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Join Politics To Improve Lives, Not For Personal Gains-Wike
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says the essence of joining a political party should be to improve the well-being of the people and not for pecuniary benefits.
The governor has maintained that there is still no alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has been working conscientiously to improve the quality of life of Rivers’ people.
He stated this at the grand reception in the honour of former director general of Tonye Cole campaign organisation, Dr Chidi Lloyd, on his return back to the PDP at Elele-Alimini in Emohua Local Government Area.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Emeka Woke, Wike, said he was excited that Lloyd, whom he described as a man of character and principle, has decided to return to the PDP.
“Some of you who are here may not know when all of us agreed that we are standing for Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Chidi was standing alone, he was the lone voice crying in the House of Assembly.
“Some of you may have forgotten in a hurry the screening of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission then, nominated by Sir Celestine Omehia, led by one Dr Ogboda, he stood by Rivers people. He stood for the law and he defended the law passed by Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Wike explained that the whole essence of joining political party or supporting a political party should not be for personal or pecuniary benefit, but to improve the wellbeing of the people.
The governor said when Lloyd initially joined the APC, he had erroneously assumed it was the right thing to do at the time, until he realised the futility of joining a party that does not care about the wellbeing of his people.
“He has turned back and we have to receive him because we know he is a man of character, we know he is a man of integrity”, he said.
Wike noted that since 2015, both the PDP and the APC have campaigned in Elele, but only the PDP has fulfilled its electioneering promises to fix all internal roads and develop human capital in Elele community.
The state PDP Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor used the occasion to assure the people that Wike would resist any attempt to cede any part of the state to the South-East geopolitical zone in order to advance the presidential ambition of any individual.
“We didn’t know that when they said they were going to run for presidency, under the South-East, under the Igbo extraction, we didn’t know they have managed to cave some areas (of Rivers) into Igbo land. Unfortunately, Ubima didn’t work for them. I don’t know what they will do. I am sure they will come with another map to include Ubima to actualise what they are planning.
“But for Rivers State and the governor of Rivers State, he has said no inch of Rivers State will be ceded to another place. Whatever they have done, our brother Nyesom Wike will fight to the last to ensure that judicial processes are followed, to ensure Rivers lands are recovered. Their tactics will not work. They cannot enslave our people just because of their singular ambition.”
Akawor noted that before Lloyd joined APC, he had as a PDP member attracted quality projects to his people.
He said all that had ceased when Lloyd embarked on a futile hunting expedition in the APC.
But, with his return to the PDP, his people have once again begun to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
On his part, Lloyd explained his decision to return to his kith and kin in the PDP was because of Wike’s unparalleled developmental strides.
He stated that before the 2015 and 2019 general elections, the APC knew that Wike, whose capacity was not in doubt, would defeat them.
According to him, all the negative campaign against Wike were mere political machinations.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Sergeant Awuse, said Lloyd, who represented Emohua constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly between 2003 and 2015, remains an asset to the PDP.
He urged the Ishimbam political bloc in Emohua constituency to remain steadfast ensure they maintain their political relevance as a political bloc.
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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