News
No Other Party’ll Occupy Govt House In 2023, Akawor Boasts … As PDP Receives More APC Returnees
As the gale of defection continues to hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb Desmond Akawor, last Tuesday, received two set of decampees from the APC to the PDP.
While one group from Okrika Local Government led by the Chairman of the party in the area, Hon Fred Obah had returnees from Wards 2 and 5, including former Chairman of Okrika LGA, Hon Godwin Tamuno, and former Head of Primary Health Care in the state, Dr Claribel Abam; the other group led by the member representing PHALGA Constituency 2, Tonye Adoki, consisted of Wards and LGA executives from the constituency.
Receiving the groups at the state party secretariat in Port Harcourt, Akawor commended them for taking a wise decision to return to their original base, saying that coming at a transition time when they would contribute to the installation of a new government was not only apt but timely.
The PDP chairman, who told the returnees that there was no new member in the party, assured that henceforth they would be regarded as bona-fide members of the PDP.
“The decision you have taken is the right one because come 2023 nobody who is not PDP will enter Brick House, and I believe you have come back to join us to make the new government come into Brick House so that you will not be called a new person”, Akawor added.
He opined that the reason for joining politics which is to change their environment was not achieved in the APC, hence their decision to return to where the needs of the messes were being met.
The PDP chairman said a formal reception would be organised for them, and urged the leadership of the party in Okrika to fix a date for the ceremony.
Earlier, the member representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2 in the state House of Assembly, Hon Smart Adoki, had said the returnees who were in their hundreds, had the capacity to work for the success of the party in the area.
In his response, former Chairman of OkrikaLocal Government, Hon Godwin Tamuno, said he and other returnees had come to work for the victory of the PDP Governorship candidate, Sir SimFubara, bragging that by their defection to the PDP, there was no more APC in Okrika.
On her part, ClaribelAbam, who expressed joy over leaving the APC, said she would bring her wealth of experience to work in ensuring the success of the party in Okrika in every ramification.
Highpoint of the visit was the symbolic issuance of PDP membership cards to Godwin Tamuno and ClaribelAbam to signal their full readmission into the PDP family.
Other party executive officers present at the meeting were the Deputy Chairman, Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron; Secretary of the party, Dr Benibo George; Treasurer, Barrister Blessing Amadi; Publicity Secretary, Hon TambariGbara; and the Assistant Secretary 2, SuleAmakiri.
In a similar development, another set of decampees from PHALGA also returned to the PDP from APC, in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The historic and colourful event, which took place at the Information Centre, Number 5Field in Port Harcourt City, was graced by some members of the state PDP Executive, including the state Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor; the Deputy Chairman, Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron; the state Secretary, Dr Benibo George; and the state Treasurer and House of Reps candidate for Port Harcourt Constituency 1, Barrister Blessing Amadi.
Also on hand to receive the APC deserters were the party’s candidate for Rivers East Senatorial District, Chief AllwellOnyesoh; the House of Reps candidate for Port Harcourt Constituency 2, Hon ChimaBoms; the House of Assembly member and candidate for Port Harcourt Constituency 2, Hon Smart Adoki; the Chairman of PHALGA, Hon AllwellIhunda; the chairman of PDP in Port Harcourt City, among others.
Speaking while receiving the decampees, PDP Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor, reiterated that there was no discrimination between old and new members in the PDP, contending that new members have equal status with their old counterparts.
The PDP chairman also assured them that nobody who has returned to the party had been left out in the scheme of things, stressing that everyone had been carried along.
Buttressing an instance of non-discrimination in the PDP, Akawor said one of their former party members, Chief AllwellOnyesoh, who left the APC sometime back, was today a senatorial candidate of the PDP.
While advising them to talk to those who were still undecided to take that bold and decisive step, he contended that broom which was the symbol of the APC was used in those days in the Diobu area and old Port Harcourt township by night soil men to pack faeces, noting that it was dishonourable for decent people to carry brooms up and down.
Akawor, who described their action as symbolic, urged them to get their PVCs ready to be able to use it to punish the APC at the polls in 2023.
Earlier, stakeholders of the party in the constituency, including Chief AllwellOnyesoh; Deputy Chairman of PDP, Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron; House of Representatives candidates for PHALGA Constituency 1 and 2, HonChimaBoms;state Treasurer and House of Reps candidate for Port Harcourt Constituency 1, Barrister Blessing Amadi; Mayor of Port Harcourt City, AllwellIhunda; House of Assembly candidate for Port Harcourt Constituency 2, Hon Smart Adoki; PDP chairman in the area, among others, welcomed the decampees, and enjoined them to be ready for the task ahead.
Speaking on behalf of the decampees, former APC State Organising Secretary, Mrs Gloria Nunju; former House of Assembly aspirant for PHALGA Constituency 2,Tonye Napoleon; and Sunday Okiri; affirmed their loyalty, commitment and readiness to work for PDP, pledging to use their PVCs to punish the APC for deceiving them.
They also expressed happiness to be back to the PDP, which they described as “home coming”.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
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