Niger Delta

APC’ll Boycott 2019 Polls In Rivers –Ex-APC Chieftain

Published

7 years ago

August 6, 2018

A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State and now stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Uchenna Okokoba has expressed delight over the gale of defections that has recently hit his erstwhile political party, contending that going by the fact that Governor Nyesom Wike has made the state politically impregnable for the opposition through the good works of his administration, the APC would have no other choice than to boycott the 2019 general elections in the state.
Okokoba, who made the remarks in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said the APC would boycott the elections in the state as it did during the local government elections this year and the presidential election in 2015.
He revealed that the APC tactically avoided defeat by boycotting the June 16 local government elections in the state because it knew there was no way it would have defeated the ruling PDP at the polls.
According to him, instead of facing this reality squarely, the leaders of the party were rather feeding President Muhammadu Buhari and Abuja with a lie that the party was on ground.
Okokoba recalled how in the same manner APC lost out during the 2015 presidential election in the state, as the leader of the party in the state and former Governor of the State, Rotimi Amaechi, allegedly directed the party members to beat a retreat after reading the political handwriting on the wall, with the hope that the party was going to regain what it had lost through the cancellation of the election results in the state.
The PDP stalwart, who was then a member of the APC campaign team and one of the directors of the mobilisation committee said he knew how the APC lost the election in the state.
“I know how we planned for the election and lost the presidential and other federal elections in the state. I was among the 24-man campaign managers of the APC in the 23 local government areas of the state and I represented the non-indigenes.
During any election period, when the APC senses that the PDP has mobilised to win clean and square, it will boycott as it did during the recent local govt elections”, he said.
Okokoba dismissed claims that Governor Wike allegedly bribed with N3.2billion the federal lawmakers who recently defected from the APC to the PDP, saying that the current gale of defections was like a situation where a man borrowed a suit for his wedding and after the occasion, returned it to its rightful owner. According to him, the APC members originaly belonged to the PDP and had by their defection, returned home to join hands with leaders like Wike to revive democracy in the country.
Okokoba described Governor Wike as the messiah Nigerians are anxiously waiting for going by the fact that he has cultivated friendship across political, ethnic and religious boundaries in the country and also acquitted himself creditably in the provision of democracy dividends to the people.
He said he dumped the APC for the PDP several months ago after sensing that the PDP was going to win the 2019 elections both in the state and at the national level. “I had this strong conviction based on Governor Wike good works.
I did not come to the PDP to be recognised but to make an impact. What I saw several months ago, has manifested today going by the gale of defections of APC leaders across the country”, he said.
The President General of Igbo Title Holders in Rivers State, therefore, advised the Igbos to align with the PDP instead of the APC in order to actualize their presidential aspirations, saying the APC structure has already been hijacked by politicians like Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and his defunct action.
Congress of Nigeria (CAN) loyalists who occupy several juicy positions in the APC-led federal government.

Donatus Ebi

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

6 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.

Niger Delta

Remember Me As Fighter Against Sexual Harassment – UNICAL VC

Published

7 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UniCal), Prof. Florence Obi, has said she will want to be remembered for fighting sexual harassment and delayed results.

Obi made the remark recently at an event in Calabar, organised by the university to mark the end of her five-year tenure as the 11th substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution.

It would be recalled that Obi, whose tenure expired on November 30, was appointed Vice Chancellor on September 10, 2020, but officially assumed office on December 1, 2020.

She said her commitment to protecting students, especially the female ones, remained one of her greatest achievements as Vice Chancellor.

She said, “I fought against sexual predators and ensured timely release of students’ results to curb frustration within the institution.”

While expressing fulfilment at completing her tenure and thanking God for enabling her finish strong after five years in office, she said she would return to the classroom because teaching remained her passion.

Earlier, she addressed staff and students outside her office during a carnival-like, marching out parade in her honour, thanking them for their support throughout her administration.

She also encouraged them to support her successor to enable him to succeed and take the university to greater heights.

“This institution has recorded significant growth and I am confident that my successor will advance the progress already made”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that under her leadership, the largest solar power plant in Cross River State was built in UniCal, ensuring stable electricity for the university and its teaching hospital.

Other achievements included upgrading the Faculty of Education to a College, getting Mass Communication accredited and elevated to a Faculty.

Her administration also constructed new hostels, introduced departmental scholarships, built a fire service station, and completed the Law Faculty complex.

Niger Delta

Oborevwori Presents N1.664tn 2026 Appropriations Bill

Published

9 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oboreveori, on Wednesday, presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N1.664 trillion to the State House of Assembly.

Presenting the bill during plenary of the Assembly in Asaba, Oborevwori said, “I wish to announce a budget proposal of N1.664 trillion for the services of Delta State Government in 2026.”

He said the amount comprised the sum of N499 billion, representing 30 per cent of total budget for Recurrent Expenditure, and N1.165 trillion representing 70 per cent of total budget for Capital Expenditure.

The Governor added that the 2026 budget size indicated an increase of N685 billion, or 70 per cent over the 2025 Appropriation.

He also said sources of funds for the 2026 budget as proposed would be mainly from statutory allocation, internally generated revenue, mineral derivation, and Value Added, Tax among others.

Giving breakdown of the budget proposal, he said the state was earmarking N450 billion for road projects across the state in the 2026 fiscal year.

He said, ”A well-developed road infrastructure is a catalyst for economic growth.

”It facilitates easy movement of goods and services, reduces transportation costs, attracts investment, and improves access to markets and thereby boosting socio-economic development and generating employment opportunities.

”Agriculture is key to economic diversification and sustainable development.

”We shall continue to devote considerable attention and resources to fast-track developments in the agricultural sector towards enhancing food security in Delta State.

”This will also enable economic diversification, promote self-reliance, and generate employment opportunities.”

The Tide’s source reports that the sum of 10 billion has been earmarked for the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in the 2026 Budget.

Oborevwori, who is the immediate past Speaker of the Assembly, commended the House for its partnership and urged members to expedite consideration and passage of the budget to sustain ongoing development momentum.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building “a prosperous, secure, and stronger Delta where no one is left behind.”

In his remarks, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Dennis Guwor, commended Oborevwori’s administration for the steady strides recorded under the “Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda”.

”Over the past year, we have witnessed sustained investments in critical infrastructure, impactful social interventions, prudent fiscal management of resources, and strategic initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and economic stability across the State”, he said.

Guwor also commended the Governor for approving the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) and initiating the construction of permanent offices for the Assembly Service Commission.

He assured the Governor of the Assembly’s resolve to undertake a thorough and timely review of the appropriation bill, stressing that the Legislature remains committed to people-centered governance, accountability, and equitable development.

“Your Excellency, I want to assure you that the entire Members of this 8th Assembly are united behind your vision for the transformation of the State.

”While our roles in government are distinct and protected by the Constitution, our objectives remain aligned; delivering the greatest good to the greatest number of the people of the state”, he stated.