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Ex-Gov Wike Delivered Tinubu, Fit To Lead Rivers APC – Iyke Ejie

Published

2 years ago

June 26, 2023

….Describes Wokocha, Nwauju’s claims as baseless

A prominent APC leader in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State has dismissed as untrue the claims made by some unscrupulous, feckless persons that the ex-governor Wike didn’t work for the emergence of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 Presidential election in Rivers State.

Comrade Ejie, in a press statement in Abuja, yesterday, called on the people of the state to disregard the claims of Mr Austin Wokocha, described it as baseless. He stated that the ex-chief of staff, who doubles as the authentic APC leader in Rivers State at a news briefing in Port Harcourt, on behalf of the Rivers State authentic APC called on Wike to cross over and lead the state APC amid rumours of Wike’s anticipated defection.

Ejie said, “Wike, like any other person has the constitutional rights to belong to any political party. And the authentic APC members agreed that Wike should join the party and lead them as a man of vision.
Recall that over the weekend, Wokocha in a press statement said that Rivers State APC never called, invited or appealed to Wike to lead the party over his support in the last election.

Comrade Iyke Ejie who was a member, APC Presidential Campaign Council and ICC for Asiwaju-Shettima, a strong and authentic APC member who witnessed all the drama that took place in Rivers State before, during and after the Presidential election, in his response to set the records straight that, “If not ex-governor Nyesom Wike’s support, the APC wouldn’t have won in the State”.

When the chips were down, Wike threw his weight behind Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who had more political spread and acceptability. Remember, he led the G-5 governors who stood by equity, fairness and inclusiveness and insisted on a president from the southern extraction against all odds delivered President Tinubu which Mr President himself has acknowledged, came to Rivers State for a thank you visit.

Let me state without mincing words, the public should disregard those acclaimed Rivers State APC leaders feckless press statement against the real and authentic Rivers APC members led by Chief Tony Okocha who fought, campaigned for Asiwaju ‘s victory.

While some unscrupulous, shameless elements who acted as moles within the APC were working for Mr Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Sen. Magnus Ngei Abe against Asiwaju’s victory. How can Austin Wokocha claimed to have worked for the APC when he made away with N65 million Presidential campaign rally fund on the eve of the rally in Port Harcourt, and was never seen until after the rally. It is a fact that Wokocha is not a member of the APC because he was planted by Sen Abe of the SDP who left the APC after he lost the primary election. So, Wokocha worked for Abe. Let it be on record, that Sen.Abe and Wokocha are no longer members of the authentic APC in Rivers State, never campaigned for Asiwaju but today want to decide who becomes APC member or not. He has no locus standi to do so.

Also a supposed grown man, “Darlington Nwauju who claimed to be the APC spokesman in the State had never spoken for the APC, during and after the election rather was in cahoot with Chibuike Amaechi, campaigned and worked for the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar but failed and wants to come through the backdoor to speak for the APC in Rivers State, is not done”, Ejie said.

Let me state without equivocation, “Wike delivered Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is from the Southern region, inline with his resolve and that of the G-5 governors for power shift to the South”, Ejie said.

The authentic APC members has caretaker committee members in the 23 LGAs of Rivers State, agreed to invite Wike over to lead them, is a call in the right direction. The fact remains that Chief Tony Okocha is the leader of APC in Rivers State and “I reiterate the call for Wike to join the APC in Rivers State, lead us because he is a man with vision and can be trusted”. It is his constitutional rights to belong to a party of his choice. Mr Austin Wokocha, Darlington Nwauju are no longer members of our party but are members of the SDP and Amaechi’s party if he has any”, Ejie concluded.

I urge Wokocha, Nwauju and there cohorts to keep off from all our activities and decisions in the state pending when they will come back to the party and should reap where they worked. Wike is welcomed in Rivers State APC and very fit to lead the party as Chief Tony Okocha on behalf of the authentic APC members stated in a press conference.

It was the visit of President Tinubu on “a thank you tour” to Port Harcourt, reconciled Wike and Abe , leading to subsequent withdrawal of the SDP/ Abe’s petition against the victory of the PDP in the state, that gave Wokocha the impetus to assume he is a member of the APC in Rivers State, whereas he is no longer our member until he decides to rejoin the party.

However, Sen. Abe’s claim of campaign of calumny against his person to curry favour for a Federal appointment is baseless rather we set the records straight, that he reconciling with Wike doesn’t make him a member of the APC. He and his co-travelers should rejoin the APC, if they so desired.

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Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security

Published

7 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.

The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.

Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.

These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.

In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.

“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”

The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).

– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.

– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.

– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.

– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.

Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.

“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”

The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.

About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.

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