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How CP Withdrew Wike’s Security
Ahead of the December 10, 2016 rerun legislative elections in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike, has announced that the state Commissioner of Police has withdrawn majority of policemen providing security for him.
The governor also called on youth in the state to protect their votes and the mandate of the people, despite the planned deployment of security personnel for illegal electoral purposes.
Flagging-off the reconstruction of the Igbo-Etche Road last Friday, Wike said this deliberate security infraction orchestrated to intimidate him, will not succeed.
He said: “As I speak with you, the commissioner of police has withdrawn the security around me. It is God that will protect me.
“As a governor, the commissioner of police has the effrontery to withdraw my security details. There is no limit to this kind of intimidation and impunity”.
He said despite the assault by the commissioner of police and the security agencies, nobody in Rivers State will be intimidated by the political antics of the police.
The governor informed that he has intercepted the security manual for the election to be used by Rivers State Police Command.
According to him, the Rivers State Police Command will deploy policemen in manner that APC leaders in the state will have access to disproportionate number of policemen on election day.
He noted that on the average, the police command will attach at least 15 policemen to one APC leader, for the purpose of intimidation and theft of electoral materials.
He added that some of the policemen would also be used by INEC to divert election materials to the home of APC leaders for electoral fraud.
He advised the Rivers State police commissioner not to allow APC leaders to mislead him into committing electoral fraud.
He also warned the police commissioner against indiscriminate arrests being proposed by APC leaders on the premise of frivolous petitions.
He assured the Etche Ethnic Nationality that its time has come for massive developmental interventions.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah, has said the party was worried over revelations by Governor Nyesom Wike that majority of policemen providing security for him have been withdrawn by the state commissioner of police.
The PDP chairman, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam condemned the action of the state commissioner of police, and said the development was a source of concern to Rivers people, and clearly showed the desperation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the December 10 re-run elections in the state.
The party said it was more worried by the confession made by the defeated candidate of APC in the 2015 Governorship Election, Dakuku Peterside, few hours after Governor Nyesom Wike’s statement, that he (Dakuku Peterside) had had discussions with security chiefs and officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the re-run polls.
Obuah said the confession, which was openly made by Dakuku Peterside in a radio programme in Port Harcourt on Saturday, confirmed the fears of Rivers people that powers from Abuja were desperate to foist the APC on Rivers people at all cost.
“The unguarded remarks of Dakuku Adol Peterside, who boasted that he had already concluded discussions with security chiefs and officers of INEC on the December 10 re-run elections coming few hours after the withdrawal of majority of policemen attached to Wike may not be a coincidence”, Obuah stated.
The PDP said the party would not allow the revelation by Dakuku Peterside to be swept under the carpet, calling on security agencies to investigate the confession as its consequences are capable of threatening the December 10 polls.
The party urges security agencies to be apolitical during the December 10, 2016 re-run elections, to promote peace and restore the confidence of the people.
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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