News
…Secures Truce Between Jang, Useni
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has brokered a truce between the immediate past governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang and Senator Jeremiah Useni.
Wike, who met with the two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaders in Jos, the Plateau State capital, last Wednesday, said his reconciliatory visit was necessary if the party was to reclaim state governorship position and defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 general election.
The Rivers State governor, during the meeting which took place at the residence of Useni, explained that his visit was necessitated by friction that had existed between the two leaders.
He noted that if the friction was not urgently resolved, it would affect the success of the party in future.
“I do know that there will be by-election at the federal constituency and state constituency, and then, again we are talking about the gubernatorial and national elections next year. If the party is not united, no matter how bad APC is, there is no way we can win.”
He further said, “And so, for me, personal sacrifices can be made if you have fought wars for this country for the unity of Nigeria and today Nigeria is bleeding, not only Nigeria is bleeding, Plateau too is bleeding. I have no apology to say that the people of Plateau State are waiting for you both to put the party together, and then, you will just take back Plateau State. Plateau State is a natural PDP state.”
Wike stated that it would be a disservice to the people of Plateau, if the two leaders allow the APC to remain in power because of small disagreements between them.
He, therefore, urged them to set aside their political differences in the interest of the party.
“There are disagreements everywhere. There are disagreements in the party even at the national level. So, it is not a question of I am right. It is not a question of Jang is right, you are wrong or you are right, Jang is wrong. It is a question of, for whatever it takes, can we please, in the name of God, leave our personal interests and make our party move forward.”
The Rivers State governor implored both Jang and Useni to make personal sacrifices to move the party forward not only in Plateau State, but in Nigeria at large.
According to him, the unity of the party was key at this crucial moment because APC moles within the PDP were trying to sow seed of discords.
“APC is trying to penetrate our party to make sure that the leadership of the party at the national level is being distracted through one or two persons, but we are making sure that does not happen. While we are doing that, we also want to make sure that the branches are also united.”
Wike explained that rebuilding the party is what was most paramount to concerned members of the PDP who want the party to return to power at the centre and retake majority of the states in the country.
“If the party is united, then, we are sure of coasting home in 2023, and not just the national election, also Plateau State, knowing full well that Plateau is a PDP state, but somehow, we are no longer in power in Plateau State.”
After a closed door meeting with the two PDP leaders, Wike announced that they have agreed to set aside their differences and work together.
“I can tell you that the two of them have agreed. They will meet on their own, compare notes, and share, then, we will later meet. By the grace of God, I can tell you that PDP will bounce back in Plateau State.”
Wike also took a swipe the ruling APC, and declared that Nigerians who were already disenchanted with the pervading hunger in the land, insecurity and growing abject poverty were anxiously waiting for the PDP to return to power and rescue the nation.
For this reason, he urged PDP members to unite in order to successfully wrest power from the APC.
“We have to put ourselves together. If we put ourselves together, then, we will be helping Nigerians. But if we don’t put ourselves today, then, Nigerians will not be happy with us because that means we are allowing the ruling party, its maladministration to remain in power.”
In his remarks, the former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, thanked Wike for visiting Jos to broker truce between him and Useni.
He further disclosed that following the intervention of Wike, he and Useni have agreed to work together in the interest of the party.
“We have agreed to work together to ensure the unity of PDP on the Plateau and ensure victory in 2023 election, not only governorship, all other elections, federal or state. We want PDP to take its rightful position again on the Plateau, and this is what we are going to work on. We want to thank Governor Nyesom Wike for coming to talk to us, and we have agreed that we will continue from here.”
On his part, Senator Jeremiah Useni commended Wike for finding time to come to Jos on a reconciliatory visit.
He assured the governor that as a former state governor, he would henceforth forge a common alliance with Jang in the interest of the party.
He disclosed that he has been following the developmental strides of the Rivers State governor, and urged other governors to emulate him.
“I have been following your activities, and I always tell people that if we have governors like you, Nigeria would have been changed.”
On Wike’s entourage were, former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo; former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe; Rivers State PDP Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor; former Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuchi; and Austin Opara; Senator Lee Maeba; Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; and former Rivers State PDP chairman, Bro Felix Obuah.
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 & Energy1 day agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Maritime1 day agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
Oil & Energy1 day agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
News2 days agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News2 days agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
News2 days agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
Maritime1 day agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment
