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Banigo, Mpigi, Others Cleared For NASS, State Assembly Primaries

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4 years ago

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The result of the screening of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants for the National Assembly and House of Assembly primaries in Rivers State has been released.
Copies of the list indicate the clearance of some current lawmakers and new faces.
Among the new aspirants cleared are Dr Ipalibo Banigo, incumbent deputy governor of the state for Rivers West; Senator Barinada Mpigi (Rivers South East); and Allwell Onyeso (Rivers East).
Also cleared, among others, for House of Representatives are Hon Kingsley Chinda (Obio/Akpor); Mr Felix Nwaeke, for Oyigbo/ Tai; Hon Kelechi Nwogu (Etche/Omuma); Hon Boma Goodhead (Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru); and Hon Victor Alabo (Okrika/Ogu Bolo).
Former Women Leader, Justina Emeji is cleared to run for House of Assembly for Emohua, Barile Nwakoh for House of Assembly (Khana 1), and Amadi Emilia Lucky (Obio/Akpor 11) RSHOA.
Screening was based on eligibility – tax payment, party membership dues, evidence of School Certificates and resignation from previous appointment.
The committee was set up by the PDP National Executive Committee to screen aspirants for the National and State House of Assembly in Rivers State.
The event, which took place at the Rivers State Secretariat of the PDP, was performed by the Secretary of the Screening Committee, Prof Walter Obolu, and witnessed by some members of the State Executive of the PDP.
Speaking before presenting certificates to the successful aspirants, Obolu commended the maturity exhibited by aspirants during the screening exercise.
He expressed delight that despite the initial delays caused by unavoidable circumstances, the screening was conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner as most of the aspirants who had earlier alleged that the screening exercise had been hijacked to unknown destination, later went to the press to refute their allegation against the committee.
“We are thankful to God that the same people had the courage to go back to the press again to say that the exercise went on very smoothly and successfully and that the entire process was not hijacked. We thank you for your maturity. In our report we acknowledged the fact that all the aspirants conducted themselves very maturely and we appreciate you for that fact”, Obolu declared.
He advised those who may not have been cleared during the screening to approach the Screening Appeal Committee which will be sitting, tomorrow, in Port Harcourt for redress, urging them not to take the laws into their hands but follow the party’s guidelines in addressing their cases.
Obolu congratulated all the aspirants for participating in the process, emphasising that by aspiring to contest they are all winners in the election.
Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of PDP, Amb Desmond Akawor, thanked members of the committee for doing a thorough job.
Akawor noted that the tension witnessed during the exercise was normal with the electoral process, but noted with satisfaction that the exercise was not affected in any way and every aspirant was happy with the way the screening exercise was handled.
He said the PDP in Rivers State being a united family had not lost the state to any other political party since 1999, and expressed optimism that the party would continue in its winning ways in the state.
Other members of the state party executive who witnessed the certificate presentation exercise were the State Deputy Chairman, Hon Chukuemeka Aaron, State Party Secretary, Dr Benibo George, and the State Publicity Secretary, Hon Sydney Tambari Gbara, among others.

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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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
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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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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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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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.
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