News

PDP Slams Lawyers Over Call For Rivers AG’s Resignation

Published

12 years ago

January 24, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan (4th-left), Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina (middle) and other officials, cutting a cake at the launch of dry season farm support programme at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, last Monday. Photo: NAN.

Lawyers in Port Harcourt who yesterday joined the street protests against the administration of Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi have received knocks from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), faction in the state loyal to Chief Godspower Ake.
The party, which described the protesting lawyers as “deviants” having disobeyed the directives of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Chairman, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, added that their call for the resignation of Mr. Wogu Boms, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, has further betrayed their source of protest.
In a statement yesterday, in Port Harcourt, signed by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, George Ukwuoma-Nwogba the Ake-led faction of the PDP accused the lawyers of working for the Grassroots Democratic Initiative, (GDI), which it said had been commissioned to overthrow the administration of Governor Chibuike Amaechi “by all means possible.”
“The leader of those protesters is a well-known GDI member, sympathiser and one of its legal counsels and so, sees nothing good in neither Governor Amaechi nor Boms. He was one of those who spoke in favour of the failed coup d’état of July 9, 2013 on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The use of the absence of a Chief Judge for the state, for the protest was a mere smokescreen”, it added.
“Because they have found Wogu Boms a bedrock in the Amaechi administration who has declined their overtures to betray his principal for a ministerial appointment, they now want to bring him down using hugely corrupt-minded lawyers, questionable ‘civil society’ and human rights groups.
“That lawyers would denigrate the wig for mere spoons of porridge would make legal guru, Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams, turn in his grave. QC, SAN, foremost Nigerian lawyer who was the first Nigerian to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, turn in his grave.
“The lawyers who embarked on that show of shame have re-written lawyers’ chapter of respect in opprobrium,” the PDP said.
According to the PDP, Wogu Boms is a gift to the Rivers State Judiciary whose actions and advice to the Rivers State Government in respect to the matter of the appointment of State Chief Judge has been purely professional and political.
“What the protesting lawyers only achieved was denigrating the wig and gown by joining street urchins and often rented miscreants to march on the streets for peanuts. We had assumed that lawyers were learned enough to know civility and decorum,” PDP said.
On the grounds for the protest, PDP drew the attention of the lawyers Section 271(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which it noted, they have over-flogged, arguing that there is an invisible, grammatical lacuna that empowers a governor of a state to either accept or reject a recommended Judge for appointment into the office of a chief judge.
“There are cases in Nigeria’s recent past where states’ governors rejected recommended judges for appointment as States’ Chief Judges. Lawyers in such states never took to the streets.
“It was the same National Judicial Council, (NJC), they are singing of its correctness which compromised recommendations made to it on the recall of the retired President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Ayo Salami.
It is a governor’s prerogative to affirm or reject a nominee to the office a CJ just like the NJC snubbed all wise counsel on the Salami matter.
“If there was any room for conflict in the subsisting sections in the Nigerian Constitution, Amaechi should not pay for such an error since he was not the writer of the Constitution. Makers of the Nigerian Constitution must be taken to be wiser than those protesters.
“We would suggest that rather than disturb the peace of Rivers State, those GDI-sponsored lawyers should visit the National Assembly to insist on an amendment to the section,” the PDP added.
The party said “in fact, a House of Assembly may also turn down a request for confirmation of a nominee, and that had happened in recent times in Nigeria. The lawyers ought to have known better before going to display how partisan they have gone.”
The PDP warned against further attempts to truncate the peace of the state, denouncing the Rivers State Police Command for again displaying its partisan colour in providing protection to the lawyers whom it said, “were paid to cause breach of peace.”

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

5 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

5 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

5 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor