News
2023 Election’ll Be Fight To Finish, Wike Declares …As Fubara Pledges Shared Prosperity For ONELGA
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the 2023 general election in the state would be a crucial moment that the electorate would use to decide against those who hate the state.
The governor said, therefore, the election would be a fight to finish, adding that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in state was going to win all the elective seats at the end of the day.
Wike spoke at the Local Government Campaign Flag-off rally of the Rivers State PDP held at Felix Obuah Pavilion, Omoku Town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), last Monday.
The Rivers State governor emphasised that at previous times when PDP went into election, it won the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state House of Assembly seats, stressing that in the forthcoming elections, the situation would not be different.
Wike explained that when Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West local government areas of the state experienced flooding, last year, the state was abandoned to its fate.
“That is how you know those who hate Rivers State; that is how you know those who love us. If you hate Rivers State, we will not give you our vote. We will only give our votes to those who love Rivers State.
“You have to listen to your leaders through the DG (director general) of the campaign. They will come back to you, sit you down, and tell you where we are heading to.
“It is a fight to finish. Do not be afraid. We are going to win at the end of the day. You know that we have always won. We will continue to win.
“We have never failed in anything we have told you. Success has always been with us. God has been with us. This time is not going to be different. God will continue to lead us.”
Wike explained that on arrival in Omoku Town for the rally, they visited the Oba, who gave them his blessings.
“Oba has done the traditional thing by blessing us and telling us, go to the field, my people are there, they will be with you, they will stay with you, and we have seen it today.”
Wike urged the people not to listen to candidates and leaders of other political parties who may come to them to solicit their votes.
He pointed out that such persons failed them when they had the opportunity to fulfil promises they made and to deliver development projects to them.
“Do you allow those who were previously given the opportunity? They failed you. Is there anything they can tell you again? “
Wike implored the people to repeat the level of support that they gave to the PDP in 2015 and 2019 in order to consolidate what his administration had already accomplished.
The governor stressed that he made promises to the people of ONELGA, and had delivered development projects in the area in fulfilment of those promises.
Wike mentioned that even though the immediate past administration awarded the internal roads in Omoku for reconstruction and abandoned them, on assumption of office, he ensured the job was done.
He said that his administration would commission the Kregeni to Omoku Road, and the Omoku-Egbemaroad dualisation by the end of February.
He further stated that the phase two of Ahoada-Omoku Road had already been awarded, and would have street lights.
In his speech, the PDP governorship candidate, Sir SiminialayiFubara, recounted the successes of the Wike-led administration, which the consolidation team would re-enact.
He said there would be further development, particularly in ONELGA where the phase two of the Ahoada-Omoku Road would be completed to ease mobility in the area.
Fubara urged them to ensure they deliver overwhelming votes for the PDP, and be sure that they would enjoy the gains of being the gas hub of the state, experience sustained peace, economic empowerment and enhanced business opportunities.
“What we stand for is good governance. Good governance is providing services. Good governance is making life easy. That is what my principal has done for you, and that is where I stand with you.
“Let me also add, after our road for accessibility, Omoku will be a gas hub. You know what it means for your city to be a gas hub? Businesses will come, investments will come, and employment problem will be over.”
Fubara used the occasion to speak to the enthusiastic people of ONELGA on his plans and programmes for Rivers people when elected come March 11.
“When we visited the Oba of Ogbaland, he told us that we don’t necessarily need to campaign in ONELGA, and you are also telling us the same thing. This shows that you appreciate what Governor Wike has done in this LGA, and you also know what we will do when you bring the consolidation team on board.
“We have a reason for tagging this team consolidation; it is a special word that will bring further developments to Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area and the entire Rivers State.
“The administration of Governor NyesomWike has constructed several roads in this LGA, and some are still ongoing. You cannot talk about development when there is no accessibility.
“What we stand for is good governance, good governance is securing lives and properties, providing good services, making life easier, and that is what my principal the governor has done for you, and that is where I stand,” the guber candidate said.
He further hinted on some of his plans for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area when elected governor of Rivers State.
“Omoku will be a gas hub under my administration, we will attract more oil and gas investors to invest here, more businesses will come, unemployment menace will be over.
“There is one important thing we must know; without peace there cannot be any meaningful development. As you can see, Governor NyesomWike has brought peace to this LGA. I will be succeeding a man who has ensured that ONELGA is peaceful, I will continue to maintain peace in this LGA,” he added.
Fubara seized the occasion to tell PDP faithful not to relent despite the overwhelming sign of victory, and urged them to go back home and sensitise more people on the need to vote PDP in the governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly elections.
Similarly, the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Prof. NgoziOrdu, highlighted some of the achievements PDP government of Sir Peter Odili, which she served as the commissioner for education, recorded in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni in the educational sector.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo HarryBanigo, who is Rivers West Senatorial District candidate, assured that if elected, the interest of the state would be jealously protected.
Banigo commended the Wike-led Rivers PDP for including more women and youths in governance, and promised to promote the growth of the state at the federal level.
On his part, the Director General of PDP Campaign Council, Bro Felix Obuah, said the people of ONELGA already, were PDP converts, who had vowed to use their PVCs to deliver all candidates of the party on Election Day.
The Rivers State Chairman of the PDP, Amb Desmond Akawor, gave flags to the various PDP candidates contesting for various positions in the Rivers West Senatorial District.
Akawor said campaigning in ONELGA was like preaching to the already converted because it was a stronghold of PDP.
“We didn’t come here to campaign because campaigning in ONELGA is like preaching to the converted, ONELGA is a PDP stronghold. It is the LGA of the former chairman of our party in the state who is currently the DG of the campaign council. This is where the next deputy governor of the state comes from. We have never failed any election in this local government area, this time will not be an exception,” he said.
Earlier, Wike, who was accompanied by the deputy governor, the PDP governorship candidate and others, paid a courtesy call on the Oba of Ogbaland, Dr.Nwachukwu S. Obuoha, Obi III at his palace in Omoku.
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.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
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
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
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
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