Flood: Obi, Diri Lament Destruction in Bayelsa, Seek FG, Donor Agencies’ Support

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi and the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, have called on the federal government and other donor agencies to quickly come to the aid of the state as the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) ravaged by flood swells daily in the state.
The duo lamented the havoc and destruction caused by the rampaging flooding which is yet to recede, saying that no state can handle both the humanitarian and infrastructural effects of the flood.

Obi who came into Yenagoa with a chopper was received at the Government House before proceeding to the IDP camp at Ox-Bow Lake to identify with the over 4,000 men, women and children who are victims of the flooding.

Obi, who was the state to offer his sympathy and support to the state government and the victims of the ravaging flood while speaking at the IDP camp, lamented the destruction and large numbers of out-of-school children that are now in the camps.

“I came in through the air and I saw the impact of the flood. I have been to other places, and I have never seen this kind of destruction. The federal government needs to declare an emergency in Bayelsa State. No state can cope with such a disaster on its own. I also appeal to the international community and donor agencies to support the affected states. Here in Bayelsa, we need help. This destruction is unimaginable.”

The governor, who thanked the presidential hopeful for his show of support, also called on the federal government and other well-meaning organisations and individuals to join the state government in providing succour to the flood victims.

“The people you see here are those whose houses, farmlands, and fish farms have all been occupied by flood and so 99 per cent of Bayelsans are living as internally displaced persons. Thank God you flew and you have seen for yourselves how Bayelsans are living in inhuman conditions.
“While Mr. President has given us hope, I want to thank you for still joining me to call on the federal government to show more empathy, to show love to the people of Bayelsa State from where oil and gas flow in this country.”

 

Source: Thisday Live

 

 

If Ayu Drops Dead Tomorrow, PDP Will Move On – Bode George Blows Hot Over PDP Crisis

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Bode George has berated the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, for refusing to resign from his position despite the rift in the party.
PDP Crisis: Bode George Warns Against Attempt To Sideline Effah-Attoe, Others

Naija News recalls that Governor Nyesom Wike of River state and his Abia, Oyo, Enugu, and Benue states counterparts, Okezie Ikpeazu, Seyi Makinde, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Samuel Ortom, respectively, insisted that Ayu must resign from office over the alleged imbalance in the PDP leadership. The governors insisted Ayu had earlier promised to resign from his position if the presidential candidate emerges from the North.

The party consequently set up a BoT Reconciliation Committee headed by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, to wade into the crisis between Wike and Ayu. With Ayu showing no intent to honour his pledge, the Adolphus Wabara-led committee submitted a number of recommendations, one of which was that Ayu should commit to leaving his position after the 2023 elections.

Sharing his thoughts on the situation in an interview with Sunday Punch, George opined that Ayu should keep to his promise. He wondered why the National Chairman was so bent on keeping his position adding that if he should die the PDP would still continue with its affairs.

He said, “The truth is that the BoT panel said because Ayu made a pronouncement that if the Presidential candidate comes to the North, he will resign; he should resign. His words should be his bond if he is honourable. He ought to be a distinguished Senator.

“What is so sacrosanct about his fixated belief that he must be the chairman of the party? If he drops dead today, won’t the party continue? “I am told that the report was that Ayu should honour his promise and vacate his seat. I am told that it was the chairman of the committee, Adolphus Wabara who said Ayu should make a commitment that he would go after the elections.

‘’What do they expect us to go home and tell our people? Are they saying ‘vote for us first and we will give you the chairmanship of the party?’ What crap! If the reverse was the case and the North is in our position, having nothing to take home, will they be happy? What you cannot accept, don’t do to other people. Ayu is destroying the fabric of PDP.”

 

Source: Naija News