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2019: Rivers S’East PDP Endorses Wike
Ahead of the 2019 Governorship Election in Rivers State, stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers South-East Senatorial District have endorsed Governor Nyesom Wike for a second term in office.
The PDP stakeholders, at a Mega Solidarity Rally organized at Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area (LGA) in Rivers State, passed a vote of confidence on Governor Wike for his developmental strides in Rivers State within few years in office.
The motion for Wike’s endorsement as the sole candidate of the Rivers South East Senatorial District in the 2019 Governorship election was moved by Senator Lee Maeba and seconded by Senator Olaka Wogu in a people’s parliament presided over by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani.
Addressing the overwhelming crowd at the South East PDP rally at Bori, Ibani, described Wike as a pragmatic politician who have transformed all parts of the state through the execution of quality projects.
Presenting the welcome address, a PDP stalwart from Oyigbo local government area and a former South Korea Ambassador, Desmond Akawor expressed satisfaction with Governor Wike’s performance so far and assured the massive support of the people of the district for the Governor come the 2019 election.
Akawor who is the Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt said the South East Senatorial District with over 600,000 votes has the highest voting strength and is therefore a great determinant to who emerges as governor of Rivers State.
Akawor therefore, urged the people of the area to protect their votes and ensure nobody upturns their decision come 2019.
Former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru also lambasted the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government for the economic woes of the country.
“Am not disappointed in their performance that is why some of us left the party,” Ikuru said, adding “this country has to be rescued and PDP need to rescue this country.”
On his part, Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Opobo/Nkoro, Senator (Alabo) Adawari Pepple said Wike’s infrastructural development in the area earned him the people’s support.
“We don’t need the army or police to vote and we believe in 2019 you will go back to Government House,” Senator Pepple said.
In his remark, Chairman of the occasion, Barinua Wiwa (SAN) described Governor Wike as “a man of vision and high commitment to good governance.” He also commended the governor for promoting the state in the comity of Nigeria’s states.
Dignitaries that attended the event include Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Chief Kenneth Kobani; Commissioner for Works, Rt Hon Dumnamene Deekor; Commissioner for Finance, Hon Fred Kpakol and Commissioner for Education, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja.
Others were the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon Nancy Nwankwo; Former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Hon Pidomson Gabriel; Hon Owaji Abiante and Hon John Bazia, among others.
Taneh Beemene/
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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
