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Election Violence: Lloyd Sponsored Killing In Rivers -Witness …Commission Invites Army, Ojukaye To Appear May 15
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ward 10 in Emouha Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr Onyekachi Orji has alleged that the political thugs who killed some PDP supporters in the area during the March 9, 2019, gubernatorial election were hired by the former leader of the state House of Assembly, and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Chidi Lloyd, to assist him win elections in the area.
Onyekachi made this allegation when he appeared, yesterday, before the state Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the violence, killings and other related matters, which occurred during the February 23 and March 9, 2019 general election in the state to give his evidence at the ongoing sitting of the commission in Port Harcourt.
He told members of the commission at yesterday’s sitting that his brother, Chinwendu Orji and Joshua Silas, who were members of PDP from Wards 10 and 12 in Emouha LGA were killed on the eve of the gubernatorial election on their way back from Ubimini community.
Onyekachi averred that late Silas Joshua was the organising secretary of PDP and also the party’s agent for Unit 2 in Ward 12.
According to him, his late brother, Chinwendu Orji was a former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area, and later defected to the PDP before he was killed on the eve of the election.
He told the panellists how the former leader of the house confronted and threatened him prior to the said elections, insisting that there may not be any election across the three wards that make up the Ishimbam due to his alleged perception that some politicians in the area were ganging up against him to rubbish his political leadership across the clan.
The witness further told the panel that Wards 10, 11 and 12 make up Ishimbam, adding that Llyod had claimed to be the political leader of the area.
“When I was returning to my house from the RAC Centre, l saw some armed political thugs numbering about 70, at Amaechi farm by the road leading to Onuigbo.
“Not less than 30minutes I arrived my house I heard a call that my brother and a member of my party have been shot by these boys who converged at the farm road. We rushed to the scene, and met the two men dead and their party tags were removed”, he stated.
He said he identified the boys to be the former state House of Assembly leader because some of the boys accompanied the former house leader to a party rally in the area before the elections.
Onyekachi said his late brother and his colleague left their pregnant wives behind, and called for justice to be done on the matter in other to ameliorate the sufferings being faced by the two families as a result of the killing.
Meanwhile, the commission has invited Nigerian Army, Hon Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, among others, to appear before it on Wednesday to make their presentations and defense.
The Chairman of the panel, Justice Monima Danagogo gave the order while adjourning the sitting of the commission to Monday.
Our correspondent, who was at the commission’s sitting, reports that Dr Chidi Lloyd was absent and was not represented by any lawyer.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
