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  • Rivers crisis: Fubara lauds Tinubu’s intervention, apologises

    Rivers crisis: Fubara lauds Tinubu’s intervention, apologises

    • Niger Delta leaders visit Wike, condemn plot to impeach gov
    • Rivers youths seek redeployment of police officers

    Rivers State governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention in the political crisis that rocked the state last week saying it led to quick resolution of the matter.

    Fubara in a statement he personally signed at the weekend titled, ‘Peace is Priceless’, described Tinubu’s role in the dispute as fatherly.

    He said: “I wish to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his fatherly intervention which opened a series of communication channels to facilitate the timely resolution of the festering crisis. I wish to also thank our elders, who are currently intervening in the matter.”

    Fubara, who described himself as a man of peace, said his roles in all the events were designed to ensure the stability and progress of the state.

    Narrating the events, he said: “I consider it necessary to issue this press statement on the developments of the past few days in our dear state.

    “Late on Sunday night, 29th October 2023, I was inundated with reports that the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly had been gutted by fire. The blaze was successfully put out by the fire service after which security agencies took control of the situation.

    “My visit to the Assembly complex on Monday, 30th October 2023, was to assess the level of damage and undertake remedial measures to protect lives and property within the Assembly complex. I charged the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and report to me.

    “Shortly after, I got reports that the State House of Assembly had broken into two factions: one claiming to have impeached and suspended the house leader and three others preparatory to initiating an impeachment action against me, and the other rival faction impeaching the speaker and deputy speaker, thus sparking off some form of political crisis.

    “Let me clearly state that my actions are aimed at restoring peace and stability in our state. I am a man of peace and as governor, the advancement of our state is my primary concern. Consequently, no sacrifice is too much for me to make to achieve this objective.”

    The governor said it remained the collective responsibility of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike and himself to leverage their positions to advance the progress of the state.

    He said: “Furthermore, it is the collective responsibility of the immediate past Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency,  Chief Barrister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike,  GSSRS, Life Bencher and my humble self, to leverage our positions and influences within and outside the state to advance the progress, security and well-being of our people. 

    Read Also: FG to open up 28 States for water transportation

    “We must therefore not allow circumstances that could retard all efforts at achieving greatness for our people to prevail. On my part, I am  always willing and ready to embrace the path to lasting peace and tranquility with a commitment to consummating all efforts and initiatives by Mr. President and other well-meaning Nigerians, including my brother governors and the elders.

    Fubara apologised to Rivers people over the tension that gripped the state describing it as regrettable.

    He said: “I assure the good people and youths of Rivers State, that peace will certainly prevail and we shall continue to work together to advance the peace, security,  progress and development of our state.

    “As governor, I sincerely apologise to the good people of Rivers State for the regrettable anxieties of the last few days, while thanking you all for your concerns, and continued support, love, and prayers”.

    Meanwhile, the leaders of the Niger Delta yesterday  paid a solidarity visit to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike for further reconciliations between him and Governor Fubara.

    A statement by Dr Kingsley Kuku yesterday, said  the Niger Delta leaders paid the visit to convey the region’s appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for including Wike in his cabinet and to congratulate the minister on his appointment.

    On current political developments in Rivers, the leaders noted that the state was strategic to the South-South region and could not afford to be in crisis.

     “As Lagos State is very dear to the South West, so is Rivers State to the Niger Delta. This is because as an injury to one is an injury to all, we feel justified to condemn the macabre dance playing out there.

     “We join PANDEF, INC, IYC, MOSIEND, MOSOP, Ogbakor Ikwerre and all other responsible bodies in the Niger Delta in condemning the mischievous attempts at the State House of Assembly to impeach the State Governor on frivolous grounds of ‘gross misconduct’.

     “It is quite unacceptable to us and to the entire Niger Delta. Any person, authority or group of persons involved in stoking this fire is strongly advised to desist from it and allow peace to reign,” the statement said.

    The statement noted that as a political leader in Rivers, Wike wields the influence to broker peace as both the executive and legislature consist of his political proteges.

    However, a   coalition of youths from Rivers State under the auspices of the Rivers Liberation Coalition of NGOs, has called on the Inspector-General of Police to redeploy the police officers including the state Commissioner of Police following their alleged complicity in the attack on the state Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara.

    Speaking in Port Harcourt at the weekend, the youths condemned the attempt to impeach the governor and said the police commissioner and Deputy Police Commissioner, Operations, should be shown their way out of the state.

    The youths said they could no longer watch from the sidelines acts of intimidation against Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

  • Rivers Crisis: Wike, Fubara must tread with caution, says Abe

    Rivers Crisis: Wike, Fubara must tread with caution, says Abe

    • Insists politicians have learnt nothing from past experiences

    The immediate past governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe, has called on the political gladiators in the state to tread with caution in the interest of the people.

    Speaking on ARISE NEWS Channel, Abe said, in any society there are kingmakers but there are no king removers, warning that those who want to remove the king may be charged with treason.

    He stated that the present crisis in Rivers State would not help the people of the state, urging Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalaye Fubara to “cool down and settle their differences.’’

    According to the former senator, what should be paramount to the political gladiators is the welfare of the people of the state, and not fighting to maintain their political base. 

    He said: “My advice to all the parties is to tread with caution. I am very happy with the reconciliatory stand of the governor saying that it is a father and son quarrel, and I think it is left for the father to now take the cue from the offer of peace and make the same kind of comment that will enable them to have a common meeting point so that there will be peace in the state and Rivers people can be able to move forward.

    “My advice to all the gladiators is that you can have kingmakers in any society, but you cannot have king removers because if you try to remove the king it’s viewed as treason. So let the gladiators shield our swords, talk to one another.”

     Abe stressed that the situation in Rivers State is not substantially different from what is going on in other states where outgoing governors handpicked their successors.

    Read Also: Rivers crisis:  Elders caution Fubara, absolve Wike of blame

    “There is nothing going on in Rivers State that is substantially different from what is going on in other states, but it is better managed in other states. In most cases, the outgoing governors handpicked their successors. But, in other states, the outgoing governors take a step back, even if you will intervene or influence affairs, you don’t do it in such a way that everybody keeps coming to you for everything, making the man who is on the ground irrelevant.

    “There is always a situation when you have an old king and a new king because people will always go to the old king, but it is the responsibility of the old king to let people know that he is no longer in charge so that you don’t give room for friction between you and your successor.

    “As long as we have the kind of system where whoever is the leader of the party has the power to handpick every candidate and handpick everything and where public funds and political funds inferably merge and if you don’t have access to public funds, you are not competitive in the political space. Those with access to public funds will always have an advantage. So, the problem is everywhere but the difference between Rivers State and other states is that our own problem is not being properly managed.

    “I want to call on the actors to manage the problem better so that it is not always Rivers State that is in the news. Let another state come up with their own problem and let Nigerians discuss them while we focus on the development of the state.”

  • Rivers crisis:  Elders caution Fubara, absolve Wike of blame

    Rivers crisis:  Elders caution Fubara, absolve Wike of blame

    • Allegations against Wike false, say state elders

    Rivers State leaders and elders under the aegis of Rivers Elders Forum (REF) yesterday said the allegation that Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike was behind the impeachmentmove against Governor Siminalayi Fubara was false.

    The elders said the governor may have misinterpreted a mere internal crisis in the  House of Assembly between the sacked Majority Leader, Edinson Ehie, and his other lawmakers.

    The elders, in a statement by their Chairman, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra, observed that the governor, having misread the internal brawl as an existential threat, gave the situation an ethnic coloration.

    Elders who endorsed the statement were Sam Sam Jaja, former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP), Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Ruler,  Sergeant Awuse; Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Okey Chinda and Senator Olaka Nwogu.

    On what led to the crisis, the elders said: “We are aware that there was a pre-existing problem between Ehie, the then majority leader, and his colleagues that culminated in his removal.

    “That to forestall his impeding removal, the hallowed chamber of the Assembly was burnt and that Fubara believed that Ehie’s removal was a precursor to his impeachment, which is not true.

