The name of former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been removed from the administrative block of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, where he once served as chairman.
The council building has now been renamed in honor of the late Senator Dr. Obi Wali, a distinguished Ikwerre leader, politician, and a key advocate for minority rights.
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The renaming came at the directive of the newly inaugurated council chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo, who assumed office on October 7 following his election under the Action People’s Party.
The two-storey, 30-room ultra-modern administrative building, constructed by the previous council administration led by Barrister George Ariolu, was originally named after Wike in recognition of his tenure as council chairman from 1999 to 2007.
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However, Ihunwo, who previously served as Caretaker Committee Chairman for three months, believes that Senator Obi Wali, known for his role in the political liberation of the Ikwerre people, is more deserving of the honor.
Senator Obi Wali, born in 1932, was a prominent political figure who fought for the rights of the Ikwerre ethnic group and left a lasting legacy in Rivers State.
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His contributions are commemorated not only at the Obio/Akpor council’s administrative block but also at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, a major event venue in Port Harcourt, named in his honor.
This renaming is seen as a tribute to his lifelong dedication to his people and their cultural and political advancement.