News
Rivers PDP Congress: ‘Ake, An Exemplary Leader’
The Governor of Rivers State, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has described the re-elected state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Godspower Ake as an exemplary leader, whose sterling qualities have enhanced the electoral value of the party in the state.
Governor Amaechi made the remarks at the 2012 state congress of the party which took place at the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt,on Saturday.
Represented by his deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, the state chief executive congratulated the out-going executives of the party for successfully piloting its affairs in the past years, noting that the outstanding performance of the party in past elections was a testament to the way party affairs were conducted.
He thanked all the outgoing party executive for their contributions to the success of the party, saying “those of them that were not returned will not be forgotten as their good works will always speak for them.
Governor Amaechi called on the in-coming party executives to work harder in building on the achievements of the past four years to deliver a better, robust, and united party that would ensure the deliverance of the dividends of democracy to the people.
Of the 984 accredited delegates at the party congress conducted by Mr Steve Emelieze, and supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief Ake, polled 777 votes out of 824 to emerge state chairman, alongside Senibo Dagogo Legg-Jack, Deputy state chairman, and Barr Adokiye Oruwari, state Secretary in a 29 member executive of the party for the next four years.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Ake thanked party faithfuls in the state for the confidence reposed in his executives that had seen the party winning all elective positions contested for in the state in the past four years.
He called on the new executives to work harder than the outgone exco to ensure that the PDP continues in its winning ways in the next four years.
Also speaking, the state Deputy chairman, Mr Legg-Jack thanked Governor Amaechi for being supportive to the party, ‘as much support has been translated into a peaceful congress witnessed today”.
In a related development, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) last Saturday held its state congress across the country in a peaceful manner, with some states returning candidates through consensus.
In Kaduna, Vice-President Namadi Sambo said the successful conduct of PDP congress in Kaduna State was a clear demonstration of the party’s focus towards delivering good governance.
The Vice-President who spoke during the PDP congress in Kaduna last Saturday congratulated the newly elected officials, saying the party was committed to implementing the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.
He urged the elected officials to work as a team to promote the party’s virtues and ensure sincere representation of the people who voted for them.
Amb. Nuhu Audu, the newly elected chairman of the party in Kaduna , said the new officials would ensure justice and equity in carrying out their mandate.
In Sokoto State, the 29-member state executives of the PDP were returned unopposed.
The election was presided over by a five-man congress committee from the PDP national secretariat, headed by Chief Sergeant Awuse.
Wamakko commended the delegates for the orderly and peaceful congress, saying there had been absolute respect and trust between the followers and leadership of the party in the state.
In his acceptance speech, the chairman commended members of the party for the confidence reposed in him.
Waziri urged the people of the state to pray fervently for Nigeria, saying it is in dire need of prayers.
In Dutse, capital of Jigawa State, the party elected its new officials by consensus arrangement without any contest.
The former state commissioner for Economic and Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Salisu Mahmuda, was elected chairman of the party while former Special Adviser to Gov. Sule Lamido on Personal Matters, Alhaji Aliyu Gantsa, was elected secretary.
In Asaba, Delta, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, state chairman of the PDP was returned unopposed Chief Solomon Ogba, secretary of the party; Chief Arthur Akpowowo, youth leader and Chief Edwin Uzor, state auditor of the party were also returned unopposed.
In his acceptance speech, Nwaoboshi thanked the delegates and other party members for another opportunity to serve.
Meanwhile, Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta has appealed to citizens of the state not to overheat the political system.
He urged all to sustain the new spirit of unity as no meaningful development could be achieved in a chaotic and rancorous atmosphere.
In Makurdi, Benue State, elections into various executive offices of the PDP commenced with newsmen barred from the venue.
They advised the delegates to put aside sentiments and work for the good of the party in particular and the state in general.
In Awka, Anambra State, the state Police Command, cordoned off St. Augustine Anglican Church, Amawbia, near Awka, stopping the conduct of PDP congress in the state.
In Jos, Plateau State accreditation for the PDP state congress commenced at about 11.30 a.m. amidst tight security.
The Tide reports that there was heavy presence of security operatives at the various centres.
In Gombe, Mr Jack Gumpy, was re-elected chairman of the party.
Our correspondent reports that the congress which was based on consensus, also had Alhaji Nasiru Gwani as Vice Chairman and Alhaji Abubakar Shanu as Secretary.
In Enugu, all the 29 executive officers, including two women, were returned unopposed.
The Tide correspondent reports that former chairman, Mr Vita Abba, was re-elected while Mr Steve Oruruo was returned as the secretary.
In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu described the congress as the “best organised in the country’’.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor