News

Rivers APC Restates Support For Oct 5 LG Elections …Insists Tony Okocha’s Impostor

Published

1 year ago

October 4, 2024

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it is in total support of the conduct of the Local Government elections in Rivers State on the 5th of October, 2024.
The party has also stated that it is participating in the elections, and has, indeed, submitted the names of its candidates for the various positions.
The party made its position known in a letter to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),
INEC Headquarters,
Abuja, titled “Re: Position of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) on the forthcoming Local Government Election in Rivers State Vis-a-vis the Judgement in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/987/2024.”
A statement signed by Chairman, APC Rivers State, Chief Emeka Beke, and State Secretary, APC Rivers State, Hon. Sam Sam Etetegwung, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, recalled that following an attempt by some members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress to displace the duly elected State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State Chapter by purporting to have dissolved the Executive Committee and replaced same with a caretaker committee led by one Chief Tony Okocha, the
elected State Executive Committee approached the High Court of Rivers State in Suit No.
PHC/3592/CS/2023 (between Sam Sam Etetegwung and Abdullahi Ganduje & Ors), and Suit No. PCH/3735/CS/2023 (between Chief Barnax Ezeboy Enyi & Ors and All Progressives Congress & Ors).
The statement noted that in a judgement, the High Court of Rivers State presided by Hon. Justice S. H. Aprioku, affirmed the validity and subsistence of the Beke-led Executive Committee until 2025.
It further added that the court also set aside the purported caretaker committee of Chief Tony Okocha, and declared that the duly elected State Executive Committee (as led by Chief Emeka Beke) is the authentic leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State.
The statement also stated that the party was aware that the Federal High Court presided by Hon. Justice Peter Lifu delivered a judgement in Suit No. PHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024.
It further stated that it is equally aware that on the 4th day of September, 2024, the High Court of Rivers State presided by Hon Justice I. P. C. Igwe in Suit No. PHC/2696/CS/2024 between Action Peoples Party (APP) and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission had given a judgement compelling the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to proceed with the local government election scheduled for 5th October, 2024 or any other date of its choice.
It noted that the judgement, being first-in-time to the latter judgement in FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024, takes precedence, cognizance of the fact that when two equities are equal, the first in time prevails.
According to the statement: “We, however, hereby notify you that Chief Tony Okocha, who filed that suit purportedly as ‘Chairman, Caretaker Committee’ of the All Progressives
Congress, Rivers State Chapter, is an impostor and totally unknown to the Rivers Chapter of the All Progressives Congress. He is neither the Chairman nor is he a leader in any capacity whatsoever. He (Chief Tony Okocha) does not also have the authority of the leadership of the party in Rivers State as constituted under Chief Emeka Beke, to file or maintain the said suit on its behalf.
“We are equally aware that on the 4th day of September, 2024, the High Court of Rivers State per Hon Justice I. P. C. Igwe in Suit No. PHC/2696/CS/2024 between Action Peoples Party (APP) and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has given a judgement compelling the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to proceed with the local government election scheduled for 5th October, 2024 or any other date of its choice. That judgement, being first-in-time to the latter judgement in FHC /ABJ/CS/987/2024, takes precedence. As we all know, when two equities are equal, the first in time prevails.
“Under the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, all issues
relating to the participation in the local government elections are within the authority of the State Executive Committee, and so, it is the Executive Committee as led by himself (Chief Emeka Beke) that determines whether and how the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress is to participate in the forthcoming local government elections in Rivers State.
“What matters is that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had already ordered the Government of Rivers State to conduct Local Government Elections in Rivers State within three months of judgement, hence the Federal High Court cannot lawfully overrule the Supreme Court by stopping the holding of the said election,” the statement added.
According to the statement, “It is on the above premise, that we write to notify you and your commission (INEC) that the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress totally supports the holding of the Local Government elections in Rivers State on the 5th of October, 2024. The Party is participating in the elections, and have indeed, submitted the names of its candidates for the various positions.”
The statement further reiterated that the judgement in Suit No. PHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 does not represent the interest of the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, and accordingly distanced itself from the suit and judgment.
It further urged the public and institutions to discountenance the rantings and antics of Tony Okocha and his cohorts, and fully participate in the October 5 local government election in the State.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.