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Be Pillar Of Support To Fubara, Wike Tells Opobo People
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has told the people of Opobo kingdom to resist any temptation that will make them antagonise the incoming administration led by Sir Siminalayi Fubara, when he eventually gets sworn-in, today.
Wike reminded them of how hard Opobo people tried in 2015 to produce a governor but failed.
He noted that at God’s appointed time, they have a governor and it behoves of them to rally round their son to ensure that he succeeds.
Speaking on Saturday in Opobo town during the inauguration of the land reclamation project and flag-off of a Ring Road in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Wike charged the people not to join those who will pull the governor-elect down.
“We also urge all of you who are from Opobo to continue to give your son support. Do not be the one that will fight him. Do not be the one that will pull him down. Be his engine room. Be his pillar.
“While others are trying to drag him down, you should be trying to make him stand firm. This is very important. To have a governor from your area is not easy. You know in 2015 you tried it, it didn’t work. Now that it is God’s time has it not worked?”
The governor who will be handing over to Fubara today, expressed joy that he was in Opobo to inaugurate the reclaimed land of over 20 hectares, which will solve the problem of land in the area.
“I thank God that we have done the land reclamation and now flagging off the Ring Road project. So, after today, you’re not only coming to Opobo to park your vehicles here, you can also drive round Opobo and go to your various families”, he said.
Wike remarked on how beneficial the previously sandfilled land and the new one that is being inaugurated can be planned out together before being allocated to the people.
He said he had talked to the governor-elect on the importance of designing an integrated plan that will serve both areas.
“This is because I know now that it will be more beneficial by the time he settles down in office, and then they will design roads and then you’ll be able to get a good impact.
“So, I’m happy that that has not been done, so that you can do it together. I heard that the ring road that we are going to flag-off will also pass this area”, he said.
He assured that the incoming administration led by Fubara will deliver more infrastructure in Opobo kingdom.
Wike thanked the Opobo people and their Amanyanabo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, for their electoral support during the 2023 general election and in the last eight years.
Former Commissioner for Special projects, Deinma Iyalla, explained that 20 hectares of land were reclaimed, which means about 430 plots of land area can be deployed for housing development.
According to him, an approximately 600,000 cubic meters volume of sand was dredged at the height of 3 meters to ensure tidal water does not wash off the sand.
Similarly, the former Commissioner for Works, George-Kelly Dakorinama Alabo, explained that the total length of the Opobo Ring road is 4.2KM and has three number short span bridges.
He said it is expected that the contractor will be doing all the works concurrently with the three bridges so that the target completion time of 10 months will be achieved.
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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