* Says Non-performing leaders should be voted out.

By: Divine Perezide

Podoki urges Burutu voters to demand accountability, quality representation ahead of 2027 Assembly poll

By Divine Perezide

The Action People’s Party (APP) candidate for Burutu Constituency I in the 2027 Delta State House of Assembly election, Amb. Dere Podoki, has commended Tantita Security Services Limited for its intervention in the crisis surrounding the Burutu General Hospital, while accusing governments at the federal, state and local levels of neglecting the basic needs of residents across the riverine communities.

Podoki’s comments followed a recent protest by indigenes of Burutu over the reported death of a woman after she allegedly could not receive adequate medical attention at the Burutu General Hospital because of a shortage of medical personnel.

The incident triggered renewed concerns over the condition of healthcare delivery in the local government area and prompted Tantita Security Services Limited, a private security company chaired by prominent Niger Delta leader, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, to send a fact-finding team to the hospital.

The team was reportedly mandated to assess the condition of the facility and determine the requirements for its possible rehabilitation.

Reacting to the development, Podoki praised Tantita for what he described as a timely intervention in a matter affecting the lives and welfare of Burutu residents.

He, however, questioned why a private company should have to step in to address a problem which, according to him, falls primarily within the responsibilities of government.

The APP candidate alleged that Tantita had repeatedly intervened in critical areas affecting communities, including security, road infrastructure, education and food distribution.

According to him, the interventions demonstrated the capacity of private organisations to respond to community needs, but also exposed what he described as the failure of government at different levels to adequately provide basic services.

Podoki particularly criticised the state of public infrastructure in Burutu Local Government Area, which he said comprises more than 80 autonomous communities.

He expressed concern over what he described as the absence of functional healthcare facilities, inadequate electricity supply, lack of potable water and the absence of a permanent campus for the only polytechnic serving the area.

«“How can the whole of Burutu Local Government Area with over 80 autonomous communities have no single functional health facility, no permanent campus for the only Polytechnic, no power supply in the headquarters or anywhere else, no drinking water, nothing at all, and people who have failed to be the voice of the people are seeking re-election?” Podoki asked.»

He challenged the Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to take urgent steps to address the challenges confronting Burutu, urging the administration to demonstrate its commitment to the development of the area.

The APP candidate also accused the APC-led government of failing to deliver on its campaign promises, arguing that Nigerians were already dealing with serious economic and social challenges.

He described the political situation as one in which, in his words, the APC was seeking to “repeat the class” despite what he called its failure to fulfil previous campaign commitments.

Podoki insisted that Nigeria could not afford further experimentation with governance and called for a change in political leadership and representation.

‘Why Not Concession Development Projects?’

The Burutu Constituency I candidate went further to question whether some developmental responsibilities could be concessioned to reputable private organisations with proven capacity to deliver projects and services.

He cited Tantita’s interventions in communities as an example of how private-sector organisations could complement government efforts in addressing pressing social and infrastructural challenges.

While commending Tantita’s reported decision to assess the Burutu General Hospital, Podoki maintained that sustainable development should ultimately involve effective government institutions capable of providing essential services to citizens. He also appeal to the Tantita management to provide a water ambulance for an emergency cases need to be handled in central hospital.

He said the people of Burutu deserved functional healthcare, reliable electricity, potable water, quality educational infrastructure, accessible roads and effective representation.

2027 Mandate

As the 2027 general election approaches, Podoki urged voters in Burutu Constituency I to scrutinise the records of political office holders and candidates before deciding who should represent them at the Delta State House of Assembly.

He presented his candidacy as an opportunity for residents to elect what he described as a stronger and more vocal advocate for the riverine communities.

Podoki said he remained committed to speaking for the people and ensuring that issues affecting communities in the constituency received sustained attention at the state legislature.

He declared that he remained “the voice of the masses from the swamps of the Delta” and appealed to the electorate to entrust him with their mandate in the 2027 House of Assembly election.

The controversy over the Burutu General Hospital has meanwhile renewed calls for urgent intervention in healthcare delivery in the riverine area, particularly in ensuring that residents have access to medical personnel and functional health infrastructure when emergencies occur.

By Favour Bibaikefie

The National Chairman of Phase 3 of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Gen. Godstime Ogidigba, popularly known as Gen. Ogidigba, has called on media organisations, community leaders and critical stakeholders across the Niger Delta to intensify support for the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, High Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, by giving wider publicity to the programme’s achievements and developmental initiatives.

Gen. Ogidigba made the call while commending the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), under the leadership of Comrade Austin Ozobo, for what he described as a sustained effort to project the accomplishments of the Otuaro-led administration through factual and balanced reporting.

According to him, the media advocacy undertaken by the forum has played a significant role in correcting public misconceptions about the Presidential Amnesty Programme and countering what he described as deliberate attempts by critics to spread misinformation, propaganda and false narratives aimed at discrediting the current administration.

He noted that the forum’s commitment to highlighting the programme’s successes has provided the public with a clearer understanding of the reforms and developmental initiatives being implemented under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership.

Gen. Ogidigba urged other media houses, opinion leaders and stakeholders in the region to emulate the example set by Comrade Austin Ozobo and the Ijaw Publishers Forum by supporting efforts that promote peace, development and the positive transformation taking place within the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

He further stressed the importance of unity among the Ijaw people, saying collective support for credible leadership remains vital to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta.

According to him, “the time has come for Ijaw people to unite in supporting and promoting their own,” stressing that collective unity and cooperation remain essential to the progress and development of the Niger Delta.

He emphasized that, “United we stand, divided we fall.”

Gen. Ogidigba expressed optimism that greater collaboration among media practitioners, traditional leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders would further strengthen ongoing efforts to consolidate peace, stability and socio-economic development across the region.

• Commends Education, Skills Development, Prompt Stipends and Peacebuilding Initiatives

By Divine Perezide

Renowned Niger Delta advocate, Comrade Ozobo Austin, has praised the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dennis Brutu Otuaro, PhD, for what he described as a transformative approach to youth development through sustained investment in education, vocational training, leadership development and peacebuilding across the Niger Delta.

Speaking after the successful conclusion of the sixth batch of the Presidential Amnesty Programme’s Leadership and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Capacity-Building Workshop in Abuja, Ozobo said the programme under Otuaro has continued to create opportunities that are empowering beneficiaries to become responsible and productive contributors to society.

According to him, the PAP’s continued sponsorship of local and international scholarship programmes, vocational skills acquisition initiatives and leadership training demonstrates a strong commitment to developing competent human capital capable of driving the long-term growth and stability of the region.

Ozobo also applauded the Administrator for ensuring the consistent payment of monthly stipends to beneficiaries, noting that the timely disbursement has strengthened confidence in the programme, reduced anxiety among beneficiaries and contributed to sustaining peace within the Niger Delta.

He stated that the combination of educational support, technical training and leadership development reflects a strategic effort to equip young people with the knowledge and practical skills required to build better livelihoods while reducing dependence on militancy and conflict.

The activist further urged political leaders, traditional institutions, community stakeholders, women and youth groups across the Niger Delta to continue supporting the ongoing reforms within the Presidential Amnesty Programme, stressing that collective support would enhance the programme’s capacity to deliver lasting peace, security and socio-economic development.

Ozobo expressed optimism that, with sustained commitment and stakeholder collaboration, Chief Dennis Otuaro’s leadership would continue to strengthen the gains of the Amnesty Programme by nurturing a new generation of educated, skilled and responsible leaders who will shape the future of the Niger Delta.