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Rivers PDP Blasts APC For Using Chiefs, Others To Mislead Nigerians …Says Novice Can’t Be Rivers Gov …We Don’t Take Orders From Anybody, INEC Tells APC
The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Transportation Minister, and factional leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to stop daydreaming about the governorship of Rivers State as no amount of propaganda and recruiting of hirelings dressed in chiefs or elders’ attire to look respectable can hides their childish inclination and pecuniary interest for the job.
The PDP also advised the APC and AAC to stop daydreaming about governing the state for a third-term by plotting to foist a neophyte to administer the people, stressing that Rivers people have already made their choice.
The state Chairman of PDP, Bro. Felix Obuah, in a statement, stated this following a poorly concocted footage purportedly proclaiming the Action Alliance Congress (AAC) Governorship Candidate, Engineer Awara Biokpomabo as ‘winner’ of the March 9, 2019 Governorship election in the state, and described the video with imaginary figures, as highly malicious and an embarrassment to Rivers people.
The statement, issued in Port Harcourt, and signed by Obuah’s media aide, Jerry Needam, yesterday, said the video footage would achieve nothing but only embarrass its sponsors and producers.
Obuah said Rivers people cannot be deceived by the APC-sponsored footage as it was very obvious that all the characters featured in the video were not people of the state.
He said it was obvious looking at the malicious content of the footage; it was clearly intended to insult the sensibility of Rivers people, adding that the sponsors had failed on arrival as they were embarking on what he called a voyage of discovery.
Obuah added that the footage with fictitious figures, which featured the minister addressing a crowd, was made to look as if it had something to do with AAC, whereas it was actually clips from 2014 APC campaign and the ill-fated Presidential rally of the APC at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in November, 2018.
“Amaechi and his AAC fantasy are only deceiving themselves. You can see that the event featured in that video took place last year when Amaechi had yet no inkling of what lay ahead for the APC in the state.
“In their stupidity, they made the video look as if it was a crowd of AAC supporters living in the fantasy of producing a governor. This is but the height of political 419”, Obuah said.
The state PDP boss advised the APC, which was delisted from the ballot in Rivers State by the INEC, to put its house in order and stop interfering with the electoral process in the state.
“I think that what is sensible for APC to do rather than dissipating energy to brew crisis in the state, should be to channel those energies into putting their house in order and prepare ahead of elections in 2023”, Obuah said.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it would not remove its Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Obo Effanga, saying that it does not take directive from anybody.
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, stated this while responding to an enquiry from newsmen, last Monday.
Among other demands, the spokesman for the APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu, had in a statement, last Sunday, said the redeployment of Effanga became necessary to prevent him from skewing the forthcoming supplementary elections in favour of the opposition.
He had alleged that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, through Effanga, engaged the PDP card-carrying members as local government area collation officers in the last poll and was capable of repeating same in the forthcoming elections.
But when asked if the commission would accede to the demands of the APC, Osaze-Uzzi, said it was the prerogative of the commission to move resident electoral commissioners.
He said, “We have been hearing that for a long time, it is not new. Did we change the REC in Akwa Ibom? The prerogative of moving RECs is that of the commission. INEC doesn’t take directive from anybody. If the commission sees the need to move anybody, at the appropriate time, it will do that and if there is no need, it will keep them where they are.
“It is the complete prerogative of the commission; if and when the need arises, we will make the necessary adjustments. So, we don’t take dictation or pleas from external groups, more so principal players in the game.”
The commission had suspended the collation of the results of governorship and the House of Assembly elections in Rivers State due to violence and disruption of the electoral process.
In a related development, ahead of today’s meeting of stakeholders to decide the way forward in the completion of all activities in the electoral processes in Rivers State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a group, Coalition of Rivers State Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), yesterday, asked the electoral umpire to release the names of the 17 local government areas whose results had been declared collated.
It would be recalled that INEC, in a statement, last weekend, while announcing the report of its Fact-Finding team sent to Rivers State, had revealed that the outcome of the process had already been declared in 17 out of the 23 local government areas in the state before it announced the suspension of the process on March 10.
But rising from a meeting, the coalition of Rivers NGOs, which claimed to be an amalgamation of both indigenous and other NGOs in Rivers State, said INEC should be transparent enough to unveil names of the 17 local councils to inspire the confidence of the electorate, the political actors in Rivers and entire Nigerians in the electoral process in the state.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana & Dennis Naku
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.
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