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Gov Orji Accuses Deputy of Disloyalty
Governor Theodore Orji has accused his Deputy, Comrade Chris Akomas of disloyalty, declaring that he could work without him.
He alleged that Akomas was plotting his downfall in the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) so that he would take over from him.
In what would now shift attention to relations between the duo in the unfolding political realignment in Abia State, Orji told his Ibeku kinsmen who were in Government House, Umuahia, midweek to demonstrate their solidarity for the governor in his recent cross-carpeting from PPA to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) that his deputy was plotting to take over from him in PPA.
In an interview with newsmen later, Orji repeated the same allegation when asked why he accused his deputy of disloyalty earlier, adding that he could work without a deputy.
“Yes, what I said is correct. My deputy is not a loyal deputy for sure. You know he’s been trying to push me away; he wants to take over my seat and that wouldn’t happen. No governor will tolerate that type of thing,” Orji said.
He noted that the Deputy Governor parried a question during a Press interview on whether he would contest the governorship in 2011 and stressed that only the party and the structure would determine would be its candidate.
“You all read what he said on the pages of newspapers when he was asked whether he wants to be governor. That is a direct question of either yes or no.
“Instead of saying yes, I want to be governor or no, I don’t want to be governor, he said it is the structure that would decide who would be governor. That is a clear testimony of his intentions”.
He also called the Deputy Governor a “spare tyre.”
“I have repeatedly said I don’t need a spare tyre. My tyre is bullet proof. It can’t be deflated.”
He added: “I can operate without a Deputy Governor but the constitution allows the office of the deputy governor. He is still there as the deputy governor but I am operating as Governor and he is operating as a Deputy Governor.”
There have been speculations that Akomas may be impeached for refusing to decamp to APGA with the governor.
While addressing his kinsmen, Orji alleged that his deputy collaborated with the party’s chieftains to undo him. He said Akomas, would who pledged before his kinsmen at the Isieke ancestral headquarters of the Ibeku clan, later turned against him.
“He was the arrowhead of the plot for my removal. He was disloyal to me,” the governor said.
This is the first time the governor would be accusing his deputy of disloyalty in public. Observers expressed the belief that both had good working relations until the incidents that forced the governor to quit PPA.
It would be recalled that Orji had last year, when Abia hosted the National Cocoa Day event, described his deputy as “the most loyal deputy in Nigeria” when members of the National Cocoa Committee paid him a courtesy visit at Government House.
Also, earlier this year, the governor had denied that he had frosty relations with his second in command. He told newsmen in Lagos that he had the best of cordial relations with Akomas.
Officials in the Deputy Governor’s office could not be reached for comment as at press time.
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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