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We’re Ready For Voting Revolution, Wike Declares …As Rivers PDP Begins Grassroots Campaigns, Monday …Gov Leads Party To Deliver All Candidates
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that voting revolution would be one of the strategies Rivers electorate shall deploy in the 2023 general election to ensure that haters of the state fail at the polls.
Wike spoke at Obodhi-Ozochi Junction, venue for the flag-off of Obodhi-Ozochi Road/Bridge construction in Ahoada West Local Government Area, last Wednesday.
The governor explained that the voting revolution was to ensure that the Consolidation Team that would be headed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Sir. Siminialayi Fubara, was elected.
He disclosed that the PDP in the state would commence its campaign by Monday in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
The governor said it would be in the interest of the people of the state to vote for the PDP governorship, national and state legislative candidates in order to consolidate on the gains of the past seven years.
According to him, the state would suffer stagnation, if any opposition party was erroneously voted into power.
Wike urged voters in Ekpeye land to be ready and be part of the voting revolution, with the same excitement shown as they received the democratic dividends delivered by his administration in the area.
The Rivers State governor recalled how some of their sons like the Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie; local government chairmen, Hon Hope Ikiriko and Benjamin Eke, amongst others, had supported his bid to become governor in 2015.
They believed in his course, he said, and today, they were delighted that they are part of the government, and were attracting development to communities in Ekpeye land.
Wike, particularly, thanked God for enabling him change the development narrative for communities as they had not witnessed government’s presence.
According to him, Ehie was the first to notify him of Ozochi that has never been linked by road to any neighbouring town.
The governor frowned at the non-execution of the contract for the reconstruction of Government Secondary School in Okarki by Ekpeye sons, even when the state government had paid 100percent of the contract sum to the contractors.
Wike, however, announced that his administration would re-award the project to another company and ensure its completion.
The Rivers State governor warned youths in the area against attacking road construction workers, as government would not hesitate to discontinue the project.
Also awarded by the governor was the contract for the construction of Eleume-Oshiobele Road.
Wike further pronounced government’s recognition for the paramount rulers of Ogbogolo and Odiokwu communities in Ahoada West.
The governor frowned at the King of Igbu Ukpata, Eze Felix Otuwarikpo, for his recent activities that clearly mark him out to have shifted his political interest.
He said his administration, which recognised and upgraded the traditional stool upon which Eze Felix Otuwarikpo sits, would not tolerate the situation in which it would be used to stage a political fight against the state government.
In his description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr Dakorinima Alabo George-Kelly, said no vehicle has ever driven on land into the two benefiting communities.
This construction work, he noted, would provide asphalted road of 11.2KM in length that would have 100milimeter pavement thickness with 200meters’ long, 10span bridge.
The work, handled by SETRACO Nigeria Limited, he said, would be completed in eight months.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it was now ready for what it describes as “the good fight”.
The party, in a statement in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, by the Director, Directorate of Publicity and Communications of the PDP Campaign Council, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, said all was now set for the party’s outdoor campaigns.
“Early in the week, the PDP in Rivers State released its official campaign time-table. We have barely four days to go to the commencement of the outdoor campaign of the PDP.
“Beginning from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area on January 16, we shall go from local government to local government to showcase our candidates and what the PDP will do for Rivers people in the next four years under SiminialayiFubara, flagbearer of the PDP in Rivers State.”
Nwuke noted that the battle ahead was one between darkness and light, empty promises and promises fulfilled.
“Let no one deceive Rivers people: This is a fight between light and darkness; a fight between empty promises and promises fulfilled; a fight between deceitful lies and a great will on the part of our leaders to serve the people”, the statement emphasised.
Rallying the people and its members, the campaign council emphatically declared:”It is, therefore, time to gird our loins for the good fight, time to roll up our sleeves, and time to put our hands on the plough, in a determined effort to further uplift the pace of development in our state along a defined path that puts the people first and selfish personal interests, last.
“It is time to enter into another social contract with our people, and time to execute a new understanding that works for all through the consolidation of efforts that are rapidly shaping the future of the Rivers State.
“We urge all lovers of our great state, all who are born in our dear state, who reside in our urban and semi urban areas, who reside in our local government areas and our local communities, to turn out enmasse to receive our resourceful, ebullient and dynamic leader, Governor NyesomWike, and all other leaders of our great party on the campaign trail as we embark on a journey that we believe, will end ultimately in victory by the special grace of God”, Nwuke remarked.
“Given what has happened in the state in the last seven years and what is still going on today in terms of the execution of well-thought out development programmes at the grassroots”, the campaign council pointed out, “nobody who has a pure and discerning heart can be in any doubt” about the “capacity of the Rivers PDP to take the state to a new threshold of progress and growth.
“As a responsible and focused political party, experienced in the delivery of good governance, we are prepared to take our message of economic prosperity, social transformation and political consolidation to all nooks and crannies of Rivers State.
“We are similarly ready to share our message of great hope, and outstanding achievements of the Wike administration that eyes can see, with the good people of Rivers State.
“By the grace of God, the report card, eminently earned by the performing governor of Rivers State, adjudged the best in the country, has been well received by detribalised Nigerians and all true Rivers people.
“Rivers State is PDP, PDP is Rivers State. It is on record that successive PDP administrations in Rivers State have worked tirelessly to deliver dividends of democracy in pursuit of a common vision that we share with the people”, the statement added.
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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