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LG Councils’ve No Excuse Not To Provide Democratic Dividends, Wike Warns
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says his administration has vigorously addressed security challenges in the state to enable all council chairmen deliver dividends of democracy to people at the grassroots.
He reiterated that since the inception of his administration, the state government has not touched any money that belongs to the local government councils.
The governor said this at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Local Government Election grand finale rally in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council held at Oginigba Primary School Field, yesterday.
“The state government has provided the enabling environment for every local chairman in the state to perform. Since the inception of this administration, the state government has not touched One Kobo that belongs to the local government council. They have always had their money as the statutory allocation comes. The council chairmen have their money to perform. So, whoever does not perform is left for him or her.
“As a policy of state we have also decided to address vigorously the security cllenges hain the state, that is to enable them (council chairmen) perform their duties of delivering democratic dividends to our people.”
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Engr Emeka Woke, the governor explained that before his assumption of office, the local government councils under the previous administration owed past councillors, elected council chairmen and their political appointees huge sums of money.
According to him, the state government expeditiously set up a committee to verify the actual amount of money owed past political appointees and ensured that council caretaker administration paid the debts.
To this end, the governor said no council chairman can claim he or shewas owing past political appointees.
Wike thanked the people of Obio/Akpor for the support they have continued to give to his administration right from its inception.
The governor said those who have continued to accuse him of executing projects mainly in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor councils are merely playing politics with the truth.
According to him, every free-minded Rivers indigene and Nigerian can attest to the fact the state government have ensured even spread of projects in all the 23 councils of the state.
“Those of them who say they do not see what we are doing, you don’t expect them to acknowledge what we have done. These are people who have had opportunity to govern the state for eight years and six years down the line, they can’t come and say this is what we did for the people of Rivers State in spite of the huge resources that accrued to them during their time. But, in order to cover their shame and lack of accountability, they will always criticize what we have done.”
Wike urged voters in Obio/Akpor to come out en masse and vote for PDP chairmanship candidate, Barrister George Ariolu, and 17 councillorship candidates in Saturday’s Local Government Election.
In his remarks, Rivers State PDP Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor, said Obio/Akpor will always be a fertile ground for the PDP because of the numerous developmental projects of the Wike’s administration in the council.
The PDP chairman accused the immediate past administration in the state of wasting the state resources on monorail and other meaningless projects.
“Somebody came from Ubima, gave us a monorail that never worked, and promised us a narrow gauge we are not sure of, desecrated traditional institution in Rivers State, locked up the courts, and we have another man who came from Rumuepirikom, opened the courts, built eight flyovers and changed the landscape of Rivers State.”
He charged PDP members to ensure the party emerges victorious in Saturday’s election and remain fully mobilised as ahead of the 2023 general election.
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.