Rivers Today News (2025)

04/05/2025

FUBARA’S PROMINENT SUPPORTER IN BONNY LGA RETURNS TO WIKE’S POLITICAL FAMILY

Amasenibo Joel Dagogo Ibaningo, a prominent supporter of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and a high ranking leader of the depleting simplified movement in Bonny LGA has officially dumped Fubara’s political family and announced his return to the mainstream PDP family in Rivers State under the leadership of the FCT Minister , H.E Nyesom Wike.

Former Member Rivers State House of Assembly, Bonny Constituency, Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple received him into the Wike political family at his country home in Bonny Island.

01/05/2025

2025 May Day Statewide Broadcast by Rivers Administrator, H. E , Rtd Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas .

03/04/2025

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

CANCELLATION OF ALL PENDING PROCUREMENT AND TENDER PROCESSES BY THE RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT

In adherence to the Supreme Court judgement upholding the Appeal Court ruling in Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024 and in the absence of an Appropriation Law, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (RTD.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, wishes to notify the general public that all procurement and tender processes that were carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) during the period are hereby cancelled.

Accordingly, all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices are, by this special announcement, mandated to refund such tender fees to the respective contractors IMMEDIATELY, pending the approval of a spending plan by the State, which shall be notified in due course.

Signed:

Prof. Ibibia Worika
Secretary to the State Governmen

02/04/2025

Coalition of civil society organizations call for Fubara’s Investigation

31/03/2025

IBAS INSPECTS TRANS-KALABARI ROAD PROJECT, URGES CONTRACTOR TO KEEP TIMELINE,

On Monday, 31 March 2025, the administrator of Rivers State undertook an inspection tour to two site where some development projects are ongoing.

They are the Trans-kalabari Road project in Rumuolumene Community and the Permanent Secretaries' Quarters in Rumuokwurushi Community, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The Administrator was led to those project site by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Engr. Atemea Briggs

Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas spoke with journalists later and said: "I'm aware we are in the process of building, and those that will be impacted positively are the people of Rivers State.

"I have civil servants that have challenges with their accommodations.

"We have been out there to see how far the project is going and I think I was also assured that the accommodations will be delivered on time so that those who required them will be able to settle down to do their work.

"We are also very much aware of the very difficult, challenging terrain around here, in terms of communication, communicating between communities.

"This project, when completed, I think, will boost the socio-economic life of the State and the Nation as a whole.

"We are hoping and exploring the contractors to make sure they keep to the timelines.

"I think the State has been able to meet up with its own obligation in terms of making available resources for them . So we are counting on them to keep to the completion time."

31/01/2025

OHNA SERGEANT AWUSE DID NOT HIJACK OUR LANDS, WE THE ROYAL FAMILIES OF NDATA AND MGBOH WILLINGLY SOLD IT.

Being a joint statement released by the chiefs and traditional leaders of Rumuchenya in Emohua Kingdom.

31/01/2025.

The attention of we, the Chiefs, traditional heads and Youths of the Ndata and Mgboh families, being direct descendants of Chenya Royal stool, of Emohua Kingdom was recently drawn to a sponsored protest of calumny against the personality of His Majesty, the Wise King, Ohna Serg Awuse DSSRS, Nne-nwe Eli Emohua XIII, Oloh (IV), and Paramount ruler of Emohua Kingdom.

The said campaign contained barefaced lies, so disjointedly written, accusing His Majesty of hijacking lands allegedly belonging to RumuMgboh Royal Family.

By this communique, we state categorically the following;

That those rented protesters do not have the competence, capacity and authorization in any way, shape or form, to represent the Ndata and the Mgboh Royal Families, being the bonafide owners and vendors of the parcel of land in question.

That truly, there were sales of land jointly by, we, the Ndata and Mgboh Royal families as vendors.

That part of the proceeds from the sale was used for the construction of Oloh Daily market, Construction of Obiri Oloh, construction of Onumgbo Oloh and the reconstruction of Ahia-nkwo all within RumuOloh.

That some part of the proceeds were also shared amongst the family heads and the youths of both Ndata and Mgboh Royal Families; and some lodged in the official bank account of Rumuchenya.

