Bayelsa LG Poll: PDP Sylva's Faction
Clears Fresh Candidates

BY DENNIS NAKU, Yenagoa

Battle for the control of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State assumed a fresh twist Wednesday as certificates of return were presented to another set of local government chairmanship candidates ahead of the April poll in the state.

The presentation of certificates to the party candidates by a faction of the party loyal to the state Governor, Timipre Sylva is coming barely a fortnight after a similar issuance of certificates of return were presented to eight others by the embattled chairman of the party, Chief Rufus Abadi, based on the harmonised position of the leaders of the party led by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.

Those presented with the certificates of return by the state party secretary, Mr. James Agai, include, Nathaniel Ngo-Sylva (Brass), Waibugo Sylva (Nembe), Chief Timipa Timei Omnimighe (Southern Ijaw), Perez Peretu (Sagbama), Diongoli Ebititimi Sunday (Kolokuma/Opokuma), Michael Ogbolosinga (Yenagoa), Eddy Julius (Ekeremor) and Sammy Boy (Ogbia).

Angai told party supporters present at the ceremony held at the party secretariat that the national secretariat of the party was aware of the existence and nullity of the previous presentations of certificates by Abadi's group, saying, "they have supported us to issue the new certificates to the genuine party candidates that won the party primaries held in the state."

But the party's deputy chairman, Darius Obiene, was conspicuously absent at the ceremony held under tight security.

The party' s scribe said the flags of the party would be presented to candidates at the commencement of the party campaign rally for the council poll in the state. He said the candidates can commence underground campaigns in the state.

"Don't believe in distractions but ensure that the party comes out victorious in the election," he said.

One of the three candidates whose names appeared in the two controversial party lists for the poll, Mr. .Nathaniel Ngo-Sylva, debunked the claims by Abadi-led faction that he and two others had earlier been handed certificates of return, saying those certificates were fake and I was not given."

He said the certificate alleged to have been handed to him was dropped in his house by unknown persons, "But when I got home, I immediately picked it up and return it to the Deputy Chairman of the party. He certified it to be fake and now we have been handed the genuine one by the party's State Working Committee. "We are one and can not be divided," Ngo-Sylva said.
Source: Daily Champion, 14^{th January 2010.}

Nigeria: Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Ebebi, Sacked

Samuel Oyadongha

THE Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Mr. Peremobowei Ebebi, was, yesterday, sacked by the assembly, 23 days after it initiated impeachment proceedings against him.

Ebebi, a two-time Speaker of the State House of Assembly, was impeached for allegedly being guilty of nine of the 10 offences listed against him.

But, in a reaction to the development, the Action Congress, AC, in the state, expressed dismay over the speedy submission of the panel's report, when its composition was being challenged in court.

The impeachment of the deputy governor was sequel to the adoption of a report of the seven-member investigative panel headed by Mr. D.C. Dewingwe. The panel, which was set up by the state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, concluded its sitting, Wednesday, and submitted its report to the assembly for consideration.

The panel's report had earlier been adopted through a motion moved by Mr. Franklin Otele and seconded by Mr. Alfred Egba.

Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, who moved the motion for the impeachment, said it was no longer news that 17 out the 24-member House signed an impeachment notice against the deputy governor.

He said that a resolution was passed asking the Chief Judge to constitute the panel in accordance with Section 188(10) of the 1999 Constitution, noting that the panel report indicated that the deputy governor was found guilty of all the allegations levelled against him except one.

Ebebi's offences

Part of the allegations listed against the deputy governor, as contained in the impeachment notice include:

That Mr. Peremobowei Ebebi, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State wilfully deserted his official duties by refusing to attend, without reasonable cause, the weekly Executive Council meetings of Bayelsa State since January 2010.

That Ebebi wilfully failed and, or refused to attend state functions without lawful excuses since February 2010.

That Ebebi has abandoned his office and official residence since February 2010 without official leave and has deliberately neglected and refused to perform the functions for which he was elected.

That Ebebi, in February 2009, applied for and received N29,660, 909 (twenty-nine thousand, six hundred and sixty thousand, nine hundred and nine naira) for medical treatment in Germany but he fraudulently converted the said sum as he neither travelled to Germany or refunded the said money to the state Treasury.

That His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ebebi without regard to the dignity of his exalted office, openly fought with the then caretaker committee chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Council, Chief Ben Robert Eyorokumoh and shot him with a gun thereby causing him grievous bodily harm.

Hon. Obuebite said the deputy governor was found guilty of some of the allegations while others were proved except one_ that His Excellency, Rt. Hon Ebebi, in violation of oath of office, sponsored acts of terrorism with a view to making Bayelsa state ungovernable by recruiting gunmen who acquired and store large quantities of explosives, together with arms and ammunition, in Latik Hotel, owned by him located on INEC Road.

Accordingly, in compliance with Section 188(1_9), Mr. Obuebite moved the motion for his impeachment, which was supported by Mr. Fini Angaye and unanimously adopted by over 2/3 majority members of the House in attendance.

AC, others condemn action

In its reaction, AC described the impeachment process as a sad development for a state yearning for development.

According to State Acting Chairman of the party, Mr. Ebikibina Miriki ,"it is pathetic and sad that while other states are commissioning state-of-the-art projects, the Sylva-led administration is exercising undue strength and committing public funds on purely political matter at the expense of developmental projects.

"The impeachment saga is another conduit pipe to defraud the state at a critical moment the state is in dire need of empowerment and development."

The group, Dream Bayelsa, yesterday, blamed the impeachment saga in the state on ego clash between Governor Timipre Sylva and his deputy, Ebebi.

Chairman of Dream Bayelsa, Mr. Amaebi Clarkson said, "The personality clash that culminated to the impeachment of Ebebi does not in any way benefit the ordinary Bayelsans. It rather further depleted our resources. Millions of funds have been expended on hiring SANs and publicity.

"We just hope the removal of Ebebi lead to improvement in the live of the ordinary man in the state."

Memory lane

The impeached deputy governor, it would be recalled, had been a beneficiary of three impeachment plots in the past.

He was made speaker following the impeachment of the first Speaker of the assembly, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri in 2001 but lost the position to Mr. Boyelayefa Debekeme following his return to the assembly in 2007.

When the house moved against Dekebeme in the build-up to the plot to oust former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Ebebi again turned out to be the beneficiary as he was made the speaker for the second time and was subsequently made the deputy governor to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan following the impeachment of Alamieyeseigha in 2005.
Source: Vanguard, 25^th June 2010.

Ex-militant seeks Jonathan's intervention in Bayelsa crisis

From Willie Etim

AN ex-militant in Bayelsa State, Mr. Africanus Ukparasia Tuwonwei (aka General Africa), has appealed to the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to intervene in the lingering agitations and power struggle among politicians in the state.

Tuwonwei said being the home state of the Acting President and because of the respect they all have for him as a father and leader there is a urgent need for him to intervene now.

The former militant in a chat with The Guardian in Yenagoa, the state capital, explained that the scenario in the state now does not speak well about the people of the state as they have always been seen as fighting their leaders.

Tuwonwei insisted that the recent protest by some Bayelsans in Abuja was uncalled for, saying even if such protest was to take place it should be done in Yenagoa or any other town in the state.

He said it is wrong for the people of the state to always wash their dirty linen outside and asked how many state from the federation had taken their protest to the Federal Capital Territory.

According to him, they as a people, don't want crisis again in Bayelsa as the people involved in all the agitation are merely heating the system for no other reason than their self interest.

He said if the governor is not doing well, the best they can do is to allow him serve his tenure and thereafter, vote him out.

"We have not gotten over the Alamiyesigha impeachment, Bayelsa should not be seen as always sacking their governor by impeachment, let us give peace a chance," he said.
Source: The Guardian, 1^st May 2010.

Strange insects invade Bayelsa State

CHINEDU WOSU, Yenagoa

Less than three months after measles epidemic perished over 50 children in five different communities, citizens of Bayelsa state are now living in great fear following the sudden invasion of the state by strange and dangerous insects now threatening the mental and physical growth of children.

Saturday Champion reports that no local or foreign name has been given to the strange insects as at the time of writing this report. However, wife of the state governor, Mrs. Alanyingi Sylva, who expressed concern over the attack by strange insects as well as worm infestation in children, advised parents to make good use of immunization and other health facilities in the state.

Even the state's First Lady could not specifically identify the ravaging insects, but explained that effects of the insects' bites have been discovered to neutralise nutrients in children, retard mental and physical development.

According to Mrs. Sylva, the state government through the ministry of health and her office are working out strategies to stem the threat through the reduction of child mortality and malaria in the eight local councils of the state.

She disclosed that the strange insects have also destroyed tissues and organs in the children, including a tissue, which causes abdominal pain, diarrhoea, intestinal obstruction, anaemia, ulcer and other related health issues in the infected children.

The governor's wife, while speaking during the flag off of state-wide mass de-worming and malaria treatment exercise at the Nedugo-Ogbia community of Ogbia local government area of the state, said the preliminary report on the spread showed that the rising effects of the insect bite are provoked by poor sanitary conditions in some communities of the state.

According to her, "the de-worming exercise has the potential of significantly improving the health of children and mothers should ensure that their children are de-wormed regularly. I want to ask the communities to ensure that they adopt a good hygiene system to prevent both malaria and worm infections to the health of the people."

Our correspondent reports that, residents of Yenagoa, the state capital, are now seen in groups discussing possible plans to arrest the strange insects before they are attacked.
Source: Daily Champion, 1^st May 2010.

Bayelsa Targets Development Priorities in 2010 Fiscal Year
From Willie Etim, Yenagoa

BAYELSA State Commissioner of Finance and Budget, Dr. Silva Opuola-Charles, has said that the state's 2010 budget would be directed at existing viable and ongoing projects that are targeted at achieving the developmental priorities of the government as well as pursue partnership with private sector in infrastructural development, especially in agriculture and the Central Business District (CBD).

Opuola-Charles, who gave the explanation at the formal budget breakdown and analysis on Tuesday, at Creek Motel Yenagoa, said the budget as approved by the state House of Assembly, was developed in line with the guiding principles and imperatives required to stimulate the economy and generate employment opportunities.

The state government, according to the Commissioner, will expand a total of N187 billion for it services this year, which include N21.1 billion for overhead cost and N78.8 billion for Consolidated Revenue Charges.

On the breakdown for the revenue receipt within the period, the Finance Commissioner gave over N82 billion as statutory allocations, Value Added Tax (VAT) N4.4 billion, internally generated revenue N4.4 billion, while capital receipt is put at over N86 billion and other sources over N9 billion

The Finance Commissioner had explained that government capital expenditure is profile at N68 billion, stating that the budget is predicated on key assumption that are consistent with the perimeters of the state 2010-2012 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)

Giving the sector by sector project to be funded by the 2010 budget, the commissioner said priority will be given to completion of existing projects and those with high probability for private sector participation such as the senatorial roads, cargo airport as well as the Tower Hotel and Conference Centre and the construction of the Yenagoa Gateway Guardian Angel Project.

"Thinking of government is that the provision of infrastructure is a key strategy for leapfrogging the economic development from the current state to an envisioned level of increase commercial activities and creation of job opportunity," he said.

The implementation of these initiatives, the Commissioner stressed, will result in the improvement in the quality of living and promote the overall competitiveness of graduates of the state origin as well as motivate literacy, noting that education will drive a reduction in unemployment, climate and militant activities.
Source: The Guardian, 29^th April 2010.

Bayelsa Perm sec, driver die in auto crash

 Our Reporter

A Bayelsa State Permanent Secretary, Mr. Tombra Okalia and his driver have been killed in an auto crash on Calabar highway.

Okalia and his driver who could not be immediately identified died on Tuesday in a head-on-collision with a bigger vehicle while returning from a workshop in Calabar, Cross Rivers State capital, and their vehicle smashed beyond recognition.

He hailed from Nembe Local Government Area of the state along side Governor Timipre Sylva.

Okalia's death threw his admirers and friends' including his church members into mourning.

His corpse was laid at the Mark Overcomers Church located in Punch road, Yenagoa, as its members tried in vain to revive the deceased.

Late Okalia was described as a major financier of the new generation church in the state.

Meanwhile, irate mob in Yenagoa have killed a policeman during a rampage over alleged marginalization by their leaders.

The protest followed the arrest of 20 youths.

Contacted on telephone Police Public Relations Officer, in Bayelsa State Mr. Solomon Omoemin an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) confirmed the the mob action.

He said the hoodlums will be prosecuted for allegedly killing a policeman.
Source: Daily Champion, 22^nd April 2010.

Bayelsa Tasks Oil Firms on Assistance to Orphanages

Yenagoa—Bayelsa State government has expressed displeasure over the lukewarm attitude of oil companies operating in the state to the plight of the less privileged.

Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Relief Materials, Mrs. Otiotio, who spoke at the presentation of relief materials to the state orphanage last weekend by some concerned Bayelsans, led by Julie Donli, an aide to Governor Timipre Sylva, urged the oil companies to change their perception towards offering assistance to orphanages and not leave it only for the state government to do.

Director of the State Orphanage, Mrs. Vivian Odiowei, spoke in the same vein, saying though individuals have shown great compassion towards those in the orphanage, the attitude of the multinational oil companies has been very poor.

"Most of these people think the issue of taking care of the needy and under- privileged should be the sole responsibility of the state government. We are calling on them to change their attitude."

The concerned Bayelsans, who presented foodstuffs and other materials worth millions of naira to the state orphanage, also called on multinational oil companies operating in the state and other well-meaning Bayelsans to assist the state government in providing comfortable living conditions to the disadvantaged people of the state.

According to Donli, the donation was done under the auspices of the White Lake City, the organizers of the last Valentine Charity Show.

She also hinted that the gesture will extend to donations to the office of the Wife of the State Governor for the building of the proposed handicap school, the State Action Committee on HIV/Aids (SACA) for victims and the offer of relief materials to victims of the Jos crisis in Plateau State.

Donli told those present at the ceremony, including the Mamuzee brothers, the Senior Special Assistants (SSA) on Disable Matters and Relief Materials, Miss Timi Ziriki Godwill, and the state Commissioner for Gender and Youth Empowerment, Miss. Dora Oru, that the donations were in fulfillment of the promise made during the Valentine show that all proceeds will be used to support the under privilege in the state.
Source: Vanguard, 19^th April 2010.

Rival Cult Clash Claims 4 Lives

From Segun James in Yenagoa

Four persons were killed yesterday in Ekeremor, headquarters of Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State during local government elections in the state.

But the  state Police Com-missioner, Onuoha Udeka, said the deceased were victims of a clash between rival cult groups "...and has nothing to do with the election". Udeka was silent on the identities of the cult groups that were involved in the clash.

The violence was, however, confined to the volatile Ekeremor Local Government Area, the stronghold of the Deputy Governor of the state, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi.

THISDAY gathered that the bitter rivalry between Ebebi and Governor Timipre Sylva over the control of the political machinery of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) maybe responsible for the clash as the party's candidate in the election belongs to the Governor's faction.

However, Ebebi was said to have been outside the state for the past one week.

Though, identities of the deceased were still sketchy at press time, eyewitness accounts said over 15 youths who sustained bullet and machete injuries were lying critically ill at undisclosed hospitals.

Turn-out of voters in four local government areas monitored by THISDAY was marginal as some of the registered voters who came out to vote said they could not do that because of hitches notices during the exercise.

Some party officials, especially from the opposition, said they could not travel outside Yenagoa to monitor the election and blamed it to their inability to collect the grants of their parties from the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).

Election monitored by THISDAY in Yenagoa, Sagbama, Ogbia and Kolokuma/Opokuma local governments revealed that only a few people came out to take part in the election as the majority of the people stayed indoors.

In some areas, anxious voters who thronged the polling stations to exercise their voting right were disappointed as they waited in vain.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ebikekeme Ere, lamented that he went to his Ward II, Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government, to cast his vote, but did not meet anybody there.

 Also lamenting, the Acting Chairman of the Action Congress (AC) in the state, Miriki Ebikibina, described the election as a sham. He said voting did not take place in the area.

But the SIEC Commissioner in charge of Media and Publicity, Tom Egba, said there was voting in the wards across the local governments. He also said   the Commission distributed all voting materials for the election. Egba claimed voting took place in the eight local government areas of the state
Source: This Day, 3^rd  April 2010.

'Alleged N500m Missing Fund Spurious'

A group, "the Concerned Bayelsans in Lagos" has reacted to recent allegation of a "missing" N500 million from the coffers of the Bayelsa State Government, saying it considers the allegation spurious and an attempt to damage the reputation of the government.

Pereakpo Wilson, the leader of the group, called on people he described as rabble rousers to consider issues that can promote the development of the state, than seek diversionary tendencies which hold no good for the people and the state.
Wilson decried the rising activities of Pseudo statesmen who in the guise of pursuing altruistic causes are merely fanning the embers of disillusionment, just of discredit the government in Bayelsa State.

He also refuted the insinuation that the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is behind the current EFCC probe into the "missing money". "When has the Acting President finished with pressing national issues for which he is virtually trying to resolve to engage in this frivolous attack on his fellow Kinsman, especially when he understands the peculiar issues the state has to deal with".

The group called on Bayelsans to rally round Gov. Timipre Sylva's recently launched stimulus package for Bayelsans in which 2,000 peasants will be entitled to between N10 million and N15 million to enhance their entrepreneurial skills.
The group conselled the EFCC to concentrate on the monumental fraud perpetuated by leading government ministries, including agriculture, aviation works petroleum and power where billions of naira have allegedly been mismanaged.
Source: This Day, 2^nd April 2010.

Youths Protest Allison-Madueke's Minsiterial Nomination

From Segun James in Yenagoa

Hundreds of youths under the aegis of the Bayelsa Youth Association (BYA) took to the streets of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital in protest against the re-nomination and screening of Mrs. Diezani Allison-Maduekwe as minister to represent the state in the Executive Council of the Federation (EXCOF) by Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

The placard carrying protesters who match peacefully through the streets said that Allison-Madueke had never come to the state nor interacted with the people since being appointed in 2007.

According to the coordinator of the group, Elvis Donkemezuo, Mrs Allison-Madueke is not worthy of the position, and as such, they would do all in their powers to ensure that she is dropped for more worthy technocrats who will identify with the people and their problems.

Irked by the return of Mrs. Allison-Madueke, the BYA claimed that she did not serve the interest of the state in the past two years, noting with sadness that in the two years she served as minister, she failed to justify her position emphasizing that the people of the state were yet to feel the impact of her stewardship at the federal Executive council.

Armed with placards some of which read, "Bayelsa youths want true representation" "FG stop marginalizing the Ijaw" and "Youths want speedy development" among others, Donkemezuo warned that they might be forced to shift their protest against her nomination as the state representative to Abuja if the decision is not upturned immediately.

Donkemezuo urged the Acting President to revisit her reappointment as a minister considering the fact that there are other qualified persons who can represent the state creditably.

But in a swift reaction, Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke supporters under the aegis of Bayelsa Democratic Forum dismissed the claim of the Bayelsa Youth Association describing the ministerial nominee as an accomplished technocrat.

They commended the Acting President for having confidence in Mrs. Madueke for re-nominating her.

In a statement made available in Yenagoa, and signed by Mr. Oloye Sam, the President, BDF noted that her nomination and subsequent screening has shown that the acting president Jonathan-led administration appreciates the achievements recorded in the mines and steel ministry by the former Minster.
Source: This Day, 2^nd April 2010.

Sylva Visits Bayelsa Officials in Kuje Prison

Written by Stanley Nkwocha, Abuja

Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva has visited the three Bayelsa State government officials being held at the Kuje Prisons in Abuja, saying he is dissappointed with the conduct of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. He alleged that through the commission's actions, it was constituting itself into a political umpire.

This is just as the governor hinted that his travails smirks of the politics which played out during DSP Alameiyeiseigha's era and saw to the former governor's ouster from office.

Addressing newsmen outside the Kuje Prisons after he visited the aides, Sylva said he was at the prisons to see the conditions of his officers who two weeks ago got the courts to release them, but for the circumvention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision, EFCC, of the order in a bid to prolong the stay of the officials.

The governor frowned at the way and manner the EFCC had become allegedly partisan in the case, as he accussed the commission of treating the officials as if they were already convicts in the suits against them.

'The EFCC has abandoned the law courts and is prosecuting them on the pages of newspapers and other media outfits.There is a lot of political undertone I believe in this case and if we keep quiet and watch because it is Bayelsa government officials, I tell you tomorrow it may be others and worst ', Sylva said.

He rebuked the EFCC for its role stating that it was constituting itself into a political organ instead of remaining in the case, just as he said it was unfortunate that the anti-crime agency was constituting itself into a major political organ fighting with unseen vested interest.

Asked if he thought the feud between him and the acting president was responsible for the dilenma of the officials, Governor Sylva said that though he shared a warm relationship with the acting president, it was becoming worrisome for him to see the way the EFCC was operating as it smirked of the manner former governor, DSP Alameyeiseigha was ousted.

'They attempted to organise a rally in Bayelsa to protest the alleged misuse of N101billion just to weep up sentiments and give Bayelsans the impression that their monies is being embezzled. And this is erroneus. If any body wants to get me, let him come and get me and not target innocent persons who have nothing to do with the accusations against them', Governor Sylva said.

It would be recalled that the state's accountant general, Francis Okukoro; the director of treasury, Abbot Clinton, and the director of finance, Ikobho Anthony Howells, have for the past two weeks been remanded at the Kuje Prisons over the alleged embezzlement of N101billion at the instance of the EFCC.
Source: Leadership, 31^st  March 2010

Bayelsa Battles Image Problem Over N3.1bn Looted Fund

DENNIS NAKU, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Government has dismissed rumours making the rounds that the N3.1billion recovered from the former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, has been diverted into personal accounts.

The state government said the money was intact and secured in a bank in the state, adding that it has been set aside to fund specific capital project to boost development in the state. Civil society groups in the state, including the Action Congress (AC) party have been on the neck of the state government concerning the money.

In his response after receiving the cheque, Governor Sylva said part of the money would be used to build a Transparency Plaza in Yenagoa, the state capital, to project the state government's efforts at achieving accountability and transparency in governance. However, there is nothing to show that the project has commenced.

A press statement signed by the Director of Public Private Partnership in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Ayebanua Dikuro and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, said anyone seeking clarification on the matter should contact the ministry instead of buying into deliberate falsehood and mere speculation.

Dikuro said those spreading rumour to disparage the office and name of the Finance and Budget Commissioner, Dr. Silva Opuala-Charles, should engage themselves in more activities that would help in the development of the state.

