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Rivers House reaffirms legitimacy as Fubara backs ‘three loyal lawmakers’
- Governor’s visit to legislative quarters sparks row
The Clerk of Rivers State House of Assembly, Dr. Emeka Amadi, yesterday disowned the three-member faction backed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He clarified that Martin Amaewhule remained the authentic Speaker of the 27-member House, stressing that the three members loyal to the governor – Victor Jumbo, Goodboy Sokari and Adolphus Orubimie – cannot parade themselves as officers, having been suspended on October 30, last year.

The clarification by the Clerk came against the backdrop of Fubara’s backing Jumbo as Speaker.

Also yesterday, Fubara’s visit to the Legislative Quarters where the 27 lawmakers reside sparked a row.

While the lawmakers raised the alarm that Fubara was planning to demolish the quarters, the governor explained that he was on an assessment mission.

Speaking with reporters in Port-Harcourt, the state capital, after endorsing Jumbo as Speaker, Fubara said: “We have a new speaker. You are aware of the developments.”

But, in a disclaimer yesterday, the Clerk maintained that there was no change of leadership in the House of Assembly.

It reads: “The attention of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been drawn to reports in the electronic and print media that there was a leadership change in the Rivers State House of Assembly today (Yesterday).

“As the Clerk of the Rivers State House and one who administered the Oath of membership and office to all members and a custodian of all records of the House, I write to state the following:

“That there was no change in the leadership of the House today and Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule remains the Speaker of the House while Rt. Hon. Dumte Maol and Hon. Major Jack remains Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader respectively.

“That apart from the seat of Khana Constituency II which was declared vacant because of death of the member who represented the constituency, no other seat has been declared vacant.

“That there is a subsisting judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction in Suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 in which the Court among other orders “granted an Order of Injunction’ restraining the governor of Rivers State (11th Defendant)whether by himself or by his agents and or hirelings or in any manner howsoever from impeding or frustrating the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the 2nd plaintiff as the Speaker of the said House in the performance of their functions including holding of meetings and the transacting of the business of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“That Hon.Victor Oko Jumbo, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari and Hon. Adolphus Orubimie Timothy were suspended on the 30th of October 2023 pursuant to the Rules of the House and their suspension is yet to be lifted and they cannot lay claim to be officers of the House.

“That the House is still conducting legislative business in line with the Standing Orders of the House and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered.

“That the good people of Rivers State and the Nigerian Federation should discountenance any media report purporting any recent change in leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

Coup in Assembly:

Jumbo, who was named Speaker by three pro-Fubara lawmakers, described his group as the authentic House of Assembly.

But, the 27 members led by Amaewhule, described the move as daydreaming.

On Monday, the governor described the 27 as illegal lawmakers.

The spokesperson for the Amaehwule-led House, Enemi Alabo-George, who faulted Fubara’s visit to the quarters, described him ‘’as a small man’’ who forcibly gained entrance into the complex and threatened its peace.

Read Also: Tinubu appoints Wike’s man, Woke, as Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority’s MD

The complex has served as temporary chamber for the House, following the bombing and demolition of the Assembly Complex.

Alabo-George, in a post on his social media platform, said the governor broke the gates of the Assembly quarters and forced himself in.

He also claimed that there were gunshots that created panic among the wives and children of the lawmakers.

Fubara: I was on assessment visit

The governor, however, explained that he was on an assessment visit to the quarters to determine whether it required rehabilitation.

He said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, that he has the right to visit the complex because it is a state property.

Fubara said: “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there?

“I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people.”

‘Fubara planning to demolish quarters’

Amaewhule, who accused Fubara of plotting to demolish the quarters, said the governor was breaking the constitution instead of defending it.

He described the quarters built by former Governor Wike as one of the best in the country.

Amaewhule recalled that the quarters was commissioned by the Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, now Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila

He expressed disappointment at the governor’s undue interference, saying that the quarters were built for lawmakers and not members of the State Executive Council.

The Speaker said Fubara’s actions were unbecoming of a governor saddled with the responsibility of upholding the sanctity of the law.

He added: “We are ashamed to have a governor who has no respect for our constitution, laws, and democracy. Indeed, our governor is an assault to our democracy.”

Amaewhule alleged that the governor mobilised thugs who invaded the official residence of lawmakers.

He also accused the governor of planning to demolish the property of the House of Assembly, which was built with taxpayers’ money, without informing the lawmakers.

Amaewhule said that while other governors were looking for ways to improve the wellbeing of their people, Fubara is busy looking for structures to demolish.

He said the lawmakers are not afraid, adding that they will continue to make laws for the good governance of the state.

He insisted that the governor had no power over the legislature because the House of Assembly is a creation of the constitution.
May 10, 2024
BREAKING: Fubara storms Rivers Assembly amid impeachment saga

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, stormed the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt on Thursday, May 9, amid alleged plot by lawmakers to impeach him.

This was revealed in a video posted by Channels TV.

The video shows Fubara and his entourage driving into the Assembly quarters.

Read Also: Fubara, lawmakers feud throws Rivers into turmoil

The governor said he was there as the governor of the state. He, however, took a three-minute stroll around the grounds before leaving.

Details shortly…

May 9, 2024
Fubara, lawmakers feud throws Rivers into turmoil

• Three pro-governor legislators elect Speaker

• Council chiefs, govt disagree over withheld allocation

The crisis in Rivers State took a turn for the worse yesterday.

Three members of the House of Assembly loyal to Governor Siminialayi Fubara declared themselves as the authentic House of Assembly members.

They elected one of them, Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny Constituency, as Speaker.

This follows the governor’s declaration of 27 lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as illegitimate.

The election of Oko-Jumbo as speaker took place at about 10 am.

Thereafter, he declared: “All laws, plenary sessions and actions taken by the illegal House members are hereby declared void and a nullity in the eyes of the law.’’

Oko-Jumbo’s election by three Pro-Fubara lawmakers, was in spite of the peace deal brokered between the warring parties by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu late last year.

Since then, the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly has continued to make laws for the state, overriding the assents of the governor, who continually vetoed the passed bills.

Other parties joined the crisis, instituting various suits at the state high court to challenge the actions of the lawmakers.

While the Amaewhule-led Assembly continued to threaten the governor with impeachment, the governor on Monday fired back.

Oko-Jumbo, in a statement, accepted his position and thanked the members for electing him.

He said: “This is in line with Section 92(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (CFRN 1999) as Amended.

“You will agree with me that after the House last sat on the 13th of December, 2023, and adjourned sine dine, there has been an avalanche of legislative rascality perpetrated by the 25 former members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, led by the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule.

Read Also; I didn’t propose increase in VAT rate, says Taiwo Oyedele

“These former members, being fully aware of the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) of the CFRN 1999, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Party (APC) on the 11th of December, 2023.

“My distinguished colleagues, there are a plethora of cases pending in our courts further to the defection of the former lawmakers.

“All laws, plenary sessions and actions taken by the illegal House members are hereby declared void and a nullity in the eyes of the law by virtue of the judgment of Lord Denning in the celebrated case of MacFoy v UAC (1961) 3 All ER 1169.

“You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stay there. It will collapse.

“Furthermore, this House would want to most respectfully urge and call on His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to desist forthwith from further dealings with the 25 former lawmakers, in whatever guise.

“Those members are merely floating and do not have any landing ground or anywhere to berth their ship since their defection to the APC on the 11th of December, 2023.

“We will sit again, and communicate our proceedings to the public and make sure that we are doing what we ought to do to ensure there is transparency and clarity of leadership of the 10th Legislative Assembly.”

Fubara is a threat to democracy, says Amaewhule

Also, yesterday, the Amaewhule-led House described Fubara as a threat to democracy.

A statement by the media aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, quoted members, who rose against the governor’s remarks as describing them as unguarded and a direct affront to the grundnorm of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We will not join the governor in messy comments. We will continue to perform our constitutional functions as an institution and one of the tripods of democratic government”, the Speaker said.

At the sitting, the lawmakers were said to have consolidated the State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law of 2023, and the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law No. 4 of 2024 to form a new Local Government Law that provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of the local government councils and other matters.

Another twist yesterday was the revelation by the local government chairmen that the governor was withholding allocation to some of the councils.

They warned of a likely breakdown of peace over the action.

On Tuesday, the Rivers chapter of the APC “directed” the 27 lawmakers to begin an impeachment process against Governor Fubara for misconduct.

But the government rejected the call, which it described as a smokescreen.

Elder statesman Edwin Clark urged Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to intervene quickly to prevent a looming crisis.

Insisting that the council chairmen distorted the information on allocation, the state government said the chairmen should prepare to vacate office on June 17.

This is contrary to the Bill passed into law by the House of Assembly after overriding the veto of Governor Fubara.

The chairmen said one of the councils last received its statutory allocation in February and two in March.

But the government said only one council, Emohua, had its fund withheld by the Local Government Service Commission “to save the dignity and rights’’ of its employees.

The government which also said that Fubara had no interest in council funds, advised the chairmen to prepare for their exit on June 17.

It also told them that no retroactive law by the state House of Assembly would save them from vacating office on the said date.

The Martin Amaehwule–led House which has since late last year been at loggerheads with the governor passed a local government amendment bill into law in April after Fubara declined his assent.

It had on March 13 amended the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 and other matters connected thereto, to pave the way for the council chairmen to seek fresh terms.

Twenty-seven out of the 32 members of the House and the council chairmen are backing Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Nwike in the feud between him and Fubara.

On Monday, the governor declared that the Amaehwule–led house had ceased to exist in the eyes of the law.

This infuriated the state APC to direct its 27 legislators in the House to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor.

The call was yesterday described by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a forceful move by the APC to take over the state.

Addressing reporters in Port Harcourt yesterday, the 21 council chairmen said that by withholding council allocations, Fubara was inching towards ‘’proscribing the third tier of government the way he declared that the House of Assembly does not exist.’’

They called on President Tinubu, the House of Assembly, and ‘’well-meaning Rivers people and Nigerians’’ to wade in by calling the governor to order.

The chairmen lamented in a statement that was read by the Mayor of Port Harcourt, Allwell Ihunda, that the non-release of the allocations was preventing their colleagues in the affected councils “from discharging their primary responsibilities” to the people.

They alleged that Fubara had already started talking with heads of personnel management, treasurers and directors of the councils on how to ensure that salaries of local government employees were paid without their involvement.

Their statement partly reads. “The action of the governor has handicapped the local government councils and prevented them from discharging their primary responsibilities of local government administration at the grassroots, which includes the welfare of the people in the areas of sanitation, security and public health sector.

“We, therefore, call on President Tinubu to intervene by calling the governor of Rivers State to order with a view to avoiding a breakdown of governance, law, and order in Rivers State.

“We call on the honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to take appropriate steps to check the excesses of the governor of Rivers State and ensure the survival and sustenance of democratic institutions in our state.

“We also call on all well-meaning Rivers people and Nigerians, in general, to join in condemning the unlawful withholding of local government funds by the Rivers State Government as undemocratic, unconstitutional and retrogressive.

“We have noticed that the Governor of Rivers State is seeking to proscribe the system of local government which is guaranteed under Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

“This action is tantamount to an illegal proscription of the local government councils by a governor who had recently announced that the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are non-existent or exist merely at his convenience/mercy.

“These are clear signs that Rivers State is on the verge of being plunged into the dark ages of totalitarianism and autocratic rule under His Excellency Sir Siminialayi Fubara.”

The state Information Commissioner, Warisenibo Johnson, who said that only Emohua Local Government allocations were withheld, told the council chiefs to know that their tenures cannot be extended by any retrospective law.

Johnson explained that the allocations of three councils – Ikwerre, Ahoada East, and Emohua – were seized by the state’s Local Government Service Commission for sacking some of their workers in breach of the law.