    “The misrepresentation of the internal wrangling among the members prompted the governor’s immediate intervention, making a characterised legislative brawl as an existential threat. This caused governor and his newly assembled supporters to give the action of the Assembly members an ethnic coloration and prompted youths of Ijaw extraction to rally behind the governor in the name of Ijaw nationalism.

    “The hasty reaction of the governor has now pitched His Excellency, Sim Fubara, and state Assembly members in an all out battle that had led to the activation for the process of impeachment of the governor.

    “The governor neither sought the help, clarification, intervention of Wike and the elders on the development, nor did he discourage damaging lies to be peddled against Wike.

    “Nyesom Wike has been viciously attacked by sections of the media and the public as the evil mastermind of the scheme and series of events he was neither involved in nor privy to”.

    The elders lamented that the action of Fubara led to the peddling of false allegations that Wike demanded money from the governor,  adding that the governor showed ingratitude and bad faith by not immediately debunking the accusations.

    Describing the allegations against Wike as false, wicked, unfair and satanic, the elders said they were only designed to discredit the minister before the gullible public.

    Read Also: Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

    They added: “The false stories were peddled that Wike demanded money from the governor in order to discredit him before a gullible public, which is very sad. We confirm that the allegations are wicked, unfair, satanic

    “The governor being aware of the lies and not debunking them showed bad faith and ingratitude. Governor Fubara is aware that Nyesom Wike invested heavily in the infrastructural development of Rivers State.

    “Wike was selfless and applied the funds of the state judiciously. He did not steal or misappropriate Rivers State funds. To insinuate that today or create the impression that he was asking for money is most unfortunate and regrettable”.

    The elders said in their efforts to resolve the crisis,  they visited Wike and assured him of their steadfast, complete and undiluted loyalty.

    They stressed: “Know that Wike has consistently fought for and defended the interest of Rivers State at all times. At our visit to Wike, elders assured him of our steadfast, complete and undiluted loyalty. We apologise for the embarrassment caused him by Fubara and all others, who played vicious roles in the unfortunate drama”.

    The elder rejected the insinuations of ethnicity by some Ijaw leaders from other states, saying they had forgotten how Wike insisted on producing a riverine governor of the Ijaw extraction.

    They said: “We vehemently condemned the insinuations of some Ijaw leaders from some other states who so soon have forgotten that it was Wike who insisted on producing a Rivers governor of Ijaw extraction and paid a heavy political price.

    “Wike has since facilitated the appointments of more Ijaw sons since he came to Abuja, including Boma Iyaye, Executive Director Finance, NDDC, and Rufus Godwin as member of the Federal Civil Service Commission.

    “Wike has done more for Ijaw sons and daughters of ethnic nationality than most of these leaders. In fact, Wike’s efforts to make Sim Fubara governor was rejected and opposed largely by Ijaws then than any other tribe or ethnic group”.

    The elders affirmed that Ehie was properly removed as the Leader of the House, noting that Amaewhule remained the authentic Speaker of the House of Assembly.

    They insisted that Fubara must take urgent steps to correct the false narratives against Wike to provide a window for true reconciliation.

    They warned persons advising Fubara to engage Wike in a needless battle to desist and allow the governor concentrate on consolidating the achievements of Wike.

    They said: “On the Assembly, we confirmed that Amaewhule is the authentic Speaker and Ehie and company validly suspended. We wish to express our gratitude to Wike for the audience and amiable disposition to continue work selflessly for our state and accepting the mediation of the elders.

    “We urge Fubara to please, take urgent steps to correct some of the false narratives against Wike thus providing a window for mediatory talks and a way forward. We advise those encouraging the governor to engage in a fruitless and needless battle with Wike to desist fortwith and allow the governor concentrate on consolidating on the extraordinary achievement with Wike while he was the governor.

    “Our pact with Rivers people is unbroken. They gave us the mandate in the last election following the achievements of Wike and trust that the candidate from our political family will continue this work. We cautioned those new friends of Fubara to retract their steps before they throw the state into deeper crisis. We the elders stand with Wike to ensure we work with him and all involved to bring peace to Rivers”.

    They passed a vote of confidence in Wike as the indisputable leader of their political family in Rivers and credited him for producing all elected members of the family.

    They said: “Nyesom Wike is the undisputable leader of the political family that produced Governor Sim Fubara, the three senators in the National Assembly, the 11 members of the House of Representatives and all 32 members of the House of Assembly,.all 23 chairmen and the entire councilors of the 23 local government areas.

    “Fubara and all the above elected office holders in Rivers belong to the same political family and are abound by our philosophy to transform, build, develop and create the Rivers State of our dreams in consonance with our new Rivers vision devoid of ethnicity, tribe, creed and gender” 

  • Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

    Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

    Amid political crisis in Rivers State, members of the state caucus of the National Assembly on Thursday, November 2, paid a solidarity visit to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike and declared their total support for the ex-governor. 

    Addressing the Rivers National Assembly caucus, Wike made it clear that he is not interested in the governance of the state, saying his hands are full on his new job as FCT minister.

    However, he said he would not allow anyone to destroy the political structures he has built for years. 

    Wike said: “I am not interested in the governance of Rivers State.  Am here as Governor in FCT, I am interested in the political structure we’ve built over the years in Rivers state. 

    “Anybody who tried it will get the resistance of his life. Anybody who puts his hands in Rivers state political structures, what you see, you see.”

    The minister also cautioned those who believe ‘unbelievable tales’, adding that those who accused him of demanding 25 percent were ignorant. 

    He said: ‘’I was governor for eight years.  I am now FCT minister, not just minister and some will say that I am asking for 25 percent; that is madness.”

    The minister, while addressing the federal legislators, said in life, people should learn to appreciate those who in one way or the other contributed to their lives. 

    He charged them not to disappoint the state and the country. 

    The minister stated: “Those of you that God has given the opportunity, don’t disappoint your state, don’t disappoint Nigerians. When you make a mistake, we will call you to order, take it in good faith, don’t say we are coming for kick backs.”

    Earlier, leader of the delegation, Kingsley China, the House of Representatives minority leader, said the caucus was visiting to show solidarity and declare their unalloyed support for the FCT minister and to express appreciation to President Tinubu for appointing Wike as FCT minister. 

    He said: “We thank you for invaluable support for all of us. You supported us all through the primaries.  You are the reason why we are in the National Assembly today”.

    Read Also: I won’t allocate land without providing infrastructure, says Wike

    Commending Wike, they noted that in barely three months, Wike has changed the face of the FCT for his performance, just the way he did in Rivers State. 

    They also condemned the political crisis in the state and declared their total support for Wike. 

    Members of the Rivers State National Assembly Caucus that visited Wike were all three senators from Rivers State and 11 House of Representatives members:

    There are Senator Barinada Mingi, Sen. Ipalibo Harry Banigo who was deputy governor to Wike when he was governor and Sen. Allwell Onyeso. 

    The Rep members in attendance were: Honey. Felix Nwike, Hon. Boniface Emerungwa, Blessing Emezureke, Victor Onozor, Fun Deakor, Solomon Bob, Kelechi Nworgu, Kingsley China, Hart Cyril Goodwill and Allison Anderson.

  • Rivers crisis: Elders caution Fubara, absolve Wike of blame

    Rivers crisis: Elders caution Fubara, absolve Wike of blame

    Rivers leaders and elders under the aegis of Rivers Elders Forum (REF) said the allegation that Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike was behind the impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara was false.

    The elders said the Governor may have misinterpreted a mere internal crisis in the  House of Assembly between the sacked Majority Leader, Edinson Ehie and his other lawmakers.

    The elders, in a statement by their Chairman, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra, observed that the Governor, having misread the internal brawl as an existential threat, gave the situation an ethnic coloration.

    Elders who endorsed the statement were Sam Sam Jaja, former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP), Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Ruler,  Sergeant Awuse; Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Okey Chinda and Senator Olaka Nwogu.

    On what led to the crisis, the elders said: “We are aware that there was a pre-existing problem between Ehie, the then majority leader, and his colleagues that culminated in his removal.

    “That to forestall his impeding removal, the hallowed chamber of the Assembly was burnt and that Fubara believed that Ehie’s removal was a precursor to his impeachment, which is not true.

    “The misrepresentation of the internal wrangling among the members prompted the governor’s immediate intervention, making a characterised legislative brawl as an existential threat. This caused governor and his newly assembled supporters to give the action of the Assembly members an ethnic coloration and prompted youths of Ijaw extraction to rally behind the governor in the name of Ijaw nationalism.

    “The hasty reaction of the governor has now pitched His Excellency, Sim Fubara, and state Assembly members in an all out battle that had led to the activation for the process of impeachment of the governor.

    “The Governor neither sought the help, clarification, intervention of Wike and the elders on the development, nor did he discourage damaging lies to be peddled against Wike. 

    “Nyesom Wike has been viciously attacked by sections of the media and the public as the evil mastermind of the scheme and series of events he was neither involved in nor privy to,” he said. 

    The elders lamented that the action of Fubara led to the peddling of false allegations that Wike demanded money from the governor,  adding that the governor showed ingratitude and bad faith by not immediately debunking the accusations.

    Describing the allegations against Wike as false, wicked, unfair and satanic, the elders said they were only designed to discredit the minister before the gullible public.

    They added: “The false stories were peddled that Wike demanded money from the governor in order to discredit him before a gullible public, which is very sad. We confirm that the allegations are wicked, unfair, satanic 

    “The governor being aware of the lies and not debunking them showed bad faith and ingratitude. Governor Fubara is aware that Nyesom Wike invested heavily in the infrastructural development of Rivers State. 

    “Wike was selfless and applied the funds of the state judiciously. He did not steal or misappropriate Rivers State funds. To insinuate that today or create the impression that he was asking for money is most unfortunate and regrettable”.

    The elders said in their efforts to resolve the crisis,  they visited Wike and assured him of their steadfast, complete and undiluted loyalty.

    They stressed: “Know that Wike has consistently fought for and defended the interest of Rivers State at all times. At our visit to Wike, elders assured him of our steadfast, complete and undiluted loyalty. We apologise for the embarrassment caused him by Fubara and all others, who played vicious roles in the unfortunate drama”.

    The elder rejected the insinuations of ethnicity by some Ijaw leaders from other states, saying they had forgotten how Wike insisted on producing a riverine governor of the Ijaw extraction.

    They said: “We vehemently condemned the insinuations of some Ijaw leaders from some other states who so soon have forgotten that it was Wike who insisted on producing a Rivers governor of Ijaw extraction and paid a heavy political price. 

    “Wike has since facilitated the appointments of more Ijaw sons since he came to Abuja, including Boma Iyaye, Executive Director Finance, NDDC, and Rufus Godwin as member of the Federal Civil Service Commission. 

    “Wike has done more for Ijaw sons and daughters of ethnic nationality than most of these leaders. In fact, Wike’s efforts to make Sim Fubara governor was rejected and opposed largely by Ijaws then than any other tribe or ethnic group”.

    The elders affirmed that Ehie was properly removed as the Leader of the House, noting that Amaewhule remained the authentic Speaker of the House of Assembly.

    They insisted that Fubara must take urgent steps to correct the false narratives against Wike to provide a window for true reconciliation.

    They warned persons advising Fubara to engage Wike in a needless battle to desist and allow the governor concentrate on consolidating the achievements of Wike.

    They said: “On the Assembly, we confirmed that Amaewhule is the authentic Speaker and Ehie and company validly suspended. We wish to express our gratitude to Wike for the audience and amiable disposition to continue work selflessly for our state and accepting the mediation of the elders. 

    “We urge Fubara to please, take urgent steps to correct some of the false narratives against Wike thus providing a window for mediatory talks and a way forward. We advise those encouraging the governor to engage in a fruitless and needless battle with Wike to desist fortwith and allow the governor concentrate on consolidating on the extraordinary achievement with Wike while he was the governor. 

