Featured
APC Responsible For Nigeria’s Woes – PDP
The Sokoto State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said the “immaturity” of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was responsible for Nigeria’s current economic downturn.
Speaking in Sokoto, the state Secretary of the party, Kabiru Aliyu, also blamed the “poor performance” of the APC-led Federal Government on the frosty relationship between the executive and the legislature.
According to Aliyu, “Should the Senate and the Presidency be insensitive to the plight of the people and continue with the selfish fight among themselves? This is an act of immaturity. They do not have the people at heart.
“We expected the leadership of APC to take control of their ego by maintaining a smooth relationship between all arms of government, especially the legislature and the executive.
“The failure of the party to ensure this means that it is not in control. It has become a divided party.
“Nigerians are disillusioned by the poor performance of the APC-led administration across all levels of government.
“People are suffering, and in spite of the hope and trust that they had on this administration, they have been betrayed. Nothing has changed,” he argued.
Meanwhile, Sen. Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna-Central) has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) may lose Kaduna State in the 2019 governorship election, if the state government’s “seeming anti-people’s policies” continue.
Sani spoke to newsmen in Kaduna, yesterday, shortly after he received complaints from traders on Governor Nasiru el-Rufai’s plan to demolish the famous Kasuwan Barci Market in Kaduna.
“The anti-people policies of the APC administration in Kaduna State is sending people away, many people now only have faith in Buhari, not in the party anymore.
“Most programmes of government in the state are not in favour of the people, and if it continues, APC will pay for it.
“The current administration’s policies are only designed to please some certain group of people in the state,” Sani claimed.
He urged the state government to shelve the plan to demolish the market, famous for its textile and second-hand clothing.
The senator noted that demolishing such market with 4,800 shops at this time of hardship would spell doom for thousands of families.
“I identify with the pains, concerns and fears of the traders, and I appeal to the governor to think twice with a human heart over the issue.
“We promised to deliver change to the country, and as democrats, whatever we will do, we need to consult and carry the people along.
“We cannot treat people with arrogance and insolence, and expect them to trust us again,” Sani said.
According to him, the traders are angry and fear that if the market is demolished, it will be difficult for them to get their shops back.
Sani, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Domestic and Foreign Debts, advised el-Rufai to suspend the demolition plan and concentrate on completing projects he had started.
“For all the projects he started, he has not completed any. So, the mistake will be when he demolishes the market, and there is no funds to reconstruct it, what will happen to the traders and the place?”
He noted that most government activities would shut down by 2018, when political activities begin ahead of the 2019 general elections.
“The market had provided jobs for more than 30,000 men and women, with many youth off the streets and engaged in tailoring, craft work and trading.
“Engage the traders in reconstructing the market by giving them a specific design to reconstruct with a deadline,” he suggested.
Sani told the traders that he would forward a memo to the governor on the issue, and advised them to also seek dialogue with the state government to resolve the matter.
He also advised them to approach the state House of Assembly, religious leaders and human rights organisations for intervention.
The senator added that the traders also have the option of taking legal action, if all efforts failed to stop the government plan.
The Chairman of the Market Traders Union, Haruna Umar, said that the market with 4,800 shops, records over N500million daily turnover.
Umar said there were more than 30,000 persons earning their livelihood from the market, adding that demolishing it would be devastating to them and their families.
Featured
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.
John Bibor & King Onunwor
-
News5 days agoUmahi Threatens Defaulting Contractors With EFCC Arrest
-
Sports4 days ago
IAUE VC Football Cup Final Holds In PH, Wed
-
News5 days agoTinubu Orders Fresh Push To Crash Food Prices
-
Rivers4 days agoNDDC Charges Youths On Sustainable Peace In The Region
-
Rivers4 days agoRivers CJ Tasks RSMDC Arbitrators To Be Neutral, Unbiased In Determining Cases