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ALLEGED JULY 27 WARD CONGRESSES IN RIVERS, NULL, VOID – G-60 REPS LEADER
The leader of the Group of 60 (G-60) opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives, Hon Ikeagwuonu Michael Ugochinyere has said that the ward congresses allegedly conducted last Saturday, in Rivers State is of no effect, null and void.
Hon Ugochinyere, who chairs the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), also cautioned the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to avoid replicating the memories of the infamous CP Joseph Mbu, who turned the State to a theatre of the absurd in 2013 and 2014, in a bid to help Nyesom Wike achieve his ambition.
The lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the remarks in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Responding to questions, Hon Ugochinyere said, “There is nothing to talk about here. If a group of people, out of desperation, decided to hold kindred meeting, that should not bother anybody. And I advise Nyesom Wike, stop this. The joke is becoming too much.
“There is a subsisting order of a Rivers State High Court few days to this issue of congress that that exercise can no longer hold, but he decided in his desperation, alongside with his supporters, to gather themselves in their hideouts, and conducted what I call a kindred meeting in the name of ward congresses.
“So, what Wike group had yesterday (Saturday) in the name of ward congress is a kindred meeting. That is what we call in Igbo, ‘meeting Umunna’, and nothing more; it ends there, they were talking to themselves; and it is a nullity”.
Clarifying his position on the point of law, he said, “Let me tell you why it is a nullity, and it is very simple. As long as there was a subsisting court order saying it should not hold, and they went ahead to hold the congress, the court in question will void whatever is the outcome of that exercise because it was conducted in violation of the court order”.
On the situation in PDP in the State, Hon Ugochinyere said, “As it is today, there is no working PDP in Rivers State; because we have a group of people who are in what we call: APC-PDP, invading our party, and trying to take control of the party.
“And let me also advise, because recently, we came here, and we heard of the violence that happened. I will advise the state Commissioner of Police; there used to be one that served here then as CP: Joseph Mbu, who used to dance naked with Wike. Today, he is somewhere, he retired as a shameful officer. I hear he is regretting his actions in Rivers in 2013-2014.
“So, I advise the CP: do the right thing. He said he heard of the court order in Abuja, but did not hear of the court order in Port Harcourt where he is residing. That court order in Port Harcourt was advertised in the national newspapers, it was everywhere on social media and conventional media, and the whole world heard about it, and he knew about the court order but decided not to comply with it. He choose to be running a political security outfit for Wike because they are calling him from Abuja”.
On the need to tame the ugly situation from escalating into a state of lawlessness, he explained, “I will advise the President and the IGP, to call the CP to order; and if possible, remove him from Rivers State. I say so because that path he is taking can inflame the already tensed climate in the country, and it is not the right path to take”.
Explaining why what the Wike supporters are doing is a time bomb waiting to explode, he said, “Look at what is happening all over the country. They claim to love the President, but look at what they are doing: they want to destabilise Rivers State, and that will affect the President. What they are doing is not in the interest of Mr President.
“The government is finding it hard in terms of addressing the economic challenges of our people. And here you have a group of people who claim to be working for the President but because of their greed, that they want to plug a pipe to the state resources, they are willing to burn down the State.
“The whole thing baffles me, because what is the crux of the matter: we were here when the former speaker, Martin Amaewhule and his colleague former lawmakers, woke up one morning, even when there was no crisis in PDP, and defected and joined the APC, thinking that by joining the APC, President Bola Tinubu will help them to illegally remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office. It backfired. They did not think it through because there was one man in Abuja who was desperate to capture Rivers State as if it is a private estate.
“Now, you ran into APC, and you are running around looking for a court that will give you a judgement that you are still a lawmaker. It will not work. At the moment they decamped, as you are all aware, there was no crisis or division in PDP. As long as there was no division in PDP, the Constitution is very clear on it: it is automatic; your seat is vacant, you do not even need anybody to declare your seat vacant. It is on that ground that the new leadership emerged.
“So, all these struggles are to regain the State House of Assembly’s legitimacy, for the purpose of forcing the Governor out of office so that they can have unfettered access to the State resources of the people.
“Like I told you; those people are no longer lawmakers. The earlier they understand this, the better for them. And the CP needs to get this into his head: those people can not come back as lawmakers. It does not matter whether he gives them the entire police force in the State to take over the streets of Port Harcourt for them to be maiming, destroying and killing innocent law-abiding people, they cannot come back as lawmakers (without a fresh mandate). And nobody can remove Fubara from office as Governor; only the people (electorate) that elected him can remove him from office as Governor. It is as simple as that!”
Speaking further on the ward congresses allegedly conducted on Saturday, Hon Ugochinyere emphasized, “And that congress they claim to have done, like I told you earlier, it is nothing but a kindred meeting. But I know my friend: Nyesom Wike will not get tired of doing these things, but I can tell you here, as a stakeholder in this party; it is a nullity. So, it is of no use!”
On the recent threat by the immediate past local government chairmen to come back and take over the council secretariats and force themselves into office, Hon Ugochinyere said: “I pity them. These are guys whose tenure had elapsed but because there is one Nebuchadnezzar in Abuja who gives them false hopes that they can remain in office even after their tenures had expired, and they can stay in office to continue to touch the people’s resources even when the Constitution has barred them from doing so. I laugh them!
“It is only a politically mad person who does not understand that tenure is constitutionally provided for will fight over expiration of tenure. The Constitution is very clear on tenure expiration. It is a pillar and sacred principle of democracy: That you have a tenure limit! That tenure has ended.
“And you go to one place, and you say you have changed the local government law, and extended the tenure of local government chairmen forever. Where has that happened before? Who will allow it happen against the provisions of the Constitution?
“I think I have to give them advise: it is over. There is no power on earth that can return them to an office in which their tenure had expired. I think they need to get it into their head. And let them try to take over the office in the local government councils, if that is what they are planning to do, and they will see the consequences of their actions.
“How did they leave the office before? The people will chase them away again! Does the office belong to them? It belongs to the people! Were they not trying to bring a magistrate from Maraba before to swear them in the morning of that day? How did it end? When the people rose against them, did they run away? They cannot forcefully take any local government over! If any police officer or politician promised them that, it is a joke, it is not possible”.
He advised the people to focus attention on the forthcoming local government election, saying: “That era is over. We are talking of local government election in a matter of weeks. People are already preparing to participate in the election, and you are talking of tenure of office that has elapsed.
“There is going to be election here, and Rivers people are preparing for the election. People should focus on how to make that process and exercise successful! And people are going to elect councillors they want for the 319 wards and chairmen for the 23 local government councils”.
Advising the people of the State not to pay attention to the rantings of the Wike supporters on local government tenure extension and the Amaewhule-led group, Hon Ugochinyere said, “The era of those Hallelujah boys in the local government councils and the State House of Assembly is over for good. We have moved into the new future; and that is the new future of Rivers people first and development. And as a leader and leading member of the opposition party, I cannot allow any of these people destroy any part of the party in the opposition led States”.
City Crime
Ministry Raises Concern Over Rising Teenage Pregnancies, Begins Adolescent Sensitisation Campaign
The Department of Public Health in the Rivers State Ministry of Health has raised concern over the increasing cases of teenage pregnancies in society as it intensifies efforts to educate adolescents across the state.
Programme Manager for Adolescent Health and Development in the department, Mrs. Tammy Briggs, expressed the concern during a sensitisation programme held at Government Girls Secondary School Rumueme in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Briggs explained that the campaign was designed to educate adolescents on the dangers of teenage pregnancy and other health-related issues affecting young people.
According to her, teenage pregnancy is currently on the rise, making it necessary for the ministry to step up awareness programmes among students.
“This is something that is on the rise for now. We have observed that there are many cases of teenage pregnancies, so we are here to sensitise them on ways to prevent it entirely,” she said.
She disclosed that the sensitisation campaign is being carried out in selected schools across four local government areas of the state, namely Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area and Eleme Local Government Area.
Briggs noted that the programme focuses on several key issues affecting adolescents, including sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, emotional health and proper nutrition.
She added that the outreach programme also featured tuberculosis screening for students as well as the distribution of sanitary pads and mathematical sets to support their health and academic development.
The programme manager commended the management of Government Girls Secondary School Rumueme for their cooperation and support in hosting the sensitisation exercise. She also advised the students to avoid behaviours that could jeopardise their future.
Speaking during the session, Dr. Nwadike Chinonso urged the students to make informed decisions about their lives and remain focused on their education.
He cautioned them against engaging in early sexual activities, stressing that abstinence remains one of the most effective ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.
Some of the students who participated in the programme expressed appreciation to the team for the awareness campaign and pledged to apply the knowledge gained to make responsible life choices.
Disturbing allegations of extortion, intimidation and the smuggling of prohibited items have unsettled the Kwale Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Delta State, prompting calls for urgent intervention by the national authorities of the Nigeria Correctional Service amid fears of potential security breaches within the facility.
The development was disclosed by a senior officer at the Delta State custodial facility, who expressed concern over what was described as entrenched irregularities capable of undermining discipline and operational standards at the centre.
According to the source, detailed findings compiled between December 2025 and January 2026 highlighted patterns of misconduct and warned of possible security consequences should the allegations remain unchecked.
At the centre of the claims is a powerful corrections official serving as Officer in Charge of the Kwale facility, accused of presiding over persistent financial extortion, high-handedness and the victimisation of inmates under his supervision.
The document further indicated that the alleged practices may have originated during the tenure of a former General Provost, reportedly with the collaboration of another senior custodial official within the system.
Intelligence details suggested that inmates were allegedly compelled to contribute funds for projects and items considered outside the statutory framework of inmate welfare, raising questions about compliance with established correctional guidelines.
Among the financial demands reportedly imposed were ¦ 300,000 for the repair of a Hilux vehicle, ¦ 600,000 for the purchase of a freezer and ¦ 750,000 for a generator allegedly designated for the Officer in Charge’s residence.
The report also alleged that inmates were required to make payments before being conveyed to court, while Awaiting Trial Persons in Cells One to Nine were directed to raise ¦ 30,000 per cell, with Convict Cells One to Three, including a designated VIP cell, similarly mandated to pay ¦ 30,000 monthly.
Observers noted that if substantiated, such practices would amount to grave breaches of professional ethics and custodial administration standards, eroding principles of fairness, transparency and inmate welfare within correctional institutions.
Beyond the financial allegations, the intelligence brief raised concerns over the purported possession of unauthorised communication devices, alleging that a serving General Provost had two Android phones while another influential inmate was also reportedly found with a mobile device.
The document further alleged that prohibited items, including alcoholic beverages, Indian hemp and other hard substances, may have been smuggled into the custodial yard under the guise of routine supervision duties, with security sources warning that the cumulative effect of extortion, intimidation and contraband trafficking has heightened tension within the facility.
In view of the gravity of the allegations, they called for an immediate and discreet investigation by the minister of Interior for immediate action to safe the life of inmates.
The administrative review of implicated officers, even as officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service had yet to issue an official statement, with stakeholders insisting that a transparent probe and decisive action are essential to restoring confidence and safeguarding institutional integrity at the Kwale Medium Security Custodial Centre.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the government of President Bola Tinubu at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over the government’s alleged failure to withdraw “unlawful mass phone-tapping rules” known as the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019.
LICR 2019 is a regulation that authorises telecom licensees to install technology for security agencies to monitor communications, including voice, data, text, email, and browsing, for national security and to combat crime.
SERAP, in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, yesterday, said the suit followed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that the phone conversation of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was intercepted.
El-Rufai reportedly claimed, “The NSA’s call was tapped. They do that to our calls too, and we heard him saying they should arrest me.”
In the suit numbered ECW/CCJ/APP/11/26, filed last Friday at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, SERAP is seeking “a declaration that the failure of the government to withdraw the Interception of Communications Regulations is unlawful and a violation of Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”
The organisation is also asking the court to declare that the government’s failure to withdraw the regulations “constitutes an official endorsement of unlawful mass phone-tapping rules, as the Regulations are patently unlawful, and violate the rule of law, democratic principles, and the right to privacy.”
It is further seeking “an order directing and compelling the Nigerian government to immediately withdraw the Interception of Communications Regulations, and to commence a legislative process to ensure that any interception regulations are in conformity with Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”
The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Oluwakemi Oni, Valentina Adegoke and Maryam Mumuni, argued that “the Regulations establish a sweeping mass phone-tapping regime that violates Nigerians’ constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights, including to privacy and freedom of expression.”
“Where powers affecting fundamental human rights are exercised in secrecy and concentrated in political authorities without independent supervision, the risks of arbitrariness are substantial.
“Surveillance measures that lack strict necessity, proportionality and independent judicial oversight can easily be weaponised against political opponents, journalists, civil society actors and election observers,” it added.
SERAP also warned that the regulations raise concerns as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, noting that broad interception powers could be abused during politically sensitive periods.
“In an electoral climate, even the perception that private communications are being monitored can chill political organising, investigative reporting and voter mobilisation.
“Free and fair elections depend on confidential communications, protected journalistic sources and open democratic debate. Any misuse of intercepted data for intimidation, political advantage or disinformation would fundamentally undermine Nigerians’ right to political participation and electoral integrity.
“As 2027 approaches, interception powers must be narrowly defined, subject to prior independent judicial authorisation and backed by effective remedies. Without robust safeguards, these Regulations risk threatening privacy rights, freedom of expression and the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process,” the suit stated.
SERAP maintained that any restriction on the right to privacy must comply with the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, arguing that the regulations fail to meet these requirements.
SERAP also cited the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as stating that mass surveillance programmes based on indiscriminate and blanket collection of personal data are arbitrary and cannot satisfy the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.
The group said the Nigerian government has a duty to adopt clear laws, safeguards, independent oversight mechanisms and accessible remedies to prevent abuse by state agencies and private actors, including telecommunications providers and technology companies.
According to SERAP, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) adopted the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019 while exercising its powers under Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The organisation argued that Regulation 4 grants broad discretionary interception powers to the National Security Adviser and the State Security Services, with little clarity on the scope or limits of such authority.
SERAP also pointed to inconsistencies within the regulations, noting that while Regulation 4 and Regulation 12 restrict interception powers to the NSA and SSS, Regulation 23 expands the category of authorised agencies to include bodies such as the Nigeria Police Force, National Intelligence Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and any other agency the commission may designate.
The organisation said this ambiguity undermines legal certainty and creates the risk of arbitrary application and abuse.
It also criticised provisions allowing interception without a warrant in certain circumstances, arguing that such powers are overly broad and susceptible to misuse.
SERAP further expressed concern that the regulations do not require authorities to notify individuals who have been subjected to surveillance, which it said weakens the ability of citizens to challenge unlawful monitoring.
The organisation warned that requirements compelling telecommunications licensees to install interception equipment and disclose encryption keys could undermine cybersecurity and discourage privacy-enhancing technologies.
SERAP acknowledged the government’s responsibility to address national security and organised crime but argued that such measures must remain within constitutional and international human rights limits.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.