Author: Emmanuel Obe

Opposition candidates in last Saturday’s Rivers East Senatorial District bye-election have rejected the victory of Senator Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging irregularities and calling for the cancellation of the exercise. However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the allegations and challenged the aggrieved candidates to seek legal redress if they possess evidence contradicting the official results. According to INEC, Nwogu secured 47,961 votes to emerge winner of the election. The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came second with 1,647 votes, while Douglas Fabeke of the Action Alliance (AA) polled 1,175 votes to…

The Decade of Gas Secretariat, in collaboration with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), has intensified efforts to promote public understanding of Nigeria’s gas economy through a media capacity-building workshop for journalists in Port Harcourt. The June 19, 2026 programme brought together 30 journalists from television, radio, print and digital media organisations to enhance reporting on the country’s gas development agenda and its contribution to economic growth, energy security, industrialisation, job creation and improved living standards. Speaking at the event, Mr. Taofeek Balogun of the Decade of Gas Secretariat said the Port Harcourt…

The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday received the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) from Governor Siminalayi Fubara and deferred debate on the document to allow lawmakers undertake a detailed examination of its contents. The MTEF was presented during the first legislative sitting of the Fourth Session of the Tenth Assembly following the House’s return from recess. Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, while reading a correspondence from Governor Fubara, informed members that he had received the framework document from the governor. The document was subsequently laid before the House by the Majority Leader and Leader…

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, is set to host prominent personalities from government, academia, traditional institutions, business and religious organizations today as activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day Celebration, the Day of the African Child (DAC) and the 10th Day of the Muslim New Year 1448AH (Ashura) reach their grand finale. The event, scheduled for 2 p.m., is being organized by Treasury Ventures, publishers of Achievers World International Magazine, Asiwaju Trumpet, NIMMA International Magazine, Kwara People Magazine and Stop Violence Magazine. The programme will feature keynote lectures, goodwill messages and the presentation of…

The Rivers State Government has shut down the site of a three-storey building that collapsed on Monday night at Slaughter Street, Rumuolumeni, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, as investigations begin into the cause of the incident. The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Amairigha Edward-Hart, led officials of the ministry on an inspection of the collapsed structure to assess the situation and determine the possible factors responsible for the disaster. Speaking after the inspection, Edward-Hart said preliminary findings suggest that the collapse may have resulted from the engagement of unqualified engineers, the use of substandard building materials, or…

Participants at Saturday’s People’s Assembly on the gas leak in Bille Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have demanded immediate declaration of a state of emergency in the community by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The participants made up of civil society groups, traditional rulers, community, women and youth organisations and human rights activists said the situation in Bille required no further delay lest the situation degenerate into a colossal human disaster. The gas leakages in the community were noticed since last year by residents who noticed bubbles on the waters around the community, openings in the…

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has been installed as the new Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, assuming the revered traditional title of Daufa VI. His ascension to the throne comes six months after the demise of the former monarch and follows the provisions of the Ayakoro Community Constitution, which stipulate that the Deputy Paramount Ruler automatically succeeds the late ruler, thereby ensuring continuity in the community’s traditional leadership structure. The transition process was supervised by officials of the Bayelsa State…

The Obi of Owa Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Obi Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the train accident that occurred four days ago in Owa Oyibu, Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, resulting in the death of four persons and injuries to several others. Speaking during a visit to the scene of the incident, the monarch urged relevant government agencies to thoroughly investigate both the immediate and underlying causes of the mishap. He expressed concern over reports linking the derailment to the activities of vandals who target government infrastructure. According to Obi…

Despite having been edged out of next year’s governorship election, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed that democracy remains the most effective system of government for Nigeria, describing it as the strongest pathway to national unity, sustainable development, and shared prosperity. In a goodwill message to Nigerians to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, Governor Fubara said the significance of June 12 extends beyond a historic date, noting that it symbolizes the sacrifices, struggles, and aspirations of Nigerians for freedom, justice, and representative governance. The governor congratulated Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion and…

Rivers State Government will begin promotion interviews for civil servants in the state from Monday next week. A circular issued on June 4th, 2026 by the Permanent Secretary of f the Civil Service Commission, James Enebeli, said the interviews will involve all categories of government workers including those in extra ministerial agencies and the House of Assembly. Those in Rivers State will be interviewed at the conference hall of the civil service commission in Port Harcourt while those in Lagos and Abuja will be interviewed at the Rivers State Liaison offices in Lagos and Abuja. It’s the first time in…