News
2023: ‘Wike Has Capacity To Solve Nigeria’s Problems’
Ahead of 2023 general election in the country, a renowned traditional ruler and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom in Rivers State, Eze Worlu Wodo, has said that Governor Nyesom Wike has the capacity and political will to solve Nigerian problems.
The monarch insisted that Wike was competent, capable and has all it takes to become the president of Nigeria without bias come 2023.
The first class traditional ruler stated this in his palace while reacting to the governor’s declaration to contest for the office of the president, last weekend.
He described Wike’s 2023 Presidential declaration as a bold step for all to encourage, and called on Nigerians to support his ambition to rescue the nation.
“We really want somebody like Governor Nyesom Wike to go and stand for Nigerians as president come 2023.
“We have confidence in him. Wike is a dogged politician and administrator every Nigerian should support in 2023 elections”, he said.
“As a pragmatic leader”, the monarch said, “if elected as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Wike would tackle insecurity, insurgency, kidnapping and fix the bad roads across the county.
“Let Nigerians give Governor Nyesom Wike a chance to run for the office of the president of this country. I strongly believe we shall not regret it”, he said.
Describing Wike as a detribalised politician, the first class Ikwerre traditional ruler called on Nigerians to forget sentiments and tribalism in choosing their next president, adding that Wike should be given a chance to govern the country.
“I am encouraging every right thinking Nigerian, irrespective of tribe to forget sentiments and tribalism, and give Wike a chance to govern Nigeria”.
The monarch noted that Wike would “transform the country’s economy in terms of development with limited resources, improve the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), tackle insecurity across all nooks and crannies, if voted into power as president”.
On insecurity and insurgency ravaging the nation, Wodo said that Wike, if given the chance to govern and fix the broken system, every aspect of the Nigeria would enjoy the dividend of democracy.
He called on the political class to stop playing politics with the security of lives and property, noting that Boko Haram and some acts of insurgency in the North were man-made.
“By the time Wike is voted into power as president of this country, problems of insurgency, Boko Haram, banditry and herdsmen killings would be a thing of the past”, he said.
On the nation’s poor economy, the monarch said Wike has all it takes to reposition the economy for global reckoning.
“Wike would alleviate poverty in the land provide jobs for the teeming youths and improve lives of average Nigerian.
“We have a strong economy that can make everybody comfortable and happy, but politicians are playing politics with our lives, which Wike would not subscribe to”.
The monarch, who insisted that the South-South should not be excluded from the presidency of this country, said, it was not the birth right of any region or geopolitical zone to produce a president always.
He noted that the South-South was the producer of the nation’s crude oil, adding that the region should not be denied of justice, fairness and equity in producing the president.
The traditional ruler called on politicians from the region to support Wike’s 2023 Presidential ambition to better the region and the nation at large in the forthcoming elections.
By: Chinedu Wosu
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
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