General
Semenitari Accuses Wike Of Lying About Etche Roads
By Dipo Olowookere
The Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Ibim Semenitari, has debunked claims made by the Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, that the Commission was not involved in the recovery of dilapidated road infrastructure in Etche local government of the state.
Mrs Semenitari stressed that not only was Mr Wike playing to the gallery, but was hiding the fact of his failure to tackle the bigger challenge of insecurity plaguing Rivers State.
The NDDC boss, who was reacting to Mr Wike’s claims on Thursday that agency had claimed undertaking the construction of the Igwuruta-Chokocho-Okehia road, said the Governor should emulate the Cross River State Governor who commended NDDC for its intervention on the Calabar-Itu Road.
“As an interventionist agency, NDDC stepped in to recover the roads between Igwuruta and Umuechem, as well internal roads in that community, and the Oil Mill-Igbo-Etche-Chokocho road, which is a critical connection between the bigger Port Harcourt market and the produce spots in Etche.
“NDDC, working under the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, stepped in to arrest the deterioration in road infrastructure in Etche as to eventually boost economic activity in the area and give its inhabitants a lease of life. Checks can be made on those roads as to the veracity of NDDC’s scope and quality of intervention,” she said.
Mrs Semenitari further stated that NDDC would drive those projects to completion despite Mr Wike’s alleged attempts to possibly stall them.
“The facts which Mr Wike sought to turn head-down, are clear. NDDC is working on the Igwuruta-Umuechem, Umuechem internal roads, and the Oil Mill-Igbo-Etche-Chokocho road. Mr Wike is not happy that the Federal Government through the Commission is giving Etche people such critical intervention, and so, would prefer where the roads’ users continued in their suffering,” she said.
Mrs Semenitari added, “We are miffed that Mr Wike is yet to come to terms with the severe challenges ravaging the state. Surprisingly, rather than commit himself to true governance, Mr Wike, like that proverbial Emperor who watched while his empire burnt, plays politics with the welfare of Rivers people. We thought that the degenerating insecurity in the state should cause Mr Wike sleepless nights until there was solution. Unfortunately, Mr Wike chooses to engage in speech-making as though there was a speech contest.
“Mrs Wike is not bothered that under his watch in little over a year, Rivers State has become a killing field. Mrs Wike is not bothered that there is capital flight and mass movement of people and those corporate entities are deserting Rivers State.
“While we do not intend to engage the governor in any speech contest, NDDC will not be deterred in pursuing the overall development of every segment of the Niger Delta region. That is the mission and mandate of the Commission,” the NDDC boss averred.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Fuji musician, Mr Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate or KWAM 1, has formally withdrawn from the race for the Awujale of Ijebuland after staunch opposition to his ambitions.
This came as the minstrel filed a notice of discontinuation at the Ogun State High Court to end his legal challenge against the ongoing selection process.
The notice, filed on Monday, December 22, 2025, by his legal team led by Mr Wahab Shittu (SAN), brings to a close his controversial bid for the revered throne.
The withdrawal followed a ruling by Justice A. A. Omoniyi of High Court 3, Ijebu-Ode Judicial Division, who dismissed KWAM 1’s application for an interim injunction seeking to restrain the Ogun State Governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and other parties from proceeding with the selection of a new Awujale.
Justice Omoniyi held that the application lacked merit but ruled that the substantive suit could proceed on its merits, fixing January 14, 2026, for further hearing.
KWAM 1, the Olori Omooba of Ijebuland from the Fidipote Ruling House, had approached the court after the Fusengbuwa Ruling House declared him ineligible to contest for the stool, insisting he was not a bona fide member of the ruling house and therefore could not vie for the throne under its platform.
However, with the filing of the notice of discontinuation, KWAM 1 appears to have formally recused himself from the Awujale selection process, effectively ending his challenge.
He joined as respondents in the case: the Ogun State Governor, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, and the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
In the application, KWAM 1 contended that he is a bonafide member of both the Fusengbuwa and Fidipote ruling houses, and that his rights as a potential candidate were being threatened by what he described as a flawed and unlawful process.
He alleged that the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, which he described as an “unrecognised body”, was exerting influence over the nomination procedure in violation of Ogun State chieftaincy laws.
Central to his claim was the argument that due process was not followed, particularly the requirement that the Ijebu-Ode Local Government formally publish the names of the 13 recognised kingmakers before any selection exercise commences.
KWAM 1 maintained that the failure to comply with this step rendered the process vulnerable to legal challenge.
The suit was filed against the backdrop of the vacancy created by the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in July, at the age of 91, after a reign of more than six decades.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
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