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Following an alleged directive from the Presidency, the embattled Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has reportedly ordered the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed to sack the police outrider in the convoy of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike involved in last Saturday’s infraction at Nwaja Junction in Port Harcourt with the convoy of Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi.
The Tide recalls that the minister had reportedly knocked down the police outrider at the junction during a routine project inspection by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Sources told The Tide, yesterday that the outrider was facing an Orderly Room Trial as at press time at the office of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt.
It was gathered that the SARS personnel in Amaechi’s convoy have already testified against the police outrider following the IGP’s directive on the Rivers CP to investigate the incident.
However, attempts to get the comments of the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, proved abortive as at the time of going to press.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro Felix Obuah has said that the attack on Governor Nyesom Wike’s convoy, last Saturday, while on inspection tour of ongoing construction works in Port Harcourt by security agents attached to the Transportation Minister, Chibuike Amaechi, was a deliberate ploy by the minister to instigate crisis in the state.
The Tide recalls that the security details comprised the Army and police led by the Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state, CSP Akin Fakorede.
Obuah, in a statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital, described the incident as condemnable, act of lawlessness, impunity and primitive, insisting that the untoward action was orchestrated by Amaechi, who has taken it as a task to undermine the office of the governor of Rivers State, using security agencies of the Federal Government, particularly, SARS and the Army.
The state PDP boss expressed surprise that security agents being paid and maintained with tax payers’ money (public fund) could be so loose as to be used at will by people to undermine a sitting governor and Chief Security Officer of the state while the police high command and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government look the other way.
This, according to Obuah, contrasts with the change mantra and anti-corruption war being taunted by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“A situation where the state chief executive is constantly vilified, aspersed and persecuted for offering his people quality leadership whose achievements only in two years in office surpass all the achievements of the immediate past administration put together for eight years. What else do we need to see, hear or experience to conclude that the APC is evil and does not wish the Nigerian people well? Here in Rivers State, the achievements of Wike are reverberating and have caught world attention, hence, the undertaking to stall his rising political profile by Amaechi and his co-travellers. God will never allow them to succeed”, the state PDP boss prayed.
Obuah, however, thanked Wike for his display of maturity during the incident by not fighting back lest they find occasion to allege insecurity in the state to back up their plot and call for a state of emergency in Rivers State.
He also warned that Wike’s peaceful disposition must not be mistaken for weakness, stressing that Rivers people have been watching with keen interest the conspiracy of the APC-led Federal Government to exterminate the governor because of personal and self-seeking interest.
Obuah, therefore, called on Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to wade into the activities of the security personnel in Rivers State, particularly, the SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede, before it’s too late, because, according to him “to be warned is to be for armed”.
While addressing journalists on the matter, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed claimed that there was no trace of assassination threat against the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi following the incident, last Saturday.
Zaki stated in his office, last Monday, that the essence of the briefing was to intimate the public on the real and ideal situation of the matter.
“I have called this meeting to clear the air on allegations and counter-allegations making the rounds of alleged assassination plot by two notable figures in the country, in the persons of the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, following a minor traffic infraction along Nkpogu roundabout, Port Harcourt.
“For purposes of putting the records straight and in view of the public outcry in the media which greeted these claims, I hereby clarify that “On Saturday, November 11, 2017, at about 1500hrs at Nkpogu junction, while the minister of transportation was passing through Elekahia to Nkpogu, and at Nkpogu roundabout, a police outrider in the convoy of the governor intercepted the black Lexus 750 Jeep the minister was driving just, as it was about negotiating the roundabout. The outrider was there to make way for the oncoming convoy of the governor, which was about 400 metres away,” the commissioner stated.
It would be recalled that the attack, which took place at Nwaja Junction at Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt during the governor’s project inspection, led to the knocking down of the governor’s outrider and attack on the Pilot 1 driver by the SARS men under the instruction of their Commander, CSP Akin Fakorede at the behest of Amaechi.
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike (left), with former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and national chairmanship aspirant, Chief Olabode George (middle) and Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Engr. Emeka Woke, during the aspirant’s visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.