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‘GDI Requires God Pardon’
A former House of Representatives lawmaker in Rivers State, Hon Igo Aguma, has said that the Governor of Rivers State, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has worked assiduously more than any of his antagonists, and therefore would get God’s blessings.
Hon Aguma, who stated this last weekend in Port Harcourt while reacting to a statement credited to the President General of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), Bright Ameawhule, advised the opposition group to seek God’s forgiveness for the unwarranted crisis it has instigated in Rivers State through their sponsors and cohorts.
The GDI, through its President General, had made disparaging statements about Governor Chibuike Amaechi, alleging that the governor has raped the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Hon Aguma said such statement was mischievous and blasphemous, and strengthens the suspicion that the elements behind the GDI were determined to destabilize the peace in the state, as he assured that Rivers people who are witnesses to the developmental strides of the present administration would resist the evil plot of GDI with all their strength and blood.
According to him, “we do not want to join issues with the evil driving, volatile and rabble-rousing GDI and its sponsors over the appointment of an acting chief judge for the state, we take serious exceptions to abuses poured on Governor Amaechi and his administration. The words used on the governor clearly show that the GDI and its sponsors lack home training and are morally bankrupt in thinking and actions”.
“We wish to state clearly that Governor Amaechi has worked assiduously, more than any of his antagonists, who today are major beneficiaries of his administration. Perhaps, we should advise the GDI to seek God’s forgiveness for the unwarranted crises they have instigated in the state through their sponsors and cohorts”, Aguma said.
“Rather than say the Holy Spirit has departed from Governor Amaechi, it is actually the GDI and its selfish sponsors that the Holy Spirit has departed from, as all their evil plans to cause chaos manifesting in the incessant arrest and unlawful detention of genuine PDP members in the state, imposition of a kangaroo PDP executive on Rivers people, unleashing of cultists on Rivers State House of Assembly, connivance with Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, to create a state of insecurity in Rivers State with a view to cause state of emergency, among others”, the former National Assembly member added.
He said while these seemingly daunting challenges continue in the state, God has continued to sustain Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and indeed, Rivers people, which is a clear indication that the Holy Spirit has not departed from the governor and the people.
Aguma, who represented Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1in 2003 to 2011, said the achievements of Governor Amaechi do not portray his administration as bereft of ideas, adding that it is on record that the leadership of the PDP in Nigeria, led by President Goodluck Jonathan and his Vice, Namadi Sambo, National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the National Assembly, fellow PDP and non-PDP governors, youths, women, local, national and international organizations have commended Governor Amaechi as being among the leading lights of Nigeria’s democracy.
He, however, commended the governor for appointing Justice Peter Agumagu as an acting chief judge in line with the Constitution.
“While we await the confirmation of a substantive chief judge by the National Assembly, it is our belief that in the fullness of time, God in His wisdom will determine those the Holy Spirit had departed from”, he noted.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.