News
Irate Youth, Rivers ALGON Protest Alleged Plot To Sack LG Councils
Barely three days after the dissolution of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission and State Judicial Service Commission, the elected chairmen and councillors of the 22 local government areas yesterday protested against plan by the Rivers State House of Assembly to dissolve the elected council executive in the state.
The council executives were sworn into office by former governor ,Chibuike Amaechi on May 25 before he bowed out on May 29.
The sacked Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), on May 21, conducted local government election that ushered the chairmen and councillors into office for a three-year tenure.
The protesters, led by the Degema Local Government Council Chairman, Hon Sogbeye Eli and some supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had barricaded Moscow Road leading to the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt.
Some of the placards displayed by the protesters had inscriptions such as “you can’t dissolve elected council exco”, “era of impunity is over in Nigeria.”
The leader of the protesters Sogbeye Eli, who spoke on behalf of the chairmen, said they resolved to march to the Assembly premises because they were informed of alleged move by the lawmakers to direct the governor to dissolve the council executives.
Eli vowed that they would resist any attempt by the state government to dissolve the elected and properly constituted local government council executives, stressing that the era of abuse of power was gone in the country.
The council boss, however, urged the National Assembly, civil society organizations and other allied bodies to prevail on the state government to jettison the move to go ahead with the alleged plot.
According to him,’’similar elected council executives were sworn in by the outgone governor of Plateau State the week he left office”, stressing that there had been no threat to sack the executives, “ so, why should Rivers State be an exception.
He expressed fears that dissolution of the council executives could provoke another round of crisis in the state, stressing that the elected council executives would defend the nation’s democracy.
“We must defend our democracy. There is a sinister plot by the government of Rivers State to plunge the state into another round of avoidable crisis after the mindless blood-letting the state saw during the elections”, he said,
The council boss said the alleged plot to dissolve the local government council would boomerang, adding that the recent dissolution of the Professor Augustine Ahiazu-led Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, (RSIEC), was politically motivated to allegedly pave way for the governor to sack the elected local government councils
“Dissolution of the board is a target to sack the duly elected and constituted local government councils. The ultimate intention is to circumvent the Constitution by replacing the elected local government councils with caretaker committees. We are aware this plot will be executed today”, he said.
He reminded the Assembly that the matter was already in court, adding that the government should be responsible to allow the court run its full course on the suit before it.
“We have a matter in court. If the government is a responsible government, it should wait for the court to run its process. If it goes ahead, then we may resort to self help. If the governor or the assembly decide that they are a law to themselves, we will resist. We will enforce a regime of resistance, “, he said.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the state has dismissed the protest, and described the protesters as ignorant people.
Deputy Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Samuel Nwanosike, said it was unfortunate that the council chairmen acted on rumour to disturb the peace in the state.
Nwanosike, who spoke to The Tide inside the premises of House of Assembly complex, said the lawmakers were busy debating other issues that had no relationship with the fears of the council chairmen.
He stressed that Governor Nyesom Wike would continue to act within the ambit of the law.
“The days of impunity in Rivers State are gone since May 29. Right now, the rule of law reigns. You can see that the governor had to wait for the Assembly to dissolve RSIEC before he acted”
According to him, “If they have a case in court, then why are they protesting”.
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
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