Ikwerre and Ahoada council funds, according to him, were later released when they recalled the affected workers.

He said: “Emohua, Ahoada East, and Ikwerre local government areas chairmen were involved in an act beyond their constitutional powers.

“Local government chairmen have no right to sack any local government staff. The only body vested with that responsibility is the Local Government Service Commission. The three local government areas ran into murky waters.

“But Ahoada East and Ikwerre Local councils obeyed the directives of the commission but Emohua refused to do so and the commission was bent on doing the right thing.”

‘’That is why the money of Emohua is withheld. Nobody is holding their money. The governor is not interested in their money.”

The commissioner added that the chairmen should not nurse the idea of continuing in office beyond their three-year tenure because the 1999 Constitution prohibits retrospective laws.

Johnson said: “There is a prohibition on retrospective law. No law is made in retrospect. So, if a council chairman’s tenure is statutorily three years, no law can be made by any House of Assembly that can override the provisions of the 1999 Constitution on retrospective law.

“The local government chairmen will naturally sound the way they are sounding because there is something for them to benefit. What they are pursuing is a smokescreen, a fluke, and a mirage. It has no basis in law. Too many wrongs can never make one right.

“It is a settled law that their tenure will expire on the 17th of June and by the 18th of June they will no longer be eligible to be called chairmen. It means their responsibilities have turned to what is called functus officio. They should stop deceiving Rivers people.”

PDP warns APC against forcible takeover of Rivers

The PDP warned that the call for Fubara’s impeachment by the APC was tantamount to an attempt to overthrow a democratic order in breach of the 1999 Constitution.

The party consequently urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to urgently investigate “the subversive utterances” of the state APC Chairman, Mr. Tony Okocha.

National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, added that the call by Okocha indicated ‘’APC’s desperation to forcefully (forcibly) annexe’’ Rivers State.

He said: “Such reckless and unwarranted statement by the APC Chairman in Rivers State exposes the vile desperation of the APC, which is roundly rejected in Rivers State, to use violence, coercion, and bullying to undermine the will of the people and forcibly take over the State.

“The fact that the Rivers State APC Chairman, in his warped imagination, thinks he can direct impeachment proceeding against a duly elected state governor not only shows the level of APC’s arrogance and condescension for the people of Rivers State but also further confirms APC’s desperation to annex their democratic rights under the constitution forcefully.’’

According to Ologunagba, the PDP shares Fubara’s viewpoint that the 27 APC members in the House have no constitutional authority.

“In any event, the individuals that the Rivers State APC chairman directed to commence impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara are not legally members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and cannot contemplate or exercise such powers under the law,’’ he said.

“The PDP draws the attention of the Inspector General of Police to the subversive utterances of the APC Chairman in Rivers State which are capable of triggering crisis and derailing the Democratic Order in the country.

“The APC must perish the thought of forcefully taking over Rivers State as such is a direct assault on the sensibility of the people which will be resisted firmly.’’

The party also advised Okocha to ‘’come to terms with the fact that Rivers State is home to PDP and that the people of Rivers State are not ready to put their destiny in the hands of a corrupt, oppressive and anti-people Special Purpose Vehicle like the APC.’’

May 9, 2024
Fubara’s flight into fantasy

The legislature does not exist at the behest of the executive. Any person who thinks it does is only deluding himself. Politicians, as we all know, like to live in the world of illusion. They arrogate to themselves the power that they do not have. By do doing, they become big and important in the eyes of the beholder.

Politicians like to hear words, such as: ‘that man is important’, ‘our governor is powerful’, ‘the President is very, very powerful and can do and undo’. These are mere words that people utter to massage the egos of leaders, but which gets into their heads. It is easy to make the heads of the President, a governor and leaders in other fields swell by singing their praise. Hangers-on are good at that.

They know what the leader wants to hear and they say it to his face. It takes the grace of God for a man of position and means not to fall for the fawning of such people, who only come around in good times. When things are otherwise, they speak with their feet. By virtue of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the legislature is the second arm of government, but that does not make it a second fiddle to the executive.