That it was after the sale was concluded and the agreements signed by both parties and after the emergence and recognition of His Majesty, the Wise King, as the Nne-nwe Eli Emohua XIII, Oloh (IV), that one Chief Godpower Onuekwa, a contender for the throne but lost out, out of anger and obstinate rebellion to the throne, went to court to challenge the sales of land which was already concluded and agreed to by the Royal Families.

That evidence to substantiate these facts are already before the court. And as law abiding citizens of Rivers State, we are patiently waiting for the courts to determine these cases and give her verdicts.

We also wish to make it clear that the sponsored protest by Chief Godpower Onuekwa and the current plan to instigate a fresh communal conflict in Emohua kingdom are politically motivated plots by Chief Onuekwa and his cohorts who in their imagination think the current political tension in the state would give them the opportunity to plummet the hard earned and towering reputation of His Majesty the Wise King, Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse.

This is true because, Chief Onuekwa carefully chose to resurrect his dead rebellion to the throne and the coordinated attacks on the personality of Ohna Sergeant Awuse, immediately the current political crisis in the state begun and also chose to sponsor protests at a time when he knows His Majesty the Wise King has traveled abroad.

It is at this backdrop, that we the Rumu-Ndata and Rumu-Mgboh royal families call on well meaning sons and daughters of Emohua Kingdom and Rivers State, to call Chief Godpower Onuekwa to order.

He has instituted these matters in court. And it is only expected that when a sane man takes a matter to court, such man would ordinarily remain patient and allow the courts to determine the matters and give her verdicts, and not resort to belligerent tactics and actions that are capable of causing crises and eroding the peace and stability currently enjoyed by the good people of Emohua Kingdom.

Finally we call on the security agencies in the state and Emohua LGA, as well as the government of Rivers State to hold Chief Godpower Onuekwa accountable, should there be any form of breakdown of law and order in Emohua Kingdom.

Signed
Chiefs and Traditional heads of Ndata and Mgboh Royal Families.

13/12/2024

Hypocrisy Unmasked: Emeka Woke Calls Out Governor Fubara's Double Standards and Distrustful Leadership

In a stunning display of political hypocrisy, Governor Sir Siminilayi Fubara has recently condemned the very tools of transparency and accountability—live coverage of project flag-offs and inaugurations—that his predecessor, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, embraced during his tenure.

Just last year, Fubara appointed himself a steward of state resources, labeling such broadcasts as “a sheer waste” that incurs more cost than the projects themselves. Fast forward to less than a year into his own administration, and Fubara has reversed course, plastering his name across televised coverage of projects that barely meet the threshold for local council relevance.

This blatant about-face smacks of hypocrisy and highlights a deeper issue: Fubara’s inability to rise above pettiness and acknowledge the merits of good governance. Instead of fostering transparency, he seems intent on suppressing it, casting a shadow over the true spirit of accountability, negating his background claims as an Accountant.

Adding to the troubling governance style, Fubara appears to wield a narrow view of allegiance, deeming anyone who questions or opposes his political ideology an “enemy of the state.”

At a recent commissioning ceremony for a school project in Ahoada, he displayed his leadership mediocrity by acknowledging that the project was awarded during Wike’s regime, yet he chose not to cancel the contract for those contractors he didn't know personally.

However, in a contradictory move, he swiftly terminated another road contract, declaring the contractor an enemy of the state simply for refusing to support his undermining of Wike.

Such behavior embodies a man who projects an image of victimhood—claiming to be the fly crushed by the sledgehammer—while, in reality, he wields the sledgehammer himself.

This pattern of vindictiveness undermines not just the rule of law but also the very tenets of democracy that the people of Rivers State deserve.

Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that Fubara’s refusal to embrace former allies showcases a dangerous inclination towards division rather than unity.

Governance should be about collaboration and respect for past achievements, qualities sorely lacking in the current administration.
For a man who rose to power on the mantra of "continuity and consolidation", it is rather absurd for the same individual to seek to destroy the ladder that made him a leader today.

As Woke aptly puts it, “Leadership should elevate and unite, not divide and belittle.” It is crucial for Fubara to reflect on the legacies left by his predecessors and acknowledge that good governance is not merely about seeking out perceived enemies but also about recognizing the contributions of all who strive to build a better Rivers State.

If Fubara continues down this ignoble path, he risks alienating the very citizens he swore to serve, cementing his legacy as a politician more interested in settling scores than fostering progress.

Now more than ever, the people of Rivers State need a leader ready to embrace their complexities and work collaboratively for a brighter future and not a leader with divisive tendencies even within his own very household.

04/10/2024

**PROPOSED OCTOBER 5TH, 2024 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMANSHIP ELECTION**

The Nigeria Police Force seeks to inform all law-abiding citizens and stakeholders in Rivers State about the upcoming Local Government Election, particularly in light of recent court rulings.

On July 19, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during the Local Government Election.

Additionally, on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment that again prohibited the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in the Local Government Election.

Given these circumstances, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence.

Recently, an opposition party protested, calling for adherence to the court orders and expressing their determination to prevent any disregard for the law. The Nigeria Police Force encourages all parties to seek appropriate legal redress if they feel aggrieved by any decisions or actions related to the election process.

The Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to maintaining law and order and will not stand idly by in the face of potential disturbances. Necessary actions will be taken to enforce the court’s orders. All Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders have been directed to ensure full compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court.

In view of the above, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department to comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court dated September 30, 2024, which bars the Nigeria Police from allowing, participating in, providing security for, or taking part in the Rivers State Local Government Election on October 5, 2024. All other security agencies are also implored to comply with the Federal High Court judgment.

In light of these developments, the Nigeria Police Force calls on all citizens to remain peaceful and orderly and to cooperate with law enforcement in upholding the rule of law during this crucial period.

SP. GRACE IRINGE-KOKO (ANIPR),
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND.
OCTOBER 3, 2024

30/09/2024

The Federal High court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the purpose of conducting the October 5, 2024 local government elections in the state.

The Court also barred the Inspector General of Police and the Department of the State Service DSS from providing security.

Justice Peter Lifu issued the order against INEC, while delivering judgment in a suit brought before him by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Lifu held that the RSIEC was wrong in fixing the October 5 date for the conduct of the poll into the 23 local governments when all relevant laws guiding the election had not been complied with.

30/08/2024

WE NEVER LEFT ANY PROJECT “ABANDONED “ WORK WENT ON IN ALL OUR PROJECT SITES UNTIL OUR ALLOCATION WAS ILLEGALLY WITHHELD BY GOV FUBARA — Chidi Lloyd, PhD.

The Executive Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd says his administration never abandoned any infrastructure project , including those inherited from past administrations.

Reacting to commentaries by some faceless social media users, wherein the council chairman was maliciously accused of abandoning certain infrastructure projects, which the illegally constituted caretaker committee claims to be completing without access to the local government council secretariat, Dr. Lloyd maintained that construction work went on in all the project sites undertaken by his administration until the allocation of the council was criminally withheld by Rivers State government as directed by Gov Siminalayi Fubara .

Dr. Lloyd who is widely recognized for the infrastructure revolution witnessed across Emohua local government area within his first term in office, described those behind the faceless social media handles as agents of misinformation , urging the public to disregard the ill-conceived propaganda aimed at misleading the unsuspecting members of the public.

It is on record that Dr. Chidi Lloyd is widely adjudged to have redefined local government administration within his first term in office, with unprecedented infrastructure revolution occasioned by his intentional and effective leadership of the local government council, with array of people oriented infrastructure projects sited at strategic locations across Emohua LGA.

Some of the signature projects undertaken by the administration of Dr. Chidi Lloyd within the period under review , some of which were inherited from past administrations include :

1. Construction of 1 Kilometer Evekwu community road with 2 kilometer drainage— Completed and commissioned .

2. Construction of 1.5 Kilometer Uke-Eli road with 3 kilometer drainage in Rundele— Completed and Commissioned.

3. Construction of 1 Kilometer Chief Nyesom Wike Drive with 2 kilometer drainage , Akpabu New Layout—- Completed and Commissioned .

4. Construction of 1.2 Kilometer Ubimini Community road (Phase 2) at 95% completion stage .

5. Construction of 1 Kilometer Omkpova-Mgbere road with 2 kilometer drainage in Ibaa at 90% completion stage.

6. Construction of 1 Storey Building Emohua Divisional Police Headquarters — Completed and Commissioned .

7. Construction of 1 Storey Building Egbeda Divisional Police Headquarters at block laying level.

8. Construction of Emohua High Court Complex at block laying stage .

9. Construction of Chief Emeka Woke ICT Centre — Completed , Equipped and Commissioned .

10. Construction of Emohua Council Chapel / Marriage Registry— Completed and Commissioned.

11. Construction of Ultramodern Emohua Council Canteen — Completed and Commissioned .

12. Construction of Emohua LGA Primary Healthcare Center / Annex / Cold Chain Facility— Completed and Commissioned .

13. Construction of 500 Seater Emohua Council Pavilion named after Amb. Mary Ngozi Kekwaru—- Completed and Commissioned .

14. Provision of 20,000 Litres Emohua Council Braithwaite Water Reticulation Project —- Completed and Commissioned .

15. Provision of 30,000 Litres Braithwaite Akpabu Community Water Project — Completed and Commissioned.

16. Construction of Emohua Vigilante Services (EMOVIS) Secretariat Complex — Completed and Commissioned.

17. The Construction of Emohua Local Government Administrative Building at 95% Completion stage.

18. Reconstruction and Remodeling of Emohua Local Government Legislative Council Complex at 80 % completion stage.

19. Remodeling and Completion of Emohua Local Government Council Office Complex abandoned by successive generations at 80 % Completion stage.

20. Construction of Commercial Bank Building at 90% completion stage.

21. Construction of Emohua Council ATM Gallery— Completed and Commissioned .

22. Completion and Remodeling of Elele-Alimini Healthcare Center at 90 % completion stage .

23. Restoration of Electricity in Emohua LGA— Counterpart Funding paid in full.

It is imperative to note that all the projects that are yet to be completed by the administration of Dr. Chidi Lloyd were still being funded and routinely inspected in line with the council chairman’s commitment to quality and timely project delivery until the seizure of the council funds from the federation account, through the joint account with the Rivers State Government on the directive of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in the first quarter of 2024.

The administration of Dr. Chidi Lloyd doesn’t have any history of project abandonment, as the council chairman and his team in collaboration with the political leaders of Emohua LGA had periodically inaugurated completed projects to the admiration of lovers of good governance, but to the envy of his traducers suspected to be funding the faceless social media pages , with the aim of discrediting the Akpabu born infrastructure revolutionist and prudent manager of public fund.

Bright Jossy-Elendu
Chief Press Secretary To The Chairman, Emohua Local Government Area.

Friday, August 30, 2024

25/07/2024

Illegal Local Govt Caretaker Committee:

Gov Fubara's ally, Ihunwo Chijioke blows hot; cautions President Bola Tinubu, as he threatens to engage the Police in a gun fight.

19/07/2024

TOP RIVERS GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SECRETLY BANKROLLS PLANNED NATIONWIDE PROTEST AGAINST TINUBU’S ADMINISTRATION

Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara is providing financial backing for the organisers of the planned nationwide demonstration against the government of President Bola Tinubu.

The protest, which is billed to kickoff in August, is expected to be staged in the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory if everything goes as planned.

Mr. Ehie, who is apparently working on behalf of Governor Fubara reportedly met with
Omoyele Sowore, Rinu Oduala, Aisha Yesufu, and Henry Shield at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt some time in June this year. The aforementioned names are the arrowheads of the said protest.

The meeting between Fubara's Chief of Staff and the anti-Tinubu protest organisers was facilitated by the representative of Ideato North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Reps, Ikenga Ugochinyere. The Imo federal lawmaker is a strong ally of Fubara, and has been very vocal against Tinubu’s government.

Rivers State Governor's concealed donation to the organisers of the planned protest tagged through Edison Ehie is around the region of $1 million. The money is meant for preliminary mobilisation of youths across the country, engagement of influencers on X, and coordinated media coverage until it becomes organic like .

Ehie pleaded with them not to involve the political crisis in Rivers State in their demands during the demonstration because his boss, the governor, would not want to be considered one of the backers of a protest against Mr. President.

He asked them to make the country too hot for the president, that he will not entertain any impeachment suggestion in Rivers State. He believes that if the country is boiling like during the time of , President Tinubu will not wish for Rivers State to be added to his problems.

Edison Ehie was accompanied to the meeting by the member representing Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency, Boma Goodhead.

Rivers Today News