Blog

Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold steps in restoring peace, law and order in Rivers State.

Nwuche, who hails the President’s emergency rule in the state, called on all stakeholders to support the administration of Rivers Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd) to actualise his mandate in the state.

Nwuche spoke when he received members of the former Councilors and Supervisors Forum from Ahoada East Local Government Area under the auspices of the Wikematic Counselors Forum (WCF) at his Port Harcourt residence.

Nwuche commended his visitors for remaining steadfast during the political crises, which saw their efforts and contributions in making Siminalayi Fubara the governor of Rivers betrayed by Fubara.

He said: “Rather than reaping the dividends of your contributions, you were pushed aside and victimized for your stand for the truth. Those, who never worked for the emergence of the suspended governor became beneficiaries”.

Nwuche berated the ingratitude displayed by Fubara towards his benefactor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, singlehandedly made him governor against all odds.

He reminded the former councilors of the need to always show gratitude, saying, “a river that forgets its source will soon dry up”,adding that even the Holy Bible condemns ingratitude.

He cautioned the promoters of ethnicity in Rivers politics, saying it was heightening the political tension, especially those from outside Rivers.

Nwuche, emphasized that Fubara was voted by all the tribes in Rivers such as the Ikwerre, Ogoni, Ekpeye, Etche, Kalabari among others insisting that no ethnic group could solely make itself a governor in Rivers.

He said: “Fubara wasn’t voted as an Ijaw governor, but as A Rivers governor. He was voted for all Rivers people and not for any particular tribe”.

He urged meddlesome interlopers from outside Rivers to focus on their states and called on those at the National Assembly to direct their energies on matters affecting their constituencies.

He said: “I feel very disappointed when I see some members of the National Assembly from neighboring states pontificating on the Rivers crisis as if it was why their constituents sent them to the National Assembly. I urge the National Assembly to sanction such members and their constituents to recall them for lack of understanding of their mandate.”

Nwuche advised those continuously sponsoring protests designed to cause a breach of peace in Rivers to retrace their steps and realize that a Supreme Court Judgement had resolved all the political issues in Rivers.

He said no amount of protests could change the position of the law on the political issues in Rivers and called on all citizens of Rivers to support the Sole Administrator in his determination to restore permanent peace and drive development within the period of the state of emergency.

Nwuche also thanked his visitors for remaining on the side of truth despite intimidation and harassment saying they had been vindicated with the Supreme Court judgement.

Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation, Adamu Moses, told Nwuche that they were in his house to thank him for standing behind Wike in supporting President Tinubu’s administration.

Adamu said but for the timely intervention of the President through the declaration of emergency rule, the state was already heading for full scale crises that could have led to loss of lives and wide scale destruction of national oil and gas assets.

He said bombings of oil installations started after persons, who claimed to be in solidarity with the suspended governor threatened fire and brimstone.

Adamu extolled the leadership qualities of Wike describing him as a detribalized leader, who sited developmental projects across all ethnic groups and LGAs in Rivers when he was governor.

He said Wike made an Ijaw man governor against stiff opposition from even some notable Ijaw personalities who at that time discriminated the governor as not being “real Ijaw”.

He wondered why same persons were
the ones working hard to bring the state down by preaching ethnicity and pledged that his group would continue to support the programmes of the Sole Administrator as well as Wike and the success of President Tinubu administration including his reelection in 2027.

Also Speaking, the Coordinator of the Wikematic Former Councilors Forum in Rivers State, Dr Samuel Amos thanked Nwuche for being the true symbol of the Ekpeye man known for integrity and gratitude by standing with Wike.

END

Nwuche Seeks Support For Ibas, Hails Tinubu For Restoring Peace In Rivers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Source: The Whistler

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has applauded the cultural pride and resilience of the Abam people, lauding their support for ongoing road projects during the 2025 Ekponiboro Festival held in Abam.

Speaking at the festival hosted by Chief James Ume, President of the Unubiko Foundation, the governor expressed admiration for the community’s deep-rooted commitment to tradition, describing it as key to the survival of any society.

“Any society that loses its tradition and culture is gone,” he said, noting that the continued celebration of the Ekponikpo Festival reflects the Iban people’s strong connection to their heritage.

The event attracted dignitaries from across political, traditional, religious, academic, and business circles, including members of the National Assembly, the Mayor of Arochukwu LGA, Engineer Dr. Chibuike Ezearo, Rector Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Dr. C.K Okoro, commissioners, clergy, and businessmen like Hon. Dr. Chima Anyaso amongst others

The governor also praised the Unubiko Foundation for sponsoring the event, offering prayers for its founder, Chief James Ume, whom he humorously referred to as “Ike Abia” rather than “Ike Abam”, citing his broader impact across the state.

He further acknowledged the cooperation of the Atan Abam people in supporting contractors working on road infrastructure, confirming reports of positive engagement with local communities. He announced the award of a new road project to enhance connectivity in the region.

“We are far gone, but we are not yet where we want to be,” he said, promising that the completed roads would link communities and give them “wings to fly.”

Encouraging residents to take advantage of the planting season, the governor urged them to see farming as a gateway to prosperity.

“I did not come to preach agriculture, but if you have not caught the vision, this is the time,” he added.

He also extended Easter greetings to the community and assured them of his return to commission the completed road project. “Go ahead, use the road. It is for you. God bless you,” he declared.

The founder Unubiko Foundation, Chief James Ume, in his remarks, described the Ekponiboro Festival as a cultural inheritance that honours the struggles, triumphs, strengths and exploits of their ancestors.

“This tradition left behind by our fathers symbolises who we are and where we came from,” he said.

He traced the historical roots of the Ekponiboro Festival to the days when Abam served as the last seaport for all the old Bende villages. He explained that communities such as Bende, Igbere, and Arochukwu once converged in Abam to move their goods to major trading posts like Calabar and Lagos, before returning at year’s end to celebrate with the symbolic Ekponikpo boat—an age-old tradition being kept alive through the festival.

He thanked Governor Otti for supporting the event and for allowing the state government to officially endorse the programme. Ume also appreciated the Commissioner for Arts and Culture and praised the government’s efforts in infrastructural development and cultural preservation, especially in Abam.

“We are proud of what you are doing in Abia State, particularly in Abam. We are most, most grateful, sir,” he added.

Describing the festival as one for joy and unity, Chief Ume warmly welcomed all guests to the event.

“This event is for merriment. My uncle Jones would say it’s for toppings. We have a lot of toppings for everybody,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd

Additionally, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuruibe, stressed the importance of preserving cultural heritage, warning that a people’s identity is lost when their language and traditions fade.

He commended the organiser and called on other communities to celebrate and preserve their cultural legacies saying this should serve as a symbol to other communities in Abia to celebrate their traditions and preserve their culture,” he stated.

Also speaking at the event, Member representing Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal House Constituency,Hon. Ibe Osonwa and others hailed Chief James Ume for his initiative, expressing hope that future editions of the festival would be even more elaborate.

Abia Governor Hails Abam Culture At 2025 Ekponiboro Festival is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Source: The Whistler