Explosives destroyed buildings and others property at the Tony Okocha-led secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The gate of the secretariat and the doors were shattered by the explosion which happened Saturday morning while local government election is taking place in the state.

Gate of the secretariat dropped on the ground by the explosion

Chairman of the faction of APC in Rivers State, Tony Okocha narrated how the incident happened.

“About 3:20am some gun-trotting young men with their explosives and all that, came here and dropped the first explosive, maybe because the one they dropped here did not detonate, they came back the second time to burn the structure – look at the security house is gone.

“Behind me you will see that there was also an attempt, our people came and we were able to quench the fire,” Okocha said.

Windows shattered by the explosives

He alleged that the incident was politically motivated and blamed the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, whom he said had earlier declared war over the local government election.

“Is APC secretariat here any voting unit?

There is no voting unit here.

So, it was deliberate to see how they can annihilate us, it is deliberate to see how they can embarrass us, it is deliberate to see how they can decimate us,” Okocha said.Amid controversies surrounding the Rivers local government poll, accreditation and voting has started in many polling centres around Port Harcourt City.

More update later….

First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , Senator Oluremi Tinubu has described the deceased Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Patience Umo Eno, as a peaceful and God-fearing woman who truly loved her people.

In a statement,  Busola Kukoyi, the SSA Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said that the First Lady was joined on the visit by Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, wives of the leadership of the National Assembly and State governors wives.

Oluremi Tinubu spoke at the Governor’s Lodge, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital where she  condoled with the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno on the death of his wife.

In an emotional reflection on her relationship with the deceased, the First Lady said she was honored to have met her, noting that she served her people and finished her course well.

“Politics aside, we are all Nigerians and one of the things I thank God for is when we meet people, we should show love and care.

I want to thank God that despite her short time in life she finished her course. God will comfort you the husband, comfort you the children.

I will always be here for you” A condolence register opened in honor of the deceased was signed by the First Lady after which special prayers were held for the repose of the soul of the deceased and comfort for the family during their grieving moment. Appreciating the First Lady for being a true mother to all, the Governor noted that party affiliation does not cross her mind when dealing with people

He described his dead wife as his greatest partner noting that he would mourn her for the rest of his life. He, however, promised to sustain the activities of the First Lady’s office in the state.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the nation’s second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

In his 64th Independence Anniversary Speech on 1 October, President Tinubu conferred the Commander of the Federal Republic( CFR) on the speaker and the deputy senate president.

This development led to a debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, calling on the President to confer a higher honour on the Speaker.

President Tinubu was persuaded by the House of Representatives position and has decided to remedy the historical error and oversight.

Thus, he has decided to upgrade the Speaker to GCON from CFR, in accordance with the National Order of Precedence.

The speaker, the Senate President,  other principal officers of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice of Nigeria will be formally decorated with their new honours later.

Checks by Ohibaba.com, show that a Grand Commander is a high-ranking title typically conferred upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, or achievements in various fields.

The role and responsibilities of a Grand Commander vary depending on the country.

Examples of Grand Commanders in Nigeria.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  GCFR

2. Tajudeen Abbas,  GCON

3. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR