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Rivers PDP Plans To Cause Mayhem On March 28 -GTCO
L-R: Representative of Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Obri Ogar; President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Dr Ifeanyi Okoye and ECCIMA Vice President, Works, Mr Nonye Osakwe, during FIRS Special Day at the 26th ECCIMA International Trade Fair in Enugu, recently. Photo: NAN.
The alleged plans to cause maximum harm to election officials and voters in Rivers State on Saturday, during the Presidential election by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), have been condemned and described as evil.
The Greater Together Campaign Organisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, made the condemnation in a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Ibim Semenitari, in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The GTCO warned PDP to lay down such dastardly and satanic plans, noting that after all, President Goodluck Jonathan had said that his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian.
It warned that PDP would be plunging Rivers State into avoidable chaos and bloodshed, if it went ahead to “unleash this ISIS-like terror on Rivers people”.
“We warn PDP against attacking election officials as well as Rivers voters who have the right to vote according to their conscience”, the GTCO statement read in part.
According to the statement, the campaign outfit said it was in possession of detail plans of how PDP intends to cause havoc, mayhem and ultimately doctor the election outcome to the favour of its candidates.
“This is not only evil but against the spirit and letter of democracy that provide maximum independence of choice for voters. Only last Monday, in an action that should have sobered PDP and its goons, President Barack Obama of the United States, called for violence-free election in Nigeria of which, gratefully, Rivers State is part of. We, therefore ask that if the US President is this concerned for our peace, free, fair and credible election, why would PDP choose to upturn those gracious virtues?
The GTCO noted that “PDP can do anything when it comes to elections but that it would hatch such level of desperation and terror against Rivers people and other Nigerians who would have volunteered to serve the nation by working for INEC, is in the least, bestial, corrupt and evil.
It, therefore, called on the international community, to watch events in Rivers State, and reiterated that violence yields no peaceable fruit of righteousness.
The statement said that Rivers people need and deserve free, fair and credible elections, adding that the easiest way of achieving that is by allowing them to choose candidates of their choice under violent-free atmosphere.
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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