News

‘Call Rivers CP To Order’

Published

13 years ago

June 26, 2013

Member representing Ahoada-West and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Federal Constituency, Honourable Asita has lambasted the police in Rivers State for attempting to stop supporters of Governor Chibuike Amaechi from Orashi region from paying a solidarity visit to the governor in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

A similar call has also been made by four local government chairmen from Orashi namely- Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Abua/Odual, Ahoada-West and Ahoada-East following yesterday’s alleged failed attempt by the police to bar supporters of the governor, while recalling the maltreatment some of the people suffered in the hands of the police.

They have, therefore called on the Federal Government to call the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu to order and also post him out of the state for the sake of peace.

Asita who condemned the police action remarked, “ for us, we have shown today that if the police say, stay at home we will not stay at home. It is against the law; the police does not have the right to give orders contrary to law. How can it be said that all these chiefs here are coming to Port Harcourt to protest. It’s an insult to our integrity as a people that all these chiefs, all these people will leave their homes to come and demonstrate’’.

Addressing the press over the development, Chairman of Ahoada-West, Awori Miller said he had received a phone call from the Area Commander on Monday evening warning him of the consequences of leading people from the area on protest, which he explained was not true.

He stated that the situation got worse yesterday morning when some police men stopped the vehicles conveying some of the supporters to Port Harcourt at Rumuji ordering them to go back, but said the people resisted.

Miller described police action as unnecessary and infringement on their fundamental human rights and urged the federal authorities to investigate the matter.

Chairman of Ahoada-East Local Government, Cassidy Ikegbidi who corroborated Miller’s story stated that buses conveying the people from his area were vandalised by some hoodlums who invaded the council premises early in the morning, noting that some of the people were wounded in the brawl.

“ This thing is getting too much, the state government should intervene’’ Ikegbidi lamented, and blamed the state commissioner of police for the problem.

He accused the Commissioner of Police of withdrawing the security details in the council, adding “ he is not the first Commissioner of Police in Rivers State. Last month they kidnapped two corps members and as it stands now in Ahoada-East we don’t have corps members again’’.

Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Augustine Ahiamadu disclosed that four drivers conveying the people were arrested by the police yesterday morning.

Ahiamadu while lamenting the activities of the police since Mr. Mbu assumed office said there have been several security lapses in the area, a situation which had stopped some months before.

His words, “Rivers State has been peaceful for sometime. When I resumed office, there was no kidnapping, but these few days some cases of kidnapping have taken place in ONELGA. Just recently mother of a serving judge in the state, Mrs Okirie was kidnapped

“ There have been restrictions in this place (ONELGA) has been a focal point but we have been able to resist few things. But why I am making this open is because I don’t know the role of the police. I have told them I will not pay them their security fees this month because they are not assisting me’’.

For Chairman of Abua/Odual, Udi Udum the police cannot stop the people from exercising their rights and lamented the partisan activities of the Commissioner of Police, stating that cases of kidnap had risen in the area most especially, in border areas with Bayelsa.

He posited that the people will not fold their arms but will rather protect themselves, insisting that, “ if the police are ready to work with us we are ready to work with them’’.

Meanwhile, state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari had hinted that the state government will petition formally, “to notify Nigerians that Rivers people are under siege’’.

She said for now the state will show restraint but will not allow its people to be oppressed, adding, “we do not want a situation where the state is turned into a theatre of war’’.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

8 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

8 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

9 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor