News

Ethnic Nationalities, Youth Leaders Demand Fair, Credible, Violence-Free Polls

Published

7 years ago

February 8, 2019

Forum of ethnic nationalities and youth leaders have voiced their demand for a violence-free, credible election on February 16 and March 2nd, warning that anything to the contrary would be resisted.
The group also said they are throwing their weight behind any candidate who is committed to restructuring the country and enhance its development.
Addressing journalists yesterday, in Abuja on the coming general elections, Barrister Oweitaemi Pereotubo, President General of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) said the youths can not allow their destinies to be toyed with by a cabal that is determined to destroy the country.
“We the leaders of youths of the various ethnic nationalities hereby demand a free, fair, credible and violence-free elections. Anything short of that will be resisted; this is our resolve.
“Secondly, Nigeria has been managing to survive as an entity for over 50 years and this is because the foundation is faulty.
“You see so many houses collapsing in Nigeria and that is because the foundation is faulty. We started from a faulty foundation.
“By that I mean, we want this country restructured. You and I are equal stakeholders in the project called Nigeria. Nobody is more Nigerian than the other person. We have equal rights; if you’re from the North, you have equal rights with the man from the South-South or Middle Belt.”
He said that it is on that platform that Nigeria of tomorrow must be built for it meet the yearning and aspirations of its teeming youths, and vowed to support any of 73 presidential candidates with genuine desire to restructure the country for inclusive development.
Without mentioning his name, it was obvious that the group are backing candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
The youth leaders who said they are endorsing earlier position taken by their fathers in Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo, NEF, PANDEF and others stress their commitment saying: “We stands for restructuring, any candidate that shares the same school of thought, the same ideology, we will go with that candidate.
Reading from a communique issued by the ethnic Nationalities youth leaders, Barr. Pereotubo said the group is giving the warning against growing distrust and fear expressed locally and internationally pointing to looming possible manipulation of result by agents of the administration and the independence of INEC.
The 12-point communique read in part: “*As members of the Nigerian Ethnic Nationalities Forum, we shall resist any attempt to short- change the electorate in the forthcoming elections
*We expect nothing short of free, fair and non-violent elections in 2019 and we have since commenced the mobilization of our members to support only a Presidential candidate genuinely concerned about restructuring of our nation,
We will work hand-in-hand with all relevant stakeholders to continue to enlighten them in the need to ensure that only a candidate who can get Nigeria back on its track of socio-economic and political spheres, a leader who is very conversant with what our national economy needs and the link with good governance.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.