On the recent invitation of some treasury staff, including the finance commissioner by the EFCC, he said the Commissioner was attending a conference outside the state, pointing out that he was not running from the anti-graft agency.

The EFCC had last Thursday declared the state Finance and Budget Commission wanted over an alleged fraud of N2.5billion.
Source: Daily Champion, 28^th March 2010.

EFCC Declares Bayelsa Finance Commissioner Wanted

He is not on the run, says govt

FOR alleged money laundering and diversion of public funds, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday declared Bayelsa State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Charles Sylva Osuala wanted.

In a statement by the commission's Head, Media and Publicity, Femi Babafemi, he said the decision to declare Osuala wanted was taken after he flagrantly refused to honour three letters of invitation sent to him by the EFCC.

However, the state government in a statement yesterday said Osuala was not on the run and has not refused to honour the commission's invitation as alleged by the EFCC.

The statement reads: "A team of EFCC operatives had travelled to Bayelsa with a letter of invitation for Osuala but when he was nowhere to be found, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) collected the letter on Tuesday March 16, 2010 with the assurance that Osuala would honour the invitation.

"By Friday March 19 when Osuala was yet to honour the invitation, another letter was sent to him while the third was sent to him on Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

"Following his refusal to honour the Commission's invitation, the Chairman of the EFCC has directed that his name should be put on watch list across Nigerian borders.

The latest action is a follow-up to the initial step of watch listing him while other efforts to fish him out of his hiding continue."

The EFCC had since last year launched an investigation into some allegations of diversion of public funds running into billions of Naira by some Bayelsa State officials.

One of such is the diversion of N2.4 billion, which has been established by investigations and over which charges have been filed against four officials, including Osuala, who has since gone into hiding."

In a statement signed by Nathan Egba, Overseer, Ministry of Information, Bayelsa State, the government however said: "We wish to state that Osuala is not running away from the law. He stayed back in Bayelsa based on an agreement between the EFCC and the state government. In order that all government's businesses would not ground to a halt, he needed to arrange for civil servants' salaries etc. He will however, turn himself in so as to have the chance to clear his name."
Source: The Guardian, 26^{th March 2010.}

Why I resigned, by Bayelsa commissioner
From Willie Etim, Yenagoa

IN spite of the refusal of Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva to accept the resignation letter of the Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Asara A. Asara, he has insisted that he has resigned, giving reason for his decision.

Asara, in an interview in Yenagoa, said it was not easy for him to come to the decision to resign from his job.

He said that after considering other variables, which were not the reasons the state was created and the alleged dictatorial tendencies of the governor, he was compelled to quit his appointment.

According to him, he must not think about himself alone when majority of the people of the state were allegedly suffering as a result of the current governance in the state.

Asara insisted that he had long tendered his letter of resignation, but that the governor refused to honoured it. He alleged that there was a move of trumped-up charges of embezzlement and fraud against him for daring the system.

"I have since dropped my resignation letter and walked away in the interest of the people as things are no longer moving for the progress of the state", he said.

The embattled commissioner lamented and expressed regret over what he described as a move to bring back the governor to power, noting that as soon as the governor returned to power after the re-run election, he refused to listen to wise counsel.

His words: "How can you bring a man and suddenly he no longer listens to advice. It is now a dictatorial government, I fear that my generation may not see true democracy.

"Sylva was supposed to be the servant of the people and not their master. All of you see what is going on in the state, I can no longer defend what is indefensible. I have to take my bow and that is what I have just done".

Asara expressed disappointment over attempt by some people to take his former job, saying that they do not have the interest of the people at heart in spite of the situation in the state.

"The state was created for all of us and I thought that we can pull our energies together to make it work. People are more interested in their personal benefit than our collective interest, that is what is going on in the state and it is rather unfortunate", he said.
Source: The Guardian, 4^{th March 2010.}

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