More trouble brews in Rivers as Ijaw congress considers self-determination option - Newstrends
Connect with us

metro

More trouble brews in Rivers as Ijaw congress considers self-determination option

Published

on

More trouble brews in Rivers as Ijaw congress considers self-determination option

Tuesday’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu has rekindled the quest for self-determination by the Ijaw ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta.

Prof Benjamin Okaba, president of Ijaw National Congress, INC, the Ijaw apex socio-cultural group, told Vanguard: “For Ijaw people, we are not too happy because we see this as another slap on us. But again, our position will be deliberated upon in a wider stakeholders’ meeting that will be convened later.

“In that meeting, I am sure the Ijaw people will look at how we have fared in this Nigerian project and what options are left to drive home our quest for self-determination.

“We say it is hasty because the President has so much opportunity to leverage on the calls made by Nigerians from all quarters to call his minister, Nyesom Wike, to order.

“Secondly, while Wike himself has been the antagonist, he had boldly stated that he would make governance impossible for the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in as much as he does not dance to his tune.

“In a recent statement credited to him, he (Wike) said the two conditions he must meet are: ‘Allow him to control all the LGAs in Rivers State, and that he (Fubara) should sign an agreement that he would not contest in 2027.’

“So, the man, Wike, is desperate to capture state power and resources, as we had said earlier, and persistently. He wants to turn Rivers State into his property, and the people of Rivers State are the ones to suffer.

“The governor, who entered into a covenant with the people of Rivers to deliver on sustainable development, cannot mortgage that mandate because he wants to satisfy somebody.

“These are obvious facts flying all over the place, and I thought the President should have looked at all of these. I said it is lopsided—why will you leave Wike and sack Sim? The best thing is to remove everybody who played a role in this.

READ ALSO:

“Wike has to be sacked, and all the federal appointees from the state also have to be sacked because if you do not sack them, they will use their positions to perpetrate more crises and create more advantageous roles for themselves.

“The cry that they want to take over Rivers State is gradually playing out and is not better for democracy.
“The other issue in this state of emergency is that we have seen right from the beginning that the declaration was one of the options Wike was looking at. He felt if the judiciary cannot remove him quickly; if the House of Assembly could not take him off; then the next option is to create a chaotic situation so that an emergency can be imposed on the state.”

Tinubu prejudiced—Miakpor, retired Delta judge

Reacting, a retired president of Delta State Customary Court, Miakpor Emiaso, said: “I suppose it is an inevitable, yet, unfortunate imperative that we have found ourselves in Rivers State.

“Apart from a few underlying misgivings that I have, it was inevitable. I mean that something had to give way. The way the gladiators in Rivers State were going, we could not continue like that, ridiculing the entire government apparatus and even embarrassing the judiciary as a fallout.

“My misgivings are one; the president’s language declaring the state of emergency has some subtle political bias. If you noticed, the president never mentioned the name of the speaker in the broadcast, nor did he refer to the well-known external influence on the House of Assembly, which is the origin of this crisis.

“As it is now, the state of emergency seems to have given thumbs up for vaunting godfatherism because you could say that now that the president has gone this way, he has not mentioned the external influence, especially Wike, who is the origin of all these. This shows that he has a bias that he needs to cure.

“If the President wants to be viewed as fair, he should move Wike from where he is now; otherwise, Wike will not keep quiet. He will try to reach the administrator to influence him in one way or another.

READ ALSO:

“Again, I say that the six-month state of emergency is excessive. It is too long, especially when you drafted a retired military officer to run the state as an administrator.”

Ekiyor, ex-IYC president reacts

Similarly, former president of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Dr. Chris Ekyor, asserted: “The state of emergency came to me as a rude shock. It gives the impression that the president is answerable to his minister.

“Wike strategically orchestrated all the crises in Rivers State while the president watched. What are the contending issues of the Rivers State’s politics? The defection of 27 lawmakers, and what does the Electoral Act say about such a defection

“I’m concerned about how the judges ruled that the 27 members are legitimate members of the House after defecting and breaching the law. The real problem in Nigeria is the court delivering fair justice.

“If it had been done correctly, the current crisis in Rivers State would have been long resolved. Wike left the issues and threatened the entire Ijaw people over a mere disagreement with his candidate,who became governor of Rivers State. How does that concern the rest of the Ijaw people?

“He insulted Ijaw in Abuja at a media parley. Then he came to the heart of Ijaw land, shot at our women and children with tear gas, and further insulted us by asking, ‘How many dem dey?’
“We did not respond with violence to allow peace to reign, knowing that his goal was to cause the president to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.

“President Tinubu rebelled against the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, between 2003 and 2007, as the governor of Lagos State. No state of emergency was declared on him. Under President Yar’Adua, Atlas Cove was blown in 2009; no state of emergency in Lagos?

“How did the president conclude that Fubara is behind the explosions in Rivers State? Why does he not think it is those fighting him? Is there no Joint Task Force, JTF, securing the pipelines anymore? Why is the government spending heavily on pipeline security? Is there any breakdown of law and order in the state to warrant what the president did?’’

 

More trouble brews in Rivers as Ijaw congress considers self-determination option

Vanguard

Loading

metro

FG’s N50,000 Relief: OPay Details Eligibility Check Process, Issues Strong Warning Against Scams

Published

on

BREAKING: OPay Warns Customers Against Viral Shutdown Message, Threatens Legal Action

FG’s N50,000 Relief: OPay Details Eligibility Check Process, Issues Strong Warning Against Scams

 

Lagos, Nigeria — Following the Federal Government’s introduction of the N50,000 relief package, leading financial technology platform, OPay, has released comprehensive guidelines on how customers can verify their eligibility for the funds. The company has simultaneously issued a stern warning to users regarding the rise of fraudulent schemes targeting beneficiaries.

 

In a statement released on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and reported by Punch, OPay clarified the procedural steps for Nigerians to determine if they qualify for the government’s financial intervention. The move comes as millions of citizens seek clarity on accessing the relief aimed at cushioning economic hardship.

 

How to Check Eligibility

 

According to OPay, the verification process is designed to be seamless and accessible directly through the OPay mobile application. Customers are advised to log into their updated OPay app to access the dedicated section for the Federal Government’s relief program.

 

The fintech giant explained that users will be required to provide specific details to verify their status. Once logged in, customers can navigate to the designated “Government Relief” or notification tab where the eligibility checker is situated. The system cross-references the user’s verified identity (such as their Bank Verification Number, BVN, and National Identification Number, NIN) with government databases to confirm qualification.

 

Strict Warning Against Fraudsters

 

In a critical advisory, OPay warned customers to remain vigilant against scammers who are leveraging the news of the N50,000 relief to defraud unsuspecting citizens. The company emphasized that it will never ask customers to pay a fee or provide sensitive information over the phone to claim the relief.

 

“OPay urges all Nigerians to be cautious. The N50,000 relief is a government initiative, and no fee is required to check eligibility or receive funds,” a representative stated. “We will never ask for your OPay PIN, passwords, or OTPs via phone calls, text messages, or social media. Beware of fake links claiming to be from OPay or the government.”

 

Security Tips for Users

 

To ensure safety, OPay advised users to follow these guidelines:

 

· Use Only the App: Only check your eligibility through the official OPay mobile application.

· Protect Your Data: Never share your ATM card details, OPay PIN, or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) with anyone.

· Ignore Suspicious Links: Do not click on links received via SMS or WhatsApp claiming to offer the N50,000 relief.

· Verify Information: Always confirm information through OPay’s official customer service channels or verified social media pages.

 

The company reaffirmed its commitment to the financial security of its customers and stated that it is working closely with relevant government agencies to ensure a smooth and transparent disbursement process for eligible beneficiaries.

 

For those who may face difficulties checking their eligibility, OPay has encouraged customers to contact their customer care team through the in-app support feature.

 

FG’s N50,000 Relief: OPay Details Eligibility Check Process, Issues Strong Warning Against Scams

 

 

About Newstrends.ng:

Newstrends.ng is your premier source for breaking news, business, and technology updates in Nigeria and across the globe.

Loading

Continue Reading

metro

‘I Went to My Pastor for Deliverance, Ended Up in Bed With Him’ – Lady Recounts Encounter

Published

on

‘I Went to My Pastor for Deliverance, Ended Up in Bed With Him’ – Lady Recounts Encounter

 

A Nigerian woman has sparked controversy on social media after recounting an alleged sexual encounter with her former pastor during a deliverance session.

 

The unidentified woman reportedly made the revelation during a video interview shared by social media platform NewsVista, claiming that what began as a visit to seek spiritual intervention eventually ended in a sexual encounter.

 

In the viral clip, the woman expressed confusion over how the incident happened, insisting that she still struggles to understand how a session she had expected to be devoted to prayer and deliverance turned into an intimate encounter.

 

The interview has since attracted attention online, with the allegation raising concerns about the relationship between religious leaders and members who approach them for spiritual guidance and counselling.

 

Although details surrounding the alleged incident remain unclear, the woman’s account has triggered discussions about the responsibility of religious leaders to maintain professional and ethical boundaries while attending to vulnerable members of their congregations.

 

Some social media users have criticised the alleged conduct, arguing that pastors and other religious leaders occupy positions of trust and should not exploit their spiritual authority or the vulnerability of people seeking assistance.

 

Others have called for religious organisations to strengthen accountability measures and introduce safeguards for private counselling and deliverance sessions.

 

However, the identity of the pastor, the church involved and the location where the alleged incident occurred have not been disclosed.

 

It is also unclear when the alleged encounter took place or whether the woman has made any formal complaint to the relevant authorities.

 

NewsTrends.ng cannot independently verify the circumstances surrounding the woman’s account. The allegation should therefore be treated as unverified pending further details or an official response from the person concerned.

 

The development has once again drawn attention to the need for accountability, transparency and appropriate boundaries in religious counselling, particularly where individuals place their trust in spiritual leaders for help with personal challenges.

 

‘I Went to My Pastor for Deliverance, Ended Up in Bed With Him’ – Lady Recounts Encounter

Loading

Continue Reading

metro

Port Harcourt Married Women Use Husbands’ Cars To Visit Lovers, Lady Alleges

Published

on

Port Harcourt Married Women Use Husbands’ Cars To Visit Lovers, Lady Alleges

 

A Nigerian lady has stirred controversy on social media after making a sweeping allegation about the alleged infidelity of some married women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

 

The unidentified woman reportedly made the controversial claim in a viral video, alleging that some married women in the oil-rich city use vehicles provided by their husbands to visit their secret lovers.

 

According to a report by Gistlover dated November 3, 2026, the lady claimed that the alleged practice was particularly common in Port Harcourt, a remark that has since triggered widespread reactions across social media platforms.

 

In the video, she reportedly expressed surprise at what she portrayed as a disturbing pattern of marital betrayal, suggesting that some women allegedly use the comfort and resources provided by their husbands to maintain extramarital relationships.

 

Her remarks have generated mixed reactions among social media users, with some finding the allegation amusing, while others criticised the generalisation, arguing that infidelity is not peculiar to any city or gender.

 

Others questioned the basis of her claim, insisting that allegations involving marital relationships should not be used to stereotype women or residents of an entire city.

 

The controversy has once again sparked conversations about marital trust, fidelity, loyalty and the growing debate surrounding infidelity in modern relationships.

 

However, the woman’s allegation has not been independently verified, and there is no evidence establishing that the alleged conduct is widespread among married women in Port Harcourt.

 

 

Port Harcourt Married Women Use Husbands’ Cars To Visit Lovers, Lady Alleges

 

Loading

Continue Reading

Trending