News
See What is Happening in Rivers State Now.
By Divine Perezide
…Asserts Local Government Elections Are Non-Negotiable
…Commends Rivers People for Resisting RSIEC Invasion
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) will be held accountable if there is any breakdown of law and order in the state.
The governor made this statement during a world press conference at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday. He revealed that, in the early hours of the same day, he received a report regarding an attempt by the Nigeria Police to invade the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office.
Governor Fubara explained that, just a few hours after receiving a signal indicating that police officers would be withdrawn from the RSIEC premises, he went to the site. Upon his arrival, he observed a group of heavily armed policemen in one truck and three empty vans attempting to enter the RSIEC office, but their efforts were thwarted.
The governor expressed his disappointment, describing the police movement as a deliberate attempt by officers from both the Rivers State Police Command and the Force Headquarters to disrupt the upcoming local government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5, by stealing electoral materials.
Fubara questioned why the police were targeting a state agency such as RSIEC, especially when the court ruling they cited did not order the sealing of the agency or the suspension of the election. Instead, the ruling simply instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to provide a voter register and directed the police not to participate.
“On the matter of the voter register, RSIEC has informed us that they already have it, so there is no reason for the election not to proceed. Regarding security, if the police do not wish to participate, they should withdraw. I am making it clear that any act against this election will create lawlessness in the state, and the IGP will be responsible,” the governor emphasized.
He continued, “The Rivers State Government and RSIEC have a judgment that allows the election to be conducted using the 2023 voter register. The Police, DSS, Nigerian Army, and other security agencies are expected to provide security. I am not a lawyer, but I understand that, in terms of court orders, there is precedence, so why this special interest in the Federal High Court judgment?”
Fubara further questioned why Rivers State is being singled out for scrutiny, when the Supreme Court had previously ruled that local government activities must be conducted by elected officials. He pointed out that a meeting between the President and state governors had established a 90-day timeline to comply with the Supreme Court ruling, and many states are organizing elections to meet this directive. Rivers State is doing the same, he noted.
The governor also recalled a Supreme Court judgment following the June 12 incident in Nigeria, stating that no court should halt an election process.
He urged those opposed to the election to seek legal redress rather than trying to disrupt the process and create instability in the state. He noted that many people are already struggling with hardship and hunger, and attempts to destabilize local government could worsen the situation for civil servants.
Fubara reassured the people of Rivers State that his administration had done everything necessary to ensure that the local government elections would proceed as scheduled. He also questioned why Rivers State is often treated differently when interpreting the law, stressing that local government administration is within the purview of state governments, and federal institutions have no authority to dictate how it should be run.
The governor concluded, “I am informing everyone today that any attempt to stop this election will be resisted. We will not allow Rivers State to descend into chaos to protect the interest of an individual.”
He commended the people of Rivers State for their courage in supporting his administration’s efforts to resist what he described as an illegal attempt by the police to interfere with the election.
Fubara noted that it is the statutory duty of the police to maintain law and order, and he found it surprising that the police had chosen to act as adversaries to the state. He hoped that the police would correct this impression if it was based on misinformation.
He reiterated that the local government election scheduled for Saturday is non-negotiable. He also stated that the winners of the election would be sworn in promptly to begin their duties.
Fubara explained that his administration had formally written to the National Security Adviser, providing copies of the court judgment to request security for the election. Copies were also sent to the IGP, the Director General of the DSS, and other relevant agencies, ensuring that the President was informed of the process.
The governor affirmed that the withdrawal of police services would not affect the election, as other security agencies would still participate.
Source: Gist Report
News
GOV OBOREWORI BOOSTS TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITH 65 LAND CRUISERS TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS PEACE
By: Divine Perezide
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, has handed over 65 brand new Toyota Land Cruisers to traditional rulers across the state in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, peacebuilding, and rural security coordination.
Presenting the vehicles in Asaba, the state government said the gesture reflects the administration’s recognition of the strategic role traditional institutions play in maintaining social stability, mediating communal disputes, and fostering collaboration between communities and government agencies.
The governor described traditional rulers as indispensable partners in sustaining harmony in rural areas, noting that enhanced mobility would enable quicker engagement with communities, faster response to emerging tensions, and closer cooperation with security operatives.
“This intervention is part of our people-centered leadership approach. It is a deliberate effort to build lasting peace and sustain the achievements of our MORE Agenda,” Governor Oborevwori stated, emphasizing that development thrives only in an atmosphere of peace.
Government officials explained that the vehicles would improve accessibility across difficult terrains, enable traditional leaders to attend to community matters more efficiently, and reinforce the interface between grassroots institutions and the state.
Stakeholders have commended the initiative as timely, especially as many rural communities rely heavily on traditional institutions for conflict resolution, cultural administration, and early warning mechanisms in times of tension.
With the distribution of the Land Cruisers, the Oborevwori administration says it remains committed to deepening rural engagement, strengthening local leadership structures, and advancing its peace-building framework across Delta State.
IduwiniVoice
By: Derick Peretengboro
Port Harcourt, 12 January 2026 — A Reconciliation Committee appointed by the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has appealed to political actors in Rivers State to end the ongoing crisis that has deeply affected governance and public confidence in the oil-rich state.
Headed by Chief Godwin Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON, the Committee was inaugurated on 12th January 2026 to “explore ways of bringing the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end,” a crisis, the Committee noted, that “has persisted for too long.”
In a statement at the inauguration, Chief Agabi said the Committee was privileged to serve and expressed gratitude to God and PANDEF leadership, particularly Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, and His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Papapraye Diete Spiff, former Governor of Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass. The statement described Sir Diete Spiff as “a man whose commitment to the South-South and the nation as a whole has never been in doubt,” adding that “it is the sacrifices of men like him that bequeathed the States of the South-South to the people of that area.”
Highlighting the gravity of the state’s political stand-off, the Committee warned that continuing conflict could erode confidence in the political actors’ commitment to the “interest of the people of Rivers State and of the nation.”
Using a local proverb to caution against self-destructive disputes, the statement urged caution: “Let the parties involved not be as the Clam and the Oyster … The fisherman picked them up, took them home and made a nice fine meal of Clam and Oyster. May it not be with Rivers State as it was with the Clam and the Oyster.”
Chief Agabi expressed optimism that the crisis could be resolved without external intervention, arguing that “the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one” and urging humility: “If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found.”
The Committee called for goodwill and prayer, countering the often-held view that religion has no place in politics. The statement read: “The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation … Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators … it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions.”
On the key figures involved in the crisis, Chief Agabi spoke personally of both the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Governor Fubara, saying: “The Minister … is my friend. He is my benefactor.… The mighty hand of God is upon him. That great Hand demands that he should lead this reconciliation … I trust [Governor Fubara] to respect that bond.”
The Committee also extended respect to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, praying for “a change of heart on their part” and urging them that “in forgiving the Governor whatever wrongs he has committed … they will demonstrate … restraint, … public spirit and … maturity.”
Concluding its charge, the Committee emphasized that it was not a judicial body, but an appeal for unity: “This Committee is not appointed to sit in judgment … Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one another… We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation… Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace.”
By: Divine Perezide
Warri, Delta State — Residents of the Warri Federal Constituency and surrounding environment are set to witness the public presentation of a new book titled “Warri Federal Constituency Delineation: Itsekiri & the Challenge of Sustaining the Burden of Lies”, authored by M. Keme.
The event, being organized by Niger Delta Scholars on behalf of stakeholders in the constituency, is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Warri, with proceedings commencing at 11:00am.
According to the organizers, the book interrogates historical and contemporary issues surrounding the delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, with particular focus on the Itsekiri ethnic group and the socio-political narratives that have shaped representation over the years.
The public presentation will be chaired by Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), who is expected to lend scholarly insight into the relevance of the publication to ongoing debates in Niger Delta politics.
The book will be formally reviewed by noted academic Professor Benedict Binebai, providing an evaluative perspective on the text and its contributions to regional political discourse.
The organizers have issued an open invitation to scholars, political leaders, community stakeholders, and the general public to attend the presentation ceremony. Enquiries and confirmations can be directed to the official RSVP line: 08023865232.
The forthcoming launch is anticipated to spark renewed intellectual and civic engagement on constituency delineation, ethnic relations, and democratic representation in the Niger Delta.