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LG Polls: ONELGA Chairman Disowns Name Before Tribunal
A mild drama ensued, yesterday, at the resumed hearing of the Rivers State LG Election Petitions Tribunal on a matter involving the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon Vincent Job of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Bright Abali, chairmanship candidate of the ADC, as the chairman allegedly disowned his middle name ‘Nwaobakata’.
Job appeared before the three-man tribunal led by Chief Magistrate Rita Ogugwo, for the second time after he was docked at the witness box for cross-examination following his evidence-in-chief, last Monday, in Port Harcourt.
Abali of the ADC, who contested in the last April 17 Local Government Elections in ONELGA had dragged the ONELGA council boss, Hon Vincent ‘Nwaobakata’ Job, who was the PDP chairmanship candidate during the election to the tribunal, praying the tribunal, among other things, to sack the chairman because of alleged irregularities in his name and credentials submitted for the election.
He said that Mr Vincent ‘Nwaobakata’ Job, was not the same person as Mr Vincent Job as well.
During cross examination, last Monday, Abali told the tribunal that Vincent ‘Nwaobakata’ Job was not eligible to contest the election, because of disparity in his documents, adding that he was not a registered voter.
However, when the matter resumed, yesterday, under cross examination by the petitioner’s Counsel, Hon Vincent Job told the court that the name, ‘Nwobakata’, was his middle name but added that he does not make use or bear it.
But he accepted that over time, he had sworn affidavit of Change of Name but could not exactly say the time and where the copy of the affidavit was at the moment.
“My name is Vincent Job, and I do not bear the name ‘Nwaobakata’ in any of my dealings, even though it is my middle name. I am a very clever person, and I have not missed or lost any of my documents”, the ONELGA boss submitted.
When asked by the petitioner’s counsel to tell the tribunal where the affidavit was, the year and the office he submitted it to, he replied, “I don’t know, I can’t remember again”.
The petitioner’s counsel had moved an application for a short adjournment on the matter to mandate the respondent to go back home and bring the affidavit to the court.
He added that the affidavit would prove that the ONELGA boss used the name under contest even from his primary school days.
He further applied to the court to tender certificate award given to him recently, which bears the name, ‘Nwaobakata’, saying that he was relying on points of law with regard to Evidence Act, Section 4.
Responding to the application, counsel to the respondents, opposed the application because the alleged certificate which the petitioner’s counsel wanted to tender was computer print-out, and not a certified true copy.
He added that the application was a negation to the provisions of Section 84, and 83, Sub-Section 3 of the Evidence Act, and urged the tribunal to jettison the application.
In her ruling, the Chairman of the three-man panel, Chief Magistrate Rita Ogugwo dismissed the application on the grounds that the alleged certificate being relied upon by the petitioner’s counsel was presented to the chairman after he had been sworn in as council chairman as well as during the pendency of the matter before the tribunal.
She later adjourned the matter to today for continuation.
By: Amadi Akujobi
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene