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New Structure Owned By Rivers People’ll Emerge Oct 5 Fubara …Assures Level Playing Field For All Parties …Urges Full Participation Of Electorate
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the 5th October, 2024 Local Government election will be another opportunity for Rivers people to witness the rebirth of a new (political) structure that they can own.
The Governor made the assertion when he received on solidarity visit leaders and members of The Simplicity Movement, led by High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich at the gates of Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
High Chief Jackrich, popularly known as Egberipapa, was also the governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) in the 2023 election in Rivers State.
Governor Fubara, in putting the records straight, said he hardly comes out to receive people on solidarity visit to him but had to personally receive this group in order to show respect to the leadership of The Simplicity Movement.
He explained that the group and its leadership are people who have on their volition decided to gather together, and publicly declare their support to his administration.
He said, “You know at this time, people are paying people money but we don’t do it. People come out on their own to show support to us. Knowing the calibre of the founder of this group, knowing the role he has played with other people, and him choosing to be part of the success of our administration, I said I was going to honour him by coming to address you.”
Governor Fubara commended the group for their decision to identify with his administration, and enjoined them to remain firm in their commitment as they synergise efforts at defending and protecting the interest of Rivers State at all times.
Specifically, Governor Fubara said: “We must defend the dignity of our State. We must ensure that the commonwealth of this State belongs to everyone. That is why our slogan is ‘Rivers First’. Because we believe that if we take Rivers first, there won’t be crime. If we take Rivers first, there won’t be hunger. If we take Rivers first, there will be employment.”
Governor Fubara told them that the journey of liberating the State had begun, adding that the forthcoming Local Government Election will be another opportunity for Rivers people to witness the rebirth of truly new (political) structure.
He urged them to freely participate in the election since it will be a very important ingredient that will help his administration to chart the second phase of the struggle.
He added, “Our journey is just starting. We are preparing for election on the 5th of October. I want you to participate actively in that election.
“That election is going to be the turnaround. That election is the rebirth of a new and strong structure that doesn’t belong to anybody; and you can see that that is why they are running everywhere to stop it.
“What is structure? Structure is ownership: the one who controls the LGA; the one who controls the resources; the one who gives employment to our local people; the one who shares the State and the local government resources among its people. And that is what I want this government to stand for (and defend in the interest of the people).”
Governor Fubara pointed to the need for them to continue to maintain the peace that he had always preached all the time.
He told the group that the State is dear to him, stressing that anyone who loves the State will understand the importance of maintaining peace.
He explained, “Anybody who is taking the side of violence doesn’t love the State. That is the truth! If you love the State, you will take to the path of peace. So, please, while you go about supporting me, maintain law and order. Be peaceful.
“So, continue to be strong for Rivers State, not for Fubara. I can also say this here: If Fubara is not here, God would have also provided another person that would have also taken this course, because it is a divine course. That is the truth!
“But, however, we are the ones here. We will stand with you, and with your support, we will walk the talk to the end.”
In his speech, leader and founder of the Simplicity Movement, High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich said, having inaugurated the Movement, they decided to undertake the solidarity visit to publicly declare their support to Governor Fubara, who has demonstrated determination to restore the dignity of the State.
He said that their support for the Governor was premised on his belief in the peace and progress of the State, stressing that the administration’s focus on Rivers First was an inspiration to the group, which efforts to promote good governance was unshakeable.
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RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
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