News

N’ Delta Activist Defends Wike Slams Biafra Group

Published

3 years ago

August 22, 2022

Elder statesman and renowned activist in the Niger Delta region, Rev(Dr) Sokari Soberekon, has risen stoutly in defence of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and debunked recent claims by a Biafra group that the Governor does not know his tribe and origin.
Contrary to insinuations by the group, Soberekon said in Port Harcourt that Governor Wike knows his tribe and origin, as he has remained focused as a leader, who is passionate about the truth, justice and good governance, essentially to improve the wellbeing of Rivers people.
The elder statesman said the Biafra group was only envious of the rising political profile of Governor Wike who, he said is teaching some valuable lessons to other governors and leaders across the country on what it takes to be a performing Governor.
He cited as a case in point the recent flag-off for construction of the 11th and 12th flyover projects by the Wike administration, barely few months to exit office, a record, he said would be difficult to be broken by any government in the country.
While reiterating that Governor Wike, who is a true Rivers son, knows his origin, Soberekon clarified that the Governor is an Aborigene of Biafra.
“Speaking Igbo does not make anyone an Igboman just like speaking English does not make anyone an Englishman”, he said.
On why he said that Governor Wike is an Aborigene of Biafra, the Senior Advocate of Niger Delta(SAND) explained that the word, ‘Biafra’ came from the Bight of Biafra, where the Europeans signed a commercial treaty with Rivers chiefs and the people of Calabar and Ogoja in 1775 before the existence of Nigeria.
“History is so stubborn that it can not be erased. Seafarers are the Europeans who came through the sea to buy slaves while Bayfarers are the residents of the villages, towns and cities at the sea coast or at the shore of the sea who often confronted the slave traders”, he said.
According to him, “ the Igbos are people from the hinterland and so have nothing to do with Biafra. They are not Biafrans but Governor Wike is from Rivers State. So, he is a Biafran. They should stop saying that he does not know where he is from. “If they are still claiming to be Biafrans, he said, by implication that they are the ones who do not know where they come from.
According to him, they can not come from the hinterland to claim what is from the coastal area.
Soberekon said he loves the Igbos because they are hard working people but cautioned them to respect others. “Allowing them to do business in Rivers State does not give them the right to insult our hard working Governor who is known all over the country as Mr Project”, he said.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

12 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

13 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

13 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.