PRESS RELEASE

The All Progressives Congress, APC says its attention has been drawn to a false and misleading statement credited to one Godspower Keku, the state secretary of the PDP on the botched exercise of inspecting electoral materials in ostensible compliance with the clear orders of the Bayelsa State Governorship Tribunal sitting in Abuja, given on 5th December 2019.

in a statement by the APC State Secretary, Honourable Alabo Martins said what transpired on Sunday, December 14, 2019 at the fixed venue for the ongoing said inspection, was a deliberate stratagem by the PDP and their cohorts numbering about 50.

Alabo Martins says these persons who are not the petitioners, solicitors or party agents are out to cause confusion and tamper with electoral documents to fit their already shaky petition describing it as a voyage of fishing for documents potent.

According to him, while only six persons represented the APC, the two INEC officials present, were overwhelmed with the strange number of persons the PDP brought into the exercise that should have been an ordinary civil and simple exercise disrespecting in the glare of the whole world, the tribunal's orders.

He said the single act of the PDP which their verbal protests could not make them to change their mode of operation left the INEC officials with no other choice than to suspend the exercise, alleging that the outgoing PDP government is set to destroy evidence of its defeat, distort sensitive electoral documents and tamper with same.

The APC, in view of the circumstances, appeals to the INEC not to treat PDP's conduct with levity and call the gang of Interlopers and busy bodies off, while adding that at the appropriate time, the party through it's solicitors will take steps to void the outcome of those contemptuous display of impunity by the PDP and their sympathisers.

Hon. Martins Alabo

State Secretary All Progressives Congress
Bayelsa State

16th December, 2019

Speech by his Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the signing into law of the 2020 Appropriation Bill.

Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019

PROTOCOLS

1. It is my pleasant duty, today, on my 77th birthday, to sign the 2020 Appropriation Bill into law. I thank the National Assembly, in particular, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and indeed all the Distinguished and Honourable Leaders, and Members, for passing the 2020 Appropriation Bill, expeditiously.

2. You will recall, that I laid the 2020 Appropriation Bill before the Joint Session of the National Assembly on 8th October, 2019 and forwarded the 2019 Finance Bill shortly thereafter.

3. I am very pleased that the National Assembly worked uncommonly long hours in the interest of our people and the national economy to ensure detailed legislative review and passage of the Budget within two months.

4. This patriotic zeal adopted by the Ninth National Assembly has restored our budget cycle to a predictable January to December fiscal year.

5. Furthermore, in the twenty years since the return to civilian democracy, this will be just the fourth time that the Federal Budget was passed before the end of the previous year, and this is the earliest.

6. The passage of the Finance Bill, which I am told will be done in the coming days, will also be a landmark achievement worthy of recognition, being the first time, this has been done in the last twenty years.

7. We look forward to receiving this Bill, shortly, for Presidential Assent. Once passed into law, the Finance Bill will support the funding and implementation of the 2020 Budget. We shall sustain this tradition by ensuring that subsequent budgets are also accompanied by a Finance Bill.

8. For these achievements, I must therefore congratulate and thank the Distinguished Senate President, the Right Honourable Speaker and indeed, all members of the Federal Legislature for their commitment and support.

9. I equally thank the Ninth National Assembly for supporting important legislations such as the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Amendment Act and the 2019 Finance Bill. These laws are vital to the successful implementation of the 2020 Budget.

10. I am aware of the regular high-level discussions that took place, between senior officials of the Executive and the Legislature during this period. I commend this renewed partnership, the mutual understanding as well as collaboration between these two arms of government.

11. Now, we are well positioned to effectively implement the budget and deliver our promises to Nigerians. Businesses will also benefit as they are now in a position to plan more effectively.

12. We have to sustain this harmonious working relationship. I expect that, going forward, this will be the norm.

13. I have directed that efforts be made to ensure the presentation of the 2021 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly in September 2020. I am confident that all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies will cooperate with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to keep to this timeline.

14. I will work with the Ninth National Assembly to give effect to the constitutional, legislative and other actions that may be necessary to address the various challenges currently associated with our federal budgeting process, including the enactment of an Organic Budget Bill.

