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Wike Receives 8,000 APC Decampees In PH, Thursday
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike will on Thursday officially receive over 8,000 deampees from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The chairman of the PDP in the State, Bro Felix Obuah announced this last Thursday when he received the APC decampees from Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas of the State.
Welcoming the decampees into the PDP, Obuah assured them of good treatment and enjoyment of all rights and privileges in the party, without discrimination.
He said that already, some former Commissioners in the Rotimi Amaechi administration, Amaechi’s personal aides and some APC leaders have indicated interest to decamp to the PDP and participate in the reception party on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
Obuah advised others in what he called the APC sinking boat to take advantage of the “specious and well-ventilated umbrella,” of the PDP to return to the party.
According to him, the PDP is ready to receive all who “genuinely repent of their sins against Rivers people and are ready to key into the development vision of good governance championed by Governor Nyesom Wike in the State”.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says its umbrella is large enough to accommodate everyone, including leaders of the APC, who decide to come back home to join the development-sensitive government under Gov. Nyesom Wike.
The PDP position follows an endless list of decampees from the APC to the PDP in Rivers State, the latest of which include the former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s Chief Political Strategist, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh, who led other chieftains of the APC back to the PDP.
Chief Emeh’s move further opened the door for over 8000 decampees from the APC across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State, the latest coming from Asari-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas of the State, respectively.
Chief Emeh coordinated the daily defections of members and leaders of the APC to the PDP, some of which include the over 200 former Councilors of the APC, who were sacked by the Court, former SA to Amaechi on Internal Revenue, Nwankwo Nwankwo, former Commissioner for Culture under Rotimi Amaechi, Sunny Nwokekoro, APC Leader in ONELGA, Merino Okiraija, former Chairman of Emohua LGA, Bob Okala, and numerous non-indigenes residing in the various LGAs who left the APC, amongst others. These are clear indications that the APC structure in the State has collapsed.
The leader of the decampees from Akulga who was a former leader of the LGA Legislative Assembly, Hon. Orolosama Amachree, at the event, accused former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of coercing all ‘elected’ Chairmen and Councilors of the APC into instituting legal action against the government of Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as a gimmick to make the State ungovernable.
According to Amachree whose scores of supporters turned the occasion into gyration amid singing and dancing, the violent activities of former Council Chairman, Ojukaye Flag Amachree had plunged the area into crisis which rendered his followers homeless, prompting them to flee to Abuja where they hoped to get succor from Amaechi who is Rivers APC Leader and Minister for Transportation.
“But when we met Amaechi, our leader in Abuja and told him of our predicament and requested his assistance to get accommodation, he bluntly told us “If you don’t have accommodation why did you have to come to me. Am I the landlord of Abuja”, said Amachree who is reputed for his grassroots followership.
Another ‘big fish’ caught by the PDP dragnet was the Vice Chairman in Degema LGA, Hon. Samuel Ikiroma who stormed the PDP Secretariat with hundreds of supporters.
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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