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Rivers Women Dump APC For PDP …Endorse Wike For Second Term …As ONELGA Women Hail Gov For Restoring Peace
Thousands of women members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State last Monday, dumped their party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The women mostly drawn from the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state defected during a thank-you-visit of ONELGA women to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for restoring peace to the local government area.
Spokesperson of the decampees, Gladys Ajie said their decision to defect was predicated on the good works done by the governor.
She said: “You are, indeed, a good man, and we have seen what you have done.
“We have been under bondage of APC and have come today to surrender.
“Since we do not have peace in APC, we have decided to come to PDP”.
Responding to the decampees, Governor Nyesom Wike and the state PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, welcomed the decampees to PDP, and assured them of equal opportunities in the party.
Obuah asked the decampees to drop the brooms they were clinching in their hands.
“You are covered by the great umbrella. I want to assure you, after today, join them to wear Rivers and ONELGA colour. I assure you of the dividends of democracy”, Obuah said.
Thousands of women from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) had stormed Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday, to pay a thank-you-visit to Governor Nyesom Wike for restoring peace and security in the area.
The women also lauded the governor for his outstanding performance, and endorsed him for a second term in office.
Spokesperson of the group, Dr. Grace Akolokwu said the women, numbering about 30,000, were drawn from various groups in the six geographical zones to appreciate the governor for his timely intervention in arresting the security challenges that plagued the local government area for over eight years, and subsequent restoration of peace.
Akolokwu said: “The criminal breaches saw our homeland battered, lives and property destroyed; economic activities disrupted”.
She also noted that subsistence agriculture and small scale commercial and other businesses which were hallmarks of the rural women were completely dislocated, thereby, turning most of the rural women and children into internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The ONELGA women spokesperson said with the intervention of the governor, the ugly story changed as peace has returned to the area with schools re-opened and socio-economic life, back to normalcy.
“As women of ONELGA, we hereby convey our sincere thanks for successfully initiating the peace process and for rebuilding our LGA as major economic centre of the state through the award of several physical infrastructure projects and empowerment programmes”, Akolokwu stated.
She listed Omoku–Egbema dual carriage road, Akabuka-Okposi road expansion and upgrade, Omoku Modern Zonal Hospital, Omoku internal roads, the shore protection and erosion control projects, amongst others, as key projects embarked upon by the governor in the area.
The group, however, appealed for a special grant to execute and complete drinking water processing scheme, emergence of a woman as the next chairman of the Local Government Council, stressing that like all internally displaced persons, ONELGA women request special package from the governor to effectively recover.
The women urged Wike to heed the call to contest for a second term to enable him continue the good works he was doing for the people.
The Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike while responding, announced the setting up of a fund to assist the less privileged recover from the negative effect of the prolonged insecurity in the area, and advised them to use the funds wisely to better their lives.
“We are committed to the empowerment of women. We shall, therefore, set up a fund that will give grants to women of ONELGA because of the insecurity challenges they faced. Please, invest the funds wisely”, he pleaded.
The governor directed the Commissioner for Water Resources to work with stakeholders in the area to set up a water processing plant, and assured ONELGA people that his administration will continue to work towards the improvement of security for economic stability in ONELGA.
The governor said; “I will not sit down in Government House and allow criminals torment the people. Wherever these criminals are, we will track them down”.
In appreciation of the governor’s efforts, the women presented a special plaque to him.
Chris Oluoh
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.