Politics

RIVERS APC CALLS FOR THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE

Published

1 year ago

June 19, 2024

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State is calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare a “State of Emergency” in Rivers State, as a result of the current spate of lawlessness across Rivers State, occasioned by the broadcast made by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State on Monday, 17th June, 2024, in which he directed the Heads of Local Government Administration in the State to take over the affairs of the councils, and await “further directives.”

Sir (Chief) Tony C. Okocha, DSSRS, JP, the Leader/Chairman of the APC in Rivers State made the call earlier today in a press briefing at the Rivers State Secretariat of the APC in Port Harcourt, on “The State of Affairs in Rivers State”, following the violence that erupted in several local government areas in the State after the broadcast of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by the supporters of the Governor.

Speaking to newsmen during the press briefing, the Rivers APC Leader/Chairman said, “l want to use this opportunity to absolve the members of the APC in Rivers State.”

“We are not part of the ongoing war in Rivers State. I also want to absolve the innocent citizens of Rivers State, who are going about their legitimate businesses to put food on the table.”

“They are not part of the war. The war is between Governor Siminalayi Fubara versus Governor Siminalayi Fubara. That is the war in Rivers State. The Governor is unteachable. He doesn’t take wise counsel”, he added.

“The Chief of Staff to the Governor is the one leading armed thugs – Non State Actors – who are brandishing guns to various local government areas, and causing mayhem.”

“The Federal High Court, and the State High Court am told cannot sit. Young men are brandishing all manner of guns everywhere like it is their right now, and they’re doing it at liberty.”

“The boys have been let loose on the innocent citizens of Rivers State, and the people living and doing business in the State. The Police is helpless, and the Governor himself is also helpless.”

“In Omuma local government area, a Police officer was shot dead. A Vigilante Member was also shot dead. Was that necessary”?

“A boy in Ahoada was also shot dead. He was a former Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, here in Port Harcourt. That boy died yesterday. He was carrying and waving “Asawana flag”, and was saying Asawana is not a love song. He is gone. These are the ones that are reported.”

Speaking further, Sir (Chief) Tony C. Okocha said, “We are in a trouble in Rivers State. We are in a state of war, and it is because the Governor is unteachable and doesn’t listen to wise counsel, even the counsel of Mr President .”

“The APC in Rivers State, the APC that I represent today is asking and demanding for a State of Emergency in Rivers State, so that Rivers people will live in peace because it will be too late to cry when the head is off.”

“The reasons and the indices of war, full blown war are palpable and clear. The Federal Government of Nigeria should do what they should do so that the situation does not degenerate into a situation that we will be seeing fire everywhere. This is our position as a party in the State.”

On the submission by Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, who was the immediate past Minister of Transportation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that 84% of Nigerians doesn’t like the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sir (Chief) Tony C. Okocha said, “We distance ourselves from that personal expression of his idiosyncrasies. It is not our position as the APC in Rivers State, it is his own position.”

“We support, whole and entire, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and we have passed a vote of confidence on him, consistent with what was done by the South-South leadership of the APC in a meeting that held in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital on Sunday, the 16th day of June, 2024,” Sir (Chief) Tony C. Okocha said.

Amb. Vincent Gbosi,
Special Assistant on Media to the Chairman,
Caretaker Committee (CTC),
All Progressives Congress (APC),
Rivers State.

June 19, 2024.

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ADC Strengthens Party Structure with Release of State Chairmen Names

Published

8 minutes ago

July 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a significant step in bolstering its organizational structure nationwide by releasing the names of its state chairmen for all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This move aims to enhance coordination and leadership at the state level as the party prepares for future elections.

Full List of ADC State Chairmen:

South-South
Akwa Ibom State: Duke Gabriel Dick
Delta State: Austine Okotie
Rivers State: Ode Lawrence E

South-East

Abia State: Iyke Nwoka
Anambra State: Patrick Obianyo
Ebonyi State: Jennifer Adibie N
Enugu State: Stella Chukwula
Imo State: Prof James Okoroma

North-Central
Benue State: Celestine Orbunda
Kogi State: John Adeli Udale
Kwara State: Adebayo Akadi
Nasarawa State: Musa S. Shuaib
Niger State: Auta Mohammed
Plateau State: Hanatu Garaba

North-East
Adamawa State: Yohanna Shehu K
Bauchi State: Hon. Haruna Hassan
Borno State: Mohammed Bolori
Gombe State: Mallam Danladi Yau
Taraba State: Adamu Hassan
Yobe State: Alh. Kalli Umar

North-West
Jigawa State: Alh. Sanni Mohammed
Kaduna State: Ahmed Tijani M
Kano State: Ungogo Musa
Katsina State: Alh. Usman Musa
Kebbi State: Hajia Hawa Mohammed
Sokoto State: Hon. Umar Farouk
Zamfara State: Alh. Kabiru Garba

South-West
Ekiti State: Adekolu O. Moses
Lagos State: George Ashiru
Ogun State: Otunba Pat. Olufemi
Ondo State: Chief Mrs. Ganiyu Sidirika
Osun State: Charles Idowu
Oyo State: Alh. Yinka Adona
FCT: Yusuf Tijani

Politics

Akpabio removes Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senate committee chair

Published

16 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced the replacement of suspended senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations

Akpabio, during plenary on Thursday, announced Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new chairman of the committee.

As a result, Bassey replaces Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, whose leadership of the committee had been uncertain due to her suspension.

Recall that in a minor reshuffle earlier in February, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was removed as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content and reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee.

Although no formal explanation was provided for her replacement, it is thought that the move may not be unconnected to her suspension.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had ordered Natasha’s reinstatement, mandating her to tender an apology to the Senate for her conduct.

But the Senate maintains it is yet to receive a certified true copy of the court’s judgement.

Natasha, on her part, is yet to tender the apology.

Politics

Ekiti 2026: SDP slams Oyebanji’s performance, APC fires back

Published

19 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Political temperature in Ekiti State is already heating up as the 2026 governorship election approaches, with the opposition Social Democratic Party, SDP, and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, locked in a war of words over Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s leadership.

SDP State Chairman, Bamikole Ayodele, on Thursday, criticized the Oyebanji-led administration, accusing it of underperforming in critical sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, security, tourism, and job creation.

He alleged that the governor had mismanaged public resources and failed to meet the expectations of the electorate.

“The governor is not delivering on his mandate,” Ayodele said during a press briefing in Ado-Ekiti. “There is little to show in terms of infrastructure. Ekiti, being an agriculturally rich state, has seen no meaningful reform to empower our youth or boost food production.”

He also accused the administration of partisan governance, claiming that employment and development initiatives are being disproportionately directed toward APC loyalists.

“Governor Oyebanji must remember he governs the entire state, not just his party,” he said, urging the administration to embrace innovation, merit, and inclusivity.

In a swift reaction, APC State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, dismissed the SDP’s criticisms as baseless and politically motivated. He described the opposition as “moribund” and its leaders as people seeking relevance ahead of the next election cycle.

“Oyebanji’s performance speaks for itself,” Dipe stated. “From agriculture to infrastructure, security to tourism, the administration is making meaningful progress. Visit the rural areas, projects are ongoing. Though the rainy season may slow construction, the development efforts are visible.”

He cited the restoration of electricity to long-neglected communities and road construction projects in remote areas as clear indicators of the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth. Dipe also pointed to the governor’s high approval ratings among residents as proof of public confidence.

“The people of Ekiti know who is working for them,” The SDP’s claim that it can unseat the APC in 2026 is not only unrealistic but laughable. They lack the structure and visibility to mount a serious challenge,” he said.