News

Amaechi’s Insecurity Outbursts Against Ateke Draw Angst Across Rivers …Okrikans Seek Retraction, Apology

Published

5 years ago

October 2, 2020

Following the false insecurity alarm and inflammatory comments made against the Amayanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom, by the Minister of Transportation and former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, the people of Okrika Local Government of the state have described as ridiculous and callous, Amaechi’s outbursts, saying that he lacks respect for the ancient Okochiri Kingdom, the entire Okrikans as well as the Ijaw nation.
The Okrikans also averred that they were not taken unawares by the rude comments and insults unleashed on their revered king by the minister, and attributed such behaviour to his alleged lack of proper upbringing, which they said, cannot be compensated for, through political opportunism.
It would be recalled that Amaechi had, during the funeral service in honour of the late elder statesman and former Supreme Court judge, Justice Adolphus Karibi-White at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, Abonnema, last Saturday, made unguarded comments, saying “everyone is scared, we are going back to when Ateke Tom held sway. We are running away from our people”.
The statement, which has been wildly condemned and criticised, did not go down well with the people of the area, and indeed, groups and organizations within the state and the Ijawland.
Speaking to journalists in Okrika, the Chairman of Okochiri Kingdom Council of Chiefs, Chief Jackson Adoki Ibiteinbo, condemned the statement in its entirety, and urged Amaechi to tender unreserved apology to their revered monarch and the entire people of Okrikan over his uncomplimentary remarks against the Sekuro of the Niger Delta and the Amanyanabo of ancient Okochiri Kingdom.
On the contrary, Ibiteinbo said that Ateke was doing his best to maintain peace not only in Okochiri Kingdom and the state but in the entire Niger Delta.
“The people of Okochiri Kingdom, like all Wakirike people, are peace loving people but not cowards, and will want to call on the former governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to take his uncouth mouth to the arena of jackals where he is a chief.
“As a kingdom, we are appalled at the callous manner Amaechi has exhibited his lack of respect for the ancient Kingdom of Okochiri, but not surprised because the lack of proper upbringing cannot be compensated for by political opportunism.
“We condemn this in its totality, and call for caution as we will no longer entertain such despicable and uncultured behaviour, which he has exhibited at every given opportunity”, he stated.
According to him, while Amaechi was the governor of the state, he wasn’t short of such conduct as he insulted, harassed and disrespected traditional rulers at will, including the traditional ruler of Abonema in whose domain he made such disparaging remarks on the person of King Ateke Tom.
He said that Amaechi should know that his incessant hatred for Ateke was public knowledge, and has become a source of concern for the people.
“May we remind him that as the minister of transportation, all he has given to Rivers people as projects are his hatred, division, bloodbath and oppression, while the present governor employs every means to repair the damage.
“Amaechi is a man who never sees anything good in other people’s effort; he doesn’t understand what true politics without hatred in the spirit of sportsmanship is all about.
“Let him know that King Ateke Tom doesn’t need him (Amaechi) for anything on earth. Therefore, whatever opinion or grudge he holds against King Ateke Tom is not new to us, as such, he should perpetually bury his head in shame”, he stated.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Okrika Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Dere Biemgbo Ofokomie, said the comments by the former governor were not only designed to defame King Ateke Tom but to also undermine the entire Okrikans and others of Niger Delta extraction, adding that the Okochiri monarch has earned international recognition for his peace efforts in the country.
“King Ateke Tom is a man of peace, and everybody can testify that he has been fighting criminalities in the Niger Delta”, adding that because of Ateke, Okrika Local Government Area was the most peaceful LGA in the state.
In their various speeches, the President of Wakirike Youth Federation, Comrade Charles Melford; and Coordinator, Sekuro of Niger Delta, Chief Toku Adokiye, while condemning the former state governor’s comments, urged President Muhammandu Buhari to carry out a fatherly evaluation on the minister of transportation’s mental health status with a view to ascertaining his problems and provide appropriate remedies.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

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

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

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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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

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.