Politics
IG Orders Probe Into Okrika Shootings …As Bipi Denies Involvement
The Inspector General of
Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered a full scale investigation into the Tuesday disruption of the governorship campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okrika, Rivers State, by unknown gunmen.
The shooting incident which the APC has traced to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elements in the state, left a policeman dead, while about 50 others sustained various degrees of injuires.
The Tuesday campaign rally at Okrika was the fourth attempt by the APC after three aborted attempts to take the party’s campaign train to the town, which is the country home of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and former warlord, Chief Ateke Tom.
Following this incident, Abba, in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, on Wednesday in Abuja, directed the Assistant Inspector General of police in charge of zone 6, Calabar, Tunde Ogunshakin, to take over the investigation and promptly bring to book the perpetrators and sponsors of the shooting incident.
The IG further directed a speedy prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with violence across the country.
He regretted that despite several warnings, advice and interfaces with political actors to avoid violence and other acts capable of undermining the electoral process, such acts have continued.
Abba, however, restated the resolve and commitment of the Nigeria Police force, in line with its constitutional and statutory mandate, to continue to provide an impartial level-playing field for all political parties to sell their manifestoes and woo the electorate.
Meanwhile, a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Ogu/Bolo, Mr Evans Bipi, has denied involvement in the Okrika shootings.
Bipi was accused by the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr Dakuku Peterside, of leading the shooting attacks.
But the lawmaker who is a member of the PDP in the state, said he was in Bayelsa State on the day of the incident, mourning the PDP women who perished in a motor accident last Saturday along Ahoada/Elele section of the East-West Road in Rivers State on their return to Bayelsa State after seeing the first lady off to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
Contrary to allegations that he was sighted leading the shortings on APC members at the APC campaign rally on Tuesday, Bipi in a statement on Wednesday said, “I was not in Okrika on Tuesday. Okrika is not even my constituency. I represent Ogu/Bolo in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He insisted that “the statement credited to Peterside, with Governor Rotimi Amaechi, accusing me of leading gunmen to attack their rally in Okrika, is most unfortunate. Above all, it is the height of irresponsibility on their part and the APC”.
Boye Salau
Politics
Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension

The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
Politics
2027: Bayelsa APC Adopts Tinubu As Sole Candidate … As Lokpobiri, Lyon Shun Meeting
Politics
Alleged Smear Campaign Against Yakubu, CSOs Demand Apology From Uzodimma

During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
-
Sports2 days ago
CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo
-
Sports2 days ago
FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa
-
Sports2 days ago
NNL abolishes playoffs for NPFL promotion
-
Sports2 days ago
NPFL club name Iorfa new GM
-
Sports2 days ago
Kwara Hopeful To Host Confed Cup in Ilorin
-
Sports2 days ago
NSF: Early preparations begin for 2026 National Sports Festival
-
Sports2 days ago
RSG Award Renovation Work At Yakubu Gowon Stadium
-
Sports2 days ago
RSG Pledges To Develop Baseball