Read Also: Pro-Fubara lawmakers elect Jumbo as Speaker

Though, it is number two in the hierarchy, the legislature is the most important arm of government because of its functions, which are clearly spelt out in the Constitution. Some of its duties are to make laws for the good governance of the country; the welfare and safety of the citizenry and the control of public funds. As the custodian of the public good, much is expected from the legislature. Painfully, it has not lived up to expectations. Oftentimes, it toes the line of the executive to the chagrin of the people.

The only time it asserts itself is when its interests are affected. Then, the legislature comes out blazing and firing on all cylinders, as we are now witnessing in Rivers State where it is at loggerheads with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. It is because the legislature has overtime sold its birthright for a mess of porridge that it has become the play thing of the executive. Can you imagine Fubara saying that the House of Assembly owes its existence to him? His statement shows the level of his contempt for the legislators.

But, I do not blame him; I blame the lawmakers who have always been in bed with any governor in power rather than be on the side of the people, who are their constituents. By virtue of this relationship, they have failed to discharge their constitutional duty without fear or favour; affection and illwill. Fubara and the lawmakers have been in a running battle since the governor fell out with his predecessor and godfather, Nyesom Wike, who is now Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister. Majority of the lawmakers are with Wike. The remaining five or so that are for Fubara have been shut out of the assembly’s activities.

So, Fubara has no voice, so to say, in the assembly. Experienced politicians know what to do in such circumstance. They reach out to the opponent and fashion something out for the government to run smoothly. Fubara is not ready to play the politics of give-and-take. He prefers to burn bridges instead of riding on them to achieve the results for which he was elected. You never say never in politics the way Fubara is doing, otherwise you will end up the loser.

Perhaps, Fubara is getting carried away by those solidarity visits to the Government House. We have seen all that before. The visits will fizzle out in no time when power changes hands. He should note that he cannot cut the lawmakers to size by denying them funding, which is their legitimate right anyway, and the use of the assembly complex, which has since been wittingly destroyed, for their sittings.

He had an opportunity to turn things to his own good when President Bola Tinubu intervened and brokered peace between him and the lawmakers. He flunked it by listening to the ‘august visitors’ who cannot help him when the chips are down. All what these visitors are after is what they can get from him as the sitting ‘Your Excellency’. These people will switch allegiance without batting an eyelid if he loses out at the end of the day.

How can Fubara say that the lawmakers are in office because he allowed it? Even if he is coming from the angle that they have defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC), he still does not have the power to pronounce on the legitimacy of the retention of their seats. Only the judiciary, which is the third arm of government can do that. That the Constitution gives him as a governor the power to proclaim the convening of the inaugural session of the House of Assembly does not give him a hold over the legislature.

This is purely an exercise of administrative power that cannot be used by Fubara to determine the legality or otherwise of the House of Assembly. The President as father of the nation haa done all that is expected of him to ensure peace in Rivers. It is left for Fubara and the lawmakers to make the peace accord, whether constitutional or political brokered by the President, work. Fubara should stop taking the President’s name when it suits him to do so to justify his actions that negate the peace accord, all because according to him, it is a political and not constitutional solution.

If that is so, is his claim that the House of Assembly exists at his pleasure constitutional? Our politicians should be mindful of what they say in the heat of the moment because of the consequences. It is because the Rivers crisis can be resolved that the President settled for political option, which is the amicable way to lay it to rest. But are the parties ready for settlement? If it is their wish to fight to the finish, it is left to them. One thing is sure: both sides will be left battered, bloodied and bruised. As they make their bed, so they will lie on it.

May 9, 2024
BREAKING: Rivers LG chairmen vow to back Fubara’s impeachment call

The Rivers State chapter of the Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria (ALGON) has said it is ready to back the call for the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The local government chairmen also accused Fubara of embezzling funds intended for the state’s twenty-three LGAs.

According to the state ALGON, the move has deprived them of their roles in overseeing the third tier of government.

The caretaker chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Tony Okocha, had urged the State House of Assembly to start the impeachment process against the governor.

The State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda, revealed this at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Read Also: Rivers APC directs lawmakers to impeach Fubara

Ihunda said: “It has come to the notice of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, that the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has neglected, failed, and deliberately refused to hold the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting which is the prerequisite for the release and disbursement of funds due to the local government in the State Joint Local Government Accounts.

“And has continued to withhold the statutory allocations due to the 23 local government councils of Rivers State since April 2024.

“And in the case of Emuoha LGA since March 2024 till date for no just course, thereby starving the third tier of the government of the funds required to discharge its statutory functions in the administration of the local government areas.”

May 8, 2024
JUST IN: Fubara bars all LGA heads from appearing before Rivers Assembly

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has barred all heads and officials of the 23 local government areas in the state from appearing before the Rivers Assembly, especially the Pro-Wike lawmakers.

The governor warned that any chairman who appeared before lawmakers loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led by Martin Amaewhule as speaker would be sacked.

Fubara had earlier declared that in the eyes of the Law, the State does not have state lawmakers as 27 Lawmakers had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, thereby losing their mandate as enshrined in the constitution.

Read Also: Rivers APC directs lawmakers to impeach Fubara

Fubara’s directive is contained in an online circular signed by Ebirieneuket Nteile C, Director of Information and Communications for Chairman Local Government Service Commission, dated Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

The circular reads: “I am directed to inform you/ all officers of the 23 Local Government Councils in Rivers State, not to honour/appear before the Members of Assembly or any purported invitation by anybody or group of persons in any guise without the permission of the Acting Chairman- Local Government Service Commission.

“Any staff who disobeys or violates this instruction will be dismissed accordingly from service. Treat as very important, please,” the circular read.

May 8, 2024
Rivers dedicates 20 days to mark Fubara’s first year in office

…governor to inaugurate, kick-off 10 projects

The Rivers state government has dedicated 20 days for various activities to mark governor Fubara‘s first year in office.

The government lined up 10 projects for the governor to inaugurate and kick off in various local government areas of the state as part of the events.

The chairman of the Central Planning Committee and Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Tammy Danagogo, who spoke in Port Harcourt on Tuesday said the events would begin on May 14th with the inauguration of the old Bori Road to provide an alternative route to the Eleme axis of the East-West Road.

In other days, Danagogo said the governor would inaugurate projects such the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road and the Eleme-Omoku Road connecting multiple local government areas.

Danagogo said to boost economic growth, the Rivers State Economic Summit 2024 would hold on May 22nd and 23rd.

He said the summit would focus on increasing the state’s internally generated revenue, attracting investment, and ensuring job creation.

He said on May 27th, the children’s Day, activities had been lined up for children to be hosted by the governor’s wife Valerie Fubara.

He said such activities would be followed by a state banquet in the evening to commemorate Fubara’s first year in office and the 57th anniversary of the state’s creation.

Danagogo said other days would feature the launch of a youth development programme on May 28th and an accountability forum on May 29th.

Read Also: New twist in Rivers crisis: Amaewhule-led lawmakers illegal, says Fubara

He said the governor would present his performance report from the past 12 months to give the people an opportunity to scrutinise his records.

Dangogo said May 30th would commence the phase 2 of the Trans-Kalabari road, a mega project conceptualised by former Governor Peter Odili.

He said May 31 would be reserved for the presentation of certificates to certain traditional rulers and would be followed by evening praise.

Danagogo said on June 1, the Rivers International Marathon, which the state government hoped to make a regular event to encourage tourism and promote healthy lifestyles, would hold in the state.

According to him the programme would conclude with a thanksgiving ceremony on June 2 at Saint Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Garrison Junction, Port Harcourt.

Danagogo noted that all the projects to be inaugurated except one were started by the present administration.

He described Fubara’s administration as a “calm and quiet revolution,” saying the government had a determination for prudent management of resources.

He said the highlight of the events would be the publication of a comprehensive book detailing his administration’s accomplishments, including project costs and specifications to be distributed during an account of stewardship on May 29th.

May 7, 2024
BREAKING: Rivers APC to Assembly: start impeachment process of Fubara now

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has directed the state House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, to immediately commence the impeachment process of the state governor, Siminialayi Fubara.

The state caretaker committee (CTC) of the party led by Tony Okocha stated in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Tuesday, May 7.

Read Also: Rivers Assembly bypasses Fubara, okays public procurement law

The party has called for action following Governor Fubara’s recent remarks about President Tinubu’s intervention in the crisis in the state.

The governor’s statement over the weekend before former military Governor of the State, HRM Alfred Diete Spiff, in which he said that the House of Assembly does not exist in the state, has prompted the party’s decision.

Details shortly…

May 7, 2024
Rivers crisis: Fubara spits fire, says Amaewhule-led lawmakers no longer exist in law

Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, has bared his mind on the toxic relationship between him and the House of Assembly, saying the lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule no longer exist in the eyes of the law.

Fubara said: “”Let me say it here, those group of men who claim that they are assembly members, they are not existing. I want it to be on record.

“I accepted that peace accord to give them a floating (soft-landing). That’s the truth. There is nothing in that peace accord that is a constitutional issue.

“It is a political solution to a problem. I accepted it because these are people that were visiting me and we were together in my house.

“These are people that I have helped… in many ways when I wasn’t even a Governor. Yes, we might have our disagreements but I believe that one day, we could also come together. That was the reason I did it.

“But I think it has gotten to a time when I need to make a statement on this thing, so that they understand that they are not existing. Their existence and whatever they have been doing is because I allowed them to do so. If I don’t recognize them, they are nowhere, that is the truth.”

The Governor spoke when he received on courtesy visit the Bayelsa delegation of political and traditional leaders led by former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson at Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.

The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, explained that despite his overtures his detractors at the other side had refused to implement all the resolutions of many reconciliations involving them.

The Governor said he had acted like the big brother in the crisis, not interested in destroying the ‘house’, to allow meaningful development to continue in the state.

Fubara said: “But I know that I have always taken the path of peace. I have shown respect. I’ve subjected myself to every meeting of reconciliation for peace. And what happens, each time we come out from such meetings, we are faced with one thunder or lightening.”

The Governor said he assumed office with the resolve to build on the existing foundation of development of past leaders, especially the immediate past governor.

He said it would have been out of the ordinary to engage in any political battle when there was so much work to be done for the State and its people as their governor.

He said he strongly felt that it was proper to set some records straight about what had become of a minor problem that was not uncommon in every human relationship.

Fubara stated: “But it is a bad thing when the problem that ought not to be anything, becomes something, and in fact, gets out of the bedroom to the sitting room and to the compound. That is the case of Rivers State today.

“I am also happy that you even mentioned the issues, even when I have all the instruments of state powers. I have shown restrain, and I believe that whoever is alive and have been following the activities of our dear State, knows that I have acted as a big brother in the course of this crisis.

“I have not acted like a young man that may want the house to be destroyed but I have behaved like a matured young man that I am. This is because I know that no meaningful development will be achieved in an atmosphere of crisis.

“And because our intention for Rivers State is to build on the foundation that had been laid by our past leaders, it will be wrong for me to take the path of promoting crisis. That is why we are still recording the development that you are hearing around Rivers State.”

Fubara insisted that there was nothing wrong in one helping another person but it did not arrogate to the helper the place of God.

He said God will remain God and could sometimes cause one’s enemy to be willing vessel to bring about one’s promotion in life.

He said: “God can do anything He wants to do when He wants to do it. It is only for us to realise that. God will not come down from Heaven but will pass through one man or woman to achieve His purpose.

“So, for that reason, when we act, we act as humans; human vessels that God has used, and not seeing yourself as God.

“I want to say this clearly that we appreciate the role our leaders, most especially the immediate past governor, played. But that is not enough for me to worship a human being. I can’t do that”.

He said whereas he had restrained himself from using the instruments of the State to harass anybody, his opponents were on daily basis harassing his supporters.

Read Also: Fubara blasts contractor for abandoning project site after 80% payment

Fubara said: “So, I want you to see the sacrifice I have made to allow peace to be in our state. I can say here, with all amount of boldness, I have never called any police man anywhere to go and harass anybody.

“I have never gone anywhere to ask anybody to do anything against anybody. But what happens to the people that are supporting me? They are being harassed, they are being arrested and detained. There is no week that somebody doesn’t come here with one letter of invitation for trump-up charges and all those things.

“I am saying all these because of what my senior said here: restrain. I don’t think the other party has shown any restrain. I am the one that has shown restrain in the face of this crisis.

“I am the one that is badly hit, even when I have all the government instruments to shake up the table. But, why will I do it? I believe that peace is the best relationship to cultivate.”

May 6, 2024
Rivers political crisis hasn’t affected governance, says Fubara

Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the weekend said that the ongoing political crisis in the State has not affected his focus on governance.

Fubara spoke when he hosted members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, led by its Chairman, Mike Etaba, at Government House in Port Harcourt.

The Governor declared that as long as his administration and Rivers people were concerned, the crisis was nothing significant.

Alluding to a movie he watched a long time ago, Fubara said the pressure from the unwarranted political crisis had served as an enabler to strengthen his commitment to serve the people.

He said: “As far as we are concerned, there are no political issues. I had seen a movie many years ago, entitled, ‘Devil’s Advocate.’ I believe some of you must have seen that movie too.

“One of the starring characters, Al Pacino, said pressure makes some people retreat or fail, and to others, it makes them to become focused to succeed. We have chosen to be focused under this pressure.

“That is why we are moving ahead. That is why we are making positive impact in the lives of our people. Governance is about the people. It is not about self.

“Governance is about touching the core needs of those people we are leading, and by the special grace of God, we are doing it.”

Read Also: Fubara blasts contractor for abandoning project site after 80% payment

Fubara referred to the empowerment of about 3,066 Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) when he kicked-off the N4bn single digit loan scheme in conjunction with the Bank of Industry (BOI) Limited on Friday, as one way his administration was improving the socio-economic dynamics of the state.

He said: “Yesterday, by the special grace of God, we observed the credit line of over 3,066 persons empowered. You can imagine what that will do for the economy of the masses and the State.

“That is touching the lives of our people. It is not supporting them for selfish reasons. It is not giving contract because I want somebody to fight somebody in my community. No. This is empowering the economy of the masses and the State.

“Our focus is that, no matter what anybody is doing anywhere, we are not going to lose focus. We want to leave here better than we had met it. And we want to also leave here without fear of anything.”

Fubara in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said it was more desirable for a public leader to relish in the accolades from the majority of the people.

He said: “That is what we want to hear, so that when before our children, our names are mentioned when we are no more, they will say: ‘that man is a good man’.

“We will not oppress anybody. We will not force anybody against their will. We will not intimidate anybody, because intimidation has a time it expires.

“When the time of intimidation expires, even as recorded of Pharaoh in the Bible, who intimidated the children of Israel, but it got to a time that the intimidation no longer worked.

“So, any bad thing that has a beginning, will have an end. So, that is why I said we don’t have any problem. We have put that crisis behind us. We are looking ahead.”

Fubara, who reiterated that Rivers State remained peaceful, said only a peaceful leader could evolve such atmosphere in the state.

The Governor said: “Leadership and respect in leadership is not earned by force. It is your style that brings respect and love. And what we are doing is to respect our people, and in turn, our people are giving us that support for leadership.

“So, I am happy that you are here, and when you go back, tell others your own side of the story: that Rivers State is moving forward. Forget about what you see in the social media, there is progress everywhere here. There is light everywhere.”

Fubara further told the committee members that it was normal for people to seek redress when they felt their right had been trampled upon.

But he advised them to be thorough with their investigation, fair and make their resolutions devoid of bias.

May 6, 2024