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Rivers East: ‘APC Would’ve Attacked Judiciary’ …We Believe In Judiciary -Wike
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) only launches campaign of calumny against the judiciary when they lose cases, but applaud them each time they emerge victorious.
The governor also stated that the outcome of the litigation on the Rivers East Senatorial District Seat has confirmed the alarm he raised that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and police were in partnership to rig elections in the state.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting with leaders of Okrika and Ogu-Bolo local government areas at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Saturday, Wike said: “Now that we have lost, nobody is saying that the Judiciary is corrupt. They are not saying that the Judiciary is corrupt because they have won.
“Tomorrow, if we win, they will say Judiciary is corrupt. Then they will send security operatives to arrest the judges. Nobody will bother to go now and arrest the judges to find out what happened”.
The governor regretted that when the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen visited the state to flag off the construction of the state Judges Quarters, the APC went to town, claiming that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will procure all judgments at the courts.
He noted: “But now, you will not see them claiming that the judgment was procured. I urge you to continue to have confidence in the Judiciary”.
Wike insisted that police colluded with APC to tender concocted results at the tribunal, which was relied upon to sack Senator George Thompson Sekibo.
He said: “Remember, last year, I raised an alarm that INEC and police were planning to rig the rerun elections. We caught people printing INEC result sheets and reported the matter. Somebody was arrested. They sent the person to Zone 6, Calabar, and granted him bail. Till now, they are yet to complete investigations into that critical matter.
“INEC declared results. All of us know that if elections are held 20 times, Senator George Thompson Sekibo will win. INEC printed their own result sheets, same serial numbers; these people printed their own result sheets with same INEC serial numbers. You ask yourself, how did they get to know INEC serial numbers? Because they could not smuggle in their own result sheets, INEC declared the authentic results.
“Unknown to us, they had gone to connive with the police. That tells you what they want to do in 2019. Thank God, they have alerted us. Instead of them to write INEC to give them the certified true copies of the result sheets, they went to the police. Police are now in custody of INEC results. Police certified their own and gave them”.
The governor said that while INEC authentic results were rejected, that manufactured by the Police High Command was admitted by the tribunal.
He said: “I have no trouble with that, but I thought that the reverse should have been the case. It has opened our eyes ahead of 2019”.
In his remarks, Senator George Thompson Sekibo stated that Wike stood with him all through the struggle, and assured the governor of the support of Okrika people at all times.
He said contrary to insinuations, his loss at the Appeal Court has nothing to do with the so-called Ikwerre agenda.
Sekibo said: “I have been sacrificed and buried, but PDP will come back stronger and better. We shall stand with Governor Wike”.
Also speaking, former minister of transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo thanked Wike for his support for Sen Sekibo.
He said: “The Okirika people are a political force, and they stand behind Wike”.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, Amanyanabo of Ogu, King Nicholas Ibiebele Nimenibo, assured the governor of the support of Okrika people in the discharge of his duties.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said the state have not lost confidence in the judiciary despite the outcome of last Thursday’s Court of Appeal judgment in favour of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Andrew Uchendu for Rivers East Senatorial District.
He reiterated his earlier stance that the judiciary is still the hope of the common man hence there was no need for one to criticize the courts when judgments do not favour one.
Wike, who addressed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders from Okrika and Ogu/Bolo local government areas in Government House, Saturday in Port Harcourt, said they have accepted the tribunal judgment.
The governor urged the constituents from Okrika and Ogu/Bolo to be calm and focused stressing that, ‘we will continue to have confidence in the judiciary.”
He wondered why a police report should supersede result from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as he carpeted the police for compromising the outcome of the elections and frustrating the popular wish of the good people of Rivers East Senatorial District.
Wike criticized the police for raising false alarm while they were responsible for the breach and hiccups witnessed in the December 10th re-run elections.
On his part, Senator George Sekibo thanked the governor for being a pillar of support from the main elections and throughout the two re-run elections.
Sekibo described Wike as a dependable ally, “you are brother…And we won because you stood by us.”
Urging the people of his constituency to be calm, the senator assured that the judgment is not a setback but rather a shot in the arm to ensure that PDP becomes stronger and victorious in future elections.
He assured the governor of his constant support and steadfastness to the vision and goals of the PDP and to his administration.
“I will stand by the governor at all times, come rain, come shine,” Sekibo further declared.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.