Headline

Behold the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri

Published

6 years ago

February 14, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State, Senator Duoye Diri, has proved that he is a child of providence as against all odds, the governorship of Bayelsa State dropped on his laps., and at the very nick of time. Douye is one politician, who did not have to hang the tag of governor-elect for long before becoming governor. He was sworn in as governor barely three hours after he was declared winner of the November 16, 2019 governorship election alongside his with Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo

His declaration and subsequent swearing-in followed the sacking of the former governor-elect, David Lyon, and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo by the Supreme Court.

A five-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Peter-Odili ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to withdraw the Certificate of Return that had been issued to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the November 16, 2019 governorship election

The court then ordered INEC to issue a fresh Certificate-of-Return to the candidate of the party with the next highest votes and with the required constitutional spread of votes in the results of the election, which was the PDP.

A senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria prior to his elevation as governor, Douye Diri was born on June 4, 1959. He was the senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District at the Nigerian 9th National Assembly.

On 13 February 2020, the Supreme Court of Nigeria invalidated the results of the 2019 Bayelsa State gubernatorial elections on grounds that the running mate of the actual winner of the election, David Lyon, submitted fake certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission. The court ordered Diri to be issued a certificate of return, which would make him governor-elect.

On Friday, February 14, 2020, he was sworn-in as the governor of Bayelsa State.

Diri started his education at Okoro Primary School Sampou, but obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1977 at Rev. Proctor Memorial Primary School Kaima where he finished. He proceeded to Government Secondary School Odi and obtained his West African Senior School Certificate at 1981

In 1985, Diri completed a certificate course at the College of Education in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State and became a holder of the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) which qualified him to teach in various schools during his early career days. By 1990, he earned a Bachelors of Education degree in Political Science from the University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

Among many positions Diri has held are:

First National Organizing Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress (INC)

Executive Secretary, Centre for Youth Development in Bayelsa State (2000-2002).

Commissioner for Youth and Sports (2005-2006).

Council Board member University of Maiduguri (2008-2012).

Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Disciplinary Council, Bayelsa State (2012).

Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, 2012

Principal Executive Secretary (2013-2014).

Member, House of Representatives representing Kolokuma, Opokuma, and Yenagoa Federal Constituency, 2015

He emerged winner of the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State on the 4th of September, 2019.

Diri is married to Gloria, and they are blessed with Nigeria. He is expected to propel the affairs of Bayelsa State for the next four years, and one of his main tasks is to reconcile feuding parties that sprouted following his declaration as winner of the governorship election.

Headline

Supreme Court Fixes April 22 for Hearing in ADC Leadership Crisis

Published

2 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Eric

The Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for April 22 in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, in relation to the leadership dispute in the party.

Mark’s appeal is against the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his appeal against the September 4, 2025 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja refusing to grant some injunctive reliefs contained in an ex-parte application filed by a chieftain of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba chose the date on Tuesday after granting accelerated hearing in the appeal marked: SC/CV/180/2026.

The court ordered Mark’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) to file the appellant’s brief and serve on Wednesday.

It ordered the respondents to each file and serve on the appellant, a respondent’s brief within three days of being served with the appellant’s brief.

The appellant, according to the court, is to file a reply brief, if needs be, within one day of being served with the respondents’ briefs.

Headline

Amid Denials, ADC Reportedly Secures Rainbow Event Centre As Venue for National Convention

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

Baring any last minute change, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National chairman and National Secretary respectively will hold the party’s National convention at the National Rainbow Event Centre in Garki on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has being denied two venues without any cogent reasons despite early arrangements, according to sources.

First, it was alleged that the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotels, which was initially approached, turned down the ADC request to use it’s facility.

The ADC, having sensed sabotage, has kept the Rainbow Event Center under rap as it’s definite venue.

The last National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party was held at the same venue.

Located adjacent the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, the event centre will host the second NEC meeting of the ADC and it’s forthcoming national convention.

According to The Guardian’ report, the ADC leadership has communicated the venue to state chapters with the caveat not to escalate it.

The ADC is in a battle of survival against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has approached the Supreme Court for intervention.

The INEC national chairman Prof Joash Amupitan has suspended recognition of the David Mark-led ADC rendering a leadership vacuum in the party.

INEC said it’s decision was on the basis of an Appeal Court pronouncement that ordered statusquo ante-bellum be maintained.

Reports say that why the venue is being quietly decorated moderately for the event, the ADC intends to fully move in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Guardian

Headline

Shettima Lacks Respect, I Won’t Engage Him, Atiku Responds to VP’s Challenge

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has hit back at incumbent Vice President Kashim Shettima over the latter’s poser over achievements in office, saying he won’t take the challenge because Shettima was disrespectful.

Shettima had reportedly challenged Atiku to provide details of eight projects he executed for the development of Northern Nigeria during his tenure as vice president for eight years, as well as name eight individuals he empowered while in office.

But, speaking in an interview with GTA Hausa podcast, Atiku said he would not engage the vice president on the matter.

“I will not respond to Kashim Shettima because he is disrespectful. I am older than him and I have more experience in governance than he does, so I will not respond to him,” he said.

The former vice president further argued that cultural values in Northern Nigeria discourage younger individuals from publicly challenging their elders in such a manner.

“It is not part of our tradition in the North to disrespect elders. You cannot look at someone who is above you in both age and accomplishments and start taunting him. That is not our tradition, so I won’t engage with him,” Atiku emphasised.