Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Abducted Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. Federal Otokito, has regained freedom five days after he was kidnapped from his Otuokpoti community residence in Ogbia council. The Bayelsa Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ben Nebolisa, and the state Director of State Security Services, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, presented Mr. Otokito to Governor Douye Diri at Government House, Yenagoa. Diri announced the deposition of the paramount ruler, Chief A.C.T Wongo, and appointed Chief Rescue Abe in an acting capacity. He also sacked the community's development committee chairman, Azibalua Amon, and replaced him with Jerry Offor in acting capacity. Diri warned all those involved in illegal refining of crude to stop forthwith. He thanked security agencies and all those who availed the government of useful information that led to the release of the commissioner.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on his appointees to resign if they have any political ambition ahead of the 2023 elections. He noted that the administration still had time to deliver on its promises before the next governorship election in late 2023 and that cabinet members eyeing other elective offices must not combine politics with governance. He also said there would be a periodic evaluation of activities of various ministries this year to ensure that set targets were met. The Bayelsa West Patriotic Front (BWPF) has urged Senator Seriake Dickson to remain committed to the principle of rotation and base his actions on equity, fairness and sense of belonging. Despite the theatrics being displayed by the former governor in his bid to scuttle the existing rotational agreement, Diri should stand firm to uphold the peaceful co-existence in the ruling PDP and show true statesmanship and upright leadership qualities.