News

With All Fiasco, RSG Tackles IGP …Police Restrict Movement From Midnight

Published

9 years ago

December 9, 2016

Rivers State Governor , Chief Nyesom Wike, has told the Inspector General of Police , Ibrahim Idris that the surreptitious withdrawal of his Chief Security Officer has exposed his life to danger.

This is as the governor asked the Inspector General of Police to transfer the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations , Steven Hasso and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS), Akin Fakorede for deliberately compromising the security of Rivers State because of partisan reasons .

Speaking when he granted audience to the Inspector-General of Police , Ibrahim Idris yesterday at Government House , Port Harcourt , Governor Wike regretted that without consultation , the Inspector General of Police took sides with an overtly Assistant Commissioner of Police , Steven Hasso who attempted to invade Government House with APC supporters.

The governor said that he was shocked by the inaccurate statement released by the Office of the Inspector General of Police that his Chief Security Officer was withdrawn for misconduct .

He informed the Inspector-General of that contrary to his claim that his Chief Security Officer was withdrawn for misconduct , the Chief Security Officer only stopped Steven Hasso and APC hired crowd from invading Government House , Port Harcourt .

“The moment you touch my Chief Security Officer , you are telling me that you are ready for me. As I sit here, I am empty, I have no protection .

“When people start to embarrass the governor , take his Chief Security Officer without information , it is completely wrong . What you have done is the highest disrespect to the office to the Office of the Governor .

“I am pleading with you, my life is very important . I will not take any Chief Security Officer you bring to me that I don’t know . This is a matter of security and protection , it is not what you do with levity”.

The governor warned the Inspector-General of Police against politicising the security of the rerun elections , because after the election there will still be governance.

He told the Police High Command that the people of Rivers State will support an unbiased police force, but warned that the people will resist any attempt to use security agencies for untoward electoral action.

He said: “If the police wants free and fair elections , the police will get free and fair elections “ .

Governor Wike berated the police for declaring a state-wide curfew without consultation with the Rivers State Security Council .

He reminded the Inspector General of Police that he has written several letters to his office without reply . He informed him that the State SARS Commander , Mr Akin Fakorede has been indicted for distributing SARS uniforms to APC thugs.

Earlier , the Inspector General of Police , Ibrahim Idris said that he was in the state to ensure that the election was peaceful .

He urged the people of Rivers State to support the Security agencies to deliver peaceful polls.

Speaking on behalf of other security agencies, the Commanding Officer, 2 Brigade, Nigeria Army Port Harcourt, Brig-General, Hassan Amusu lauded the IGP for the visit adding that the visit would strengthen them to effectively deliver the mandate of peaceful elections in the state.

He assured that they were fully prepared and ready for the elections even as he used the opportunity to warn trouble makers to stay away from the state during the election.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police Command has announced the restriction of movement from Mid night Friday even as it increased the number of its personnel from 25 thousand to 28 thousand personnel to ensure security during the Saturday re run elections in Rivers State.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG),Josua Habila who stated this on Wednesday during an interactive forum organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the election, noted that the restriction and additional personnel deployed to the state was to give credit to the process.

Habila also announced that his men have been mandated to arrest any person with money above N5,000.00 within any polling booth, assuring that the police, this time, is determined to abort anything that would disrupt the Saturday rerun elections.

The DIG explained that the police is not working for anybody or political party but rather to protect the electorates, INEC officials and ensure a peaceful atmosphere for the elections on Saturday.

While explaining the level of strategies in place to ensure that the state is peaceful during and after the elections, the Police boss said additional three thousand police men have been added to make the number of personnel 28,000 with the men on ground, adding the police has also provided 350 petrol vans that will be manned by armed police, including Gun boat and two helicopters.

He said the police is not driving the process of the election, but they have been charged and mandated to ensure the security of the elections and ensure that electorates exercise their civic rights and franchise without intimidations.

He regretted that it has been difficult in the past for the people to exercise their civic responsibilities, adding that the police will no long tolerate such any more, hence it is all out to protect the system.

Habila also hinted that the commissioner of Police in the Neighboring states would ensure that persons are not out or in to Rivers State from Friday midnight, adding at least 20 Commissioners of Police are in the state to ensure that the election is peaceful.

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.