    Read Also: Wike/Fubura feud: Rivers monarch Ateke Tom warns against infusion of ethnic colouration

    “Our pact with Rivers people is unbroken. They gave us the mandate in the last election following the achievements of Wike and trust that the candidate from our political family will continue this work. We cautioned those new friends of Fubara to retract their steps before they throw the state into deeper crisis. We the elders stand with Wike to ensure we work with him and all involved to bring peace to Rivers”.

    They passed a vote of confidence in Wike as the indisputable leader of their political family in Rivers and credited him for producing all elected members of the family.

    They said: “Nyesom Wike is the undisputable leader of the political family that produced Governor Sim Fubara, the three senators in the National Assembly, the 11 members of the House of Representatives and all 32 members of the House of Assembly,.all 23 chairmen and the entire councilors of the 23 local government areas. 

    “Fubara and all the above elected office holders in Rivers belong to the same political family and are abound by our philosophy to transform, build, develop and create the Rivers State of our dreams in consonance with our new Rivers vision devoid of ethnicity, tribe, creed and gender”. 

  • Rift with Wike over soon, says Fubara

    Rift with Wike over soon, says Fubara

    • Minister: it’s not about money
    • Rivers elders urge caution

    The political crisis in Rivers, which boiled over on Monday, cooled off yesterday.

    Peace efforts, spearheaded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continued in Abuja and Port Harcourt.

    Governor Siminalayi Fubara raised the hope that the rift between him and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, his predecessor, would end soon.

    According to him, father and son could quarrel but it would be settled.

    Also, Rivers State elders and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, who met with Wike in Abuja, urged reconciliation and peaceful resolution of the conflict.

    Fubara reflected on the crisis when the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, led a military delegation to the Government House in Port Harcourt.

    The governor commended President Tinubu’s determination to restore peace and security in the country, especially during the off-season elections.

    Fubara said: “For our dear state, I know everybody is wondering what’s going on, what’s not going on. We are okay, there is no problem.

    “If we have an internal issue, it will be resolved and everything will go back to normal.

    “There is nothing wrong if a father and a son have a problem, if there is any problem. But I don’t think there is anything. Whatever it is, we will definitely resolve the issue.”

    Fubara urged soldiers on electoral duty in states where off-season governorship elections will be conducted to be transparent and professional.

    Wike: rift not about money

    Wike explained yesterday that the rift between him and Fubara was not due to money.

    He told PDP governors that his priority was the protection of the political structure that took Fubara to government.

    The minister said nobody can intimidate him because of the crisis.

    He said: “Nobody can take away our political structure. You can’t bring in people who fought me when I was fighting for you.”

    Wike blamed the Peter Obi’s supporters in the Labour Party (LP) and the Atiku Abubakar camp in the PDP for linking the Rivers crisis to a fight over money.

    The former governor said he was not interested in money because he left office as governor only a few months ago before his appointment as minister.

    Wike said: “Forget about the Obedients and the Atikus, who have lost; who felt I did not support them and those that I revoked their Certificate of Occupancy.

    “They have talked about the crisis in Rivers state. Let me tell anybody who cares to listen that nobody can intimidate me.

    “It does not matter whether you go and bring thugs, or you say you are Ijaw. If I want to do something, I will do it. Impeachment is not a military coup. Impeachment is provided for in the constitution.

    “I hear they said I gave a limit of what he (Rivers governor) can do. That I want 25 percent. This is ridiculous. I am not a political ingrate, but don’t touch the political structure in Rivers State because I will not shut my eyes.

    “No amount of propaganda can stop me from doing my job. My conscience is clear. So,  nobody can intimidate me.

    “Rather, propaganda can only compound the problem. They should be careful because I have the capacity to fight back”.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Fubara rushes to court, secures order stopping impeachment

    Thanking the president for his intervention, Wike added: “Let me appreciate Mr President for giving me this position and we will continue to work for Mr President to realise his Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “I have made it clear to everybody that I am not here for any party. I am here for the interest of Nigeria and for the unity of the country. I am still a PDP member and I have never hidden my decision”

    The chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, said the visit to the minister was a routine courtesy call.

