Featured
My Case For Emergency Rule In Benue -Wike
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom was one of those who politicised insecurity in the country , which has now degenerated to consume his state.
He emphasised his call for the declaration of a State of Emergency in Benue State because the State Governor has lost control and lacks the capacity to stand up for his people.
Addressing the University of Port Harcourt Governing Council at the Government House, Port Harcourt during a courtesy visit yesterday, Governor Wike said that Ortom was in the league of APC governors who plotted a State of Emergency against Rivers State when the state had security challenges.
He said: “Benue Governor has lost control. That is why there is an immediate need to declare a state of emergency for the restoration of security and protection of the people.
“If you are from Benue State, I apologise. But when Rivers State had security challenges, Governor Ortom of Benue State was amongst the APC governors who plotted for the declaration of state of emergency in the state.
“When the problem of insecurity started here in Rivers State, instead of joining hands to proffer solutions, they politicised it. Unless all those at the fore front of the plot against the state repent, this insecurity will visit them one after the other.”
He said as a result of the politicisation of security by APC governors , today insecurity has been exported to several parts of the country.
He said because he is in contact with the people of Rivers State, it is difficult to rig in the state. The governor said that those who plotted to rig in Rivers State, now understand the consequence.
Commenting on the University of Port Harcourt, Governor Wike urged the university management to remain apolitical. He said that the strained relationship between the Rivers State Government and the University of Port Harcourt was because of his advice that the institution should not be involved in the rigging of the rerun legislative elections.
He, however, said that the state will continue to support the university through the execution of projects.
Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt and Emir of Gwandu, General Muhammadu Bashar (rtd) urged the governor to remain committed to the service of Rivers State and Nigeria.
He pleaded with the governor to forgive the university management. The Chancellor also called on the governor to thank God for surviving the harsh political climate .
Pro-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Mvendaga Jibo appealed to Governor Wike to continue to support the university materially.
Meanwhile, Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has called on the authorities of University of Port Harcourt to pay up the taxes due to the State Government to enable it to fulfil its commitment to the varsity.
The governor made the call when members of the new Governing Council of the university paid him a courtesy visit in Port Harcourt yesterday.
According to Wike, the university is yet to pay some taxes it owed the state government and advised the institution to work hard and shun politics.
He called for the strengthening of the existing cordial relationship in a bid to move the institution forward and for them to sustain the university’s pride and integrity.
Pro-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Mvendaga Jibo in his speech commended the state government for ensuring security and peace in Rivers State and for the donation of land for the varsity to expand.
He expressed satisfaction with the cordial relationship between the university community and the people of Rivers State and called for sustenance of the relationship.
The Pro-Chancellor assured that the institution’s governing council would co-operate with the State government to take UNIPORT to greater heights.
Jibo said that the institution was committed to carrying out its social responsibility toward improving its host community and the state in general.
He said that the governing council would approach the state government for support in times of need in a bid to make the institution one of the best.
Prof. Ndowa Lale, Vice Chancellor of the university, was also present during the visit.
Featured
RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
John Bibor & King Onunwor
