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Wike Merits Mr Projects’ Title -Jonathan …As Gov Says INEC, Police Responsible For Poll Fraud
Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has stated that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike merits the title of Mr Projects because of his pro-people projects.
Speaking before commissioning the 22.3 kilometer Airport—Ipo-Omademe -Ozuoha Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area, yesterday, Jonathan said that the title of Mr Projects was not an exaggeration as facts on ground attest to it.
Jonathan said: “The whole country calling Governor Wike, Mr Projects is not an exaggeration. It is not political. PDP governors don’t just talk about projects, they do projects.”
The former president said that if any opposition politician refuses to see the numerous projects in Rivers State, it was his choice.
Jonathan said that he lived in Rivers State after his secondary school days up to 1998, pointing out that the outstanding transformation of Port Harcourt was obvious.
He commended Wike for reaching the hinterland through the Airport—Ipo-Omademe -Ozuoha Road, adding that that the Rivers State governor deserves the support of the people.
“Whenever Governor Wike invites me for a project commissioning, I am happy. The governor is an example of a good leader, a committed leader.
“What Governor Wike has done in three years is quite commendable. The quantum of projects are scattered across the state. Last year, I was here to commission the second Nkpogu Bridge and today I am here to commission a road to the hinterland”, he said.
He said that everyone believes in Governor Wike because of his efforts at projects’ delivery.
In his remarks, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said the PDP governors were committed to the development of their states.
He said in Rivers State, his administration has executed projects in urban and rural communities for the benefit of the people.
The governor said that several projects have been lined up for commissioning in different local government areas, while more would be flagged off.
“I am happy that we are delivering projects across the state. This is a continuous process. We started from Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas because majority of our people live there”, he said.
While describing Jonathan as the father of peace and democracy in Nigeria, Wike thanked him for supporting the process of the emergence of New Rivers State.
He said: “We are happy because you stood by us and we have not disappointed you. This is to let you know that those you supported are performing”.
Former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia said that Airport—Ipo-Omademe -Ozuoha Road has opened up the area and would improve the agro-based economy.
Rivers State Works Commissioner, Mr Dum Dekor was non-existent, noting that the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Wike constructed the important road with the right drainage.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and police were responsible for electoral fraud in the country.
Wike declared that if the two agencies play by the electoral rules, elections would be credible and peaceful.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the new Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Obo Effanga, yesterday, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike urged INEC to conduct credible polls in 2019.
The governor said that conflicts arise from elections when INEC fail to do the right and bow to the pressure of politicians from the ruling party.
He charged the resident electoral commissioner to resist any attempt by leaders of the APC-led Federal Government to prevail on him to rig the elections on their behalf.
The governor said: “If you resist it and conduct free and fair elections, every elected officer will have no choice but to perform. If the person does not perform, the person knows that re-election will be difficult.
“You should use this opportunity to avert electoral crisis in Rivers State by conducting credible elections. We are heightening projects delivery because we want to build the confidence of the people that their mandate is not taken for granted. If we are relying on INEC, we will not work for the people”.
He noted that the PDP in Rivers State would not bring any pressure on INEC because of the high performance of his administration.
“We don’t have any pressure to bring to you. We have no business to pressurise you. Our business is on the field; to work for the people.
“Those who are doing nothing, but who believe they are in power and they must rig elections, are those that will bring pressure to you. Resist that pressure and conduct credible polls”, he told the Rivers resident electoral commissioner.
Wike said that the immediate past Rivers INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aniedi Ikiowak, would not know peace because he was used by the APC-led Federal Government to steal the people’s mandate and print fake electoral materials.
“If you rig elections here, anywhere you go, you will not find peace in your life. If you do the right thing, peace will be abundant in your life”, he said.
The governor said that Rivers people, Christians and traditional worshippers, are praying fervently against election riggers ahead of 2019 elections.
He regretted the deceitful nature of INEC and their refusal to place sanctions on Akin Fakorede, despite indicting him for electoral fraud.
Earlier, New Rivers INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Obo Effanga, assured that the commission will conduct credible polls in the state.
He urged politicians and other stakeholders to play by the rules and support the process for credible polls.
“We are 248 days to the 2019. INEC is committed to credible polls. But credible elections depend on so many fact factors including the stakeholders. We expect the stakeholders to play by the rules”, he said.
The Rivers State INEC resident electoral commissioner said that the state has more than three million registered voters, while 2.172, 467 voters have collected their permanent voters’ cards.
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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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