News
‘Rerun Polls ’ll Be Test Of Democracy’ …Wike Directs PDP Leaders To Resist Arrest
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that the forthcoming legislative rerun elections in the state would be a test of the preparedness of the current Federal Government to allow for the deepening of democracy.
He reiterated that the Supreme Court upheld his election on the premise of laid down legal principles applied in all the other governorship appeals, saying that no action was taken to influence the judgment as alleged by the Rivers APC.
The governor, who appeared on a radio phone-in programme in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said that the people of Rivers State would not allow the planned use of security agencies to rig the elections to materialise.
According to him, the desperation to rig the forthcoming rerun elections are part of a plot by the APC to capture Rivers State through fraudulent means as they have arranged to write results and go ahead with an impeachment plan.
He said: “They are so desperate to rig the elections. These elections will be a test for democracy in Nigeria”.
Wike said that contrary to claims by the APC, he was not involved in inciting violence as the warning he gave that those who plan to rig the rerun elections will be treated as political armed robbers was in line with similar warnings given by President Muhammadu Buhari before the last general elections.
“If they are coming to do proper elections to let the will of the people to prevail, we will support them. Why are they worried simply because we are fighting political armed robbers”, he said.
On the issue of the Supreme Court judgment which validated his election, Wike said that just like in other governorship elections, the court held that the card reader was not superior to the voter register in the accreditation process.
He added that the Supreme Court also held that he was not given fair hearing because the second chairman of the Rivers State Governorship Tribunal passed a judgment in a motion that he did not hear.
He stated that it was unfortunate that the Rivers State APC would misinterpret his vote of thanks and single out Dr Peter Odili for attacks when he listed several PDP leaders who supported him as party men.
Wike said that in the earlier appeal he filed on the issue of territorial jurisdiction with Justice Mary Odili on the panel, the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal with the APC celebrating, pointing out that on the panel without Just Mary Odili, his appeal was upheld.
He wondered why the Rivers APC wants the world to believe their falsehood that Justice Mary Odili influenced a panel in which she was not a member, but could not influence the one she sat on.
Commenting on the military invasion of Ogoni communities which led to the loss of innocent lives, Wike said that he supports the fight against criminality, but will never support the unjustified killing of innocent people.
He said he visited Yeghe and Bori as governor to ascertain the level of damage and loss of lives.
The governor wondered why in the so-called search for one Solomon Ndigbara, the military would massively deploy to Ogoniland to disrupt very peaceful communities.
While blaming Senator Magnus Abe for going about with soldiers to intimidate his constituents, Wike said that it was unfortunate that some politicians invite soldiers to rout their peaceful communities.
He said that the Solomon Ndigbara that Magnus Abe was hunting for was Senator Abe’s associate before they fell out politically.
“Senator Magnus Abe should apologise to the Ogoni people. I am an Ikwerre man. Have you ever seen me invite the military to our land?”, he said.
He denied making any inciting statement when he attended the birthday of Senator Lee Maeba, saying that all he did was to campaign for the PDP candidate, Senator Olaka Nwogu.
The governor added that he intercepted a communication wherein Senator Abe stated that he can only emerge victorious through the help of soldiers during the rerun elections.
Wike emphasised his declaration that top government functionaries, PDP candidates in the forthcoming rerun elections and PDP leaders should resist arrest from security agents detailed to destabilise the PDP ahead of the rerun elections.
He said he believes in the rule of law hence he will not allow anyone to use illegal means to manipulate the election process in the state.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has directed political appointees, leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), caretaker committee chairmen, top government functionaries and candidates of the PDP in the forthcoming rerun legislative elections in the state to resist arrest on trump up charges from security agents detailed to destabilise the PDP before the elections.
A statement issued by Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, noted that Wike is in receipt of security information which revealed a directive by the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS), to one Abdullahi in the Rivers State Command to summarily and illegally arrest PDP leaders, council chairmen, political appointees and candidates of the PDP for the rerun elections.
The governor specifically directed that the mentioned party leaders, political appointees and PDP candidates should not follow operatives of the DSS and other security agents to their offices under any guise.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
-
News2 days agoRSG Targets Nine Million Residents in Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
Maritime2 days agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
News2 days agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News2 days agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
News2 days agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
Maritime2 days agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment
