News

Sufferings: Nigerians’ll Chase APC Out In 2023, Wike Predicts

Published

5 years ago

June 28, 2021

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that the current sufferings visited on Nigerians would make them to chase the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government out of power in 2023.
The governor made the assertion during the inauguration of Pabod Breweries By-Pass Road and Oginigba-Ordinance Link Road at Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The commissioning ceremony was performed by the former Senate President, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
Wike noted that APC rode on social media propaganda that sounded so convincing at the time, but had since demonstrated how clueless they were in matters of governance.
According to Wike, there is no amount of intimidation and threat that will make Nigerians be deceived again, because they cannot afford to allow the sufferings to continue.
“Nigeria needs prayers to come out from this situation we find ourselves. Not that we wanted it so, but we gave a government, a party, that was not prepared to govern a chance. A party that came through propaganda, social media lies; now, we have seen what we have caused Nigerians.
“That was why you voted for them in 2015. Now, look at the level of suffering, look at how all of us are feeling today. Will you allow them use the social media to deceive us again? The same people who used the social media are no longer happy with the social media.”
Wike restated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the only hope of Nigeria to lead it out of the current woes, adding that Nigerians cannot afford to allow the mistakes of 2015 to repeat itself.
According to him, another erroneous attempt to entrust APC with the responsibility of governance, will be disastrous for Nigerians.
“The only hope Nigerians have is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). If Nigerians make the mistake again, and allow these (APC) people in 2023, then, you have dug your graves.
“I will not be a party to it. If you don’t want to dig your graves, then, make sure that by 2023, you chase them out”, Wike counselled.
Wike warned trailer drivers against converting the just reconstructed road to a park as the state government would not hesitate to impound their trucks.
Speaking further, Wike said the Oginigba-Slaughter Market located at the Trans Amadi Industrial Layout cannot be allowed to operate without proper adherence to established rules, and explained that a proper management team would soon be constituted to superintend over the market.
“That market belongs to Obio/Akpor Local Government and to the state government. Nobody can say they will run (manage) the Slaughter Market. Very soon, I will come to that place, and put the team that will manage the slaughter.”
In his remarks, the former President of the Senate, Senator Iyorchia Ayu said that, consistently, Wike has championed the course of Rivers State and its people, demonstrating that he was a broadminded leader.
Ayu noted that the current problems of Nigeria have persisted because those on the saddle were clueless, parochial and do not care about the need to give everybody a sense of belonging.
According to him, there is loss of confidence in APC governance as the party has failed to consider the entire country as its constituency.
“Any leader who leads Nigeria and thinks of ignoring other sections of this country is bound to fail. The crisis we are facing today is the crisis of loss of confidence. We have no confidence in the people who are leading Nigeria today”, he said.
Ayu also stated that PDP remains the only true nationalistic party because the party, when it was in power at the national level, worked and took decisions to better the lives of every Nigerian.
Giving the technical details of the roads, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, explained that both roads were once not motorable, and have been reconstructed and expanded.
According to him, the Pabod Breweries Bypass Road is now 10m wide; 3.5m wider than it used to be.
“While the 1.4km Oginigba-Ordinance Link Road is now 8m wide, both roads have drains on either side. The total length of the drains in this project is 4.07km long”, he added.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor