Active APC and PDP supporters will soon face each other in yet another electoral re–run in my home state, Rivers. I have spoken to several Riverians – non-politicians – about this upcoming battle, which has been scheduled for December 10th; and they are all extremely worried because violence has marred previous polls and the widespread assumption is that violence will rear its ugly head again next weekend.

Many people – myself included – are still dazed by Donald Trump’s presidential election victory. Very few saw it coming; and A LOT of time is being invested – in America and globally – in analyses of the “shocking” result, as journalists, pundits, pollsters and non-professional observers of all nationalities try to make sense of it.

MY friend, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, is the Chief Press Secretary to Seriake Dickson, the Bayelsa State Governor. Daniel’s mother recently passed away and will be buried this weekend; and I want to share the moving tribute he sent me.

So Hillary Clinton, the Democrat, has lost to Donald Trump, the Republican; and my dream of seeing a highly accomplished female installed as President of the most powerful nation on earth is lying in tatters.

I RECENTLY saw a wonderful photograph that really cheered me up in a week that has been full of sadness and tears.

It depicted the 21 freed Chibok Girls dancing at a special thanksgiving service in Abuja. They were smiling joyfully and looked absolutely beautiful – vibrant young ladies with many years ahead of them – in their colourful new clothes.