General
Rivers APC Congratulates Newly Elected Ward Executives
By Nwaorgu Faustinus
Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the unprecedented success and peace recorded during its ward congresses of 5th May, 2018 in the 319 Wards of the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State as an act of God, the beginning of the collapse of the fascist regime of Governor Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike and redeeming the State from further downward slide.
The party leadership in a statement circulated to journalists by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the Media Consultant to Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, State Chairman of Rivers APC on May 6, 2018 further described the positive outcome of the Ward Congresses as good prevailing over evil, light shining out darkness. With this success, we are convinced that Governor Wike and his agents in APC will not only be ashamed but counting their loses, adding the party expects Wike to start preparing to account for the evil he and his agents envisioned against Rivers State and her people.
The APC noted that considering the unprecedented vandalization of its State Secretariat by well-known elements of the party induced by Governor Wike of Rivers State, the party have set up a Stock-Taking Committee to ascertain the level of damage of the property of the party vandalised and stolen which the culprits of this heinous crime will pay.
The committee under the chairmanship of Barr Amachree the party Administrative Secretary with Chief Emeka Bekee the party’s Secretary as its secretary will assist the police in her investigation of this evil plot envisaged to ruin our party and cast aspersion on the party’s leadership” Chief Davies said.
The statement reads: “The party describes those behind the vandalization of her Secretariat as cowards and enemies of democracy and urges the Police to ensure that the law takes its full toll on all those implicated in the wanton vandalisation of the party’s secretariat situated at old GRA Port Harcourt.
“The Chairman reiterated that no party member found culpable in this heinous crime no matter how highly placed he or she may be, will go scot free in this regard.
“The party admonishes her members who are dancing, dining with Governor Nyesom Wike a PDP Chieftain to endeavour to join him instead of acting as moles and stooges of a retrogression person. The party emphasized that enough is enough for the acts exhibited by these double faced elements.
“The APC congratulates the newly elected Ward Leaders and urge them not to relent until the evil administration of Governor Wike is rooted out from Rivers State. The party explains to the newly Ward leaders to be prayerful, watchful and committed towards the ideals and vision of the party and to be good Ambassadors of the party at their various Wards as we collectively march to reclaim our State come 2019.
“The party assures Rivers State and her people that with the collapse of the evil plot of Governor Wike and his misguided elements to truncate the Congresses, our envisaged plan to redeem the State is now closer than before.
“The APC also reassured her leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi the erstwhile Governor of Rivers State and the incumbent Minister of Transportation that the party will collaborate and assist him in rebuilding the party to the enviable status envisioned by the founding fathers of the party in the State . The party maintained that those who want to pull down the party structure in the State will live to regret their actions.
“The party emphasised that anyone who evaluates today’s Congresses that took place in the 319 Wards of the party as not peaceful, credible, free and fair must be operating from outside the State or have a different agenda as the event was applauded by the International, Local Independent observers, INEC and APC National Leadership that supervised and conducted it.
“The party concluded by commending the Police and other security agencies for ensuring a peaceful congress in the State and averting the blood bath that Wike and his agents have plotted against the state and her people.”
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on X. He revealed that eight of the kidnappers have been arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some others were neutralised during the operation.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
He said no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Mr Onanuga explained that the kingpin whose release the kidnappers had demanded was neither freed nor spared, as he remains under prosecution for offences linked to his terrorist activities.
The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks. During the attack, a teacher, Mr Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.
Another teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.
The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.
It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.
The President’s spokesperson said that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The board of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved a $260 million financing package for the construction of a 123-kilometre section of the Trans-Saharan Highway in Nigeria as part of more than $417 million earmarked for strategic projects across West Africa.
The approval was granted during the bank’s 99th Ordinary Session, chaired by its President, Mr George Donkor, according to a statement issued after the meeting. It was noted that the total financing will support five public and private sector projects spanning infrastructure, healthcare, housing, mining, financial resilience and regional connectivity.
EBID said the approved investments underscore its commitment to funding high-impact projects that drive economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards across the sub-region.
“The projects approved during this 99th Board Session demonstrate EBID’s unwavering commitment to financing development solutions that directly improve the lives of West African citizens.
“From clean energy and transport infrastructure to healthcare, housing and financial sector resilience, these investments will strengthen regional competitiveness and support sustainable and inclusive growth across our community,” said Mr Donkor.
That of Nigeria is to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, reduce logistics costs and support economic integration; West African CFA franc (XOF) 10 billion in a line of credit to Banque de l’Habitat de Côte d’Ivoire (BHCI) to expand housing finance and support SMEs operating across the housing and construction value chain; €80 million for the design, construction, equipment and maintenance of the 150-bed Regional Hospital of Ferkessédougou in Côte d’Ivoire under a public-private partnership;
XOF 12.82 billion (West African CFA Franc) for the renovation, operation and maintenance of the Symphonie Building in Abidjan under a public-private partnership and $47.4 million for Azumah Resources Ghana Limited to finance the procurement of long-lead process plant equipment and critical early-stage development activities for the Black Volta Gold Project.
“These approvals advance EBID’s Growth, Resilience and Optimisation (GRO) Strategy, which prioritises transformative infrastructure, human capital development, private sector growth and regional integration. Through these investments, the Bank continues to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity across West Africa,” the statement said.
