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Army Vaccine Scare: PDP Blasts APC Over Comments …As 500 APC Faithful Decamp To PDP In Emohua
The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, noted with dismay the treacherous effort of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to vent its frustration against the economic recession in the country on the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike by linking him to last Tuesday’s scare over the rumoured plan by the Nigerian Army to forcefully vaccinate school pupils in the state.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the state PDP Chairman on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, said, “At no time in history has the tale of an idle person being the devil’s workshop played out as presently manifested in the actions of the APC members who have mismanaged the nation’s economy.”
The state PDP said that what happened last Tuesday was the result of the state of intellectual poverty which the Muhammadu Buhari administration has subjected Nigerians to in the last two years.
“More stupefying is the linking of the police, notably, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to the whole saga when it was hardly mentioned in the reason for the last Tuesday morning vaccine commotion.
“Could this be another way of holding brief for the embattled SARS and its Commander, Akin Fakorede, who by their actions and conducts, have proved beyond every reasonable doubt that they are the military wing of the APC.
“To us, that is bad publicity by APC Rivers State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone, and we believe the police high command is taking note of the covert plot of the APC to quicken the eroding public confidence in the police due to the actions of SARS in Rivers State.
“Instead of sympathising with the parents who were only trying to show concern for their children and wards by joining hands with the Wike administration to douse the tension, the APC preferred to point accusing fingers at our innocent performing state chief executive”, the PDP said.
The PDP condemned those who carelessly tried to politicise the unfortunate incident, and called on all Rivers people to support the governor’s efforts to transform the state for future generations.
“We further condemn this treacherous and wanton insensitivity of the APC in the state in its entirety, and wish to call on the good people of Rivers State and residents alike, to ignore both the unfounded Army vaccination rumour in schools and the ranting of the APC, and send back their children to school, but at the same time exercise caution while going about their lawful businesses.
“The Nigerian Army has also done well to debunk and dismiss the rumour as not only baseless but also unfounded,” the PDP added.
Meanwhile, over 500 All Progressives Congress (APC) members from Wards 13 and 14 of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, last Wednesday, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This is as the Emohua Local Government Area PDP Leadership formally endorsed the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for a second term, saying that his development projects have transformed the state.
Speaking at the defection ceremony, Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Engineer Chukwuemeka Woke said the action of the APC decampees signals the death of the APC in Emohua Local Government Area.
He said the defection of APC members to the PDP will continue weekly till 2019 because Rivers people have experienced quality leadership under Wike.
He said: “They are saying that come 2019, there will be no APC in Rivers State. The Federal Government has failed and they have seen PDP government working here in the state.
“Why would they continue to follow APC that has failed to deliver. This exercise will continue almost every week. The entire state will collapse into PDP”.
He stated that APC is a sham that rode to power on the altar of propaganda, without any agenda for governance.
Former Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna, Chief Sergeant Awuse commended the APC members for abandoning a sinking ship to join a performing political party in the state.
He urged Emohua people to work with other Rivers people to ensure that Wike wins a second term.
Former Rivers State Commissioner for Transport, Chief Glory Emeh urged the decampees to remain steadfast as they contribute their quota to the re-election of the governor.
Leader of the APC in Wards 13 and 14, Mr Stephen Amadi said they resolved to move to PDP because of the superlative performance of Wike.
Receiving the decampees, PDP chieftain, Prince Paul Wonodi said the defectors will enjoy equal opportunities with existing PDP members.
He commended the former APC members for the courage to retrace their steps in the interest of the development of the state.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.