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Polls: Onne, Bodo Monarchs Endorse Peterside
The traditional rulers of Onne community and Bodo community in Eleme and Gokhana local government areas, respectively have endorse the candidature of All Progressives Congress (APC) Dakuku Peterside for the governorship of Rivers State in the April 11 elections.
The traditional ruler in Onne has also described the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as enemy of the people of Eleme.
The traditional ruler said this during the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward rally which took place at State School, Ogale, Eleme.
“Your Excellency, it might interest you to know that there are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in Rivers State, today. The people of Ekporo are displaced persons in our state, they are refugees in their fatherland because power is in the hands of one man and his wife, so they decided to dehumanise us.
“Here in Eleme, we are working hard to ensure that PDP suffers a humiliating defeat in the hands of APC, it is a promise that must be accomplished. I speak as a paramount ruler because I know my people and my people know me. If my people are angry and I speak, when they hear my voice, they will be calm.
Today, like other days, I am asking them to reject PDP so that they can be free. They have no choice than to believe me because we are all victims of PDP’s oppression, intimidation and harassment. PDP has even taken that which God gave us because they are in power in Abuja”, he said.
The chief assured the governorship candidate of the APC Dr. Dakuku Peterside, of his peoples support for him and his party. Okpabi said the entire people of Eleme are working for Peterside because they believe he can liberate them from the oppression of the ruling party.
He warned his subjects of the dangers of voting for PDP, a party that continues to inflict pains on his people for no particular reason.
He called on Eleme people to use both the presidential and gubernatorial elections to free themselves from slavery and domination, adding that a vote for PDP is a vote for an enemy, which translates to total obliteration of Eleme land.
In his speech, Peterside commended Eleme people for their rare courage and determination to move ahead, even in the face of unjustifiable harassment, adding that “if you don’t change them now, they will continue to molest you and trample on your rights”.
The APC governorship candidate, who promised to protect the interest of Eleme people, pledged to urgently address the issue of unemployment by providing jobs, building of cottage industries and providing funds for small businesses.
He said the APC government at every level will also work for the wellbeing and progress of every Nigerian, irrespective of geographical location, age, sex, creed or party affiliation. Stating that justice, equity and fairness will constitute the critical building blocks of his administration.
Similarly, the traditional ruler of Bodo in Ogoni Kingdom, His Royal Highness, King John Berebon, has said that he is solidly behind governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside,.
The monarch made the statement when the Greater Together Campaign Organisation led by Peterside paid him a courtesy call in his palace in Bodo City.
Berebon also declared his support for APC and its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.
“I am very happy to welcome you, Your Excellency. All of us in Bodo are confident that God will see you through because you are a peaceful man and we believe in you; so we will continue to pray for you. You have honoured our palace, God will honour you. You have also honoured our people, so God will honour you.
“I wish to state that I am solidly behind you and the APC. I was a school boy when Buhari came here to commission the Niger Basin project many years ago. I believe you are a blessing to this community. I know that APC-led Federal Government with Buhari as president will be beneficial to our towns and region. So we are voting APC all the way”, he added.
In the same vein, spokesperson for the palace, Chief Livinus Kiebel, said Bodo people are traditionally APC and would remain so because the party serves their interest.
In his welcome address, spokesman for the community, Sir Clement Menegbo said it will be disastrous for Rivers State to entrust the leadership of the state into the hands of men without integrity and of questionable characters who cannot seriously say why they want power.
“Money was not shared in bags, which is why we have crisis in Rivers State. Rather than open the state’s treasury to a few, Amaechi chose to build infrastructure and improve the living conditions of his people, that is why they are persecuting him. This election is about our future and our life. We must support Peterside and the APC so that our dreams will come true”, he said.
Responding, Peterside called on the people to be peaceful and law-abiding.
“The people of Bodo must be concerned about peace. Tell our children that this election will come and go, political parties will come and go, but Bodo will remain. I am concerned about peace and security because without peace, there will not be progress. Nobody should deceive Bodo people. If you place everybody who wants to be governor on a pedestal, I am the only one who has a stake here.
“My brother attended St. Pius, Bodo, and my childhood friends are from here. I cannot be governor and look the other way. I know the challenges of Bodo, and I will pay attention to this place because I belong here. So, vote for me so that we can build together a greater Bodo”.
He said he will always defend their interest like he did when he staged a walk-out over the non-budgetary allocation for Bodo—Bonny Road, during Federal Ministry of Works budget presentation. Urging them to vote and leave the rest to him, adding that political interest must be reciprocal.
Meanwhile, Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC , Oji Ngofa, has described his party, as the hope and emancipator of his troubled people of Eleme.
Ngofa, who was recently appointed caretaker committee chairman of Eleme Local Government Area made the declaration at State School, Agbeta, Onne during a ward rally by APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.
He said every Eleme son and daughter already knows that the alternative to APC is slavery and oppression adding that they are not prepared to be slaves in their country.
He called on voters in Eleme and the entire Rivers State to reject the PDP. According to him, the ruling party represents the worst form of subjugation and repression.
“I am here to affirm as deputy national secretary of our great party, that the mantra of change has taken firm roots in our local government. APC represents our hope and the only means of our survival. Without APC, Eleme is finished. Therefore, we will give everything to the party, including our blood, if necessary.
In his remarks, member, Rivers State House of Assembly and APC candidate Josiah Olu, said Eleme will deliver block votes to Peterside and the APC.
“We are for APC. Though we are under serious threat from the ruling party, our loyalty will continue to be with APC because they have peaceful and God-fearing people like Dakuku. I am happy that everybody here fully appreciates the fact that this election is all about our future, so we are not leaving anything to chance”, he said.
Responding, Peterside promised to pay special attention to Eleme because of its potentials.
“PDP should not even get a vote here and you know why. On my part, I promise to work with you. Nobody will harass you again because they are not God. They boast because they have power but I want you to put your hope in God. I will fight for you, I will protect your interest and I will complete every project that Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi started. Let me also assure you that our government will recognise and give special place to women and the youth”, he said.
Dr. Peterside reminded the people of Onne that his government will be driven by the desire for peace, unity and economic opportunity for all Rivers people.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene