News

S’ Court’s Verdict, Testimony Of People’s Mandate To Wike -Banigo

Published

10 years ago

January 29, 2016

Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, has described the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike at the Supreme Court as a testimony of the mandate of Rivers people at the April 11, 2015 governorship election.
Banigo in a statement by her Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, said with the Supreme Court upholding the election, the distractions are over and the state government would now concentrate in delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.
The Deputy Governor lauded the Supreme Court Justices for standing by the truth and prayed that God in his infinite mercy will honour them for upholding the sanctity of the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
Banigo commended the people of the state for their support, cooperation and understanding while the matter lasted, assuring that the Wike-led administration will justify the collective will of Rivers people.
She assured Rivers people to expect even development in the state under the leadership of Governor Wike, and solicited the continued support to the state administration to move the state forward.
Meanwhile, Amidst fanfare and wild excitement, the people of Rivers State have continued to celebrate the judgement of the Supreme Court that affirmed the victory of Chief Nyesom Wike as the governor of the state.
The apex court on Wednesday at about 6.30pm, set aside the rulings of the two lower courts, and declared Wike as the legitimate occupant of the Brick House in Port Harcourt.
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state, Hon Dakuku Peterside and his party, had approached the election petition tribunal to challenge the victory of Governor Wike in the election.
The tribunal, which said in Abuja had in its ruling on October 24, 2015 voided the election on grounds of widespread violence and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
Wike, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), appealed the judgement of the tribunal. But the appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a five-man panel on December 16, 2016, upheld the tribunal’s ruling, and ordered a re-run within 90 days.
Both decisions were, however, set aside on Wednesday by the unanimous decision of the seven-man oanel headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who read the decision of the apex court, found the appeal of Governor Wike and his party meritorious and upheld his election.
Details of the judgement have, however, been deferred till February 12 by the Supreme Court.
Shortly after the Supreme Court gave its verdict on Wednesday, around 6:30pm, supporters of Governor Wike and party trooped to the streets of Port Harcourt in jubilation.
The jubilation continued yesterday with Wike’s supporters, including state civil servants, market men and women, drivers and artisans rending the air with victory songs and shouting ‘Wike is our Governor”, “PDP Power” at public places and major roads across Port Harcourt, the state capital.
At the state secretariat, the shout of ‘Wike, na you we know’ rented the air, while in places like Amadi-Ama, Mile One, D-Line,Town, Rumuola, Ada-George Road and Wike’s immediate constituency, Rumuoptikom, any jubilant supporters were seen drinking and dancing to victory songs.
Some of the jubilant supports told The Tide that Wike’s victory is a favour God had completed long time ago. Nobody can challenge it. We thank God that the Supreme Court upheld that God’s favour. My brother, please join us in the victory dance, a PDP supporter who identified himself as Victor Owhonda told The Tide in an elated tone.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike in a state broadcast on Wednesday, described his victory at the Supreme Court as a victory for Democracy, rule of law and the people of the state.
He explained that the verdict of the apex court was a confirmation of the mandate ‘freely’ given to him by the people of the state.
The governor, however, saluted the courage and resilience of the APC candidate, Dakuku Peterside for approaching the court and for not taking to violence, urging him and his party to join hands with his administration to develop the state.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.