Author: Emmanuel Obe

The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, on Monday swore in the 23 newly elected Local Government Chairmen with a charge to embrace transparency, accountability, and grassroots development. The ceremony, held at Government House, Port Harcourt, signaled another step in the state’s return to democratic governance after months of federal intervention following a breakdown of law and order. Ibas reminded the council chairmen that public office was a trust, not an entitlement. “This victory is not a prize to be enjoyed. It is a burden to be carried. It is not a call to self-interest, but to selfless…

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on Sunday announced results of Saturday’s local government elections, declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) winners in 20 of the state’s 23 councils, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victories in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni. The elections, which were boycotted by opposition parties, witnessed low voter turnout, with many of those who participated identified as party loyalists. Prominent winners include Dr. Chidi Lloyd (Emohua), Chief Obarilomate Ollorma (Eleme), and Mr. Allwell Ihunda (Port Harcourt City). Suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is expected to return to office when the state of…

The Rivers State Local Government elections held on Saturday recorded a low turnout of voters across most areas, despite being largely peaceful. The polls, conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), featured only candidates of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), both reportedly endorsed by the Nyesom Wike political platform. The exercise had been trailed by controversy, with civil society organisations and opposition parties questioning its constitutionality and legitimacy up to the last moments. In Eleme Local Government Area, voting took place in all ten wards, but counting was not done at…

The Hoscom Bulk Petroleum Retailers of Port Harcourt Refinery has raised alarm over the management decisions of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, alleging that his actions are tilting the oil sector in favor of a private refinery. The group’s concerns follow Ojulari’s remarks during a courtesy visit by leaders of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). Ojulari had stated that he discovered on assumption of office that operating the Port Harcourt Refinery was incurring heavy losses, which informed the decision to halt operations pending a…

A new chapter has opened at the Rivers State Microfinance Agency (RIMA) following the assumption of duty by Onene Osila Obele-Oshoko as the agency’s Managing Director on Monday. Onene Osila Obele-Oshoko, who was inaugurated last Friday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), at Government House, Port Harcourt, held her first meeting with staff where she outlined her vision for the agency and sought their cooperation. She pledged that RIMA under her watch would prioritize empowering small businesses across the state by providing access to training, funding, and financial discipline. “We are not going to restrict…

Fresh tension erupted Friday morning at Victory Estate, Rumuosi, along Port Harcourt International Airport Road, as residents reported yet another invasion by armed men allegedly backing a notorious land-grabbing syndicate. The attackers linked to a certain army colonel and others stormed the area under heavy police escort. Residents expressed outrage that the same police officers accompanying the suspects had previously charged them to court, accusing them of lying, after the community petitioned the Inspector General of Police alleging compromise by the then Rivers State Commissioner of Police. According to residents, the syndicate, in collusion with operatives of the Rivers State…

… directs immediate workers relocation The Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Administration has mandated the immediate renovation of the dilapidated State Secretariat complex and urgent relocation of civil servants from hazardous work environments. According to a Government House press releases issued by the Special Assistant to the Administrator on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo, the directive followed an emergency inspection tour led by Committee Chairman Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who assessed both the Secretariat and the stalled Rivers State House of Assembly project. Ihonvbere described the Secretariat’s state as “more deplorable than facilities in war-torn Gaza,” citing: structural hazards, weak floor tiles, leaking…

The Zonal Chairman of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), High Chief Sunny Nkpe, has expressed deep concern over the slow pace of rehabilitation at the Old Port Harcourt Refinery (Area 5), accusing the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, of failing to demonstrate the commitment needed to get the plant running. Nkpe, who visited the refinery site last weekend on a fact-finding mission, said he was alarmed that, despite being shut down on May 24, 2025, for what was billed as a 30-day repair, the…

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied allegations that activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was tortured in custody, insisting his recent arrest was lawful and based on credible criminal complaints. In a statement referenced Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/483 and signed by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police said Sowore was taken into custody over “credible, corroborated allegations” of offences including forgery, cyberstalking, and other infractions under investigation. The statement stressed that his arrest complied with constitutional safeguards and due process, and that he was released on bail within the 48-hour constitutional timeframe provided under Section 35(4) of the…

In a rare show of philanthropy and community, popular businessman and philanthropist, Kingsley Weneda Wali, on Friday at his Rumuagholu home, near Port Harcourt hosted elderly women at his birthday party.He took time out to dance with the women, share hugs and exchange views. At the end of the event his friends shared out cartons of noodles, bags of rice and cooking oil to the women who were overjoyed by the gesture. Wali, also known as Godfather, K-Man, Mallam Wali and GF, is a lawyer, a former politician, public affairs commentator and a businessman.He uses his social media handles to…