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Patriots Blast Amaechi For Sabotage

Published

8 years ago

July 31, 2017

Stakeholders have continued to react to the disgraceful behaviour of the Transportation Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, during the visit of Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to Rivers State, last Thursday.
Osinbajo was in the state on a one-day working visit to commission the world-class Indorama fertilizer plant in Eleme, the Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu road and the Chokocho-Igbo-Etche-Rumuokurushi inter-change in Etche.
But the minister, who touched down first from the same presidential jet with the acting president, immediately walked into a waiting chopper, while the august visitor acknowledged cheers from the cream of Rivers stakeholders, walked to join the chiefs, political and opinion leaders, women and youth in a tumultuous reception at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
One of such stakeholders is the Publicity Secretary of the Coalition of Rivers Patriots, Barrister Thompson Barilede, who expressed the group’s shock and concerns over Amaechi’s continued plots to undermine the state and its people.
Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Barilede said that it was against protocol and glaring insult for Amaechi to leave the jet that brought them from Abuja, to a waiting chopper without exchanging pleasantries with Rivers chiefs and other dignitaries at the airport to receive the acting president and his entourage.
Barilede also condemned the former governor’s failure to accompany the acting president to the commissioning of roads constructed by the state government, describing the action as a deviation from the traditional hospitality which the average Rivers man is known for.
He, however, praised the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for giving the acting president all the necessary support and guidance during the visit, describing the governor as a focused leader.
The spokesman while lauding the governor for providing leadership and demonstrating maturity, as well as the traditional Rivers hospitality to the visiting acting president, thanked the nation’s Second Citizen for endorsing the good governance template in Rivers State under Wike.
He said that recommending the achievements of Wike to other political leaders, especially serving governors, was a clear demonstration that Osinbajo recognises the giant feats recorded in Rivers State, and charged other political leaders in the state to de-emphasise partisan concerns and work in the interest of Rivers people.
Similarly, two top chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus and Hon. Austin Opara, have frowned at the turn of events during the visit of the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to Rivers State.
Speaking to aviation correspondents at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, shortly after the visit of the Acting President, the former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, said that the Acting President allowed himself to be influenced by party politics rather than real governance during his visit.
“We were surprised that the acting president came and decided to go for the commissioning of Indorama first, before going to commission the projects for which he was invited to Rivers State.
“Rivers State governor wrote and requested for the Acting President’s visit, and an approval was given in writing from the Presidency, confirming the visit, and commissioning of Indorama was not part of the request from the state government.
“The projects that he was invited for were supposed to be commissioned first before any other project, but what we saw during the visit was Amaechi and APCs influencing the decisions for the day by bringing in the Indorama issue.
“Amaechi is not the governor, he is a minister. The acting president should not allow himself to be dragged down by Amaechi and APC. This is not an election year. The country is facing a lot of challenges, and let them focus on addressing these challenges, and not play party politics instead of governance,” he said.
Secondus, therefore, urged the acting president to live above board, and focus on issues that are paramount to the nation, adding that the world was watching his performance as an intellectual.
Also speaking, the former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Austin Opara, expressed surprise at the turn of events during the visit of Osinbajo.
“It is unfortunate that things turned out that way. The acting president is the guest to the state and was duly invited to commission specific projects built by Governor Nyesom Wike.
“He accepted the visit and the projects he was invited for, but power play and party politics took over the process.
“The interest of Amaechi and APC is that the projects should not be commissioned, but the projects are visible for everyone to see, and you cannot suppress them.
“What I expected Amaechi and APC to do was to congratulate Governor Nyesom Wike, and probably ambush him in the next election to take over power,” Opara added.

Corlins Walter & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Featured

PANDEF Hails Tinubu For Lifting Emergency Rule In Rivers

Published

2 weeks 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.

Featured

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

Published

3 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

Featured

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

Published

1 month 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