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Protect Your Votes, Wike Tells Nigerians …As Abua/Odual Declares Support For Gov’s 2nd Term
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that Nigerians are under obligation to protect their votes to stop the desperate APC-led Federal Government from rigging the 2019 general elections.
Wike said that the APC-led Federal Government was now in a panic mood and was working with security agencies and INEC to rig.
He spoke during the Abua/Odual Local Government Area PDP Campaign Rally at County State School, Abua Central, yesterday.
“APC are afraid because they know that Atiku Abubakar will win fair and square. Therefore, they are planning to use security agencies and INEC to rig. It will not work.
“The only way to ensure that Atiku Abubakar and all PDP candidates emerge victorious is to protect all votes from the polling units to the collation centres”.
He said due to the national rejection of the APC, the party was plotting to cause crisis in order to manipulate the electoral system.
He said: “All they are doing is to cause crisis because they are not popular. We want free and fair elections.
“In these elections, there will be no room for manipulation. If anyone hits you, hit back. Follow them bumper to bumper. APC is desperate, but we will not allow them”.
Wike assured the people that he will flag off a key road project in the area once the people overwhelmingly vote for Atiku Abubakar and other PDP candidates.
He expressed happiness that the state government’s investments in peace and security have yielded results in Abua/Odual Local Government Area.
The governor took out time to praise the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marshall Uwom for his consistency.
The governor said that Uwom will remain relevant in the state’s political terrain.
The Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said the flag-bearers of PDP in the area have the capacity to continue the develop process.
Obuah presented flags to the PDP candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District, Mrs Betty Apiafi, Abua/Odual/Ahoada East Federal Constituency PDP candidate, Solomon Bob and Abua/Odual State Constituency PDP candidate, Solomon Kirife.
Speaking, PDP Candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District, Mrs Betty Apiafi said Wike has transformed the area with key projects and programmes.
The PDP Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Ken Wariboko said that Wike was in the area for the celebration of his second term.
He said that the local government area was ever intact for the PDP and Wike, adding that the people of the area were happy that peace has returned to the area due to the investments of the Rivers State governor.
Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Mr Daniel O. Daniel said that the people will always stand with the state governor, saying that they will speak with their votes.
Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Marshal Uwom said that the LGA was determined to deliver all PDP candidates.
Rivers State Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Ukel Oyaghiri said the governor’s achievements will speak for him during the elections.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.
Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.
Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.
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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
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?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
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?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.
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?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.
?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.
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?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.
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The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.