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Monarch Rates Amaechi High
A royal father in Riv
ers State, His Eminence, Kingdom Elem Chukwu Elenwa, the Eze Egi of Ogbaland, has said that Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, possesses the qualities to aspire to any office in Nigeria including that of the President given his track records as two time Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and Governor of the state.
The royal father made this assertion recently in a chat with newsmen in his palace at Akabuka, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area, while marking his recent elevation to a first class traditional ruler by the Rivers State government.
He disclosed that infrastructural and human transformation of Rivers State within the four years of Governor Amaechi’s administration of the state were eloquent testimonies of the governor’s qualification to aspire to any position in the country.
Commenting on his elevation, he said he had fought relentlessly for this to happen, adding that all hopes were lost, Governor Amaechi came to the rescue.
He explained that he had expected the elevation during the administration of Governor Peter Odili, but the administration failed to do so.
The Egi Monarch expressed the hope that with his present status, oil companies operating in the area would accord the stool the respect it deserves as, according to him, the community hosts almost all the oil wells in the Egi Kingdom.
He stated that for over fifty years, his people had been deprived of their farmlands and other areas of livelihood by oil companies operating in the area.
He was of the view that the Federal Government would now appreciate the fact that the bulk of oil and gas resources were produced by the Egi people, adding that development in the area would be fast tracked with the support of the Rivers State government.
“As I am speaking to you, I was not expecting 1st class stool but I thank God for the elevation.”
He used the occasion to commend the state governor for prioritising the development of infrastructures across the state and congratulated him on his re-election as the governor of the state in the next four years.
Also speaking, wife of the monarch, Dame Victoria Elenwa, expressed happiness and joy for the development and thanked Governor Amaechi for the elevation.
Earlier, the Chairman of Egi Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Ebenezer Eleba, described Amaechi’s action as bold and commended him for sustaining the peace in the state, stressing that the elevation of their monarch had moved the community to the next level.
Speaking in the same vein, the Vice Chairman of Egi Peoples Forum (EPF), Chief Isaac Agilegba and the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Egi Youth Federation (EYF), Chukwuka, Nwabueze, commended the state governor for the decision and expressed their support for the monarch.
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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