News

‘Nigeria Descending Into Tyranny, Fascism’

Published

12 years ago

June 11, 2014

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretaries, Tourism, Mrs Philip Kandie; Transport, Mr Kamau Michael; Nigeria’s Minister of Tourism, Chief Edem Duke and Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr Samuel Ortom, inaugurating the maiden Kenya Airways flight in Abuja, recently

The Rivers State Government says, the on-going restriction of movement and clampdown on media houses across the country was an indication that the country is descending into tyranny.
The state government has also described the clampdown on media houses as a breach on freedom of the press against the background that the Federal Government led by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 signed the Freedom of Information Act into law.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, who said this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt while reacting to the grounding of Rivers state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi’s chartered flight in Kano by the Nigerian Aviation Management Agency (NAMA), also denied insinuations that the governor was in kano to influence the emergence of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano.
Semenitari said that Governor Amaechi did not breach any security protocol as the plane, which conveyed him along with Senator Danjuma Goje and Alhaji Kwawu Baraje was cleared for the trip.
According to the Commissioner, the governor was in Kano to condole the government and people of kano on the death of their Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
Meanwhile, the state government says Governor Amaechi was not in Kano to influence the emergence of Mallam Sanusi as new Emir of Kano.
Semenitari said that as a Sourthern Christian, Amaechi never went close to where king makers were deciding who the next Emir of Kano would be.
While condemning the killing of a supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, the Commissioner said that the situation was that some persons wanted to use intimidation to stop Nigerians from deciding who governs them in 2015.
She also confirmed the release of the chartered aircraft as well as the Rivers Bombadier jet grounded by the aviation authorities last year.
In a related development,the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has castigated President Goodluck Jonathan for his alleged brazen abridgement of the rights of Nigerian citizens, accusing him of fast descending towards fascist rule.
The party particularly berated the Jonathan administration for the on-going crackdown on some of the country’s leading newspapers and the grounding of the Rivers State Government-chartered flight to Kano to commiserate with the government and good people of Kano State over the demise of their Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero on Friday.
The party said in a statement issued by its state Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya in Port Harcourt yesterday: We have observed with sheer horror the determination of President Goodluck Jonathan to trample on the fundamental rights of Nigerians as it suits his whims and caprices. We strongly condemn this tendency which, if not checked, is capable of truncating the country’s nascent democracy.
“Since Friday last week, soldiers and other security personnel have waged a senseless war against the supposedly critical press, laying ambush for vendors and distribution vans, impounding vans and newspaper copies and beating up vendors and drivers of newspaper houses.
“Instructively, this unparalleled censorship gamble, the type of which was not witnessed even during the infamous Abacha days, started less than 24 hours after President Jonathan, through Information Minister, Labaran Maku, publicly complained that the newspapers were giving Boko Haram undue publicity. We, therefore, do not need to look far to know the source of the directive to muzzle the Nigerian press.”
Rivers APC equally condemned “the shameful incident in Kano, in which the aviation authorities, acting at the behest of the Presidency, impounded the Rivers State Government-chartered aircraft for no good reason, thus forcing Governor Chibuike Amaechi and his delegation to make a long journey back to Port Harcourt by road.
“This is the same aircraft which was recently released after being grounded for a year on flimsy excuses. It was suddenly grounded again on Sunday, just to humiliate Governor Amaechi and the people of Rivers State on the mere suspicion that Amaechi was behind the emergence of the Presidency’s nightmare, former CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the new Emir of Kano. Is Governor Amaechi a member of Kano Emirate Council? This is just mere looking for flimsy excuses to let Nigerians know how undemocratic he can be,” the party said.
Rivers APC described the action of the Federal Government as a descent into the lowest depths of decency.
“We tend to agree with one perceptive analyst who rightly pointed out that what Jonathan is manifesting are the symptoms of a dying regime,” the party said.
“From wrestling with newspapers on the streets to sponsoring police violence and attack in Ekiti, further down to childishly grounding aircraft, the signs are that embattled President Jonathan is exasperated and frustrated with signs of impending electoral doom flashing. It promises to get worse with the approaching days. The man is foretold tragedy personified.”
Rivers APC appealed to Nigerians to completely reject President Jonathan and his deceptive PDP at the polls in 2015 as the country cannot afford four more years of disastrous rule under Jonathan and the PDP.

News

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

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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