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Jackreece Defends Wike On Apiafi’s Choice …Says Rivers West Senatorial District Not For Sale
A pioneer member of the Peoples Democratic Party and former chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. Opakirite Mackson Jackreece, yesterday, defended the emergence of Betty Apiafi as Senator representing Rivers West senatorial district, saying that the decision of the party leadership to back her candidature has entrenched justice, fairness and equity in the senatorial district.
Hon. Jackreece who was amongst the politicians to be elected into office in the first election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the current democratic dispensation, argued, in an interview with newsmen, that two out of the four federal constituencies constituting the Rivers West senatorial district have represented the district for eight years each except Abua/Odual/Ahoada East constituency which has occupied the seat for four years and Asari-Toru/Akuku Toru Federal Constituency which is yet to occupy the seat for once.
Further buttressing his argument, the politician known for his grassroots popularity, said, “These four constituencies have eight local governments and at the inception of this democratic dispensation, Bonny/Degema federal constituency occupied the seat with late Dr. Ibiapuye Martins Yellowe for eight years.
“hereafter, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni/ Ahoada West occupied the seat with Senator Wilson Ake for another eight years and then Abua/Odual/Ahoada East Constituency occupied the senatorial seat for four years with Senator Ideozu who later decamped to another party. Therefore, justice and fairness demand that a candidate from the same federal constituency is returned to the Senate,” he said.
Hon Jackreece commended the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike for his support to the popular demand that a candidate from the Abua/Odual/Ahoada East federal constituency in person of Senator Betty Apiafi should go for the seat. “Governor Wike, in his wisdom threw his weight behind Betty Apiafi and that is acceptable to the majority of the people of Rivers West senatorial district. That is the reason behind her overwhelming victory at the polls.”
“Wike is one of the greatest politicians of our time. He is a tested and trusted politician who has remained in the PDP to weather the storm. He is a founding member. He has remained in the party to continue to build it. He means well for the PDP and that is the primary reason people like us who are equally founding members support him and his decisions. Without people like Wike, PDP would have gone into oblivion not only in Rivers State but also in Nigeria.”
“While those who effortlessly benefitted from the PDP in several ways have turned around to seek the extinction of the party, Wike has remained dogged and resolute in the fight to ensure that the party is kept afloat because of his love for the party as a pioneer member. Taking into consideration the sacrifices made to build the party from scratch, Wike has resolved to ensure the existence of the PDP despite the challenges it has faced since 2015. My prayer is that God will continue to guide and protect him.
“Those of us who won elections to become local government council chairmen in December 1998 and waited till June 1999 to be sworn into office, were the foot soldiers of the then leaders that actually mobilised support for the party as an association to qualify for registration by INEC as a political party.”
Hon. Jackreece who declared that the Rivers West Senatorial District is not for sale, dismissed some politicians who claim to be founding members of the party in the Rivers West Senatorial District, adding that such politicians only benefitted from the efforts of the then council chairmen and the leaders to win elections into the State and national Assemblies. “The Rivers West Senatorial District is the richest in the State and can only be left in the hands of matured politicians.”
“I think people should not claim what they are not. You holding political office after the foundation has been laid cannot turn round to claim to be a founding member. Apart from the major leaders of the PDP, the then nineteen council chairmen including Nyesom Wike and my humble self are entitled to such claim. Amongst us, however, Georgeford Nwosu of Omuma, Mowan Owan-Etete of Andoni, Nnamdi Wokekoro of Port Harcourt City, Ngo Briggs of Akuku-Toru are no more, but fifteen of us are still alive to attest to that fact,” he said.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor