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Guber Tribunal: Wike Opens Defence On AAC’s Petition

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, yesterday, opened defence on the election petition filed by African Action Congress (AAC) and its gubernatorial candidate, Engineer Biokpomabo Awara before the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Port Harcourt.
Appearing as a witness for Wike at the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal, yesterday, the former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea and Director General of Rivers State PDP Campaign Council, Amb Desmond Akawor told the tribunal that the March 9, 2019 Governorship Election was conducted peacefully and in compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines across the polling units of the state.
Akawor said that Wike emerged victorious after the peaceful voting that took place across the state.
He said the Governorship Election was concluded across the polling units, results announced and collation done in the wards and local government areas.
The DG said that INEC only suspended the final collation after soldiers unleashed violence and attempted to hijack the process.
He spoke during cross examination by counsel to the Rivers State Governor, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) and counsel to PDP, Godwin Obla (SAN).
The Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal has adjourned to September 30, 2019 for adoption of written addresses by all parties involved in the matter.
Akawor tendered certified copy of Form EC8E, which is the declaration of the Governorship Election result, and also tendered the Certificate of Return issued to Wike.
The envoy also tendered certified polling units results from across Rivers State issued to polling agents during the March 9, 2019 Governorship election.
He further tendered Form EC8A containing Governorship Election Results from 16 local government areas and 129 wards.
Akawor told the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal that before INEC suspended the collation of results due to the interference by the Army, collation had been completed in 17 local government areas.
He referred the tribunal to Paragraph 12vi of the press release of INEC of 10th and 15 March, 2019.
He further tendered the affidavit of former deputy governorship candidate of AAC, Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh denouncing the party and declaring that Nyesom Wike won the election.
Earlier, at the resumed hearing of the tribunal, last Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), tendered some documents to the court and announced its close of defence on the petition with no witness presented for cross examination.
Counsel for INEC, Steve Adeyi (SAN) had told the court that haven examined all evidence brought by the petitioner that there was no allegation made against it, hence the decision to close its case with no witness for defence.
However, after acknowledging the documents, the three man tribunal led by Justice Kingsley Ojiakor adjourned till yesterday for the 2nd respondent (Governor Wike) to open defence.
Speaking with newsmen at the court premises, INEC counsel, Steve Adeyi (SAN) noted that the commission has closed its case in the petition.
He said “What we did was not to waste the time of the court. We have examined all the evidence brought by the petitioner and our defence view that they have not made up case for us to answer.
“Like I said, not to waste the time of the court we decided to close up our case today”.
On his part, counsel for the 1st petitioner (Awara Biokpomabo), Emenike Ebete, said “This morning, the Independent National Electoral Commission was to present their witnesses to open their case. After yesterday (Tuesday) proceedings, it was their turn to open their case today (Wednesday) and we came to court, the INEC lawyer, after tendering some documents, announced to the court that he did not intend to call any witness and that they have closed their case”.
He said that, “It is his case, if he says he does not want to bring any witness to prove his case, we are okay.
Also speaking, co-counsel for Governor Wike, Dike Udenna, explained that “INEC is on top of its own game, it has looked at the evidence against it, and then come to the conclusion that there is really nothing against it, so, there is no point calling witnesses to deny when there is no allegation made against it.
“I think they are within their right to make that decision not to call witnesses, and there is nothing wrong with that, it is permissible under the law”.
He noted that, “The case has now been adjourned till Thursday for 2nd respondent that is Governor Nyesom Wike to open his own defence”.

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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6 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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6 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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6 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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