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2023: Andoni PDP Reaches Consensus On Elective Positions
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has concluded the zoning arrangement of some elective political positions by consensus ahead of the 2023 election in the state.
The consensus arrangement was reached in the party’s stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, recently.
At the meeting,the stakeholders asked the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani not to continue as representative of Andoni Constituency in the state Assembly after 2023 election.
The stakeholders also resolvedthat the lawmaker representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Awajionobeek Abiante should contest for the House of Representatives position come 2023.
They further agreed that the Organising Secretary of PDP in Rivers State, Mr Kagban Ofik of Ikuru Ward 5 in Andoni should contest for House of Assembly position to replace Ibani.
The stakeholders in the party meeting includes, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and leader of the party in the area, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani; the Andoni Council Chairman, Barrister Erastus Awortu; Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins, state PDP Organising Secretary, Kagban Ofik, PDP Chairman in Andoni, Ere Victor, councillors, all political appointees, party chieftains, among others.
Though the zoning arrangement appears not to be going down well with some persons, who feel that Abiante should not return to the House of Representative after serving two tenures in the National Assembly, but majority of the stakeholders argued that he was the right person to win election in the area at this time.
Supporting the argument, Chairman of PDP in the area, Ere Victor said Abiante has done reasonably well in the area of representation of Andoni and Opobo-Nkoro people and provision of constituency projects and programmes in area.
He said the lawmaker has provided giant generators with street lights installed in almost all the communities, including Asarama, Egendem, Unyeada, Ngo, among others.
According to him, Abiante has also provided school desks and tables across secondary schools in Andoni and Opobo-Nkoro communities in the constituency.
The party chairman said the decision to allow Abiante go back to Abuja was to complete what he has started at the National Assembly, especially some of the bills yet to be concluded.
Though, the Speaker,Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani has not commented on the zoning arrangement, some of his supporters, said the nomination of Kagban Ofik as PDP consensus candidate to replace Ibani was a welcome development.
One Mr Samuel from Ward 11 in Andoni said Ibani needs to go for higher position like National Assembly, considering the wealth of experience gathered so far as speaker for eight years, chief whip for four years and member foranother four years.
According to him, Ibani was pleased with the zoning arrangement in the area.
Responding to the outcome of the meeting, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Barrister Erastus Awortu expressed optimism that PDP would maintain all its positions come 2023 election.
He said the party under Governor Nyesom Wike has done magnificent projects in Andoni, adding that the projects and programmes still stand tall to speak for all the incoming candidates of PDP in 2023.
Awortu also said that his administration has added colour to the development strides of Governor Nyesom Wike by providing remarkable projects such asdurable roads, potable water supply, empowerment, tourism and many more still in the pipeline.
He said PDP in Andoni does not have any opposition in the area, adding that the people representing the party in various positions of thrust were always carrying every citizen of the area along, irrespective of party lines.
By: Enoch Epelle
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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