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*Governance ended in Delta after Ibori left office -Omo-Agege*
The immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, has berated successive PDP-led governments in Delta State, saying that there has not been serious governance in the state since Chief James Ibori left office in 2003.
Omo-Agege decried the underdevelopment of the State despite the huge revenue that has accrued Delta from the federation account as a result of 13% derivation and internally generated revenue, which has not translated to the infrastructural and economic development of the state.
The Delta APC leader stated this on Tuesday at Oghara, Ethiope West local government area, where he officially welcomed Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu and her teaming support, including former top PDP leaders who defected to the APC.
Senator Omo-Agege, the 2023 APC governorship candidate disclosed that he is pained that with over N900B Governor Sherrif Oborovwori has received as a result of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government policies, Delta has nothing to show except for the N86b flyover bridge at Effurun.
According to him, “Since the election, I have deliberately avoided speaking on the state of affairs in our state, hoping that the governor would rise to the occasion. Unfortunately, nothing has changed. It’s time for me to speak out. Delta State has benefited significantly from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidies and the flotation of the naira, resulting in increased FAAC allocations.
“These policies have caused hardship, but they are necessary to transition our economy from import-dependent to producing and job-creating. We acknowledge that achieving this long-term goal will take time, although we have started to see gains in better growth rates, declining imports, higher exports, and higher income for farmers.
“However, it is disappointing that the Delta State government has not utilized these increased allocations effectively to alleviate hardship and develop the state.
“In the past year and a half, despite receiving over N900 billion from FAAC, including IGR, the Delta State government has failed to develop the state. Instead, they have used these funds to service debts and cater to godfathers. We must root out these unproductive leaders and build a brighter future for Delta State.
He further stated that “apart from the N86 billion flyover bridge at Effurun, there are no other major projects that you can trace to this huge resource that has come to Delta. Almost all the internal roads are in bad shape. It is clear that the Delta State government has misplaced its priorities, choosing to use these funds to service debts and finance personal ambitions, such as Okowa’s failed Vice Presidential bid and Oborovwori’s governorship, rather than investing in the development of the state and the welfare of its citizens.
Senator Omo-Agege, however, assured Deltans of better days, noting that the “case of Delta is not hopeless; it’s redeemable. Delta APC is emerging stronger, and we will take the state in 2027.
He urges APC leaders and faithful to work for unity and join forces to root out the unproductive PDP government in Delta to build a new Delta State.
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Hon. Erhiatake Ibori for many years, and I was honoured to play a role in her entry into politics in 2015. Today, I proudly declare her one of the most trusted loyalists in the House of Representatives, committed to advancing the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the National Assembly.
“We also pay tribute to our leader, Governor James Ibori’s enduring legacy. His leadership and service to Delta State and the nation have left an indelible mark. Despite the efforts of subsequent governors, his foundation remains unbeaten. We thank him for giving us Erhiatake to carry the torch forward.
“Delta State APC is stronger today with Erhiatake on board, and we look forward to welcoming more members to our progressive family. We appeal to our party members to embrace new entrants, encouraging others to join us as we build the New Delta Coalition ahead of the 2027 election.
“We take pride in our remarkable success in the 2023 elections, winning Delta Central and Delta South Senatorial Districts, and having two out of three senators representing Delta State in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Although we were robbed of our governorship victory by the PDP, we are determined to build on our success and finally dislodge the PDP in 2027.
“To our dedicated party members, I urge you to remain steadfast in our collective mission. Unfortunately, some of our party members have seen fit to fraternize with the current government and endorse the governor for 2027. Let it be clear that such actions are not sanctioned by our party and those individuals are acting on their own accord.
“As we move forward, rest assured that we will be fielding a strong candidate for governor in 2027. By our party’s constitution, we will nominate a candidate who embodies our values and is committed to liberating our state from the PDP’s grip. Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure a brighter future for our state.”
…hails emergence of Bawa as state chairman
The Senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District Senator Manu Haruna on Sunday donated five operational vehicles to Taraba Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to enhance its operations.
Manu also seized the opportunity to congratulate the state Chairman, Hon Abubakar Bawa when he visited the secretariat in Jalingo last Sunday.
The former State Deputy Governor expressed his congratulations to Chairman Bawa and the state working committee for their election, emphasizing the importance of unity and progress within the party. He commended their commitment to strengthening the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State.
In a generous move to enhance the operational capacity of the party at the grassroots level, Senator Manu donated five vehicles — one for each Local Government Area (LGA) party chapter in Taraba Central.
This donation is intended to facilitate better coordination and outreach efforts within the party.
Senator Manu praised Hon. Abubakar Bawa for his dedicated efforts to elevate the PDP in the state, asserting that Taraba will always remain a stronghold for the party.
In response, State Party Chairman Alhaji Bawa expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Senator Manu for his thoughtful visit and generous donation. He acknowledged the impact of such contributions on the party’s progress and reemphasized the commitment of the PDP to serve the interests of the people in Taraba State.
By Francesca Hangeior
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has canvassed for greater efforts and commitments to the Federal Government’s aspirations to produce a workable legal framework for the country.
He charged the Committee put in place by the federal government to review, revise and consolidate the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, LFN, to double the efforts and commitments to deliver on the mandate at the appointed time.
Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, spoke on Monday in Abuja at the second retreat of the Committee put in place in October last year for the laws of the federation revision and reform.
The AGF while challenging the committee to be up and doing asked the members to remain united in purpose and steadfast in the resolve to produce a legal framework that is worthy of the nation’s aspirations.
He said the second retreat organized by the federal government was a strategic consolidation of the national law reform efforts and to provide an invaluable opportunity to come up with a better workable legal framework for the nation.
“Let me start by expressing gratitude to the Chairman, Co-Chairperson and members of the Committee for their selfless service and sacrifice, to ensure that this project is executed efficiently and effectively.
“The call to be part of this assignment is indeed a sacred that inevitably and positively affects the lives of individuals, government, businesses as well as citizens of this nation.
“The general purpose of law is to regulate human behavior by protecting lives and properties in society. The inauguration of the Committee on the 24th October, 2024 marked a historic milestone in our collective efforts to modernize, consolidate, and harmonize Nigeria’s body of federal statutes.
“The retreat successfully provides a clear framework for the structure and methodology of the revision exercise, oriented the 14 Working Groups tasked with reviewing specific legal subject areas, and fostered collaboration among key institutions and stakeholders on the project.
“Following the initial retreat, I wish to note that the Committee has recorded steady progress in its work.
“The Ministry has taken several measures to ensure that the assignment is delivered efficiently, including:training sessions for secretaries of the working groups to enhance documentation and coordination; technical meetings of the main committee and its various sub-committees; working sessions and deliberations among editors and reviewers; and ongoing technical collation of revised laws by the Secretariat.
“This second retreat is a strategic consolidation of our national law reform efforts and provides an invaluable opportunity to: review progress made since the first phase;
address any technical or structural challenges encountered during the collation process;
– Harmonize the output across working groups; and set the tone for the final stages of this important project.
“The next stage of the law review and consolidation process would include editing and proofreading the reviewed legislation, ahead of the final collation, production and printing of the laws of the federation.
“It is my conviction that these phases will be executed with even greater commitment by the Committee, with the support of stakeholders and development partners.
“I wish to commend the leadership of the LFN Committee, the Secretariat for its diligent coordination and day-to-day management as well as the Working Groups, Editors, and Reviewers, for their intellectual rigour and professionalism.
“Special gratitude to our development partners, particularly RoLAC, for standing firmly behind this national project.
“Let me urge all participants to use this retreat as a platform for robust engagement, peer learning, and practical collaboration.
“We must remain united in purpose and steadfast in our resolve to produce a legal framework that is worthy of our nation’s aspirations.
” I wish to express gratitude for your commitment to duty and I charge you to work in synergy and cooperation, in the overall interest of the nation”, the AGF said.
The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has replied to the Nigerian Bar Association regarding the reason for relocating its Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu State.
Ibas faulted the reason cited by the NBA, describing it as misleading and uncharitable.
The Sole Administrator stated this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday by his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, and sent to newsmen.
He said while the NBA reserves the right to choose a venue for its conference, the association had yet to address the issue of the refund of the hosting rights paid by the state government for the conference.
The statement partly reads, “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
It added, “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the Nigeria Bar Association’s announcement dated 10th April 2025, relocating its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
The statement partly reads, “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
It added, “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the Nigeria Bar Association’s announcement dated 10th April 2025, relocating its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
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