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Delegates Congress Tears APC Apart
Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, has raised alarm over alleged manipulation of the delegates’ list of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State by some party leaders, saying the state congress that should have produced the delegates last Saturday, did not hold.
Abe, who spoke at the state secretariat of the party on Forces Avenue, old GRA, Port Harcourt, said the committee delegated by the national secretariat of the party to monitor the exercise in the state ended up at a hotel in the state.
“Well, as you can see, there has been no congress in the state. The so-called stakeholders meeting in the state, last Friday, ended in a fiasco.
“The committee from Abuja has not come to the party’s secretariat on Forces Avenue since morning, yet people have been here waiting.
“Nobody should stay in a hotel and concoct any delegate’s list for Rivers people. It is clear there was no congress in the state,” Abe argued.
Also speaking in an interview at the Novotel Hotel premises in Port Harcourt, member representing Eleme/Tai/Oyibo Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Barinada Mpigi, who is among the leaders of the aggrieved members, alleged that the delegates’ list has been manipulated.
Mpigi said that until the national committee addresses the supporters on the development, they would not leave the hotel.
The Tide investigations show that hundreds of aggrieved supporters of Abe had blocked members of the party’s national convention committee from exiting Novotel Hotel, after rumours had filtered to them that the committee and some loyalists of the party leader in the state, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, had concocted some names to bolster their chances at the congress.
The supporters, who stormed the hotel and barricaded its gates to prevent the committee members and other state party leaders from leaving, noted that the committee has refused to distribute the materials meant for the congress election to the 23 LGAs.
They also alleged that the committee had written the results to favour a faction of the party led by Chibuike Amaechi, insisting that officials of the APC had manipulated the list of delegates under the guidance of Amaechi’s associates led by Asita Asita.
It was gathered that the crisis in the Rivers State APC had degenerated to a record low following the mobilisation of armed militants by suspected Amaechi’s loyalists to unleash mayhem on supporters of Abe in Eleme, Ikwerre, Ahoada West, Emohua, Asari-Toru and Degema.
The armed militants, alleged to have been backed by personnel of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), shot sporadically at different congress venues, carting away materials to the homes of Amaechi’s supporters.
Attempts to reach the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, for his comments were unsuccessful as his line was switched off.
The Tide learnt that the current effort was in line with the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi’s grand design to cripple the political influence of Senator Magnus Abe.
Amaechi, who had already removed some perceived loyalists of Abe from the leadership caucus of the party in Rivers State, had scheduled the LG congress of the party in the state for last Saturday.
Inside sources revealed that the move was aimed at removing all perceived unit, ward and LG chairmen who are suspected to be sympathetic to the 2019 governorship ambition of Abe.
Speaking after last Friday’s stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, the APC State Chairman, Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, had said that “the party leadership has re-affirmed that the state-wide LGA congresses would hold Saturday, as earlier scheduled”.
Ikanya added that the locations and venues where the congresses will hold in all 23 LGAs of the state have been duly communicated to APC LGA party officers, and assured that necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure hitch-free congresses across the state.
But The Tide investigations discovered that despite promises of a level-playing field for all contestants for the various positions, most persons selected to lead the local government congress were loyalists of the minister, who were given specific mandate on the results expected from the congresses.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has expressed concern over certain unprofessional practices within the surveying profession, urging practitioners to address issues surrounding the acquisition of Rights of Way and seismic operations in the State.
The governor also raised strong objections to what he described as threats to land ownership and title in the State through the alleged issuance of Federal Certificates of Occupancy by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and other affiliated federal agencies.
According to him, such actions are contrary to Section 1 of the Land Use Act, Cap L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which vests all land within a state in the Governor as trustee on behalf of the people.
Fubara made the remarks while speaking as Special Guest at the National Conference of the Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), a sub-group of the National Institute of Surveyors (NIS), held at the Obi-Wali Cultural Centre, Port-Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, the governor also expressed concern over the problem of land grabbing through illegal survey plans and the payment of inadequate compensation to landowners during compulsory land acquisition for oil and gas exploration by licence holders, urging surveyors to uphold professionalism and fairness in their practice.
He said such illegal activities negatively affect the development of the State.
Fubara urged surveyors to promote ethical and sustainable planning practices that protect the environment, including the preservation of green spaces, marine areas, and forest reserves.
He described the role of surveyors as pivotal to the growth, development, peace, and orderly governance of any society.
According to him, the services of surveyors are critical to physical and urban planning, housing development, land administration, and the provision of infrastructure.
He stressed that surveyors play indispensable roles in land use and management, infrastructure provision, environmental management, and conflict resolution, noting that their presence in government ministries, departments, and agencies ensures adherence to best practices.
“The role of surveyors in governance is pivotal to the growth, development, peace, and order of society, particularly in land administration, infrastructure development, environmental management, and conflict resolution,” the governor said.
He noted that the conference theme, “Mapping the Future: The Vital Roles of Surveyors in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry,” was particularly significant to Rivers State, given its position as the hydrocarbon heartbeat of the nation.
The President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Surv. Pius Eze, urged all participants to optimize the opportunity provided by the conference for professional upgrading and networking, adding that the conference displays consistency of vision and dedication to the welfare of private practitioners.
The National Chairman of APPSN, Surv. Simepiriye Kalio, thanked leaders and members of the association for their sacrifices to achieving the successes recorded.
The Chairman of APPSN, Rivers State chapter, Surv. Andy Nwikinane, said that the association was working with relevant stakeholders to prevent the infiltration of quacks in the profession.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has charged Corps members serving in Rivers State to be good ambassadors of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in the State.
?Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Batch A Stream I orientation course for Corps members deployed to the State, at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Head of Information and PR Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi.
He assured the corps members of his administration’s dedication to the provision of welfare and security.
?The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Sir. Dede Samson Friday, enjoined the Corps members to “serve selflessly in your Places of Primary Assignment and leave enduring legacies that will stand the test of time.”
?He noted that the ongoing comprehensive renovation of the NYSC camp facilities would receive speedy completion, assuring them that Rivers State remains “a home away from home for all Corps members posted in the 23 LGAs of the State.”
?He also urged them to be “exemplary, honest, committed, and dedicated in all that they do, and to be good ambassadors of the NYSC Scheme.”
?The Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Moses Oleghe, in his farewell address, appealed to the Corps members to “shine as light and dispel the darkness of tribalism, ethnic bigotry, hate speech, and corruption which have eaten deep into the fabric of the nation’s life.
?He also advised them to “make a difference in the service year by contributing selflessly to the lives of others, especially members of your host communities.”
?Speaking further, he appealed to Corp Employers to provide Corps Members with a suitable and conducive environment to thrive abd appreciated Governor Fubara for his massive support to the NYSC Scheme in the State.
Rivers State Government has launched Boat Ambulance Emergency Medical Services aimed at strengthening emergency healthcare response in riverine and hard-to-reach communities across the State.
The rollout, organised by the Rivers State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (REMSAS), took place at the Tourist Beach, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Speaking at the event, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, said the deployment of boat ambulances represents a practical response to longstanding healthcare access challenges faced by residents of riverine communities.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Prof. Justina Jumbo, the commissioner noted that difficult terrain and long distances have historically hindered timely access to medical care for many residents in coastal areas.
According to her, the initiative is designed to bridge that gap and ensure that geographical location no longer determines access to emergency medical services.
She added that the intervention reflects the commitment of the Rivers State Government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara to provide equitable healthcare access for all residents, regardless of location.
Also speaking, Vice Chairman of the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism, Dr. Ayo Ipinmoye, commended the state government for prioritising healthcare delivery to underserved communities.
He described the initiative as a significant step toward ensuring equitable access to health services, particularly for people living in remote areas who often face barriers to timely medical attention.
Ipinmoye stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among government agencies, community leaders, development partners, and healthcare professionals to sustain improved healthcare delivery.
The Tide reports that the boat ambulance initiative is expected to enhance rapid emergency response across both land and water terrains, ensuring quicker medical intervention in critical situations.
John Bibor
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