The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fubara

Fubara approves N85,000 as minimum wage for Rivers’ workers

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the payment of N85,000.00 as the new minimum wage for civil servants in Rivers.

A statement signed by Fubara’s chief press secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, said the agreement was reached during a closed-door meeting presided over by the governor and attended by representatives of organised labour under the auspices of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council in the State at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Speaking after the meeting, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, affirmed that Fubara graciously approved N85,000 as the new minimum wage adding that the government would begin payment in November 2024.

George said: “He (Gov Fubara) has pronounced a figure that is higher than the National Minimum Wage. He pronounced a sum of N85,000.00, which is higher than the minimum wage that was prescribed nationally.

“So, as the Head of Service and a major stakeholder in the labour family, I am very happy to say that the Rivers State Civil Servants have never had it this good since the inception of this State.

“The labour union leaders and all the other major stakeholders were happy with this development”.

Responding to possible payment of arrears, Nwaeke, said it was yet to be determined because a technical committee had been set up to critically work out a tenable payment chart, which would cater for issues of arrears.

He said: “Issues of arrears will be worked out by the committee that I am going to be Deputy to the SSG. We are already going to work on it in a technical committee that will now get the nitty gritty of the payment and inform the press later.”

On his part, the Rivers State Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Emecheta Chuku, explained that it was their first meeting with Governor Fubara to discuss the issue of the new minimum wage as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Chuku pointed to the fact that the gracious approval of N85,000.00 new minimum wage was very appealing to the labour leaders, adding that it demonstrated love for the workers.

He said: “For the Governor to come, against all the crisis, against all the things that he is facing and more, to say he will pay N85,000.00 minimum wage, I think our hearts are full of joy.

Read Also: Fubara will complete two terms, produce successor – Sydney Gbara

“Of course, we have no doubt, knowing the kind of person we have as our Governor. He is a decent man; very responsible enough; and grew through the rank and file of the system. He understands what it takes to earn a living salary; he understands the difference between gifting money and paying somebody a salary that can sustain him or her from the first day to the last day of the month.”

Also speaking, the chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Chapter, Alex Agwanwor, said: “Why do I say that? Lagos State said N85,000.00 and Rivers State is paying N85,000.00. The IGRs of Lagos State and Rivers State are not the same. So, for the Governor to agree to pay the same rate as Lagos that means we are at the top of it.

“We are the best, and we want to continue to commend the Governor. We assure him that, as far as this State is concerned, labour is going to stand with him. We will be with him even until the next eight years.

“I want to commend His Excellency, Executive Governor of Rivers State, our own Number One Worker in Rivers State, he has, once again, proven that the workers in Rivers State gave him an award on May Day as the Champion of Labour, as the Most Labour-Friendly Governor in Nigeria. He, again, has shown that to us today, and I want to commend him.”

October 18, 2024
Rivers crisis: Okaba-led INC opposed Wike for presenting Fubara in 2023, says RRM

The Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM) has accused the Ijaw National Congress (INC) led by Prof. Benjamin Okaba, of opposing the decision of former Governor Nyesom Wike to present, Siminialayi Fubara as his successor in 2023.

RRM, a frontline group that supported Wike’s choice of Fubara and worked for his victory at the poll, said it was compelled to reply to INC following Okaba’s recent statement against Wike.

The group in a statement signed by its director-general, Johnson Georgewill, and Secretary, Mrs. Sarima Akpata, wondered when INC developed its newfound love for Fubara it earlier described as a fake Ijaw man.

The group said: “RRM as a group takes exception to the comments made by the leadership of INC in a press release on the issue going on in Rivers State.

“Rivers Restoration Movement knows this as a fact that the Benjamin Okaba-led INC worked against the emergence of Gov Sim Fubara in 2023 when the political leader of Rivers State and Minister of the FCT, H.E Nyesom Wike, did everything with the help of God and his faithful followers to ensure Gov Sim was victorious.

“So, one begins to wonder the intention of the found love to a man they said wasn’t a true Ijaw Man”.

RRM said it was also laughable that the INC would query Mr President’s body language, neutrality, honesty, and good faith in the Rivers crisis.

It said the Okaba-led INC was pretending not to know that Mr President was the pillar behind the peace deal that was brokered in the villa with all parties endorsing an agreement to end the crisis on the 18 of December 2023.

But RRM said INC kept mute as Fubara reneged and disobeyed the key provisions contained in the agreement supervised by the President as a father.

The group said: “It is public knowledge from the eight-point peace pact signed that Gov Sim refused to recognize the leadership of Rt Hon Martins Ahmaehule and 26 others as agreed but INC was nowhere to be found.

“INC was also silent when Gov Sim refused to allow the Rivers State House of Assembly to choose where to sit and perform their legislative duties.

“Prof Benjamin Okaba was silent when Gov Sim refused to re-represent the 2024 budget as agreed in Aso Rock and signed by all parties.

“The Governor also refused to adhere to the agreement that LGA structures will not be tampered with and caretaker members will not be formed as agreed but INC didn’t think it wise to release an official press statement then.

“It was on the foundation of all these flagrant disobedience to almost all the agreement reached that the Martins-led Rivers State House of Assembly decided to thread with caution after they withdrew their impeachment notice in line with the peace deal brokered by our father and President, H E. President Bola Tinubu.”

Read Also: Rivers crisis: Fubara vows to go after arsonists

RRM said that 90 percent of Ijaw politicians and major stakeholders who worked for the victory of Fubara in 2023 under the leadership of Wike were standing solidly behind the political leadership of the FCT Minister.

The group said: “Ijaws are grateful people. A clear example is having 10 out of the 12 Ijaw slots in the Rivers State House of Assembly members standing on the side of truth with former Gov Wike.

“RRM is advising the Ijaw National Congress led by Prof Benjamin Okaba to look inwards and first apologise to Rivers people for betraying their son when in 2023 they worked against the emergence of Gov Sim Fubara.

“The Eastern Zone leaders of the same organization followed the same line to betray Gov Sim when the Minister of the FCT and his team worked day and night to ensure victory for Gov Sim Fubara.

“RRM is appealing to the Minister of the FCT and political leader of Rivers State to ignore comments from INC because we all know the Ijaws are grateful and have loyal leaders that can complete the tenure of the Ijaws through constitutional democratic process.”

October 18, 2024
Fubara will complete two terms, produce successor – Sydney Gbara

Rivers Commissioner for Environment Tambari Sydney Gbara, has paid tributes to Governor Siminialayi Fubara, saying nothing will remove from office.

Gbara, who was the immediate past Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, said Fubara would complete eight years in office and produce his successor in 2031.

Gbara’s statement came amidst growing political tussle between the Governor and the camp of his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike.

The commissioner in a post on his Facebook page, said the Governor’s enemies thought they could unseat him within three weeks but met a shocker.

He likened the scenario to the war between Russia and Ukraine suggesting that the Governor had become the Ukraine that Russia thought they could defeat in a jiffy.

Gbara said the governor’s enemies took his humility for granted and underestimated his powers adding that Fubara’s strength had been his insistence on peace and protection of the state’s interest.

Addressing the Governor, he said: “They mistook your humility for weakness,they thought that they will kick you out of office in three weeks, just as Russia thought of Ukraine.

“Their nemesis today was undermining and underrating you,but your demeanor and disposition for peace despite their provocative antics in the interest of the State, is a rare leadership virtue,which you have demonstrated all along.

“I have learnt a lot working with you my leader, this is why I know that in the face of all these,you will come out victorious because you are a man of grace and the gods of the land are happy with you.

“Last week they vented their frustration on destruction of public properties, maiming and shooting innocent souls in the State, which is a clear indication that God has left them and they are now willing tools in the hands of the devil.

“No man can play God, You will complete your 8 years tenure with ease and produce a successor in 2031.

“We the SIMplified Movement in Khana LGA and the State in general, are solidly behind you come rain come shine. We move!”

October 18, 2024
I will defend justice in Rivers with my last breath, says Fubara

The Rivers state governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has vowed to defend the course of justice in the state with his last breath.

Fubara spoke at the opening of the 2024/2025 Legal Year and Re-Dedication Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s, Anglican Communion, Diobu at Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The governor said when institutions were deliberately weakened, it was the entire society that would suffer eventually.

He said: “What we are praying for in this country is institutional strength and not individual strength. Institutional strength is the only thing that will bring development in this country.

“If I am a businessman, and I am coming into Nigeria to invest, why will I invest when what I am seeing today is that institutions are weak and individuals are stronger than institutions?

“This state belongs to all of us. It is not about Fubara today. If this institution is destroyed, when another person comes in tomorrow, it is the same thing that will happen.

“We need to stand and defend it, and you are the right people to do it. I am here today to assure you that even if I have my last breath, I will defend the cause of justice in this State.”

The governor said the judiciary remained a sacred temple of justice and should always hold up such assurances for everybody who approached it.

Fubara took a swipe at some legal luminaries, who smeared their consciences to please their paymasters.

He said: “Some of you, you say you are legal luminaries. You know the truth, but you will go on air just to pacify your pay masters to turn the law upside down.

“We all know the law when it comes to issues that have to do with the administration of governance in the State; it is within the jurisdiction of the State High Court.

“It doesn’t matter whether you joined INEC or the Police. It is a State’s matter! I am not a lawyer, but I know that one. And you stand and say you are doing the right thing? God will judge you.”

Fubara said that within the temple of justice, judges were seen to represent God, who must not be afraid to promote equity and dispense justice rightly without fear or favour.

The governor warned that because court judgments had far-reaching implications, great care needed to be taken in making judicial pronouncements.

He said: “Let me say it here so that you will understand: Judges, you are the God that we are seeing. Your position is to stand and defend us. Your position is to look at whoever and tell the person the truth.

“Because if you don’t do it here, you will have a big question to answer. The preacher said it, every evil done in the course of administering justice, you will pay for it dearly.”

Fubara applauded the Rivers State Judiciary, particularly, the High Court Divisions for their sundry support that had contributed to keeping his administration going despite antagonism.

The governor alluded to the fact that some judicial officers in the state had been either threatened, physically assaulted or slammed with frivolous petitions raised against them to coerce them to submit.

Fubara urged them to remain resolute in their commitment to stand on the side of truth, and never compromise justice.

He said: “I want to thank the Rivers State Judiciary, more especially, the High Court of Rivers State, for your support, for keeping this administration afloat up until this hour.

“We know quite alright that a good number of you have been threatened by way of phone calls and even physical assaults. We are also aware that some of you have been threatened professionally through petitions that are fake and frivolous.

“But one thing that you need to understand is that you must be persecuted when you are doing the right thing. And those of you who are doing the right thing that are being fought from all sides, be courageous. Very soon, this whole thing will be over. Nothing lasts forever.”

Fubara assured that the leadership of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, would record more successes under his administration.

The governor, who promised to ensure that such was possible, also said that he would never call him or any other judge to do anything wrong.

Fubara insisted that should there be such a call, the chief judge should not hesitate to disgrace him publicly, and should also do the same boldly to any other person who would call to do the wrong thing against the law.

Fubara acknowledged the support so far that he had received from some persons who had remained resolute despite the attacks they had received because they refused to allow detractors to sink the state.

He said the journey had not been easy for him and all Rivers people following the happenings, but assured that his administration had remained focused, regardless.

Fubara said: “A lot of the good works that we are doing, the enemy is overshadowing it with bad news.

“But very soon, we are going to go into areas and programmes to showcase what we have been doing, not just for the Judiciary, but other aspects of governance in our dear State.

Read Also: Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly declares pro-Fubara lawmakers’ seats vacant

“I want to thank and assure you that I will continue to support you (Judiciary). And my prayer, as you start your new legal year, is that God will be with you, God will support you.”

Fubara recalled that in October 2023, the story was different, but today, one year later, everybody was smiling because of the grace of God.

He emphasized that with God by his side, his administration would never be defeated no matter the gang-up.

In his sermon, the Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, said the country was collapsing under conflicting judgments emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

Ihunwo said the development had skewed leadership, jeopardised the unity of the country, and affected smooth governance.

He warned that those, who engaged.in such merchandise would be punished by God

October 17, 2024
South-south youths commends Fubara for providing operational vehicles to NSCDC

The South-south Youths Initiative (SSYI) has praised Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, for his swift response to their call by providing operational vehicles to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state.

The move was seen as a significant step toward bolstering security in Rivers, especially amidst the recent political tensions.

In a statement, the national president of the youth group, Imeabe Saviour Oscar, expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara, describing him as a “listening and proactive leader” who is committed to improving security.

“We commend the governor for heeding the call of the South South Youths Initiative for the provision of operational vehicles for the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. His prompt response shows he is dedicated to providing quality leadership and portrays him as a leader who listens to his people,” Oscar said.

Read Also: Wike, Fubara feud ‘beyond reconciliation’, says Fayose

The SSYI had previously urged the governor to include the NSCDC in his security plans following the provision of over 100 vehicles to the police by the Rivers State government.

The delivery of vehicles to the NSCDC, they believe, will greatly enhance security operations in the state.

The youth leader also urged the state government to involve youth organizations like theirs in contributing to the development of the state.

“We call on the government to give opportunities to SSYI and other meaningful youth groups to offer services that will benefit the people of Rivers State.”

Oscar also used the opportunity to call for calm amidst ongoing political unrest.

“We appeal for calm in the state and urge all stakeholders and political gladiators to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign, so the people of Rivers State can benefit from the current administration,” he added.

He further emphasised that conflicting court rulings were only hindering the state’s progress.

“Too many conflicting court judgments and injunctions cannot help Rivers State. For once, this state should experience peace and good governance,” he said.

October 15, 2024
Delta APC chieftain Emetitiri tackles Fubara, loyalists over Wike

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Chief Isaac Emetitiri, has blasted Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his loyalists for disrespecting the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Barrister Nyesom Wike.

Emetitiri, a former governorship aspirant, in an interview with newsmen in his Abuja residence at the weekend, advised Rivers political leaders to caution Governor Fubara and his tugs.

According to him, Fubara must not forget in hurry that Wike made him Governor, noting that no matter the situation or what may have transpired, Fubara ought to have avoided any fight or dispute with Wike.

He expressed concern over the recent unrest and trade of disrespect to Wike by Fubara and his supporters.

Read Also: Tinubu, Wike, commended for improving infrastructure

“ Fubara became Governor of Rivers State with the help of Wike. More so, Wike made Rivers State the most adorable and habitable State in South South, including provision of infrastructures, human empowerment and security, which gave Fubara soft landing as Governor. Therefore , Wike deserved to be respected absolutely by Fubara and his tugs.

“ The political unrest emanating from the last conducted LG polls was unnecessary and it was not enough for Fubara and his boys to disrespect Wike,” he said.

October 14, 2024
Rivers LG polls: Observers blame non-state actors for post-election violence

Independent observers have condemned the violence and arson that marred the Rivers local government elections, blaming Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s supporters for the chaos.

The Independent Election Monitoring Group, in its preliminary report, cited widespread irregularities, including the lack of election materials, non-use of electoral registers, and dubious declaration of results.

Speaking at a briefing, Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel Agabi, said Fubara’s insistence on conducting the elections despite court rulings and security concerns has been criticized as a desperate bid to consolidate power.

The report cleared the Police of any wrongdoing, highlighting their withdrawal from the election due to a Federal High Court ruling.

The report recommended investigation into the arson attacks, nullification of election results, deployment of federal security forces, and dialogue between the governor and opposition parties.

According to the report, the use of violence by Fubara’s supporters in the wake of the election reflects the Governor’s desperation to suppress opposition and maintain control of the political narrative.

By allowing his supporters to engage in such acts of violence, it added that Fubara has contributed to the breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.

“The Rivers State local government elections and the subsequent acts of arson represent a low point in the state’s political history,” the report said.

“Obviously , the state local government elections have exposed the fragility of the democratic process in the state.

“Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s determination to consolidate political power through the Action Peoples Party (APP) and disregard for legal rulings has led to a crisis that threatens both the democratic fabric of Rivers State and the security of its citizens.

“The refusal to honor court rulings, combined with the manipulation of electoral processes and violent suppression of opposition, demonstrates a clear disregard for the rule of law.

“It is evident that Governor Fubara’s supporters, driven by his desperation to build and secure a political stronghold, are responsible for the violence and destruction that followed the elections.

“The state’s political crisis will only worsen if urgent steps are not taken to restore order, accountability, and respect for democratic principles.

“The use of arson as a tool for political intimidation is not only reprehensible but dangerous, as it has the potential to escalate into broader conflict. If unchecked, this pattern of governance could erode what remains of democratic practice in Rivers State.

“It is therefore imperative that Governor Fubara and his administration give peace a chance by embracing dialogue, respecting court rulings, and adhering to democratic norms.

“The Governor must realise that power, when pursued at the expense of the people’s trust and the rule of law, is unsustainable.

“For the future of Rivers State, and indeed Nigeria’s democratic experiment, it is crucial that stakeholders at all levels work together to address the deep-seated issues that have emerged from this election.

Read Also: Voter apathy mars Rivers LG polls

“This includes reforming the electoral system, ensuring accountability for violent actions, and fostering a political culture where power is gained through the people’s will, not through coercion, manipulation, or violence.

“In the words of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the political crisis in Rivers State is reminiscent of the crisis in the old Western region. It is a warning sign of what could become a larger national issue if the political situation in Rivers State is not addressed.

“It is the responsibility of all concerned parties, including the federal government, to intervene and ensure that Rivers State does not spiral into anarchy. Only through collective action can the state be returned to peace, stability, and genuine democratic governance.”

October 11, 2024
Court: Fubara must take Budget 2024 to Amaewhule-led House
- Court of Appeal dismisses governor’s case
- Rivers heads for Supreme Court
With yesterday’s dismissal of his appeal, Rivers State Governor Simianalayi Fubara has been mandated to present the 2024 Budget to the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the governor was wrong to have presented a budget to four members of the 32-man House of Assembly.

It equated the action to autocracy.

It affirmed the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the passage of the Rivers State Budget by a four-member House of Assembly.

In a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel of the Abuja Appeal Court, led by Justice Joseph Oyewole, held that the appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara against the January 22 judgment was unmeritorious.

On January 22, a Federal High Court presided over by Justice James Omotosho nullified the passage of the N800 billion 2024 budget, describing it as illegal.

Fubara has directed his lawyers to head for the Supreme Court to set aside the verdict and to apply for a stay of execution.

Justice Oyewole, who read the judgment, determined the appeal, marked: CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024 on a single issue, having earlier struck out eight grounds of appeal and five out of the six issues raised by the appellant.

The sole issue, which was whether the trial court was right when it granted the reliefs in the first and second respondents’ motion on notice filed on December 15, 2023, was resolved against the appellant.

The judge held that having failed to challenge the case at the trial court by withdrawing all the processes (documents) he filed against the suit, he (Fubara) could not turn around to appeal the judgment.

He held that by withdrawing all his documents on January 8, he conceded to all the allegations made against him and all the facts as stated by the plaintiffs.

Justice Oyewole awarded N500,000 as cost in favour of each of the first to 12th respondents.

The jurist said: “The non-contest of the action (suit) at the lower court by the appellant and the resignation of the 18th respondent from the first respondent (Rivers House of Assembly) left the action of the first and second respondents unchallenged and thereby left the lower court with no option than to accord evidential weight to the unchallenged affidavit evidence before it.

“The appellant, without disputing the substance at trial, surreptitiously wanted it set aside in this appeal. Litigation by stealth is an outdated strategy with zero efficacy.

“By withdrawing his processes contesting the substantive action and the motion on notice in issue, the appellant committed what I considered a faux pas, which cannot be redeemed by advocacy, no matter how brilliant.

“The appellant, as Governor of Rivers State, conceded this action at the lower court.”

Justice Oyewole noted that Fubara, who was the 11th defendant, did not counter all the weighty allegations of unlawful conduct raised against him in a motion filed by the plaintiffs.

He said: “As earlier pointed out, by withdrawing his counter-affidavit and other processes filed in opposition to the application of 15th December 2023, the appellant is deemed to have admitted these rather weighty facts.

“The challenges faced by the appellant in this appeal are self-inflicted and try as one may, it is impossible to see the utilitarian value to be achieved by filing this appeal after withdrawing all processes contesting the action at the lower court and thereby conceding the action.

Read Also: BREAKING: Fubara directs lawyers to appeal judgement, file stay of execution

“It seems to be purely academic for a party to concede an action at the lower court and then turn around to challenge the same action without any indication of fraud or misrepresentation being responsible for the earlier concession.”

Justice Oyewole faulted the decision by Fubara to deal with only four members of the House of Assembly, stressing that the legislature is the fulcrum of any democracy, which must be protected and guarded.

He said: “By encouraging four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly out of 32 to constitute the basis for legislative activities, the appellant, as Governor of Rivers State, was operating with 12.5 per cent of the entity constituting Rivers State.

“In a constitutional democracy, the foundation of every act must be located in the Constitution as the ground norm. Autocracy is out of place in constitutional democracy.

“I, therefore, resolve this remaining issue against the appellant, and in favour of the first and second respondents.

“In totality, therefore, this appeal is bereft of merit and it is accordingly, dismissed.”

Justices Okon Abang and Ishaq Sanni, who were also on the panel, agreed with the lead judgment.

Justice Abang deprecated Fubara’s conduct concerning the demolition of the Rivers House of Assembly complex.

He also faulted the governor’s support of the sitting of the four legislators led by Ehie Edison in a place outside the Assembly complex, purporting to be conducting legislative businesses.

The justice said Fubara, in a few hours, signed the budget in “indecent haste” shortly after it was purportedly passed by the four legislators.

He described the governor’s actions as “a joke taken too far,” adding that “democracy is anchored on rule of law, not rule of might as we have seen in the Governor of Rivers State.”

Justice Omotosho in a January 22 judgment in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023, described the passage of the Rivers State 2024 Appropriation Bill by the five lawmakers, led by Edison, as an aberration and illegality.

He consequently ordered Fubara to re-present the budget to the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly.

The judge on November 30, 2023, restrained Fubara and his agents from obstructing the 27 lawmakers from carrying out their constitutional duties.

He also restrained the governor from removing/redeploying the Clerk of the Assembly and withholding funds meant for the Assembly, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The judge extended the order on December 7, 2023, when the parties returned to court.

But, while the order subsisted, Fubara assented to the budget that the five lawmakers loyal to him passed.

The governor also prevented the 27 lawmakers from sitting by demolishing a part of the Assembly complex and withholding funds for legislative functions.

Justice Omotosho held that the four lawmakers’ passage of the budget and other actions taken while the November 30 order subsisted amounted to nullity.

He said Fubara acted like a tyrant, judging by the manner the Assembly complex was partially demolished and funds for legislative activities withheld.

The judge issued an order restraining the governor from frustrating the Assembly-led by Amaewhule from sitting or interfering in its activities.

He also described as unlawful Fubara’s redeployment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk out of the Assembly, saying that the action amounted to an affront on the principle of separation of power.

Justice Omotosho ordered the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk to resume office immediately and unhindered.

Apart from also asking Fubara to promptly release all monies standing to the credit of the Assembly, the judge ordered the Inspector-General of Police to immediately deploy his operatives to the Assembly complex.

Justice Omotosho also barred the National Assembly from taking over the Rivers Assembly or accepting or treating any request by Fubara on any matter affecting the legislature.

Ehie had left the House of Assembly to join the Fubara government as Chief of Staff.

The remaining three lawmakers elected Victor Oko-Jombo as Speaker.

Fubara directs lawyers to appeal judgment, file stay of execution

Fubara directed his lawyers to file an appeal against the Appeal Court judgment and to apply for a stay of its execution.

The governor insisted that the judgment did not reinstate the Martin Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly.

In a statement by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Israel Dagogo Iboroma (SAN), the governor insisted that Amaewhule and 26 others defected to the APC on December 11, 2023.

He said their seats became automatically vacant from the day they announced their defection from the PDP to the whole world.

The Attorney-General insisted that the issue of defection of Amaewhule and 26 others was never before the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, Abuja, and therefore, no court had legitimised their membership of the House of Assembly on the basis of the defection.

The statement said: “Today (yesterday), the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division dismissed Appeal No. CA/ABJ/133/CS/2024 filed by the Governor of Rivers State against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division in suit No. FHC/ABJ/133/CS/2023 delivered on the 22nd day of January 2024.

“It is important to state the facts and history of the case and the appeal thereof.

“On the 30th day of October 2023, after the failed attempt to impeach the Governor, the Rivers State House of Assembly became polarised into two factions.

“The faction led by Martin Amaewhule proceeded to the Federal High Court, Abuja Division and filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023, on the 29th day of November, 2023.

“Subsequently, on the 11th day of December 2023, Martin Amaewhule and others defected from the PDP that sponsored their election in the 2023 Legislative Assembly Election, to the APC.

“By operation of Law, particularly Section 109(i) (g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Martin Amaewhule and 26 others automatically lost their seats as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on the 11th day of December 2023, as Section 109(1)(g) is self executory as no court order is required thereof.

“The governor on the 13th day of December, 2023, presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, who was recognised as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the time.

“The Appropriation Bill was later passed into Law and became the Appropriation Law of 2024. An Appropriation Law is a state law within the purview of the High Court of Rivers State.

“Following the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly and the intervention by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that the parties withdraw their cases in court to allow peace reign, the governor obeyed the President’s directive and withdrew his cases and the processes he filed in Suit No FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023.”

“Martin Amaewhule and others disobeyed the President and did not withdraw Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023 and proceeded to obtain judgment against His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State.

“After the judgment of the Court of Appeal today, there is a gale of misrepresentation and misinterpretation that Martin Amaewhule & 26 others remain members of the Rivers State House of Assembly with Martin Amaewhule as the speaker thereof. This is patently false.

“The defection of Martin Amaewhule and 26 others was not an issue for determination in the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Court of Appeal.

“What was in issue was the 2023 Appropriation Law and the National Assembly taking over the Legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Dissatisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, the governor has directed his lawyers to file an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court and also file an application for stay of execution of the judgment of the Court of Appeal. That maintains the status quo.

“Accordingly, the governor urges the good people of Rivers State to ignore the purveyors of fake news bent on misleading the good people of Rivers State.”
October 11, 2024
Fubara: Not the best of times

The Court of Appeal yesterday affirmed the voiding of the N800 billion Rivers’ 2024 Appropriation Act, passed by a five-member Rivers State House of Assembly. So, it’s not the best of times for embattled Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Only on October 5, he rammed through a controversial local government poll. On that, however, neither him, the ingrate protégée, nor the mercurial Nyesom Wike, Fubara’s combative benefactor-turned-malefactor, was a saint in that controversial poll.

Fubara pushed his authority as elected governor. Wike was anxious to preserve the PDP “structure” he used to romp Fubara, a minority riverine Ijaw, into Rivers power. Each had to do what each had to do!

Still, it was a hysteric Fubara belching reckless statements in the passion of the moment: naming a judge and dubbing his verdict “fraudulent” because he didn’t like it; and virtually drawing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) into the Wike-Fubara fray — all in the passion of the moment!

On October 10, the Court of Appeal compelled Fubara to re-present his budget before the 27-member Martins Amaewhule Rivers Assembly, as against the five-member Edison Ehie faction — that became fiction in the eye of the law — that purportedly passed the budget. By the way, former Speaker Ehie is now Fubara’s chief of staff. So, that legislative faction is down to four, led by “Speaker” Victor Oko-Jumbo.

In a way, the verdict was a technicality. The Court of Appeal held that since Fubara failed to defend the allegations against him — he had withdrawn his counter-affidavit before Justice James Omotoso’s Federal High Court in Abuja — he could not logically turn around to mount an appeal.

That would appear the latest in the long line of Fubara comedy of errors, from either rash executive actions, or plain bad advice — or both.

Read Also: FG adds national values to primary school curriculum

For context, even the sitting Rivers Attorney-General was confirmed by a four-member Rivers legislature, after the first resigned to protest a cabinet shuffle. So, unless the governor and aides could prove that Martins Amaewhule and his 26 really defected to the APC and therefore had forfeited their seats, how can the product of confirmation outlawry — the AG himself — advise the governor right, at this crucial juncture?

Two choices before the governor: to re-present the budget before Amaewhule (horrors of horrors!) or ride his luck to the Supreme Court — and he had better win! If he loses, he is toast! Spending public money without appropriation is No. 2 crime in a democracy — only next to treason, which seeks to topple the democratic order.

So, post-loss, it’s a water-right cause for impeachment. By then, the governor would have set himself up for a neat, clinical legal guillotining! But it’s all so avoidable, even if Fubara’s powerful foes didn’t give him much of a chance to resist tightening the noose around his neck, in the tragedy of asserting his authority as governor.

Which is why there must be a third path for rapprochement, a give-and-take of mutual compromises between both camps. But will those stoking Ijaw tribal passion for Fubara change tack? Or even the combative Wike camp — are they not too angered beyond any reconciliation?

It’s grim times for Governor Fubara as the polity waits. But whatever happens, the Wike faction too would go down with serious collateral damage. Rivers people — poor folks — would be the worse for it.

October 11, 2024
BREAKING: Fubara directs lawyers to appeal judgement, file stay of execution

Rivers Governor Siminialayi Fubara has directed his lawyers to file an appeal against the judgement of the Appeal Court and apply for a stay of execution of the judgement.

The Governor insisted that the Appeal Court judgment of Thursday in Abuja did not reinstate the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly.

In a statement by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Israel Dagogo Iboroma, SAN, in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the Governor alleged that Amaewhule and 26 others defected on December 11, 2023.

He said their seats became automatically vacant from the day they announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the whole world.

The Attorney-General insisted that the issue of defection of Amaewhule and 26 others was never before the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, Abuja, and therefore, no court had legitimised their membership of the House of Assembly on the basis of the defection.

The statement reads: “Today, the 10th day of October 2024, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division dismissed Appeal No. CA/ABJ/133/CS/2024 filed by His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division in suit No. FHC/ABJ/133/CS/2023 delivered on the 22nd day of January, 2024.

“It is important to state the facts and history of the case and the appeal thereof.

Read Also: Fubara’s donation of 10 vans has nothing to do with Rivers LG poll, says NSCDC

“On the 30th day of October, 2023, after the failed attempt to impeach His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, the Rivers State House of Assembly became polarized into two factions. The faction led by Martin Amaewhule proceeded to the Federal High Court, Abuja Division and filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023, on the 29th day of November, 2023.

“Subsequently, on the 11th day of December, 2023, Martin Amaewhule and others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party that sponsored their election in the 2023 Legislative Assembly Election, to the All Progressives Congress.

“By operation of Law, particularly Section 109(i) (g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Martin Amaewhule and 26 others automatically lost their seats as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on the 11th day of December, 2023, as Section 109(1)(g) is self executory as no court order is required thereof.

“His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State on the 13th day of December, 2023, presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, who was recognized as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the time. The Appropriation Bill was later passed into Law and became the Appropriation Law of 2024. An Appropriation Law is a state law within the purview of the High Court of Rivers State.

“Following the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly and the intervention by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that the parties withdraw their cases in Court, to allow peace reign, His Excellency the Governor of Rivers State obeyed the President’s directive and withdrew his cases and the processes he filed in Suit No FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023. Martin Amaewhule and others disobeyed the President and did not withdraw Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023 and proceeded to obtain judgment against His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State.

“After the judgment of the Court of Appeal today, there is a gale of misrepresentation and misinterpretation that Martin Amaewhule & 26 others remain members of the Rivers State House of Assembly with Martin Amaewhule as the speaker thereof. This is patently false.

“The defection of Martin Amaewhule and 26 others was not an issue for determination in the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Court of Appeal. What was in issue was the 2023 Appropriation Law and the National Assembly taking over the Legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Dissatisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, His Excellency, the Governor has directed his lawyers to file an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court and also file an application for stay of execution of the judgment of the Court of Appeal. That maintains the status quo.

“Accordingly, His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State urges the good people of Rivers State to ignore the purveyors of fake news bent on misleading the good people of Rivers State”.

October 10, 2024