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2019: FG Plots To Frame Me Up, Wike Raises Fresh Alarm …Says EFCC Inviting Contractors To Probe Projects …Fakorede’s Orderly, SARS Operative Nabbed For Armed Robbery
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has alerted Nigerians that the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government has contacted a Lebanese who has been directed to claim that he received money from him (Rivers State governor) to procure arms for the 2019 elections.
The governor has also alerted Nigerians on the arrest of the orderly of Rivers State Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) Commander, ACP Akin Fakorede and another SARS operative for alleged armed robbery and kidnapping.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service in honour of the Chairman, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Azubuike Nmerukini, yesterday, at the St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, Diobu, Wike said that the APC-led Federal Government has entered a devious mode where it believes that framing opponents would enhance its political fortunes.
Wike noted that initially, Nigerians thought he was playing politics until former President Olusegun Obasanjo revealed details of how the desperate APC-led Federal Government plans to frame him up.
“The Federal Government has arranged with a Lebanese to say that I told him to buy arms for the purpose of the forthcoming elections.
“I am not close to any Lebanese, let alone giving money to anyone to buy arms for elections. We have dutifully served our people, and we don’t need to purchase arms for elections.
“If elections are held 20, 000 times, we will win because our projects have positively impacted the lives of our people”, Wike said.
The governor stated that the Federal Government was also planning to sponsor crisis in Rivers State ahead of the 2019 elections, for the state’s election to be postponed, stressing that the target was to use security agencies for rigging purposes.
“They plan to cause so much crises in the state so that Rivers election is held on a separate date. Their plot will fail. Rivers election will hold same day with that of other states,” the governor added.
Speaking further, Wike said that most of the kidnappings and armed robbery in Rivers State were masterminded by SARS operatives under the leadership of Fakorede.
He said that the arrest and detention of the SARS operatives prove their involvement in criminality against the people of the state.
The governor alleged that the Police Orderly of the Rivers State commander of SARS, Sergeant Ndubuisi Okoro, has been arrested for armed robbery and kidnapping while another member of the Rivers State SARS commander’s team; Sergeant Christopher Abakpa has also been arrested for the same crimes.
Wike said that he was alerting Nigerians because the Police High Command may likely sweep the matter under the carpet.
The governor said that the two SARS operatives run a kidnap and armed robbery gang of eight persons, alleging that the arrested policemen have already confessed to their crime.
He disclosed that the state government was in possession of the statements made by the arrested operatives who kidnapped one Mrs Eva.
On the thanksgiving service, the governor thanked God for preserving the life of Chief Azubuike Nmerukini.
Earlier, the Chairman of Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Azubuike Nmerukini, said that he was in church with his family to thank God for surviving a major surgery.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the embattled All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government has started inviting contractors executing projects in the state to inquire if the projects were real.
This is even as the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe has said that Rivers State was lucky to have a governor who was committed to transforming the state through the execution of pro-people projects.
Speaking during the commissioning of Sani Abacha Road in GRA, Phase 3, Port Harcourt, last Friday, Wike regretted that the EFCC and the failed APC-led Federal Government were working desperately to distract the Rivers State Government.
Wike said: “EFCC are now inviting our contractors to inquire if the projects we are executing are fake or real.
“Instead of encouraging us to continue with our good works, they are working desperately to distract us. EFCC should go to non-performing states.
“I want to tell our contractors that we are not afraid because we are doing the right thing for the people of Rivers State”, the governor said.
He explained that Rivers State was witnessing real development; hence the government was confident to invite prominent Nigerians with pedigree to inspect and commission key projects.
The governor urged the people to protect projects in their areas, warning that the state government would not tolerate street trading on newly constructed roads.
Wike said that the reconstructed Sani Abacha Road has created the right environment for businesses to thrive, and commended business owners along the route for supporting the contractor by supplying their workers food.
He urged workers in the state to continue to pay their taxes for the administration to deliver more projects for the people.
Commissioning the project, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe stated that he was happy that the state where he grew up was being transformed through prudent management of resources.
Achebe said: “This is home-coming for me. I am a stakeholder in this city. I have businesses here. I grew up in Abonnema as a young child.
“Rivers State is very lucky to have Governor Wike. In three years, the Rivers State governor has achieved a great deal of projects.”
He described Wike as a man who makes a promise and works assiduously to keep his promise, adding that the governor was also a man of passion and commitment.
The traditional ruler prayed God to keep the Rivers State governor so that he could leave distinct legacies for the people.
“Port Harcourt is so new. Port Harcourt has been renewed. This particular area was so swampy. I was offered a plot of land here for N1million, and I rejected it. Today, everything has changed around here”, Achebe said.
Also speaking, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Prince Noble Amadi said the road was impassable until Wike intervened with his magic touch.
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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.
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