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Your PVC’s Your Power, Banigo Tells Kalabari Electorate …As Woke Warns Degema People Against Leaving Mainstream Politics
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr.Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has informed the people of Degema Local Government Area that their Permanent Voter Card (PVC)was their power.
Banigo stated this during the collect and protect your PVC sensitisation and mobilisation rally, organised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) at the Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry Stadium in Degema, last Sunday.
The deputy governor, who insisted that the PVC was key in the 2023 General Election, advised eligible voters to collect and keep their PVCs safe in order to vote candidates of their choice that would provide democratic dividends.
In his address, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the PDP in the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, informed the people that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was done with registration of eligible voters, adding that they were now in the era of PVC collection.
He expressed gratitude to the people of Degema, for the solidarity and show of love for GDI, especially the elders of Degema, noting that this means the leaders of the areawere doing well.
Fubara clarified that the gathering was not for political campaigns or to canvass for votes for any political party but to stimulate GDI members to go and collect their Permanent Voters Cards to be able to take part in the 2023 elections.
“We are not asking you to vote anybody here now because we know when it is time for vote you people know what to do. Our duty here is to ensure that every single PVC belonging to the GDI and PDP members from Ward 1 to Ward 17 of Degema is collected. That is the main reason for our coming. When you collect the PVC ensure they are kept safe”.
He also spoke highly of the turnout of GDI members and other indigenes of Degema for the rally.
“We are not campaigning, we have come to encourage our supporters here that have stood with us even in the face of the political drama when people are saying that GDI is no longer in this axis of the state.We have come here today to see with our own eyes. Like our chairman used to say, the human beings I am seeing in Degemaarelike ‘sand’. That is what I’m seeing. It means that GDI is strong here in Degema. If GDI is strong, it means PDP is also strong”.
He thanked the people of Degema, especially the aged for their show of love, support and solidarity.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Desmond Akawor, who spoke through his Deputy, Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron, informed the people that it behoves on them to make efforts to collect their PVCs in order exercise their franchise in 2023.
Akawor, who is also the chairman of Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), commended the people of Degema for turning out in their numbers for the rally, arguing the colourful crowd showed that GDI exist in Degema contrary to what was being speculated.
On his part, Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Emeka Woke, told Kalabari people not to allow few self-styled leaders in the area to deceive them.
He said that over the weekend, a group of people who claimed to be South-South elders, women, youths and student leaders from Kalabari had alleged that they have adopted a governorship candidate, but wondered how only Kalabari would decide on the issue of governorship for the entire South-South which is made up of six states.
He expressed optimism that Kalabari people would not isolate themselves from mainstream politics, especially against the backdrop of what Governor NyesomWike has done for the people.
“The administration of NyesomWike has impacted positively on the Kalabari ethnic nationality, if not for anything, the appointment of a Kalabari daughter as deputy governor. The era of ethnic politics in Rivers State is over. I know that SiminialayiFubara is a Kalabari son”, he said.
Earlier, the President General of GDI, Hon. Bright Amewhule, had said that on the day of election, all eligible voters should come out and cast their votes for candidates of their choice and ensure that the results are transmitted at the polling units, in order to forestall manipulations.
The rally, which attracted people from various walks of life, including the PDP Governorship candidate, Sir SiminialayiFubara; the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, who is also the candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District; Deputy Governorship candidate, Prof NgoziOrdu; Chief of Staff, Government House, EngrEmeka Woke; local government chairmen; former and serving commissioners; some members of the National and State Assembly; and candidates of both legislative chambers.
Others are GDI and PDP members led separately by President General, Chief Bright Amaewhule, and the party’s Deputy Chairman,Chukwuemeka Aaron, who represented the State Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor, traditional rulers, women and youth groups.
The event, which featured solidarity speeches from stakeholders of Degema, dwelt on PVC collection and security of the voting instrument as well as gyration dance by GDI members from the 17 wards that make up the LGA.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor