Featured
N13bn Ikoyi Haul Belongs To Rivers, Wike Insists
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has insisted that the state government will get back the N13billion recovered in an apartment in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos State, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Wike said this, last Saturday while speaking on Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily.
The governor said he has hard evidence on the loot, but would not give it out yet, so that the Federal Government would not know the state government’s moves.
He said, “the ultimatum I gave on the recovered money hasn’t elapsed. Yes, I did that, but you have lawyers working with you. They tell you; wait, we don’t want to go by the way you have said. Although I am a lawyer too, I am sitting as a governor. I am directly affected and emotionally involved.
“The so-called government has set up a committee. Let’s wait and see what the committee would say. Let’s see whether they will or will not invite the state government.
“We cannot make submissions to the committee because we don’t know where they meet; we don’t know where they sit. Everybody knows the money belongs to Rivers State. Who are all the people making contentions about the money? They are the same government. Don’t mind that the NIA’s DG was not appointed by the present government. He was in government,” he added.
Wike noted that the state government would come open with its evidence on the money at the appropriate time.
He said, “despite claims by the NIA DG, the CBN came out to say, ‘how did you get this money? We didn’t give you any money.’ Who would release such volume of dollars to a government agency and security agency? Where would it come out from? They have denied the money.
“When you are fighting powerful forces, you don’t let out your strategies. All I know is that this money belongs to Rivers, and no amount of intimidation or going to court can scare us.
“If I tell you how that money came to be ours, am I not revealing secrets to them? Everybody saw what happened, how the money (for power assets in Rivers) was paid, and given to the bureau de change. When we get to the point of the full details, everything will be open. Don’t tell us to come out with our evidence. We will come out when it is the appropriate time,” Wike said.
On developments in the Niger Delta, Wike stated that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was working at cross purposes with the region.
He said that the NDDC politicises the process of its execution of projects which are usually abandoned, and added that the agency deliberately refuses to liaise with the states before projects are initiated.
On the PDP crisis, Wike stated that he was supporting Senator Ahmed Makarfi and that he would wait for the Supreme Court to state its position, and declared that it was very much unlikely that he would work with Ali Modu Sheriff.
He said: “It is very much unlikely that I will work with Ali Modu Sheriff. It is not possible for me to stay with Sheriff.”
The governor explained that Sheriff has no love for the PDP as he has continued to work against the party, in liaison with the APC.
The governor alleged that in Benue and Jigawa states, Sheriff has been working with APC governments to frustrate the PDP in upcoming local government elections.
On developments in Rivers State, the governor noted that his administration has entrenched state-wide execution of projects
He said projects have been initiated and executed in 22 out of the 23 local government areas of the state, adding that only Omuma Local Government Area, was yet to have a project, but now has a major road contract awarded in the area.
Wike said that his administration was developing Rivers State as a tourism destination of the country, adding that the construction of the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park was a deliberate action to promote tourism.
The governor regretted that Rivers State and other Niger Delta states were losing revenue because oil companies pay their taxes in Lagos, while they operate in the region.
On Rivers at 50, he said that the state has made tremendous progress, adding that the celebrations were designed to appreciate God for being together despite the challenges.
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.
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