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Amaechi’s APC Accepts Wike’s Olive Branch …Says He’s Captain Of State Ship …SDP Reaffirms Commitment To Work With Gov
The Olive branch extended to opposition political parties in Rivers State by Governor Nyesom Wike may have achieved a breakthrough as the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), last Monday, made a surprise u-turn, accepted the offer, and promised to work with the governor for the interest of peace and good governance in the state.
The Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Andrew Uchendu, at a media briefing in Port Harcourt, on behalf of elected and appointed members of APC in the state, disclosed the resolve of the main opposition party.
Uchendu, a close ally to the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who is the leader of the APC in the state, expressed the party’s preparedness to make the necessary sacrifice for peace, and urged the governor to show some level of commitment.
The senator noted that although the governor was yet to take necessary follow up actions to his call for peace, but expressed optimism that the offer would put an end to all forms of hate speech; even as he said that keeping the peace and security was necessary as the APC was worried over the rising insecurity in the crude oil and gas-rich state.
According to him, “When two captains are in the boat, one is at the head of the boat paddling, another one is at the end paddling, then, there will be no movement. We want to allow Governor Nyesom Wike to discharge his constitutional responsibility.
“And we are saying we (APC) will join in that boat. Only one captain will be in that boat. That captain is Governor Nyesom Wike. We want to help him to take the boat to the shore. We cannot continue to toil with the lives of our people or take them for granted anymore. We will not!
“A key indicator of good governance is the return of peace and security in our state. We are prepared to make the necessary sacrifice as a political party. As it stands today, life in Rivers State has become brutish and worthless with kidnapping and killings occurring daily.
“Only last week, four youths were beheaded in Ovogo, Emohua LGA. This is the narrative our reformed governor must change,” Uchendu stated; even as he called on the governor to reactivate some programmes that were initiated by the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-led administration in order to solve the problem of unemployment in the state.
While stating that the current cases of killings and kidnappings on a daily basis must be stopped, he said the APC was more than ready to offer areas of immediate intervention aimed at tackling these challenges.
“We can offer some more areas of immediate intervention: revitalization of the C4i Security architecture of the previous administration; rehabilitation of sons and daughters that are roaming the streets of foreign lands because of the cancellation or stoppage of their scholarship awards.
“Re-activation of the Greater Port Harcourt Project and completion of some of the laudable pro-people projects embarked upon by the administration of the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. These done, we can expect to begin to see some changes.
“Although we are yet to see indications of any intent in this direction, we are still resolved not to give up. We believe Governor Wike is very sincere in this initiative. It is for this reason that we want to commend his call for collaboration and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Similarly, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to work with Governor Nyesom Wike, to restore peace in the state.
The SDP also pledged its unwavering support to Wike in his efforts to develop and move the state to greater heights.
The SDP State Party Chairman, Mr Joshua Worlu, disclosed this in a statement after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s office in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Worlu said that the party would join hands with the governor to ensure sustainable peace, security and development in the state.
The chairman, on behalf of the party in the state, congratulated Governor Nyesom Wike over his victory at the March 23 Governorship Election.
Worlu, therefore, urged all Rivers citizens and stakeholders, to join hands with the government to move the state forward.
But barely 24-hours after the All Progressives Congress (APC) accepted the Olive branch extended to opposition political parties in Rivers State by Governor Nyesom Wike, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the former to be sincere with its position.
Describing the position of the APC as a welcome development, the PDP said it would be a thing of joy if the main opposition party in the state join hands with the governor to improve security in the state.
The Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Darlington Orji, stated this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt, the state capital, last Monday.
Orji said that Governor Nyesom Wike was determined to work with different political parties and anyone with useful ideas on how peace can be restored in the state.
According to Orji, ‘’Now that the All Progressives Congress has come out, if their position is very sincere, together, we can build a better Rivers State. So, for us, anything that will make our state remain peaceful for investors to come in and bring development, that is where we remain, and that is the vow the governor of Rivers State has taken to make sure that Rivers resources will be used for Rivers people.
“Today, I have no doubt that the press conference that was organised by APC must be on notice. So, for me, it is a welcome development, and we are also using this opportunity as a political party to call on the minister of transportation to please, work together with the governor of Rivers State.
“Bring up your ideas so that together, we can better the lives of our people, together we can fight crime and criminality, together we can stop these killings that are all over the state,” the state PDP spokesman stated.
He further said that to achieve a high level of security in Rives State, the security agencies would need to distance themselves from the political activities in the state.
Dennis Naku
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.