Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has terminated the appointments of 27 political aides who attended a rally in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The dismissals followed the aides’ participation in the inauguration of the Bayelsa chapter of The NEW Associates, a grassroots political group.

The rally, which was widely seen as endorsing Tinubu and Wike, reportedly drew the ire of the governor.

A letter titled “TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT” dated April 23, 2025, and signed by Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, made the disengagement official.

The document stated: “I write to inform you of the termination of the following appointments with immediate effect. Their appointments were communicated to your office in our letters under the listed reference numbers.”

Reacting strongly to the move, the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a statement condemning the governor’s action.

In the release signed by Derri Alasuote Wright, Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee in the state, the party expressed concern over the governor’s perceived intolerance.

“The sacking of these political appointees from the Prosperity Administration is particularly unfortunate,” the PDP stated.

“They are all party members who believed in our vision and laboured for our collective success.”

The statement continued: “Such decisions discourage civic engagement and political participation, and send a chilling message to others within the system.”

The party further criticized what it described as the misuse of public office: “The state government and treasury are public trusts, not personal possessions.”

Calling the sackings “a severe breach of trust and an affront to democratic participation,” the PDP urged Governor Diri to reconsider the decision and adopt a more inclusive approach.

“Together, let us stand firm in our commitment to democracy, solidarity, and the right to associate freely,” the statement concluded.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stating that he lacks the moral authority to criticise former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking at the 28th Founders’ Day Lecture of the Independent Television and Radio in Benin, themed “Nigeria, Where Are We Going?”, the senator representing Edo North said Atiku is in no position to condemn defections, as he has made party-switching a common practice.

“I was listening to people who tried to evaluate the import of the reunion of Edo and Delta with Dr. Okowa and Governor Oborevwori joining the APC,” Oshiomhole said.

He argued that Atiku has frequently shifted political allegiances to suit his personal interests and has often remained silent when such moves benefited him.

“And those who are talking, including people like Atiku, who helped us realize by his action that a sitting vice president can decamp and take the position of a vice president to an opposition party and still retain the position and Supreme Court has pronouncement on that.”

“At that time, I was the unofficial opposition as president of the NLC. He then went to Bourdillon in Lagos to join another party called Action Congress and became their presidential candidate and contested and lost.”

“This same person who is louder criticizing Okowa, again defected back to the PDP, he contested and lost, he again decamped to APC and contested against former president Muhammadu Buhari and he lost. He again decamped back to PDP and contested against President Bola Tinubu and lost,” Oshiomhole said.

He added that it was ironic for Atiku to target someone like Okowa, who had only switched political parties once.

“I was surprised that Atiku was criticising a man who only decamped once from one political party to another,” he said.

Oshiomhole also took the opportunity to refute a long-standing allegation that he once claimed all sins are forgiven once someone joins the APC. He insisted that the quote was a media distortion.

“I have issued statements to deny it. They (media) don’t have the proof. I have asked them to provide the video clips where I made the comment,” he said.

He explained that his comments had been taken out of context during a defection event involving a man named Patrick Iluobe.

“A man, Patrick Iluobe was defecting from the PDP to APC and his father’s name, Iluobe in their dialect means: I have stopped doing bad.

“So, I said now that you are leaving PDP, a party that deceive people, you will stop doing bad, but the media guys who are committed to the PDP mischievously twisted that Oshiomhole said once you join, APC, all your sins are forgiven,” he clarified.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a two-day official visit to Katsina State starting Friday, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The visit, Onanuga said, will focus on security assessments and commissioning of key infrastructure projects in the state. It will also include a personal engagement at a private family event.

“During the visit, the President will meet with key stakeholders to assess the security situation in the state,” Onanuga disclosed.

In addition to the security meetings, the President is expected to inaugurate two major projects undertaken by the Katsina State Government.

“He will commission the Katsina Agricultural Mechanized Centre and a 24KM dual carriageway completed by Governor Dikko Umar Radda,” the statement added.

On a lighter note, President Tinubu will also participate in a social function during his stay.

“President Tinubu will also honour an invitation to attend the wedding of the governor’s daughter before returning to Abuja,” Onanuga concluded.

Hon. Raymond Okechukwu Ugwu who represents Enugu East Rural Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, has reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots development and youth empowerment through innovative skill-building initiatives.

Hon. Ugwu gave the assurance on Wednesday at Emene during a free agro aid and ICT training programme he organized to equip his constituents with modern agricultural techniques and digital skills.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that the initiative marks the first of its kind in the history of the constituency, aimed at fostering sustainable livelihoods and bridging the gap between education and rural enterprise.

The training, with the theme “empowering constituents through agriculture and ICT knowledge,” featured practical sessions on ICT-driven business opportunities, sack farming, short-term crop cultivation, and small-scale livestock rearing, including rabbit and grasscutter farming.

Participants also received guidance on accessing markets, securing agricultural credit, and developing business models suited to rural communities.

In a welcome speech, the lawmaker noted that the initiative is a way of giving back and equipping his people with practical skills that can change their lives and lift their communities.

“Today is a day that will shine brightly in the history books of Enugu East Rural Constituency. It is a day when the seeds of knowledge are being sown, and surely, we shall reap a harvest of prosperity and self-reliance in due season.”

“This is not just a training, it is a clarion call for all our farmers, youths, women, and residents to rise and take their rightful place in the unfolding economic revolution.”

“Governor Mbah has not just raised the bar; he has shattered the ceiling of development expectations.

“His projects in agriculture, education, digital infrastructure, and rural development have turned barren fields into blooming gardens. Here in Enugu East Rural, we have felt the soothing touch of his development agenda like rain falling on parched earth.”

“Whether it is in the revitalization of our farm settlements, the improvement of our rural roads, or the strategic empowerment of our youths through digital literacy, Governor Mbah has shown that a leader who plants trees under whose shade he does not expect to sit, is one who truly loves his people.” He added

To ensure that the training yields immediate impact, each participant received an agro-startup support package, including fertilizers, crop seedlings, and sacks for sack farming—enabling them to begin their agribusiness journey right away.

Dignitaries present at the event included HRH Igwe Dr. Emmanuel Ugwu, the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Nike; Dr. Patrick Ubru, Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization; Kenneth Eze, President of the Enugu State Young Farmers Association; and Hon. Ekene Uzodimma.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ngozi Egbo expressed deep appreciation for the initiative.

“No one has ever brought something like this to us. We are truly grateful to our representative”

Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed deep appreciation to the workers of the state, celebrating their resilience, dedication, and professionalism amid ongoing political instability and economic difficulties.

In a Workers’ Day message released on Thursday through his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara lauded the workforce for their unwavering contributions across all sectors, describing them as essential pillars of the state’s growth and a “beacon of hope for a more prosperous future.”

Fubara aligned his message with the 2025 Workers’ Day theme “Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate”, stressing the importance of prioritising workplace safety and adopting environmentally conscious labour practices.

He noted, “Protecting workers from environmental and workplace hazards is critical to sustainable development.”

The suspended governor also acknowledged the federal government’s efforts, saying, “President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been instrumental in advancing labour reforms and supporting climate-resilient policies aimed at enhancing workplace safety across the country.”

Despite facing governance disruptions, Fubara remained firm in his praise for the state’s workforce.

“Your sacrifices and sense of duty are the cornerstone of our state’s stability and progress,” he stated.

Reaffirming his commitment to workers’ welfare, he called on both public and private employers to uphold labour laws and respect the rights and dignity of their employees. He emphasized that improving working conditions must be a shared priority.

Fubara concluded his message with a spiritual appeal and a hopeful vision for Rivers State: “I pray for divine guidance for all leaders and assure the people of Rivers State of my resolve to build a work environment defined by dignity, opportunity, and prosperity.”

Encouraging unity and optimism, he added, “The forces of justice, peace, and progress will ultimately prevail.”