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APC Uncovers PDP’s Plot To Cause Mayhem
Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced fresh ploy to disturb the peace of the state as it accused the APC of destroying flags of Nigeria and the party in Port Harcourt.
Newly elected Chairman of the party, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya told newsmen yesterday at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt that the PDP had through a lawyer to former Obio/Akpor Chairman, Timothy Nsirim, claimed that the party had gone to damage the national flag and that of the party at Rumuigbo junction.
Bent on causing public disorder, Ikanya said the lawyer, one Mr. Emma Uche, had petitioned the police and the State Security Service (SSS) over the matter.
“You very well know that since the exit of Mbu Joseph Mbu as the commissioner of police in this state, Rivers State has known peace. All our activities have been conducted in law abiding manner, and apart from few incidents of kidnapping and robbery here and there, we have not had any political issue since Mbu left. So, we want to state categorically and unequivocally that no member of APC did anything to destroy flags of any party, let alone Nigeria’s,” Ikanya said.
The Rivers APC chief while wondering why PDP should concoct such accusation, noted that the party respects the national flag and even has part of its flag in Nigerian colours, adding that the party is on a rescue mission to salvage the country from poor leadership.
“Therefore, we cannot be destroying Nigerian flag. I will like to let the public and the entire Nigerian populace to know that this is another frivolous allegation by the same PDP aimed at causing trouble”, he said.
He recalled that the PDP had earlier this year accused the party of sponsoring the abduction of its members, but thanks to God for recent police report which exonerated them, as the culprits have been apprehended.
Ikanya accused the PDP of a smear campaign on the governor of the state, whom he described as a law abiding and focused leader, while assuring that the governor and the APC will not be distracted from delivering good governance to the state.
Calling on the people to disregard the ploy, Ikanya warned the PDP that, “unless it stops this act, we will be forced to take action against them”.
He revealed that the party has been reliably informed that the PDP wants to use the excuse of the flag damage to destroy billboards with APC logos, and called on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to be on the alert.
The APC chairman urged the opposition to concentrate on winning the next elections and putting its house in order, noting that majority of Rivers people have rejected the PDP.
“Let us go for clean and clear elections because at any point in time, the will of God will be done” adding that, “we will as a party, continue to preach peace, and we will not allow anybody to rig us.”’
Similarly, Ikanya has described the recent allegation against the Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Tony Okocha by Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) of threat to life of its spokesperson as a scheme by the opposition to distract government.
He said, “yesterday, somebody accused the Chief of Staff of threatening his life just to distract government attention…The people should disregard such ploy, the governor or all the people in APC are law abiding citizens. We are disciplined people”.
Delegates voting at the APC Rivers Congress in Port Harcourt, last Saturday
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.
