By TheDailyNewsHub News Desk | October 2, 2026
The governorship candidate of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) in Rivers State, Warigbani Ezekiel, has called for a comprehensive flood-management strategy, warning that recurrent flooding continues to displace residents, damage businesses and threaten livelihoods in several parts of the state.
Ezekiel made the appeal in an Independence Day message marking Nigeria’s 66th anniversary on October 1, 2026. He identified Ahoada West, Abua/Odual, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Tai, Oyigbo, Andoni, Obio/Akpor and parts of Port Harcourt among the areas affected by recent flooding.
According to the candidate, the consequences extend beyond temporary disruption, with affected communities facing the loss of homes, submerged farmlands, damaged businesses and interruptions to economic activities.
He argued that flooding in the state should not be treated solely as a seasonal emergency requiring relief materials after disasters occur. Instead, he called for a long-term approach that combines early warnings, infrastructure maintenance and coordinated disaster preparedness.
One of his proposals is the establishment of a permanent Rivers State Flood Management Agency, supported by early-warning systems across all 23 local government areas. He also advocated the dredging of major rivers and the removal of obstructions from canals and waterways to improve drainage and water flow.
Ezekiel urged the Federal Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Rivers State Government to provide affected residents with relief materials, medical supplies and temporary shelters.
His comments come as the state continues to experience flooding in different communities. The Rivers State Government has acknowledged the situation and announced relief and response measures in affected areas.
On October 1, Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu said the state’s Flood Management and Control Committee had been directed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to inspect flood-affected locations in Port Harcourt and assess the causes of the problem.
During an inspection of Jerusalem Estate, Odu said the committee received reports of drainage problems and attempts by some individuals to reclaim parts of an existing canal. She also said residents reported that water was being redirected through an improperly channelled drainage system, worsening flooding in the area.
The deputy governor disclosed that the committee would brief the governor and work with the Ministry of Works, residents and community leaders on corrective measures. She also announced plans to provide immediate palliative assistance to affected households.
In a separate intervention announced in September, the state government said it was distributing relief materials and providing health-insurance support to flood-affected communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Abua/Odual local government areas.
The government’s existing response is being coordinated through the state Flood Prevention and Management Committee, chaired by the deputy governor. Ezekiel’s proposal for a permanent agency therefore raises a broader question about how the state could institutionalise flood prevention, early warning, infrastructure maintenance and emergency response beyond individual relief operations.
Rivers State’s exposure to flooding is also linked to its geography. Much of the state lies within the Niger Delta, where rivers, creeks, wetlands and low-lying settlements create challenges for drainage and flood control. Heavy rainfall, overflowing waterways, blocked drainage channels and changes to natural water routes can increase the risk of inundation in vulnerable communities.
The candidate’s call for dredging and the clearing of waterways reflects some of these concerns, although the effectiveness of such measures would depend on technical assessments, environmental considerations, funding and sustained maintenance.
Ezekiel also used his Independence Day message to raise concerns about the political environment in Rivers State. He alleged that he had received an anonymous telephone call warning him to stop campaigning and making public speeches. He said his legal team had been directed to report the matter to the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services.
He further alleged that political meetings had been disrupted, campaign billboards destroyed and opposition members intimidated in some areas. These claims were presented by the candidate and had not been independently established in the available reporting.
The DLA candidate called on security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to help ensure a safe political environment and a level playing field ahead of the 2027 elections.
As the governorship contest approaches, flooding is likely to remain an important public policy issue in Rivers State, particularly for communities repeatedly affected by rising water levels and inadequate drainage. The challenge for the state will be to combine immediate assistance to affected residents with practical, adequately funded measures capable of reducing future flood risks.