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RSG Approves Use Of Stadium For Atiku’s Campaign …Warns Rivers PDP PCC Against Trespass …Says Why Tonye Cole Must Refund Rivers’ $50m …We’ll Make Oyigbo Commercial Hub, Incentivise SMEs, Fubara Commits

Published

3 years ago

January 23, 2023

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said approval has been given to Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to use the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium for campaign of the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the state.
The governor, however, explained that the approval granted at no cost to the Presidential Campaign Council, was that the stadium would be accessible to the council 48hours to the February 11, 2023 presidential campaign.
Wike, who disclosed this while speaking at the campaign flag-off rally by the Rivers State PDP Campaign Council in Oyigbo Local Government Area, last Friday, said the Director-General of the PCC in Rivers State, Dr.Abiye Sekibo, has no right to want to take possession of the stadium one month before the date of the stipulated event.
He warned Sekibo not to provoke the Rivers State Government by desperately wanting to take possession of the state-owned stadium weeks to the campaign, or else, the approval would be cancelled.
Wike, however, said by the approval he signed, Sekibo and his group can only begin to access the stadium two days to the event to verify and put in place what they required for their rally.
“Let me also use this opportunity to warn Abiye Sekibo, we have made approval for your presidential candidate to use Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, on February 11.You have no right to begin to go to the stadium now. We cannot give you access to the stadium now. We can only give you access to the stadium two days to the occasion for you to prepare.
“Nobody gave you one month. So, if you dare it again, to go and force yourself into the stadium, I will cancel the approval with immediate effect. Dare it again, I will cancel it. Heaven will not fall. In fact, if heaven falls now, we will be happy that it was in our time heaven came down.”
The governor wondered why Sekibo was acting against the approval given to him, and said it appears that he was finding a reason to blame in the event that the rally fails.
“I know you are not ready to do that rally. You are only looking for excuse. But you must do it. I know you are going to import people, no problems, go and import. We have given you the stadium.”
Wike also took a swipe at the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for blaming the crisis that greeted the campaign of its governorship candidate in Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt,lastThursday.
The governor stressed that APC became a victim to the brewing crisis between the two factions in Rumuwoji community because they did not address their demand adequately.
Otherwise, Wike wondered why APC did not encounter crisis with their rallies when they used the Tipper Park in Etche Local Government and the IYM secretariat in Ikwerre Local Government.
The governor asked them to stop complaining if they are not ready for the forthcoming general election because the PDP in the state is fully prepared for the election.
Wike mocked Senator Andrew Uchendu, because despite serving in several administrations, he failed to attract development project to his Mgbuitanwo community.
According to him, it was his administration that contracted Julius Berger to construct internal roads, fitted with street lights in Mgbuitanwo.
The governor stressed that the APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, in collusion with the immediate past administration of Governor ChibuikeAmaechi, sold the state gas turbines, and diverted $50million from the state account.
Wike said the APC governorship was now facing criminal charges with the state government demanding from him to refund the $50million, which it wants to use for development projects.
“Go and bring our money back. We want to use the money to develop the people of Oyigbo, to develop the people of Rivers State.”
The governor further accused the APC governorship candidate of masterminding the killing of scores of persons in Abonnema by the military during the 2019 general election.
The Rivers State governor told Oyigbo people to know that the PDP governorship candidate, Sir SiminialayiFubara, would continue from where his administration would stop and consolidate on the gains made already.
In his address, Rivers State PDP governorship candidate, Sir SiminialayiFubara, told the people of Oyigbo to support PDP, and in return, he would consolidate on the infrastructure and security gains of Governor NyesomWike in the area, and transform it to the commercial hub of the state.
He promised to carry out programmes that would encourage and grow small and medium-sized enterprises in Oyigbo, but urged them to ensure that PDP wins the governorship, National Assembly, and state House of Assembly elections for such promise to be fulfilled.
“We are campaigning on the grounds that Governor NyesomWike’s administration has given you road that the previous administration refused to construct for you. We have built good schools for you, provided security and other basic amenities.
“Our task is to consolidate and continue with the good things already established by Governor Wike. Since you have stable power and you are close to the sea port, we will create an enabling environment for business to thrive.
“Investors will come in from Aba, and other places to establish small-scale and medium-sized businesses here. The basis of development is infrastructure, and that is what this administration has provided. When we say consolidation and continuity, this is what we are talking about.
“The man who just joined us from APC said the reason he jumped ship is because the bad road leading to his community has been constructed by Governor Wike after Amaechi refused to do it. Our government carried out only meaningful projects; we don’t abandon projects everywhere like they do.
“Support us the way you supported Dr. Peter Odili in 1999 to 2007.Support us the same way you have been supporting our Principal, GovernorNyesomWike from 2015 to date. Forget the fact that I am your brother, support me based on my competence and commitment to the overall development of Rivers State,” he said.
Fubara took a swipe at the embattled governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, for embarking on incessant campaign of calumny and lies in lieu of issue-based campaign.
“He claims that he is a pastor but there is nothing in his character and deed that shows that he is a Christian. Christianity is living like Christ, not title. A real pastor will not bring soldiers to kill his own people in the name of election; a real pastor will not be used to steal state assets,” the guber candidate added.
He issued stern warning to Tonye Cole, to focus on his campaign, and leave him out of his affairs.
Fubara insisted that his administration, when elected, would follow in the footsteps of the outgoing government on the slogan of continuity and consolidation.
According to him, he would build on the infrastructure development secured by the Wike administration in Oyigbo, sustain the gains in security, provision of quality education infrastructure, create conducive business climate to promote small scale businesses, while improving on the quality of life of the citizenry.
In his remarks, Director General of Rivers State PDP Campaign Council, Bro Felix Obuah, said Wike has done so well, and Fubara would consolidate on his achievements.
Obuah said Oyigbo would give Sir SimFubara 90percent of their total votes in the governorship election.
Also, Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb Desmond Akawor, presented the flag of the party to the candidates contesting the various elective positions.
Senator BarinadaMpigi, who spoke on behalf of the candidates, said they were fully ‘Sim-plifed”, and willing to serve the interest of their constituents and the state at large.
Mpigi said they would do allthat Wike has asked them to do.
Former leader of Oyigbo Legislative Assembly, Hon. EbeOwulo, said the projects delivered by Wike in Oyigbo have collapsed the opposition party in the area.

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NDLEA Intercepts 1.63m Tramadol Pills, Arrests 80-Year-Old Suspect

Published

3 days ago

July 20, 2026

The Tide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.

The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.

According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.

Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”

He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.

Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”

He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.

“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.

According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.

He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”

The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”

He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.

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FG Alerts Nigerians Of N50,000 Allowance Registration Scam

Published

3 days ago

July 20, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.

The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.

It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.

“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.

It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”

The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.

The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.

The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.

Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.

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Minimum Wage Review: We’re Battle Ready For Major National Struggle -NLC

Published

3 days ago

July 20, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.

Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.

He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.

According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.

“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.

“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.

“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”

Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.

“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.

He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”

The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”

He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.

“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.

Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.

“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”