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 Clashes Erupt at Port Harcourt Town Hall as Wike, Fubara Supporters Clash Over Rivers Political Crisis Tensions flared in Port Harcourt on Friday as supporters of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara clashed during a heated town hall meeting addressing the state’s ongoing political crisis. The event, attended by Rivers natives, residents, and political stakeholders, descended into chaos as speakers traded accusations, exposing the deep divisions in the state. The trouble began when Bright Amaewhule, President General of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), took the stage. Amaewhule claimed GDI was instrumental in Fubara’s rise to the governorship, stating, “There’s no indigene of Rivers State that will not recognize the role GDI played in the emergence of Sim Fubara as governor. We moved Sim from one local government to another… even when he was rejected by his own people.” He accused some of Fubara’s allies o...

 Tonye Cole Calls for Overhaul of Nigeria’s Presidential System, Advocates for Indigenous Governance Model Tonye Cole, the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, has urged Nigeria to abandon its current presidential system of government, arguing it is ill-suited to the country’s cultural and political context. Speaking on Friday, May 16, 2025, Cole called for a return to an indigenous, African-focused political system to address Nigeria’s governance challenges. Cole criticized the adoption of foreign political models, stating, “This American system that we call the presidential system in Nigeria, we need to readdress it. We cannot import the parliamentary system of the UK, and it will work here; we cannot import a presidential system, it will not work here.” He argued that African nations, including Nigeria, are broadly dissatisfied with their political systems because they are “absolutely contrary” to their cultural identities. Highlighting ex...

 Abia State Government Honours Ex-NYSC Members for Fighting Unemployment, Viral Diseases The Abia State Government has recognized two former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for their impactful contributions to local communities during their service year. Owums Francis Chimaobim, an Information Technologist, and Dr. Joseph Ekene, a Medical Doctor, were honored by Governor Alex Otti for their efforts in tackling unemployment and combating viral diseases, respectively. The ceremony, held on Friday, May 16, 2025, saw Chimaobim commended for training widows in business opportunities and funding youth entrepreneurship in Umuawa Alaocha community. His initiatives were credited with creating jobs, reducing poverty, and steering young people away from crime. Dr. Ekene was celebrated for organizing screenings for HIV, Syphilis, Tuberculosis, and Hepatitis B and C, as well as supporting safe deliveries for pregnant women in Uzuakoli. Presenting certificates of recognition and cash...

 Wike Dismisses Health Rumours, Says He’s Fit and Looks ‘30’ The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has debunked rumours of being ill, asserting that he is in excellent health. Speaking to journalists on Saturday, May 17, 2025, Wike dismissed speculations about his health, stating, “As I’m talking to you, do I look like somebody that is sick? Looking at me, will you think I’m above 30 years? I’m very well.” The former Rivers State governor addressed reports that emerged in April, alleging he had collapsed during an event at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and was rushed abroad for urgent medical attention. Two days later, Wike quelled the rumours with a public appearance alongside other dignitaries during a Sallah homage to President Bola Tinubu, where he appeared vibrant and energetic. His media aide, Lere Olayinka, had also labelled the reports as false at the time. Wike suggested the health rumours were a deliberate attempt to distract from revelations...

 No Political Parties in Akwa Ibom by 2027, Says Senate President Akpabio Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that political parties will cease to exist in Akwa Ibom State by the 2027 general election, claiming that all parties have united to support his re-election for the Ikot-Ekpene Senatorial District. Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, made the statement during a midterm empowerment briefing at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium on Friday, May 16, 2025. “As I speak with you, there is nothing like a political party in 2027 in Akwa Ibom State again. For the Senate of Ikot-Ekpene Senatorial District, all political parties have collapsed to vote for Senator Godswill Akpabio,” he asserted. Akpabio also took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that its “umbrella has been torn into shreds and can no longer protect the people.” The Senate President praised Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno as a “man of peace” who genuinely professe...

 Rivers Woman Arrested for Allegedly Mutilating Lover’s Genitals in Domestic Dispute A 43-year-old woman, identified as Gift, has been arrested by the Rivers State Police Command for allegedly biting off the tip of her lover’s penis during a domestic altercation. The incident occurred on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Bishop Okoye Street, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt. According to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the dispute arose when the victim, known as Sunday, allegedly demanded sex after taking sex-enhancing drugs, a request Gift refused. The situation escalated when Sunday reportedly assaulted Gift, prompting her to retaliate by biting his genitals, severing the tip of his penis. Sunday’s screams alerted neighbours, who formed an angry mob and attacked Gift. The Divisional Police Officer of Nkpolu Police Division in Diobu, along with his team, intervened to rescue Gift from the mob. Sunday was immediately rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt for treatme...

 100 dead as Israel launches fresh Gaza offensive 17th May 2025 Gaza's largest refugee camp hit by renewed Israeli air strikes Sunday The Israeli military said Saturday it had launched “extensive strikes” as part of a fresh offensive in Gaza, after rescuers reported 100 people killed in the besieged Palestinian territory. The army said on Telegram it had begun the “initial stages” of the offensive, known as Operation Gideon’s Chariots. The operation was part of “the expansion of the battle in the Gaza Strip, with the goal of achieving all the war’s objectives, including the release of the abducted and the defeat of Hamas”, it said in a post in Arabic. A separate statement in English said the army was “mobilising troops to achieve operational control in areas of the Gaza Strip”. Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli strikes on Gaza had killed 100 people on Friday, while the army said its forces had “struck over 150 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip” in 24 hours. Israel res...