News

RSG Condemns Arrest Of PDP, Govt Officials

Published

10 years ago

March 21, 2016

The Rivers State Government Saturday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Kobani, allegedly arrested at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) RAC, Kpor, headquarters of Gokana Local Government Area by men of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) detailed on election duty.
The government also demanded the release, without further delay, of the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Special Projects, Cyril Dum Wite, arrested by the JTF on Saturday at the INEC’s RAC in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area.
A statement issued yesterday and signed by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, explained that both Kobani and Wite were arrested and detained on election day by men of the Nigerian military simply because they were members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, “their fate is the same with thousands of PDP supporters who were brutalized, arrested, shot at, and even killed by the military and thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the state’s rerun elections on Saturday.
Tam-George regretted that as “in many reported instances, the role of the military in the inconclusive elections has been shameful, embarrassing, and a kick in the face of constitutional democracy.
“The military were indistinguishable from the rag tag thugs of the APC, under the direct command of the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside, Senator Magnus Abe, and others.
“Kenneth Kobani has been chained to a chair overnight, and denied his medication, despite his failing health,” Tam-George lamented.
The statement “strongly” condemned the dehumanizing treatment, and called for “the release of all those detained” by the military and security agencies in the heat of the tensed rerun elections in the state.
Meanwhile, report reaching our news desk at the time of going to press indicated that both Kobani and the Rivers State Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Ibibia Walter, who was abducted by unidentified gunmen on Saturday during the rerun elections in the State have been freed .
Walter, who is also the Secretary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, spoke to journalists, yesterday, and confirmed that he has been freed by his abductors.
It would be recalled that the commissioner’s vehicle was ambushed as he was on his way to Okrika to vote in the rerun elections.
Some of his abductors, who were masked, whisked him away to an undisclosed location thereby preventing him from casting his vote in the election.
After Walter was freed by his abductors he was able to communicate with a police team that rescued him.
There has been jubilation in his camp following the news of his release.
It is not clear if ransom was paid before he was set free.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.