The second half of the season will start next Sunday with Rivers United at the top of the table after garnering 42 points from 19 matches.
Plateau United, who have been chasing the Pride of Rivers for weeks, finished midway through the season at No 2, a point short of the leaders.
Rangers remain at third place, while Remo Stars usurped Kwara United to move a step up to No 4.
In Port Harcourt, Ishaq Rafiu shot Rivers United ahead in the seventh minute from the spot, while the business was completed in the first half through the hat-trick hero, Chijioke Akuneto in the 12th, 28th and 43rd minutes.
Austin Osayande could only reduce the tally for Akwa United, the defending champions, in the 60th minute.
In Jos, two un-replied goals by Mohammed Zulkifilu (22nd minute) and Haggai Katoh (68th) against Sunshine Stars guaranteed Plateau United second spot.
For the second home match in a row, Remo Stars walloped their visitors by the same goal margin: 3-0. Their last victims were Sunshine Stars. This time, it was Kwara United, a result that saw the Ikenne-Remo side displace their visitors at No 4.
Goals from Andy Okpe in the 47th minute, Tolulope Ojo (56th) and Seun Ogunribide (82nd minute) gave the fans at the Remo Stars Stadium plenty to cheer.
Matchday 19 results: Heartland 0-0 MFM, Abia United 2-2 Katsina United, Rangers 5-3 Lobi Stars, Dakkada FC 2-1 Niger Tornadoes, Plateau United 2-0 Sunshine Stars, Wikki Tourist 0-0 Enyimba, Rivers United 4-1 Akwa United, Remo Stars 3-0 Kwara United, Kano Pillars 3-1 Gombe United, Shooting Stars v Nasarawa United (7 pm)
