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Sham Called Rivers Rerun …The Prophecy Of Gov Wike

Published

9 years ago

December 12, 2016

Like an embattled prophet in the wilderness crying for Justice, Peace and Salvation, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike prior to the rerun polls of December 10, 2016, repeatedly alerted the Nigerian nation of danger. A real and apparent danger that could fritter away all the gains of the nation’s march to true democracy since the dawn of this republic, in 1999.

The governor’s main concerns were that supposed independent public institutions were bent on hijacking and manipulating the rerun elections in the state, by brute force, in favour of the ruling, All Progressives Congress (APC). To achieve that, the governor alerted, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC leadership on one hand and the APC candidates for the rerun, their party leaders and the security forces on the other, had been holding series of nocturnal meetings.

Governor Wike shouted loud enough for all to hear, and even petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) about plots to use armed Police men and soldiers to not merely intimidate the ordinary voters and political opponents but hijack the process and return results in favour of all APC candidates.

On a live radio phone-in programme preceding the rerun elections, in Port Harcourt, Wike revealed that all Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates on the platform of the APC have been assigned sizeable number of soldiers, armed Mobile Police men and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp. The governor even read out the list of security team leaders assigned the hatchet jobs.

The Governor then called on all relevant authorities to review the dangerous plot because the use of armed security at polling units, stations and collation centres have no place in the nation’s electoral act. He challenged the Police high command to refute his allegation of postings to APC candidates, if it was untrue.

Uptil the date of the rerun last Saturday, no refutal was made, but virtually everything Governor Wike alerted the nation about came to pass, in as shameful a manner that questions the integrity of not just the INEC, the security and the Civil Defence Corps but indeed, the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency and the future of democracy.

Media reports say in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, fully armed Police, Army and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chased away all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agents, the media and Corps members before taking over the collation of results in that area.

The same was true of Ngo collation centre in Andoni local government area, where the Military Commander insisted that only APC agents be allowed to collate results. In Wards 3 and 8 in same area, an APC Chieftain and one-time Commissioner for Works, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara allegedly disrupted the process and was allowed to go scot-free.

In Eleme Local Government Area, a combined force of soldiers and heavily armed Mobile Police allegedly chased away all PDP agents, members of the mass media and Corps members before taking over the collation of results with APC agents.

Like Eleme, in Opobo/Nkoro, election materials meant for Opobo were hijacked with the help of Soldiers and the Police and taken to the personal residence of a one-time National APC chairmanship candidate from the area, Sam Sam Jaja. All protests fell on deaf ears as the residence was fortified with armed soldiers to enhance the production of fake results.

In Ward 3, Bodo, the APC House of Representatives candidate, Maurice Poronen accompanied by armed Police and Soldiers smashed ballot boxes and disrupted voting. One person who resisted was killed. The same was true of Khana, where voting was also disrupted.

In Port Harcourt, INEC staff along with APC chieftains, protected by heavily armed soldiers and the Police were seen writing/collating results at the Liverpool VIP Hotel and Unique Resort Limited, No. 4 St. Michaels Crescent, Tombia Street Extension, GRA.

At Okochiri, Okrika, suspected men of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) led by two APC chieftains, a Okrika LGA Caretaker Committee Chairman, a lawyer chief, in a Gestapo style sting operation raided the polling station and made-away with ballot boxes and other sensitive materials.

Luck however ran out of the civilians, when upon alighting from the security vehicle, near the Port Harcourt refinery were cornered by irate voters. It took the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians to save the life of one of the Chiefs, while the other managed to escape.

In Abua/Odual, former NDDC Managing Director, now Menitan Alabo of APC allegedly smashed ballot boxes and was made to answer to a neutral Police team.

Also, former Governor Ameachi’s Power Commissioner, Austin Wokocha, was arrested near Omoku with a large catche of arms and ammunition alongside an army of fully-armed bandits. He too is now helping the Ahoada Police with their investigations.

These were only some of the accounts by the media, Ordinary voters and agents of the PDP have even more heart-rending tales of horror to tell, as several voters asked, if this was the kind of democracy that Nigeria had in 2015, would the APC dream of winning the Presidential and other governorship election?.

These were in spite of the fact that the Rivers State governor repeatedly alerted the general public of disturbing intelligence reports reaching him from the APC, the Army and the Police. In that live radio programme preceding the elections, where Governor Wike alerted the public of the allocation of several armed Mobile Police officers and Soldiers to APC candidates and leaders for the purposes of influencing the outcome, and actually named leaders of each time, he also expressed fears for his life and those of his people.

