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I Won’t Govern Rivers Like Wike—West Assures Electorates

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By Dipo Olowookere

Governorship aspirant under the aegis of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Soalabo West, has assured the people of Rivers State that his approach to governance will be totally different from the style of the incumbent Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike.

The aspiring Governor gave this assurance during a radio show on Nigeria Info 92.3 FM.

According to the politician, “My style of governance will surely be different from that of Governor Wike. I am a social democrat; therefore, I will be guided by the principles of equity, justice and fairness. All 23 local government areas will benefit from government projects.”

He lamented that, “It is not proper to concentrate government projects in Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas. There are 23 local government areas in the state. Each local government is as important as any other local government.”

Mr West, a lawyer just like the incumbent Governor, further stated that, “To inspire rapid industrialisation and create employment, each local government or old district headquarters will have an industrial park that will better harness its domestic potential. Locating industries in rural communities will checkmate urban migration and reduce crime and criminality.”

He stated that he was challenging Governor Wike for the governorship ticket of the PDP because for 20 years, all successive governors in Rivers State have come from the upland area of the state.

“Former Governor Peter Odili from Andoni served for eight years. Former Governors Celestine Omehia and Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi from Ikwerre jointly served for another eight years. Incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike, also from Ikwerre, has served for four years. In all, governors from the upland have collectively served for 20 unbroken years.”

Mr West bemoaned that, “Some people have asked me why don’t I wait until 2023 to pursue my governorship ambition. In 2023, the upland would have produced governors of the state for 24 successive years. I doubt if anyone born in 1999 will understand what the upland/riverine dichotomy means.”

He explained that, “Yes, I am Soalabo West from Buguma in Asari-Toru local government area. It is because I am from Buguma in Asari-Toru local government area that I am an indigene of Rivers State. Therefore, I know how far governance is from the riverine communities in Rivers State.”

“Land mass is a pervasive problem in the riverine communities. The state government needs to engage in a massive dredging and land reclamation project in the riverine communities. The state government in partnership with the federal government needs to clean up our polluted waterways; Rivers; creeks; swamps; lakes and ponds,” he added.

Mr West emphasised that, “After the clean-up, government needs to put millions of fishes into the waterways; Rivers; creeks; swamps; lakes and ponds to develop a new colony of fishes so that fishing can become a profitable venture as it was about 30 years ago. We need a government that can turn around the economic fortunes of the people of the riverine communities.”

In another event where he launched his campaign website, www.soalabowest.org, Mr West further stated that: “I have been a member of the PDP for over 10 years. I am a loyal member of the party. The PDP supports the principle of rotation. I strongly believe that we should give someone from the riverine after 20 years of power residing in the upland to govern the state with a different style; ideals; model and methodology.”

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today

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Abuja Night of Glory

By Blaise Udunze

Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.

The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.

Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.

Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.

The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.

Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.

Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.

Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.

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Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC

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rivers speaker Martin Amaewhule defect

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.

This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.

The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.

This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.

A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.

Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.

It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.

Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN

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energy sector

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.

The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.

Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.

According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.

“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.

He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.

Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.

He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.

“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.

On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.

“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.

He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.

Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.

He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.

“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.

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