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Wike Recalls Suspended HOS, Four Commissioners
Barely 17 days after announcing the immediate suspension of the head of service, four commissioners, and a special adviser, for three months, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Friday, exercised his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy by recalling the appointees.
The appointees are Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins; Special Adviser on Lands, Anugbum Onuoha; commissioners for chieftaincy affairs, John Bazia; culture and tourism, Mrs Tonye Briggs-Oniyide; finance, Dr Fred Kpakol; and sports, Boma Iyaye.
The recall of the political appointees was conveyed in a statement, Friday, by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu.
This is the second time Dr Fred Kpakol, has been suspended and subsequently recalled.
The governor had on August 31, taken the action in connection with that day’s weekly Executive Council meeting, which the officials attended late.
The executive meeting had been slated to commence at 6.am, and it was learnt that the political appointees came behind schedule when the governor was already seated.
It was learnt that what angered the governor more was that despite a notice having been sent out ahead of time, some of the commissioners got into the Executive Council Chambers behind time.
Even those who came early were caught off-guard, while chatting outside when the governor came in.
The governor was miffed with what appeared as complacency from the affected officials who were supposed to be seated, at least, 30 minutes before he comes in.
The governor, who was visibly angry when they broke protocols by coming in when he had already sat down for deliberations, directed the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Kobani, to suspend them in order to send strong warning to others.
A Government House insider said that, “the governor is a stickler to time and punctuality, and if he discovers any sign of laxity, it puts him off”.
It would be recalled that this is not the first time the governor is suspending members of the state executive.
First week of February, 2016, he suspended the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Fred Kpakol, and later reinstated him a week after on Valentine’s Day.
Shortly after in March, 2016, he suspended Commissioner for Works, Engineer Kelvin Wachukwu, over failure to monitor ongoing road projects, and later sacked him for non-performance.
Sometime in July, after an unscheduled inspection visit to ongoing construction work at Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Wike summoned his Commissioner for Education, Prof Kaniye Ebeku, to appear in his office, to explain why the slow pace of work on the school’s renovation and rehabilitation projects.
The governor had sworn-in the first set of commissioners in June, 2015, advising them to ensure that his administration fulfils its promise of delivering quality service and good governance to the people in line with its NEW Vision for Rivers State.
While swearing-in the last set of commissioners last December, he warned that at no time would his administration tolerate non-performance from any of the political appointees.
Wike had reminded them that Rivers people expect and deserve nothing less than spectacular performance from the commissioners and special advisers.
He also said, “Any of you that are here to make money at the expense of service will be disappointed. Do not assault public sensibilities with ostentatious lifestyle that you cannot defend,” threatening to axe anyone found to have failed to keep the course of the administration or whose action or inaction sends the wrong signal to the people of the state on the genuine policies and programmes of the government.
He had said: “We hope and pray that you do not disappoint because to whom much is given, much is expected. Your duty is to serve public interest, and accountability is a sacred contract with the people of Rivers State.”
Nelson Chukwudi
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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