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No Vacancy In Brick House -Banigo …Thanks PDP For Renewed Mandate …Excellent Performance, Responsible For Wike’s Victory -Obuah
The Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo Support Group for Governor Wike has reiterated the fact that there is no vacancy in the Rivers State Brick House.
The group made this assertion in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, yesterday, to congratulate the State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike, on his emergence as the flag-bearer in the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elective Gubernatorial Primaries in the state.
The group’s Publicity Secretary, Tamunobere Egille while thanking Wike and the stakeholders of the PDP for choosing Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo as his running mate in the upcoming gubernatorial elections, said the developmental strides so far achieved by the governor were an indication that the governor was the man to take Rivers State to the Promise Land, noting that there is no vacancy in the Brick House for now.
Similarly, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has expressed gratitude to the State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike and critical stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for finding her worthy to be his running mate in the upcoming, 2019 General Elections.
In a statement in Government House, Port Harcourt, Banigo, who described Wike as a man with an exceptional leadership capacity, said she was poised to give the governor all the necessary support to ensure that Rivers State remains the best in the comity of states in Nigeria.
She called on the Rivers people to continue to support Wike because of his political will and commitment to develop Rivers State.
Meanwhile, as Governor Nyesom Wike’s victory in last Sunday’s Governorship Primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to resonate from within and outside the state, the Rivers State Chairman of the PDP, Bro. Felix Obuah has commended all delegates who cast their votes for a job well done, stressing that the governor remains the best candidate not only to win the 2019 Governorship election for the PDP, but to restore the lost glory of Rivers State that was destroyed under the former governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Obuah, who spoke on the sidelines of the successful state governorship primary, which held at the Sharks Football Stadium, Port Harcourt, said the delegates took into cognizance, Wike’s phenomenal performance in all sectors of the economy within the timeframe of his three and half years in office, to vote overwhelmingly for him.
He expressed confidence that PDP would win the governorship election in the state come 2019, as according to him, the award-winning governor has met all the yardsticks as far as mandate delivery is concerned.
“To tell you the degree of confidence which Rivers people have in Governor Wike, if the Constitution allows for more than two tenures, I assure you that we would give all to him because he has exceeded all expectations; and as the adage says:’ If you thank one for the little he has done, he is likely to do more’”, Obuah submitted.
In his estimation, Obuah remarked that the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) was ‘out of reckoning’ as the party is torn in crises, adding, “To make matters worse, APC does not have a credible candidate to match Wike’s overwhelming popularity, acceptability and accomplishments”.
The state PDP chairman explained that the governor would continue to receive applause, adding “Even when his first tenure is yet to elapse, Governor Wike has demystified governance, posting myriads of achievements which his predecessor and current Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi could not achieve in eight years of his administration in spite of huge monthly allocations from federation account of over N40billion monthly”.
He went on: “Governor Wike has shown that prudent management of resources to achieve development is possible. He has made inroads in the judiciary, building state-of-the-art high courts, Industrial Court, Judges’ Quarters and a befitting Secretariat for the Nigerian Bar Association, among others”.
Obuah also lauded the fine network of durable roads and other robust infrastructural projects which dot the nooks and crannies of the state, stressing that these are the parameters that would guide the electorate to re-elect Wike for a second term.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene