Military roles an invasion of democracy – Delta group

Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (FHRAC), has expressed disappointment over the alleged military involvement in the Bayelsa State election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, describing it as invasion of democracy.

In a statement issued and signed by the National President, Barr. Alaowei Cleric, FHRAC expressed worry over the silence by the military over the allegation.

Alaowei said it is an irony to see the military currently warming up to carry out investigation on the alleged involvement in Ekiti Election during the former President’s administration, turned to play the same role in Bayelsa.

The group said “The alleged military involvement in the Bayelsa State inclusive election particularly in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State gives Nigerians a cause of worries. We are surprised and worried

about the military graveyard silent over the weighty and unrefuted allegation of its involvement in Bayelsa gubernatorial election.

“It is most worrisome that while the military is warming up to investigate the distanced-past allegation of its involvement in Ekiti gubernatorial election last year, the security body is seen playing partisan politics in Bayelsa State. What an irony?

“Gen. Buratai must prove to Nigerians that the army he is leading is not a willing tool to the ruling Government to unleash mayhem on its opponents. The military is the symbol of our strength as a country. It should not be seen as an instrument to perpetrate electoral fraud by political parties. The incidence that occurred in Bayelsa if it has

any element of truth then our democracy is in shambles.

“Those thugs the APC armed to unleash mayhem on the electorates in the Local Government should not be allowed to go scot free. The weapons already in their possessions will be used by these thugs to perpetrate

criminality in Niger Delta region. The action of the military in shirking its constitutional responsibility by allowing miscreants to perpetrate violence against innocent Nigerians will have a dare consequence to the existing peace in the region.

“We therefore call on Mr President, the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Buratai to immediately commence a full scale investigation into the various allegations of the military complicity of the Southern Ijaw kerfuffles. We also call

on Mr President to call his power-drunk aids to order. Their actions are putting our democracy in great danger”

Bayelsa Election: Call your power-drunk aides to order - Delta Group tells Buhari

Video: Africa Investigates" exposes Nigeria"s baby farmers

• Award-winning series Africa Investigates back on Al Jazeera

• Babies are for sale in Nigeria for $4 000-5 000

• Full documentary available to embed from YouTube

The third season of Al Jazeera’s award-winning Africa Investigates series continued last night with Nigeria’s Baby Farmers, where journalists Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Rosemary Nwaebuni went undercover to buy a baby in Nigeria.

UNESCO first reported on cases of ‘baby harvesting’ in Nigeria in 2006. “Here, childless marriages are sometimes seen as shameful, or even troubled by witchcraft,” says Anas. “At the same time, single mothers are frowned upon and abortion is illegal. Legal adoption takes a long time, so some couples try a short cut. And some unscrupulous people match the unwanted babies with childless couples for money, against the law.”

Anas and Nwaebuni pose as a couple who have been unable to have a child in 12 years of marriage, and who are now being pressured to divorce by his parents.

Equipped with a secret camera, they visit private clinics and orphanages to find out how easy it is to buy a child illegally, with no questions asked.

They are offered a baby at Destiny’s Child orphanage in Ulakwo by Ada Ezeoyi, for $4 000 for a girl or $5000 for a male child.

They are also offered a baby by Basic Clinic and Maternity Home in Imo State, owned by Doctor Ohaeri. They are asked for a similar figure.

They also expose unethical medical practise by Akinbode Damilola, a so-called miracle doctor who operates from a pharmacy in Delta State offering bogus fertility treatments.

“We were not able to care for a stranger’s child ourselves, so we backed out of the deal,” says Anas. “Our investigation has shone a light on parts of a sinister network. It involves genuine doctors and cynical staff in orphanages, who will sell vulnerable children to the highest payer. We have passed our evidence on to the authorities so that justice can prevail.”

Africa Investigates is a groundbreaking Al Jazeera series that gives some of Africa’s best journalists the opportunity to pursue high-level investigative targets across the continent – using their unique perspective and local knowledge to put corruption, exploitation and abuse under the spotlight. Previous documentaries in the series have won One World Media and Mohamed Amin Africa Media awards.

Video: Africa Investigates" exposes Nigeria"s baby farmers

Agbara robbery: Police arrest gang leader in Delta

Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (SIRT) have arrested the gang leader of Thursday’s bank robbery in Agbara Industrial Estate, Ogun State.

Twenty suspected militants dressed in military camouflage laid siege to the town as they raided about three banks before escaping through the waterways.

The suspect, simply identified as Kelly Rotor, was arrested following a shootout between detectives and three members of his gang at Sapele, Delta State.

A policeman died in the shootout.

Rotor and others were said to have also participated in the Festac, Ikorodu and Lekki bank robberies.

A source said IG Solomon Arase drafted the special elite squad to track and arrest the suspects, who have laid siege to Lagos in recent times.

He said Rotor, after the Agbara operation, travelled to Sapale for a wedding where detectives arrested him.

The suspect and some of his gang engaged the police in a gun battle. He was later arrested with gun injuries.

Agbara robbery: Police arrest gang leader in Delta

FLOOD: 3 killed in Delta, 50,000 rendered homeless in Edo

ASABA—Ravaging flood has claimed the lives of an 11-year-old girl  and two others at Okpai, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.

Bad Road in Edo State

This came at a time flood also  rendered homeless at least 50,000 people from about eight communities in Etsako Federal Constituency of Edo State.

In the Delta State episode, the house of the state chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Edwin Uzor, at Oko axis was also reportedly affected by the flood which swept through the coastal areas.

A visually impaired graduate, Mr. Odigie Osagie, who was trapped by the flood around Infant Jesus area in Asaba metropolis, lamented that he was practically swimming in the flood that had taken over his house.

He said:   “More than what words can state in the negative direction. The volume of water you see here is as a result of flooding.

“In 2012, the flood completely submerged my house and I lost all my property. Government came and even televised my house, with a promise to do something but as I stand with you now, not even one kobo was given to me till date.”

Local government areas so far affected in the state include Ughelli North, Ndokwa East, Oshimili South, Burutu, Ughelli South, Patani and Bomadi.

In the incident in Edo State, at least 50,000 persons from about eight communities in Etsako Federal Constituency have been reportedly rendered homeless by flood.

This was revealed by the member representing Etsako Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Philip Shaibu.

The revelation came on the heels of the motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor, on the devastating flooding of Ozoro and its environs in Isoko Norh Local Government Area of Delta State.

The House, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Yussuf Lasun, noted  that flood had become a serious problem ravaging many communities not only in the country, but globally.

FLOOD: 3 killed in Delta, 50,000 rendered homeless in Edo

Assembly staff lock out lawmakers in Delta

The Delta chapter of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria on Monday prevented the staff and members of the House of Assembly from entering the premises of the complex.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the action was taken by the staff to protest non-implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the management.

NAN reports that the two gates leading to the complex were locked and most workers could not gain access to the premises.

Some of the demands of the union included the immediate removal of the Clerk of the Assembly, provision of housing and car loans to staff, training and retraining of staff and the amendment of the House of Assembly Service Commission Law.

The state Chairman of PASAN, Mr McCarthy Obrotu, told NAN that the management of the Assembly refused to implement the MoU signed by the negotiating team from the Assembly and the union.

Obrotu said, “Since Jauary 20, both parties signed an MoU and till date, the House has refused to implement the MoU.

“We have written severally reminding the House of the MoU, but as I am speaking with you now, the House has refused to implement our request.

“Out of the 15 demands we listed in the MoU, it is only the outfit allowance that has been implemented.”

The Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Peter Onwusanya, however told newsmen that, “we have met all the agreement in the MoU.”

He condemned the action of the union for locking the assembly complex, adding that no notice was served on the management.

“They erred by locking the gate without serving notice to the appropriate authority,” Onwusanya said.

He appealed to members and the Assembly workers to resume duty on Tuesday to enable both parties settle their differences.

“I am calling for a meeting between the management of the Assembly and the union because the management is not aware of their grievances.

“This meeting will enable us hear what their grievances are and how to resolve such grievances,” the Speaker said.

Assembly staff lock out lawmakers in Delta

Blame Mu’azu, PDP govs for Jonathan’s woes -N’Delta youths

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Youths in the Niger Delta region have accused the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Adamu Muazu, and governors elected on the platform of the party of being behind President Goodluck Jonathan’s poor rating ahead of the 2015 general election.

The youths, who spoke under the aegis of the Niger Delta Youth Parliament, said the imposition of candidates by the PDP governors and the lack of internal democracy was responsible for the mass defection from the party to the All Progressives Congress.

National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Imoh Okoko, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that the entire Niger Delta was worried that the manipulations carried out by Muazu and the second term governors had adversely affected the political fortunes of President Jonathan.

Okoko specifically said in an interview with The PUNCH on Monday that the outgoing governors were only interested in supporting their successors and not for the success of the President at the poll.

He observed that the PDP national chairman was not able to address the injustices in the party since he assumed the position and added that the situation had increased the level of acceptance of the APC presidential candidate, Muhamadu Buhari.

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Blame Mu’azu, PDP govs for Jonathan’s woes -N’Delta youths