     Mohammed, who led three other PDP governors on the visit, described Wike as a friend of the PDP.

    Mohammed said a combination of Wike’s leadership maturity and President Tinubu’s intervention helped in resolving the Rivers crisis.

    The Bauchi governor said there was nothing new in President Tinubu appointing Wike as minister in the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

     The governor said: ‘Wike is a member of our party, a jolly good fellow who is here dispensing national service to our country as a minister of the FCT.

    “We know the person of Wike, his contribution to politics and national development. We know his relationships and his achievements in politics. So, we are not surprised that this  matter is coming to an end.

    Fubara gets order stopping impeachment

    Fubaran has secured an order from the Rivers State High Court, Isiokpo Judicial Division, halting moves by the House of Assembly to impeach him.

    The Presiding Judge, O. Ben-Whyte, who granted the motion exparte in a suit  filed by Fubara, ordered the parties to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the substantive case.

    The judge said: “Upon this motion exparte coming up before this honourable court for hearing and determination and after reading the supporting affidavit of Siminalayi Fubara filed on the 31st day of October, 2023 at the High Court Registry, Isiokpo and having listened to the submission of D.O. Okoro, SAN with I. Mac-Barango of counsel for the claimant/applicant hereby ordered as follows:

    “That the parties in this case maintain the status quo in the case by not doing anything in furtherance of the purported impeachment of the applicant as the governor of Rivers State pending the determination of the motion on notice”

    The judge adjourned the matter to November 14 for argument of the motion on notice.

     Defendants in the case are Rivers State House of Assembly, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk of the House and Chief Judge of Rivers State.

    King Tom warns against ethnic sentiment

    Ex-militant leader and Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom,  King Ateke Tom, warned against the ethnic colouration of the dispute between the governor and the minister.

     He appealed to stakeholders to exercise caution in their reactions,  insisting that the face-off was between a father and his political godson.

    He urged Rivers elders and royal fathers to  urgently mediate between the warring factions to prevent the escalation of the crisis.

    The monarch in a statement said no one should twist the issues for political gains.

    Police: We didn’t attack governor

    The police denied reports that they attacked the governor when he inspected the bombing of the House of Assembly.

    The police in a statement  by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP. Grace Iringe-Koko,  said they were not even aware that Fubara was visiting the complex when they moved in to stop hoodlums from further attacking the facility.

    The police said: “Following the receipt of credible intelligence on the intention of some armed group of persons to cause mayhem in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital, particularly at the State House of Assembly on Monday 30th October, and recalling the previous case of arson on the State House of Assembly a day prior which is currently being investigated, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations immediately deployed armed police operatives which he personally supervised in order to intercept the ‘hoodlums’ and ensure the protection of lives and properties within the State House of Assembly facility and its environ.

    “At the entrance of the complex, it was observed that youths numbering over a hundred had begun a protest to gain access to the Complex and conduct themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.

    “This led to the police deploying non-lethal crowd control equipment including tear gas and water cannon to disperse the riotous and uncontrollable protesters.

    “However, some minutes later, another aggressive group of persons approached the entrance of the complex and advanced towards the premises. The Police therefore engaged them in like manner but observed that the Executive Governor of the State His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, was in their midst.

    “The presence of the governor at the scene was of great surprise and shock as there was no prior communication to the Police on the visit of the Governor to the scene of the crime which ordinarily is the usual protocol and complimentary that we accompany his guard for proper safety considering the intelligence of security threat at hand then.

    “In consideration of this, the DC Ops quickly took deliberate security steps to ensure his protection and safety, while the Governor and his entourage went on to assess the level of damage caused by the fire incident.

    Court grants bail to 119 youths 

    A Magistrate court sitting Port-Harcourt granted bail to a youth leader, Chijioke Ihunwo and 118 other protesters who were arrested on Tuesday

    They were charged to court early hours of yesterday on five count charge of conspiracy, causing riot, damaging the house gate of the speaker, unlawful assembly, and causing breach of public peace. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The accused persons were however, granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with 20 sureties  to sign bail bonds for them.

    Although the prosecution did not object to the bail application made earlier by NYCN Lawyer Chigozie Emem, who represented the defendants, one of the prosecuting counsel, Eniyepere Sikpi, urged the court to order the defendants to provide verifiable addresses as part of their bail condition,, and it was granted by the court.

    Granting the defendants bail, the presiding Magistrate, Gift Amadi noted that the offences for which the defendants are under going trial are bailable.

    He urged the defence counsel to ensure that the defendants are in court on the next adjourned date.

  • UPDATED: Fubara rushes to court, secures order stopping impeachment

    UPDATED: Fubara rushes to court, secures order stopping impeachment

    Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has secured an order from the Rivers High Court, Isiokpo Judicial Division, halting moves by the House of Assembly to impeach him.

    The Presiding Judge, O. Ben-Whyte, who granted the motion exparte in a suit file by Fubara, ordered the parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive case.

    The judge, in a copy of the order, said: “Upon this motion exparte coming up before this honourable court for hearing and determination and after reading the supporting affidavit of Siminalayi Fubara filed on the 31st day of October, 2023 at the High Court Registry, Isiokpo and having listened to the submission of D.O. Okoro, SAN with I. Mac-Barango of counsel for the claimant/applicant hereby ordered as follows:

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    “That the parties in this case maintain the status quo in the case by not doing anything in furtherance of the purported impeachment of the applicant as the governor of Rivers State pending the determination of the motion on notice”

    The judge adjourned the matter to November 14 for argument of the motion on notice.

    The suit named Fubara as the claimant and listed the defendants as Rivers State House of Assembly, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk of the House and Chief Judge of Rivers State.

  • JUST IN: Court restrains Rivers Assembly from impeaching Gov Fubara

    JUST IN: Court restrains Rivers Assembly from impeaching Gov Fubara

    A Rivers High Court in Isiokpo Division in Ikwerre Local Government Area has issued an interim injunction prohibiting the Rivers House of Assembly and Speaker, Martin Amaewhule from taking any action on the impeachment of Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

    Governor Sim Fubara filed the application ex parte earlier on Wednesday through his attorney, Damian Okoro (SAN).

    Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi were also served the restraining order.

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    Following a lawsuit filed against the defendants, Presiding Judge Justice Ben Whyte issued an order directing the parties to maintain the status quo while the move on notice was decided. The motion on notice was then postponed until November 14, 2023.

    Details shortly…

  • JUST IN: My rift with Wike will be resolved amicably – Fubara

    JUST IN: My rift with Wike will be resolved amicably – Fubara

    Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed optimism that the political rift, involving himself and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, will be resolved.

    Fubara said there is nothing wrong for a father and a son to have problems, stressing that all issues, if any, will be resolved.

    The governor spoke when the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, led a military delegation to the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    Read Also; UPDATED: Be ready to perform or you leave us, Tinubu warns ministers

    The governor said: “For our dear state, I know everybody is wondering what’s going on, what’s not going on. We are okay, there is no problem.

    “If we have an internal issue, it will be resolved and everything will go back to normal. There is nothing wrong if a father and a son have a problem if there is any problem, but I don’t think there is anything, whatever it is, we will definitely resolve the issue.”

  • BREAKING: Fubara, Adeleke, Fintiri, other PDP Govs arrive for emergency meeting in Abuja

    BREAKING: Fubara, Adeleke, Fintiri, other PDP Govs arrive for emergency meeting in Abuja

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors have arrived at Oyo State Governors Lodge in Abuja for an emergency meeting following the Rivers State House of Assembly’s attempt to impeach Governor Sim Fubara.

    The Nation reports the party had called on all members and actors of the party involved in the ongoing political crisis rocking Rivers State to allow peace to reign.

    Governors who have arrived as at time of report are: Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri.

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    Others in attendance are: Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, PDP National Working Committee led by acting Chairman, Iliya Damagum, Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori are also present for the meeting in Abuja.

    The Nation learnt that the PDP Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of Bala Mohammed, is also expected to discuss the off-season elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States, the Rivers state political crisis and other party-related issues.