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PH Security Operatives And Street Carnivals
The New Webster’s Dictionary Of English Language, International Edition, defines Carnival as any public festivity usually with processions, dancing and side shows.
If this definition is anything to go by, it is therefore, not surprising to see that governments all over the world, corporate organisations and individuals make huge budgetary allocation to develop and promote the social, religious, intellectual and artistic potentials of the citizenry through various forms of carnivals particularly, culture.
A typical example of such fiesta in Nigeria was the 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture tagged “FESTAC 77” under the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo when different cultural troupes and Artistes show-cased the rich cultural heritage and intellectual potentials of the country.
Since then, the Carnival landscape of the country has witnessed one form of festival or the other as the federal, states and local governments organised annual cultural festivals to develop and harness the rich talents of our youths as well as tourism potentials of the country.
Here in Rivers State, the present administration under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has done enough to provide platform and opportunities for the indigenes and residents of the state to develop their God-given potentials in all human endeavours.
To be precise, Rivers State government sponsored over 1,000 participants who represented 30 different groups and officials in the just-concluded Abuja cultural fiesta, the largest contingent of the festival.
Again, the government has also kick-started the on-going cultural Carnival tagged “CARNIRIV 2009” to further demonstrate its commitment towards promoting and developing social, intellectual, artistic and tourism potentials of the state.
According to the programme of events, this year’s CARNIRIV has been expanded to one week in order to accommodate more than 500 different cultural troupes from various parts of the state at the Elekahia CARNIRIV Village, Port Harcourt.
It is against this backdrop that one is skeptical about the sudden emergence of youth Carnivals in the street of Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital in recent times.
Although, one is not against the development of youths talents and potentials through street Carnivals but it is imperative to point out the security implications of such youths gatherings in the Niger Delta region particularly Rivers State, since the experience of cult clashes is an open wound in the state.
Infact, feelers from some of the street carnivals indicate that if nothing is done to nip them in the bud, the state may be in for another round of cult war or at best, street clashes in Port Harcourt.
For example, the police in mile three area of Port Harcourt metropolis was said to have averted what would have been an ugly clash at Ojiegbu Street in Diobu area when the residents of the street resisted an attempt by the organisers of the street carnival to extort money from them for the street carnival.
Similarly, last Tuesday, there was a pandemonium at Obidianso Street also in Diobu area of Port Harcourt when some residents of the street resisted an attempt to impose a levy of N2,000 each on the premises by the organisers of the Street Carnival billed to commence next week.
From the fore going, it is obvious that Rivers State government and indeed, security operatives in the state should act decisively now before the Port Harcourt Street Carnivals metamorphose into cult groups.
Nwankwo is the editor’s guest.
Isaac Nwankwo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a special legal team to handle election petitions arising from last Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
This comes as the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari Area Councils, while the PDP secured victory only in Gwagwalada.
The Tide reports that the council elections were held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, across all six FCT area councils, including Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
Results announced so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari Area Councils, while the PDP secured victory only in Gwagwalada.
In a statement issued yesterday by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party congratulated its candidates, who emerged winners in the chairmanship and councilor elections.
The opposition party acknowledged the victories, noting that the number of wins was lower than expected but significant given the alleged irregularities during the polls.
“We specifically congratulate the Chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the councillors who have been declared successful by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“This victory, though less in number than we anticipated, is particularly gladdening because it is against the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics, and brazen executive brigandage,” the statement read.
Ememobong claimed that there are reports and video evidence indicating voter intimidation and unlawful conduct that influenced the outcome of the elections.
“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets in polling units, intimidate voters, and unduly influence the outcome of the elections.”
To address complaints and litigations arising from the polls, he said the party has set up a legal team headed by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq.
The statement urged candidates with legitimate grievances to contact the Legal Adviser promptly, as delays could jeopardise their chances in election petition cases.
“The incredible voter apathy in these polls is a direct response to the anti-people Electoral Act 2026, where the people have completely lost faith in the electoral outcomes from elections conducted under this Act.
“These Local Council polls may just be a foreshadowing of the forthcoming general elections in 2027 if changes are not urgently made,” the statement added.
The PDP called on the National Assembly and the President to take corrective action to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will on Wednesday swear in Justice Joseph Oyewole as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The ceremony is scheduled to be held at 2pm at Courtroom Two of the Supreme Court complex in Abuja.
The court urged guests to adhere strictly to the court’s protocols and security measures.
This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Supreme Court’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr Festus Akande.
The court described Oyewole’s appointment as a step towards reinforcing the capacity of the apex court to deliver fair and timely judgments.
Recall that Oyewole was, until his elevation, a Justice of the Court of Appeal and Presiding Justice of the Enugu Division, and joins the apex court bench as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the judiciary.
The National Judicial Council recommended Oyewole for the position alongside 35 others for various judicial offices, following its 110th meeting held on January 13, 2026, and presided over by Justice Kekere-Ekun.
The statement partly read, “The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON, will on Wednesday, 25th February, 2026, preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA.”
According to the statement, Oyewole served with distinction at the Court of Appeal and as Presiding Justice of the Enugu Division prior to his elevation.
“His appointment underscores the commitment of the Nigerian judiciary to upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, and strengthening the bench with experienced and dedicated jurists. He brings a wealth of legal expertise and integrity to the apex court to further enhance its capacity to deliver fair and timely judgments,” the statement added.
The apex court further described the swearing-in as “another significant step in rejuvenating the judiciary and ensuring the continued delivery of justice in line with the highest standards of integrity, competence, and impartiality.”
The Supreme Court reiterated its commitment to justice, fairness and judicial independence for the benefit of Nigerians.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed deep shock and sadness over the sudden passage of Senator Barinada Mpigi, the Senator representing South East Senatorial District of Rivers State.
In a tribute to mourn the deceased, Governor Fubara described Mpigi as a brother, a consummate politician and one of the leading lights in Rivers State.
He said that Mpigi died at a critical time when his services were still needed by the people of Rivers State and prayed God Almighty to grant him eternal rest.
The governor commiserated with his immediate family, the Rivers South East Senatorial District and the Senate at large, asking them to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived a good life and impacted positively on the people.
Senator Mpigi died at the age of 64. Until his death, he was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works.
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