Uptil the date of the election none of the institutions denied what then seemed an ‘ordinary’ allegation. But from the media accounts in the field, especially in the case of Maurice Poronen, the APC House of Representatives candidate, it became clear that Wike was stating facts.

Another was the inciting remarks by the APC leadership in the state, which charged its faithful to shoot, if they are shot at. No one without arms can shoot back at an assassin. That tacitly confirmed the Governor’s alert that the APC might have accumulated arms and ammunition and recruited Boko Haram fighters to complement the efforts of the soldiers and armed Police men.

What confirms the allegation better than arrest of Wokocha with huge arms catche along the Omoku road? Who were the heavily armed bandits in his company? Foreign fighters? Or Boko Haram?

Even so, many are skeptical that the reported arrests made in Abua and Omoku would yield any positive result, since those involved are members of the APC.

Such skeptists quickly point to the Printing Syndicate earlier arrested in Port Harcourt with fake INEC electoral materials, in readiness for last Saturday’s re-run elections in the state. Although Director of the Printing Press actually named who had commissioned him, nothing is yet heard of the Police investigation. At some point, a kite was flown that the said materials might have been planted by PDP agents, even when, the culprit accepted complicity on a tape that went viral on the social media.

Such is the danger opposition politics today faces. It is very unlike the near condusive political atmosphere that produced the APC’s Muhammadu Buhari led Presidency, to which a sitting President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, conceded defeat.

It is indeed, a shame that elections will degerate to mini-war-fare in parts of Nigeria, while the president congratulates winner of a peaceful presidential election in Ghana. What effort is being made by the Presidency to replicate, in Nigeria, what he was roundly applauding in Ghana.

If what played-out in Rivers State is the kind of democracy the APC-led government, INEC, the security can give then, ‘Nigeria We hail thee’.

There is however, some hope left. In spite of the measure of intimidation, there still must be left, some men and women of courage and conviction in the Judiciary. It may well be the last hope for true democracy, unless another set of raids are launched on the courageous few.

My Agony is that the rigging of the re-run polls in Rivers was openly and brazenly done in aid of the APC by security men with constitutional responsibility of ensuring peace and order, and more importantly support the INEC to deliver, free, fair and credible elections. And paid with tax payers money and resources partly sourced from Rivers State.

Sadly, the Rivers re-run ended-up as yet another trust-betrayed and a tacit confirmation of an alarm which has become, Wikes Prophecy.

Featured

PANDEF Hails Tinubu For Lifting Emergency Rule In Rivers

Published

4 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has hailed the lifting of the State of Emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

In a statement signed by Board members and National Executive Committee members, yesterday, PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu for rectifying what they described as an anomaly.

The statement was co-signed by Co-Chairmen, PANDEF Board of Trustees, Alfred Diette-Spiff and Obong Victor Attah, National Chairman Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, and National Secretary, Beks Dagogo-Jack.

Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State on the 18th of March, 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, and members of the state House of Assembly for six months in the first instance.

In place of the governor, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as Sole Administrator.

However, Tinubu announced the suspension of the Emergency Rule on Wednesday, stating, “It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

The Forum commended Fubara’s unwavering perseverance and “faith in the divine will of Almighty God,” while also commending the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension.

“The Board and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, the apex socio-political organisation representing the South-South geopolitical zone, joins millions of Nigerians in welcoming the lifting of the state of emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

“While PANDEF had expressed strong reservations regarding the erstwhile emergency rule, we commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for taking this bold step to rectify the anomaly.

“We welcome Governor Siminalayi Fubara back to his elected office and salute his unwavering perseverance and faith in the divine will of Almighty God. We extend similar commendations to the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Oduah, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension,” the statement read.

Addressing Rivers people, the forum declared, “Light has returned to the state and a new glorious dawn has come. A moment in which the bitter pains of the past months will inspire all to rededicate themselves to true mutual forbearance, new alignments and forward movement.”

They urged political leaders and citizens to put the past behind them and work towards the collective good of the State, while pledging to support Rivers’ developmental trajectory under Fubara.

“All hearts and hands must therefore be joined together to put the past behind us and work towards the collective good of the state.

“We look forward to the State’s return to normalcy and the resumption of its developmental trajectory under the leadership of Governor Fubara and his team. PANDEF reiterates its commitment to supporting the government and people of Rivers State in their pursuit of progress and development,” the statement added.

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RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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

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Rivers LG Poll: APC Wins 20 chairmanship seats, PDP Clears Three

Published

3 weeks ago

September 1, 2025

The Tide

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.

John Bibor & King Onunwor