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Continue Your Dev Strides, Stakeholders Tell Wike
Stakeholders made up of traditional rulers, elder statesmen, politicians, clergies and youth have urged Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to continue in his developmental strides and not be distracted over the recent election tribunal judgement.
The stakeholders bared their mind shortly after Wike intimated them of current political developments in the state and his quest to continue delivering on his electoral promises.
Senator representing Rivers East in the National Assembly, Thompson George Sekibo commended the governor for his doggedness.
“This is the first time when a governor will come out on behalf of those elected and defend them with the best lawyers”, he said.
Sekibo while quoting some scriptures to back his views, observed, “we are on the side of God, this battle is for God, and because we have God, victory will surely come.”
He further enjoined the governor not to be distracted as the people are behind him.
On his part, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ikuinyi Ibani, on behalf of the state lawmakers, thanked the governor for the vigour he displayed in pursuing the election matter at the tribunals.
Ibani stressed that the tribunal judgment will not discourage the Assembly from discharging its duties, while expressing hope that a favourable verdict awaits them at the appeals.
Acting National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, while calling party faithful to be steadfast, stated that the current political challenges are a ploy by the ruling party to weaken the opposition.
Secondus warned against any action that will divide the party, as he advised members against spreading false information and rumours.
In his words, “We must stand up for our right so that we don’t go back to bondage.”
The Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amayanabo of Opobo, King Dandison Douglas Jaja pledged the support of the traditional rulers to ensure peace in their domains.
Jaja said that maintaining peace across the various localities was the responsibility of traditional rulers, and is also a “God given assignment.”
Former minister of transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, lauded Wike for his courage to appeal the judgement, noting that since assuming office, the governor has displayed zeal and focus towards moving the state forward.
Sekibo added, “so far, so good. Your Excellency, you have done well. We as Rivers people need to stand together and protect the interest of the state because the collective interest should supersede the interest of a few.”
While urging the governor not to rest on his oars in getting justice from the appellate courts, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onueze C.J. Okocha, remarked that, “the elections have come and gone, and we are satisfied that we did not make a wrong choice.”
Okocha further charged the governor not to allow the current political developments to discourage him from governing the state, as according to him, “the Constitution and the Electoral Act give you powers to rule Rivers State until the appeals are exhausted.”
Speaking on behalf of the elders, Barine Wifa, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stated that the people are ready to defend the mandate given to the governor, while calling for the review of the present federal system, which he said, was lopsided.
The former governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, urged the governor to build on his achievements.
Omehia opined that the interest of the state was paramount, adding that, “what is important is the development of Rivers State, and all of us have a duty to move the state forward.”
Speaking for the clergies in the state, Venerable Richard Opara, harped on the need for peace, saying, “let them allow peace to reign in Rivers State, no matter who is exercising power today, power comes from God.”
The former Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Bright Amaewhule, said Rivers people have put all behind them, and are looking forward to a favourable verdict at the appeals.
Amaewhule enjoined all party faithful not to lose hope but to work hard to consolidate on the mandate of Governor Wike.
Earlier, Chief Nyesom Wike had dissociated himself from all negative statements regarding the recent nullification of his election as governor of Rivers State attributed to him by the media.
“In the past two days, you may have read on the front pages of newspapers where it was said that I used terms like “Judicial terrorism”, and “Judicial gang up” . I never said so. I never authorized anybody to speak on my behalf as far as that issue is concerned. When we had our thanksgiving last Sunday, I did say that we must not cast aspersions. People should control themselves and know that if you believe in God, you have nothing to fear,” Wike admonished.
Wike explained that people may have reacted to court ruling in different ways, adding that if one is dissatisfied with a particular ruling, he or she could go to the Court of Appeal to seek redress.
He stressed that even the All Progressives Party (APC) members had appealed the National Assembly rulings that were not in their favour.
He also explained that the paragraphs on crime and violence, which the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal used as part of its judgement to nullify his election, were finally expunged by the Court of Appeal.
Wike remarked that seeking redress in Election Petitions Tribunal is part of the democratic process, and urged everybody to be calm, law abiding and go about their normal businesses and duties, because there is hope.
The state chief executive charged all traditional rulers to maintain peace in their respective domains.
The governor remarked that the spate of kidnappings and other vices in the state were because the state had received new security chiefs such as the new commissioner of police, director of State Security Services, Army, Navy and Air Force commanders, who are yet to master the terrain of Rivers State.
He said they should be supported with vital information when and where necessary because they cannot achieve it without God’s help.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has cautioned parents to closely monitor their children’s craving for cookies and gummies, warning that some of the products may contain illicit substances being smuggled into the country.
In a statement posted yesterday, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said recent seizures by the agency’s officers had revealed attempts by criminal elements to introduce prohibited substances under the guise of everyday snacks.
