By Ufuoma Egbe The tragedy of Okuama has left deep wounds. Families have lost loved ones, a community has suffered devastation, and several Okuama leaders have remained in detention for an agonising period. Their plight deserves justice, compassion and sustained public attention. But precisely because the tragedy is so painful, it must not become an excuse for political blackmail that disregards facts, constitutional boundaries and good conscience. The recent attack on Senator Ede Dafinone over the continued detention of Okuama leaders is a case in point. In his call to reject Dafinone in 2027, by Comrade Ogheneyore Israel Okerevwodjaye, one…
Author: SouthernVoiceNews
SouthernVoiceNews
Godwin-Maria Utuedoye is a trained professional journalist. A graduate of Mass Communication from the Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. He is a registered practising Journalist with the Nigeria Union of Journalists with over 20 years experience in news reporting. He is interested in Investigative and development Journalism. He lives in Nigeria and focuses more in the Niger-Delta region where oil and gas exploration by government and multinational oil companies has plunged into poverty and environmental degradation for years. He is also a PR Consultant, content creator, broadcast, print Journalist and Publisher. His vast experiences in journalism span over decades of reporting the activities of the untouched areas. He is married with children.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Saturday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting genuine farmers and private investors through infrastructure, improved power supply and other incentives to boost economic diversification and job creation. Oborevwori who spoke during an inspection of Tatcha Farms in Okuloho, Okpe Local Government Area, and Amity Global Farms and Manroy Livestock Farms at Ohorhe 1, Uvwie Local Government Area, said government support for businesses would not necessarily be through direct funding, but by providing the infrastructure and enabling environment required for enterprises to thrive. He said the state’s recent Economic and Investment Summit was designed…
By Fegor Ogene JP. The article titled “A Clarion Call to Reject Sen. Ede Dafinone in 2027: The Time for Accountability Is Now,” by Comr. Okerevwodjaye Ogheneyore Israel, raises legitimate questions about accountability, the Okuama crisis, justice and the plight of detained Urhobo citizens. However, serious political commentary must be anchored in verifiable facts. Where claims contradict the public record, they deserve to be challenged. The most glaring example is the repeated claim that Senator Ede Dafinone was “silent” on Okuama. That is demonstrably inconsistent with several reports by national newspapers. On March 12–14, 2025, The Cable, The Guardian, Vanguard,…
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has congratulated His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, on the fifth anniversary of his coronation, praising the monarch’s role in fostering peace, unity and development across Warri Kingdom. In a congratulatory message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, the governor described Atuwatse III as a “peace-loving and visionary” traditional ruler whose leadership has strengthened harmony and cooperation among the kingdom’s people and neighboring communities. “Over the past five years, His Majesty has demonstrated exemplary leadership and played a significant role in promoting the socio-economic revival of Warri…
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Delta State, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, has charged members of the party to demonstrate greater commitment, unity and togetherness, stressing that the task ahead is bigger than individual interests. Ogboru gave the charge at the weekend while receiving a delegation of members of the defunct Legacy ADC executive in Delta Central, led by the senatorial leader, into the present ADC political structure. Addressing the delegation at his country home in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Ogboru said the time had come for…
By David Lawani, Abuja The Media Consultant to Tantita Nigeria Limited, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, has said the company’s sustained efforts in protecting oil pipelines and other critical infrastructure in the Niger Delta have significantly improved crude oil production, environmental safety and economic activities in the region. Bebenimibo, who is also Special Adviser to Tantita Chairman, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, stated this while speaking on the sidelines of an award presented to Tantita by Blueprint Newspapers in recognition of the company’s contributions to pipeline security and national development. According to him, the award was another indication that Tantita’s…
After 27 years of political exclusion, stakeholders in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have applauded the restoration of the Ughelli South II State Constituency, particularly praising Senator Ede Dafinone and Hon. Francis Waive for their contributions to the process. Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently restored Ughelli South II alongside Abraka and Isoko North II in Delta State and Yagba West II in Kogi State, following relevant court judgments. The Commission has fixed September 19, 2026, for elections into the restored constituencies, with party primaries scheduled for August 21–25. The development has been described…
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Delta State for the 2027 election, Peter Mrakpor, SAN, has accused alleged political thugs loyal to the state government of attacking PDP members and defectors during the party joining and reception ceremony in Oria-Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area. Mrakpor, in a statement made available on Sunday, August 16, 2026, alleged that the attackers were led by Oghenekevwe Emoavwodia, a councillor representing DESIEC Ward 5, Ethiope East, and acted on the alleged instructions of the Director of Protocol at Government House, Chief Sunday Onoriode, and the Chairman of Ethiope…
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has commended the renewed efforts to promote peace, unity and harmonious coexistence among the diverse ethnic communities in Warri and its environs. The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, at the closing ceremony of the maiden Warri Unity Games held at the Federal Government College (FGC), Warri, described sports as a powerful instrument for strengthening relationships and fostering sustainable peace. Tonukari, who represented the governor at the event, conveyed Oborevwori’s warm regards and expressed his regret at his inability to attend personally due to pressing official engagements.…
By Fred Akpewe As Nigeria gradually moves towards the 2027 general elections, political realignments and coalition-building are increasingly dominating the national conversation. Among the emerging possibilities is a potential convergence involving three prominent opposition figures: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and veteran Delta State politician Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru. Although no formal alliance between the three has been announced, their respective political backgrounds, regional influence and electoral experience have sparked discussions about what a strategic partnership could mean for the opposition and the wider political landscape. Complementary Political Strengths: Atiku Abubakar remains one of…