15. The 2020 Budget passed by the National Assembly provides for aggregate expenditures of Ten-point-Five-Nine-Four Trillion Naira (N10.594 trillion), an increase of Two Hundred and Sixty-Three-point-Nine-Five Billion Naira (N263.95 billion) over the Executive’s Proposal that was submitted in October 2019. We have examined the adjustments and may revert to the National Assembly with a request for a Virement or other relevant amendments.

16. The Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning will make a public presentation of the details of the approved budget.

17. With today’s global oil market outlook and our strategic approach to revenue growth, we are optimistic that we will be able to finance the 2020 Budget.

18. However, being a deficit budget, an appropriate 2020 – 2022 Borrowing Plan will be forwarded to the National Assembly, in due course.

19. Mr. Senate President, Right Honourable Speaker, for this submission, I will once again count on your usual cooperation and support by ensuring quick consideration and approval of the Plan.

20. To optimize the desired impact, I have directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and all Federal MDAs to ensure effective implementation of the 2020 Budget.

21. I wish to acknowledge the efforts of the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Budget Office of the Federation, and all stakeholders, who collaborated and worked painstakingly, to produce the 2020 Appropriation Bill, that I have just signed into law.

22. I thank you most sincerely for your kind attention.

23. May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Hon Barr Ebelema Terry Danadana Predicts, Lyon Administration will be the best in Bayelsa History

* Congratulate David Lyon

*Lauds Hon Maxwell, Chief Samuel Ogbuku and Morris Bako for APC massive victory in Ogbia LGA

*He commends Elebele  Community for their peaceful conduct before, during and after elections

Hon Terry Danadana political grassroot mobilizer, frontrunner and a brain of All Progressives Congress victory in Elebele  Community foretell that the David Lyon's Administration will be the best in the entire history of Bayelsa.
Hon Terry made this statement while addressing newsmen at the victory party in his home town.

In his statement available to https://planet247news.blogspot.com  he describe David Lyon as man filled with so much impact to man the Bayelsa State Government to a success in the next four years. the Governor Elect, who successful managed Darlon Security from the scratch to one of the biggest Surveillance Security Company in West Africa, also he is confident that Lyon Administration will tackle insecurity and manage the economy of our state to its best form.

Furthermore, he congratulates Hon David Lyon on his well deserved victory at the polls and in same vein congratulate Bayelsan for this new revolution, David Lyon/APC victory wouldn't have been possible without their acceptance, love and support to the party during the elections, indeed the masses really wanted
 change.

Hon Terry also Lauds the effort Of Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva, Minister Of State Petroleum Resources, Hon Maxwell Oko, Chief Samuel Ogbuku and Hon Abi Morris Bako for their efforts made during the electioneering process, he described them as rare gems and one of its kind in leadership. The leaders Operate an Open door policy, gave room and an open playing field to everyone irrespective of their class in our kingdom, the masses were given more room to vent their thoughts and ideas.

he Thank Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva for finding him worthy to serve as a member of the Kolo Creek Center.

Also he congratulates Hon maxwell Oko on his Appointment and successful screening as the Executive Director Finance and Administration NDDC, he Describe Hon Maxwell as once in a lifetime leader, a philanthropist, kindhearted and a man who has the qualities of a true leader.

He further stressed that Hon Maxwell Oko's presence in Elebele  Community gave them a relief and breath of fresh air, that development will not pass them bye, and also made the entire community have much confident him, that through his position will ensure the reconstruction of their  roads and their bridges.

Also he thanked Hon Maxwell and the leadership of APC  for finding Elebele sons worthy to be part of his team and always carrying them along in all endeavors.

he commended his home town, Elebele  Community for their peaceful display before, during and after the elections, the community have always being grateful to Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva for his numerous projected sited in our community to development.

He urge bayelsans to support the incoming administration in all ramifications to bring the needed development to Bayelsa state

WHO IS AFTER BARR. FESTUS DAUMIEBI AND WHY?

The public have watched with keen interest, the recent public attacks on the person of Barr. Festus on issues bothering on the last gubernatorial elections. While it is every body's right to air their views in whatever fora, it is important that such views are expressed with a clear conscience with a view of keeping the public properly informed; and not to mislead & incite the public against innocent but perceived political enemies.

It is not a news to every well informed Bayelsan that the electoral journey of our governor-elect,  Chief David Lyon started and ended from Barr. Festus Daumiebi's residence as he was the central mobilising force that coordinated people from all walks of life as it is on record that about 90% of those that came from the opposition PDP also came through his efforts which led to the ground strength of our party that has turned from opposition party to a ruling party in the State.

It is also on record that  all strategic decisions, including mobilisation for all electioneering activities from the party primaries, campaigns, general election, etc took place in this humble and unassuming young and vibrant leader's residence  THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION.

As the central rallying point of the party throughout the process, the campaign alternate D/G in the person of prof. Seiyefa Brisibe and other leaders of the party and the campaign organisation decided on the 15h of November, 2019 to once again, use his residence as the venue for the mobilisation of party members through the various LGA coordinators. It has also been established that the time at which such mobilisations were made, Barr. Festus Daumiebi whose residence was used as the engine room for all critical decisions was not even in his home, neither was he put on notice as he was busy with his principal, the governor elect, running round to put finishing touches on critical issues ahead of the election on the following day.

Based on information made available by the campaign D/G and party leaders, all the LGAs except Brass LGA got their ward mobilisation through their respective LGA coordinators and leaders from the alternate D/G, prof. Seiyefa Brisibe from Barr. Festus Daumiebi's residence which from the inception of this journey, served as the meeting point of the party. It is also on record that it was pastor Reuben Wilson who is the coordinator of Southern Ijaw LGA that directed Hon. Kesiye Frank Oputu and Hon. Joseph Alakere to receive the Southern Ijaw LGA wards and units mobilisation funds in the presence of Hon. Henry Ofongo, Hon. Yekini Nabena, prof. Seiya Brisibe and many other party leaders and these funds where handed over to Hon. Kesiye Frank oputu and Joseph Alakere completely. It is also worthy to note that Barr. Festus Daumiebi was not even in his compound when all these were going on as the money was taken to Hon. Kesiye Frank Oputu's residence by Kesiye Frank oputu and Joseph Alakere in a broad day light.

It is therefore, unfortunate that any sane person will link Barr. Festus Daumiebi to link  to whatever missing election funds of Southern Ijaw LGA, simply because his residence was used to mobilise the entire State.  The question on the lips of every well meaning humans is; was it only Southern Ijaw LGA mobilisation funds that were distributed played in Barr. Festus Daumiebi's residence? How come the funds of Sagbama, Ekeremor, KOLGA, Ogbia, Nembe, Yelga, etc which were paid from the same residence did not get missing apart from Southern Ijaw LGA? Why not call out those that received the Southern Ijaw funds on behalf of the LGA? Why link Barr. Festus Daumiebi to such a demonic act simply because his residence was used to make mobilisation to the entire State?

It is also on record that upon hearing the dastardly news, our Governor-elect, chief David Lyon who is incidentally from that LGA ordered a meeting of the entire Southern Ijaw LGA to be convened at Hon. Kesiye Frank Oputu's residence from where the money was taken to from the point of complete collection to unravel the circumstances behind the disappearance of the said election funds. It was a meeting where all well meaning Southern Ijaw political leaders including chief Patrick Osunu, Hon. Williams Alamene, Hon. Solomon Aprela, Hon. Vivian Ere Imananagha, Pastor Reuben Wilson, Chief Stephen Bekefula and countless SILGA leaders and in that meeting, those who went and received the SILGA funds on behalf of the LGA in the persons of Hon. Kesiye Frank oputu and Joseph Alakere established the fact clearly that Barr. Festus Daumiebi was not even around where the said money was paid, not to talk of him, seeing the denomination of the funds that no one should link him to the said missing funds, that his only involvement is that the Mobilisation funds for the entire State was paid from his residence.

Going by the foregoing details, it is unfortunate that those who are afraid of Festus Daumiebi's towering political profile will link him to this issue as their is evidently nothing to link an innocent man with what purportedly happened at the place where the funds were taken to. We are are yet to establish the actual problem these people have against Barr. Festus. We are sure that they are yet to State the actual problem they have against Barr. Festus and we expect more of such evil attacks in the days coming. God who fights for the just will continue to fight every seen & unseen battle for you; Barr. Festus Daumiebi Sunday..

Comr. Innocent Ebenezer Okiakpe