“As parents, if your kids and young ones always crave for cookies and gummies, you may have to pay a little more attention. There may be more to it than ordinary cookies and gummies,” Babafemi wrote, sharing images of seized packages.
The photos showed colourful pouches of “Cookies Delta 8 Gummies” in flavours such as Hawaiian Rain Pineapple Guava and Thai Mango, labelled as vegan and hemp-derived, alongside the actual gummy products.
The warning comes amid a major interception by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
Officers seized two 40-foot containers containing large quantities of cannabis-infused products concealed among legitimate imports such as used vehicles, generators, batteries and fabrics.
The consignment included thousands of Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies, packs of cannabis-infused gummies and other cannabis-infused cookies, with a combined estimated street value of about ?373.8m.
The items were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA.
NDLEA officials described the products, which originated from the United States and were packaged to resemble ordinary vegan snacks with appealing flavours, as an emerging public health threat.
They noted that the attractive packaging could appeal especially to children, students and young people, raising the risk of accidental consumption of concentrated cannabis.
The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) has announced plans to partner with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) to strengthen efforts at combating illegal waste dumping and improving environmental sanitation across the state.
The partnership was unveiled during a meeting between officials of RIWAMA and the leadership of the Rivers State chapter of the PCRC in Port Harcourt, recently, where both organisations pledged to work together to restore the Garden City status of the state capital.
In his speech, the Supervisor of Market and Community Sanitation in RIWAMA, Mr. Omereji Ukoha, said the collaboration was in line with the vision of the agency’s Managing Director, Dr. Ibimina Wokoma, and the Board Chairman, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, to promote a cleaner and healthier environment.
Ukoha described the PCRC as a strategic grassroots partner capable of mobilising communities and driving behavioural change through sustained public enlightenment on proper waste disposal.
He expressed concern over the increasing rate of indiscriminate refuse dumping in parts of Port Harcourt, particularly in New GRA, where blocked drainage channels and illegal shanties have continued to contribute to flooding and environmental degradation.
According to him, the agency is determined to intensify enforcement against environmental offenders, warning that unregistered cart pushers and residents who patronise them would be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the RIWAMA Act, 2014.
The RIWAMA official urged residents to embrace proper waste disposal practices and patronise only government-approved waste operators in order to safeguard public health and protect the environment.
Responding, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee in Rivers State, Dr. Voke Emore, commended RIWAMA for seeking collaboration with the committee in addressing environmental challenges confronting the state.
Emore said the PCRC would deploy its community-based structures across the state to support public sensitisation and encourage residents to comply with environmental sanitation regulations.
He also called on local government councils to play more active roles in waste management, noting that they collect sanitation levies and should complement the efforts of the state government in maintaining a clean environment.
The PCRC chairman described indiscriminate refuse disposal as a serious environmental and public health concern, stressing that sustained collaboration among government agencies, community leaders and residents remained critical to achieving lasting sanitation goals.
Both organisations expressed optimism that the partnership would promote cleaner communities, reduce environmental hazards and strengthen public participation in efforts to ensure a healthier and more sustainable environment for the people of Rivers State.
King Onunwor
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate allegedly terrorising communities in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the State.
The State Police Command disclosed this in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The suspects were arrested during a coordinated operation at Oyigbo, following directives by the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju.
Those arrested were Ezekiel Emmanuel, 44, from Benue State; Chukwuma Mbanefor, 51, from Anambra State; Nicholas Diala, 65, from Imo State; Ndubuisi Uwakwe, 49, from Abia State; and Ifeanyi Nwakwo, 51, from Imo State.
The Command said the arrest represented another significant operational success in its ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in the State.
According to the Police, preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in kidnapping operations within Rivers State.
The suspects, during interrogation, allegedly confessed to their involvement in kidnapping and further admitted participating in several operations carried out in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
The Command said investigation was ongoing, with efforts intensified to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected syndicate who may be connected with the criminal activities.
The Police boss said the operation reflected the implementation of operational directives and the intelligence-driven policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc, NPM.
Adepoju reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain aggressive intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes across Rivers State.
He warned kidnappers and other criminal elements operating in the State that there would be no safe haven for them, stressing that the Command would relentlessly pursue, arrest and ensure that those found culpable were brought to justice.
The Commissioner further assured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies in the fight against crime.
He appealed to residents to provide the Police with credible and timely information capable of assisting security operatives in preventing criminal activities and apprehending suspected criminals.
The Command urged members of the public who may have useful information on the activities of the suspected kidnapping syndicate or other criminal elements to contact the Police through its emergency lines, assuring that such information would assist ongoing investigations.
King Onunwor