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March 9 Polls: WCM Condemns Military Invasion Of Rivers …Urges INEC To Declare Wike Winner

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7 years ago

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A pro-Wike group in Rivers State, Wike Continuity Movement (WCM), has condemned in strong terms the invasion of the political landscape in the state by the military during the March 9, 2019 governorship elections.
The group, which made the condemnation during an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt yesterday expressed shock over the indefinite suspension of the electoral process in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the activities of soldiers and other security agencies during the elections.
Making the position of the group known to newsmen shortly after the meeting, Mazi Felix, on behalf of the state Chairman of WCM, Chief Uchenna Okokoba, said the manipulation of the electoral process by soldiers was uncalled for and most unfortunate, and urged INEC to declare the Governor of the state and governorship candidate of the PDP, Chief Nyesom Wike, the winner of the governorship election without further delay.
According to him, members of the group participated in the elections in the 23 local government areas of the state where Governor Wike won the election convincingly in all the polling units.
He said the group condemned in all totality the harassment and unlawful arrest of PDP leaders in the state and urged the military hierarchy to do the needful by investigating and bringing to book those described as men in military uniforms and political thugs, who perpetrated the mayhem on election day.
The group also condemned the statement credited to the governorship candidate of African Action Congress (ACC), Mr Awara Biokpomabo, calling on INEC to declare him winner of the election, saying the statement was a coup d’etat against democracy and an attempt to subvert the will of Rivers people.
The group, therefore, called on the Federal Government, civil society organisations, the international community and all well-meaning Nigerians to call to order the Chief of Army Staff, the military, security agencies and the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, to refrain from the excessive use of power to the detriment of the Rivers people.
He called on members of the group to remain calm and law-abiding, “putting their trust in God, and believing that evil can not triumph over good.”
Members of the group who spoke to The Tide in separate interviews affirmed and corroborated the position of the WCM leadership, insisting that Governor Wike clearly won the election in all the polling units across the state.
Coordinator of the body in Eleme Local Government Area, Hon John Egwim expressed shock over the development and thanked Chief Okokoba for the steps taken so far by the group to put things in proper perspective.
The women leader of the group, Lady Christy Anosike, said she was saddened by the way things were playing out, stressing that the election was free and fair in her ward in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, and wondered why the results had not been declared up till now.
The Chairman of WCM’s Elders Forum, HRH Emmanuel Ogene, also condemned the invasion of the electoral process in the state by the military, saying it was very embarrassing.
Dr Henry Kanu said the election was highly militarised in Oyigbo Local Government Area where he said a youngman was killed, saying, in his unit, PDP won massively, describing the current scenario as a rape of democracy, not only in Rivers State but also in Nigeria.

Donatus Ebi

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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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
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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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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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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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.
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