News

NCSU Backs Fubara, Urges Police To Vacate Council Secretariats

Published

2 years ago

July 1, 2024

The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has thrown its weight behind the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over current events in the 23 local government areas in the State, following the expiration of the tenure of elected council chairmen and councillors on June 17, 2024.
It would be recalled that Governor Fubara had directed Heads of Local Administration to take charge of the councils, and subsequently announced the appointment of caretaker committees to run the affairs of the councils in the interim.But in a dramatic twist, the police barricaded the gates of the councils, thereby barring both the caretaker committees and workers from accessing the council secretariats.
Following this development, the NCSU said the actions taken by Governor Fubara to fill the void created by the expiration of the tenure of the former council chairmen and councillors were in order, since nature abhors a vacuum, and called on the police to vacate the council secretariats, without further delay.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave this indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said Governor Fubara acted in good faith by not allowing a vacuum at the councils, and advised the former council chairmen and councillors to take the decision in good faith, since their tenure as elected officers of the councils had elapsed, as provided in the Constitution, in order to allow peace, law and order to prevail in the State.
Osumah noted that the former council chairmen in particular ought to have known, as people of good conscience, that they were not going to stay beyond one day in office after the expiration of their tenure, instead of banking on a non-existent extension of their tenure by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, saying the former council chairmen were supposed to be true democrats and not the other way round.
He further indicated that the former council chairmen had no moral justification for going to the council secretariats during a public holiday to challenge or contest the decision of the Governor, adding that those of them who visited the councils last Tuesday were supposed to be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in some of the councils.
While suing for peace, Osumah said the people of the State should give Governor Fubara all the support he needs to weather the current political storm, in order to continue to pilot the affairs of the State unhindered, reiterating that the Governor is fully in charge of governance in the State in spite of distractions.
The labour leader, however, regretted the recent loss of lives and property during clashes in Omuma Local Government Area, and called on all Rivers people, particularly the former council chairmen to give peace a chance.
While denouncing those calling for a state of emergency to be declared in the State, Osumah said such calls are made in bad faith by those who do not mean well for the State, insisting that the calls are unwarranted because the State has continued to enjoy unprecedented and unparalleled peace that has encouraged businesses and investments to thrive and flourish in the State, describing those making the calls as enemies of the State.
He said he was lending his voice to that of the organised labour in the State to call on the Inspector General of Police to immediately lift the siege placed on the local government secretariats across the State by ordering his men to vacate the councils without further delay, to enable council workers gain access to their duty posts.
He said the current siege on the councils by the police is an ill wind that does nobody any good, as it has effectively deprived the people the dividends of democracy which the Fubara administration has been providing to the people within the past one year, saying the governor needs all the support and concentration he could muster to continue to provide good governance to the people.
The labour leader urged civil servants in the State to continue to rally round Governor Fubara and his administration to continue with the good work of giving workers’ welfare top priority.
While commending Governor Fubara for the successful celebration of his one year in office, with commissioning and flag-off of numerous projects, Osumah noted that attempt to truncate the peace of the State by political gladiators is an attempt to truncate the opportunity and determination of the present administration to give governance a human face.
He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be wary of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike over the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, and call him to order, as he is remotely stoking the flame that is burning in the State.

News

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

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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