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Why PDP Must Win Edo – Wike …Tasks NUJ On Objectivity, Truth
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State to be united and committed to winning the governorship elections in September.
He gave the charge to officers of the South-South Zone’s Executive Committee of the party, who paid him a courtesy visit on Monday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wike remarked that,”PDP in the South-South cannot be complete until we take over Edo State. Therefore, I urge Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair elections in Edo State and every other state where we have elections.
“I thank the party in Edo State for doing quite well in their campaigns. As an opposition party, they have promoted the party’s chances through committed campaigns”, he said.
Wike declared that there was no court order stopping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Convention scheduled for August 17, 2016 in Port Harcourt.
The governor said that the National Convention will hold as scheduled because the court was yet to hear the suit filed by sacked Senator Ali Modu Sheriff challenging the holding of the national convention.
Wike added, “the court could not have sacked Senator Ahmed Makarfi because it cannot sit on appeal in the judgment of a court of coordinate jurisdiction.”
He added that there was an application to allow Makarfi to be joined as a party in the suit, adding that the suit was adjourned to August 15.
According to him, the suit challenging the conduct of the National Convention was yet to be entertained by the court.
On the forthcoming National Convention, he stated that the leaders of the PDP in the Southern geo-political zones will meet on Thursday to determine the zoning of positions.
The governor further said that the PDP will emerge stronger from the current challenges as Nigerians are waiting for the party to provide leadership.
In his remarks, the National Vice Chairman of PDP (South-South), Bro Emma Ogidi, commended Wike for using the people’s mandate to transform Rivers State.
He said the governor was a complete party man who has helped in rebuilding the party through his engagements with stakeholders across the country.
The South-South Executive Committee of the PDP also conferred an award of excellence on Wike.
Meanwhile, journalists under the umbrella of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have been tasked to be objective and avoid reporting stories that will destroy the image of Rivers State or scare away investors.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, gave the charge when he played host to the Rivers State Council of the NUJ in Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.
The Rivers State chief executive remarked that as watchdogs of the society, journalists need to be non-partisan and factual in their reports.
He frowned at a situation where newsmen will report events based on political leanings at the expense of overriding public interest.
Even when reporting events, the governor cautioned against sensational reports, adding, “this state belongs to all of us whether you come from Rivers State or not; so, whatever affects one, affects the all of us.”
Reminding them that crime was not peculiar to Rivers State but a worldwide phenomenon, the governor said, “you must report clearly what is happening in Rivers State; our emergence is an act of God.”
Wike described journalists as partners in instituting good governance, and assured that his administration was ready to work with the NUJ in enlightening and educating the citizenry about the administration’s policies and programmes, at least, every quarter.
Earlier, the state Chairman of the NUJ, Mr. Omoni Ayo-Tamuno commended the development strides of his administration in the past one year.
Ayo-Tamuno observed that the recent biometrics and audit of state civil servants has displayed the transparency with which Wike has run the government, and called on government to ensure that those staffers indicted of defrauding the state government are prosecuted.
He described the NUJ as a vehicle for enhancing good governance, as he called for improved relationship between the union and government to promote programmes and policies of the administration.
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RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
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