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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 intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”