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Tag: Rivers

  • Nwuche seeks support for Ibas, hails Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers 

    Nwuche seeks support for Ibas, hails Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers 

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Prince Chibudom Nwuche, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold steps in restoring peace, law and order in Rivers State.

    Nwuche, who hails the President’s emergency rule in the state, called on all stakeholders to support the administration of Rivers Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd) to actualise his mandate in the state.

    Nwuche spoke when he received members of the former Councilors and Supervisors Forum from Ahoada East Local Government Area under the auspices of the Wikematic Counselors Forum (WCF) at his Port Harcourt residence.

    Nwuche commended his visitors for remaining steadfast during the political crises, which saw their efforts and contributions in making Siminalayi Fubara the governor of Rivers betrayed by Fubara.

    He said: “Rather than reaping the dividends of your contributions, you were pushed aside and victimized for your  stand for the truth. Those, who never worked for the emergence of the suspended governor became beneficiaries”.

    Nwuche berated the ingratitude displayed by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara towards his benefactor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,  singlehandedly made him Governor against all odds.

    He reminded the former councillors of the need to always show gratitude, saying, “a river that forgets its source will soon dry up”,adding  that even the Holy Bible condemns ingratitude.

    He cautioned the promoters of ethnicity in Rivers politics, saying it was heightening the political tension, especially those from outside Rivers.

    Nwuche, emphasised that Fubara was voted by all the tribes in Rivers such as the Ikwerre, Ogoni, Ekpeye, Etche, Kalabari among others insisting that no ethnic group could solely make itself a governor in Rivers.

    He said: “Fubara wasn’t voted as an Ijaw governor, but as A Rivers governor. He was voted for all Rivers people and not for any particular tribe”.

    He urged meddlesome interlopers from outside Rivers to focus on their states and called on those at the National Assembly to direct their energies on matters affecting their constituencies.

    He said: “I feel very disappointed when I see some members of the National Assembly from neighboring states pontificating on the Rivers crisis as if it was why their constituents sent them to the National Assembly. I urge the National Assembly to sanction such members and their constituents to recall them for lack of understanding of their mandate.”

    Nwuche advised those continuously sponsoring protests designed to  cause a breach of peace in Rivers to retrace their steps and realize that a Supreme Court Judgement had  resolved all the political issues in Rivers.

    He said  no amount of protests could change the position of the law on the political issues in Rivers and called on all citizens of Rivers to support the Sole Administrator in his determination to restore permanent peace and drive development within the period of the state of emergency.

    Nwuche also thanked his visitors  for remaining on the side of truth despite intimidation and harassment saying they had been vindicated with the Supreme Court judgement.

    Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation, Adamu Moses, told Nwuche that they were in his house to thank him for standing behind Wike in supporting President Tinubu’s  administration.

    Adamu said but for the timely intervention of the President through the  declaration of emergency rule, the state was already heading for full scale crises that could have led to loss of lives and wide scale destruction of  national oil and gas assets.

    Read Also: Tinubu will win re-election comfortably, presidency assures

    He said bombings of oil installations started after persons, who claimed to be in solidarity with the suspended governor threatened fire and brimstone.

    Adamu  extolled the leadership qualities of Wike describing him as a detribalized leader, who sited developmental projects across all ethnic groups and LGAs in Rivers when he was governor.

    He said Wike made an Ijaw man governor against stiff opposition from even some notable Ijaw personalities who at that time discriminated the governor as not being “real Ijaw”.

    He wondered why same persons were 

     the ones working hard to bring the state down by preaching ethnicity and pledged that his group would continue to support the programmes of the Sole Administrator as well as Wike and the success of President Tinubu administration including his reelection in 2027.

    Coordinator of the Wikematic Former Councilors Forum in Rivers State, Dr Samuel Amos thanked Nwuche for being the true symbol of the Ekpeye man known for integrity and gratitude by standing with Wike.

  • Rivers pirate attack: Six kidnap victims regain freedom, relive ordeal

    Rivers pirate attack: Six kidnap victims regain freedom, relive ordeal

    • Say N28m ransom was paid
    • We were starved, tortured, brutalised throughout our stay’

    The six indigenes of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, who were abducted by armed sea pirates at sea, have finally regained freedom 12 days after and on payment of N28 million ransom, The Nation learnt.

    The victims were kidnapped at about 9am on 4 April, 2025 near the New Calabar River, on their way to Port Harcourt from Bille. They are made up of a female and five males.

    Some of them who spoke to The Nation in Port Harcourt from the hospital where they were admitted for treatment, rendered tales of torture, stealing, brutality, hunger and starvation, throughout their days in the Satan den.

    They alleged that the kidnappers said they were ijaw boys from Bayelsa who threatened that they were sent to kidnap and kill the Bille people for aiding the stopping of kpofire (bunkery) activities in the region.

    “They blindfolded us, took us into a thick mangrove, tortured us, collected our phones, searched our bank alerts and withdrew all the money in our accounts.

    “They demanded for N60 million ransom but our people negotiated it down to N28 million, which was what was paid before we were released. We spent 12 days in the kidnappers’ den.

    “For the 12 days we spent, there was no food or water given to us; what they brought to us twice was raw garri, nothing to drink it with, we survived by God’s grace,” they said.

    They appealed to the government to provide gunboats and security presence at least every 200 metres on Bille waterways, stressing that their lives was constantly threatened as the water was no longer safe for them to travel on.

    They also demanded investigation into the alleged claim of the hoodlums of being sent after Bille indigenes.

    “Government should send in gunboats in all the creeks. They should not be on the ocean alone. They should come to our rescue or allow and empower community boys to carry out local security on the waterways.

    Read Also: Rivers emergency declaration saved Fubara from impeachment – Wike

    “Three years ago, when the river was calm and free from pirate attacks it was because community policing was in place before government bound them from operations. Now our lives are in danger and being threatened because there’s no security on our waterways.

    “The government should Investigate who sent them, where are they from? Government should help the Bille people we are dying. Today we came back alive, the next kidnapped victims may not come back alive,” they said.

    “The river is too rough for people to travel when there are no government security presence. Every 200 meters there should be gunboat or military personnel stationed.

    “If the government is unable to secure the river, they should give Bille security power to secure the river so it can be safe for us to travel on.” they said.

  • Lawmaker urges NBA to return Rivers N300m

    Lawmaker urges NBA to return Rivers N300m

    A member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Mr. Solomon Bob, has taken a swipe at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), accusing it “misguided praetorian pretentions” following the association’s condemnation of the state of emergency in Rivers State.

    President Bola Tinubu had on March 18, 2025, issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State after a prolonged crisis involving Governor Siminilayi Fubara and the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. 

    The crisis had assumed a dangerous dimension following a fresh impeachment move against the governor, leading to the blowing up of petroleum infrastructure amid threat to violence and social unrest before the president stepped in.

    The president’s proclamation was followed two days later by the National Assembly’s ratification as required by section 305 of the constitution.

    Read Also: Rivers stakeholders urge Tinubu to lift suspension of Fubara, lawmakers

    Justifying the declaration of a state of emergency in his home state in a statement, Mr. Bob said: “NBA cannot circumscribe or amend the clear untrammelled and discretionary powers granted the President by Section 305 of the constitution.

    “Neither is the NBA in a position to interpret or determine what measures qualify as extraordinary – which the President is required to adopt under the same section.”

    The lawmaker stated further that the NBA does not have “the jurisdictional competence or ethical example to be a barometer for measuring democracy and constitutionalism.” 

    He claimed that an association of lawyers, which should be a model of democratic participation, has gotten to the point where the NBA is “unable to organise its elections based on the principle of universal franchise, devoid of zoning.”

    Hon. Bob said that since the fiasco of the 1992 conference, “so-called NBA elections are no more than predetermined coronation of regional or even ethnic hegemons.”

    While also describing the NBA’s statement as a distraction, the federal lawmaker stated further: “Having witnessed Fubara’s dangerous and incomparable incompetence first-hand, and the embarrassing diminution his actions have exposed my state to, I consider the statement arrogant and a gratuitous insult.”

    He accused the NBA of “rank hypocrisy and insincerity because it stood idly by without a whimper” when suspended governor acted in a way “never before seen in any state in Nigeria.”

    Mr. Bob said that NBA’s priorities lay elsewhere. 

    He claimed that “the NBA had got itself entangled in a sweetheart deal with Fubara, a quid pro quo, and it was set to use the Port Harcourt conference to whitewash the worst misgovernment of any state in Nigeria.” 

    He demanded that the N300million be returned to the coffers of the Rivers State government, failing which the authorities in Port Harcourt should take every necessary step to recover it.

  • Rivers lawmaker accuses NBA of hypocrisy, insists on refund of N300 million to state

    Rivers lawmaker accuses NBA of hypocrisy, insists on refund of N300 million to state

    A member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Solomon Bob, has accused the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) of insincerity, hypocrisy and “misguided praetorian pretentions” on the emergency rule in Rivers state.

    The umbrella body of lawyers in the country has been at loggerheads with the Rivers state government over the hosting of the NBA conference, which was earlier scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, but shifted to Enugu by the association in protest against the Emery rule.

    The Rivers government, in turn asked the assu to refund the N300 million paid to them as hosting right, but the NBA insisted that the money was a gift.

    In a statement in Abuja, Bob said the NBA “cannot circumscribe or amend the clear untrammelled and discretionary powers granted the President by Section 305 of the constitution, neither is the NBA in a position to interpret or determine what measures qualify as extraordinary – which the President is required to adopt under the same section.”

    The lawmaker also said that the NBA does not have “The jurisdictional competence or ethical example to be a barometer for measuring democracy and constitutionalism.”

    Bob said an association of lawyers that should be a model of democratic participation, has become a cartel for pursuing narrow interests to the point where the NBA is “unable to organise its elections based on the principle of universal franchise, devoid of zoning.”

    Read Also: Oyo okays dredging of 11 rivers

    He said further that since after the fiasco of the 1992 conference, “so-called NBA elections are no more than predetermined coronation of regional or even ethnic hegemons”

    While describing the NBA statement as a distraction, he said “having witnessed Fubara’s dangerous and incomparable incompetence first-hand, and the embarrassing diminution his actions have exposed my state to, I consider the statement arrogant and a gratuitous insult.”

    He accused the NBA of hypocrisy and insincerity, saying the body of legal practitioners in the country stood idly by when the suspended governor, Siminilayi Fubara exhibited the type of crass lawlessness and wanton irresponsibility never before seen in any state in Nigeria.”

     He claimed that “the NBA had got itself entangled in a sweetheart deal with Fubara, a quid pro quo, and it was set to use the Port Harcourt conference to whitewash the worst misgovernment of any state in Nigeria.”

    He alleged that the NBA’s statement on the Rivers situation carefully concealed their pecuniary interest and only belatedly admitted receiving a huge advance payment from Fubara after the authorities in Port Harcourt exposed the deal by publicly demanding a refund of the money.

    He said the NBA’s claim that the sum of three hundred million naira was a gift is unreasonable and unbecoming of a “self-appointed ombudsman”, and proof that they were engaged in a relationship of compromise with Fubara.

    He demanded that the money be returned to the coffers of the Rivers State government, failing which the authorities in Port Harcourt should take every necessary step to recover same.

  • Rivers: Only police, EFCC, ICPC can probe Fubara, says Ahamba

    Rivers: Only police, EFCC, ICPC can probe Fubara, says Ahamba

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ahamba, has stated that only the police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) have the legal authority to investigate suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

    Speaking to The Nation in Owerri on Wednesday, Ahamba said that while the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has the mandate to look into how certain decisions were made during Fubara’s time in office, any findings of wrongdoing must be referred to the appropriate investigative bodies.

    “If the sole administrator finds anything fraudulent in the office, he should report to the appropriate quarters such as the police, EFCC, and ICPC whose duties are to investigate such indictments,” Ahamba explained.

    His comments follow reports that Ibas summoned Fubara and his deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu, to the Government House in Port Harcourt for questioning over appointments made during Fubara’s administration.

    Ahamba reiterated that while the administrator may conduct inquiries, any further investigative action must come from constitutionally empowered agencies.

    Read Also: Prevail on Wike, Fubara to end crisis, Dickson tells Tinubu

    “The sole administrator is placed for six months while the President oversees the security situation in the state which made him declare the State of Emergency in the first place,” Ahamba explained. 

    “In fact, the sole administrator is not supposed to be appointing people into the office, he was supposed to be working with the political officers in the office until the situation calms down.”

    Ahamba commended the National Assembly for appointing a 21-member committee to oversee legislative matters in Rivers State, urging them to prioritize representing the people rather than ruling them. 

    He stressed the importance of adhering to the law and avoiding misadvice, citing the Imo State example where Governor Hope Uzodimma was misadvised on appointing an acting Chief Judge.

  • Rivers debunks summon of Fubara, deputy, warns against fake news

    Rivers debunks summon of Fubara, deputy, warns against fake news

    The Rivers State Government has dismissed a viral report claiming that the state’s Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd), summoned suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, for interrogation.

    In a statement signed by Sir Dede Friday, Permanent Secretary of the Special Service Bureau in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the government described the report as false and lacking any official source.

    The statement urged the public to disregard the claim, labeling it as the work of individuals attempting to destabilize the state.

    It also cautioned against other fake announcements circulating on social media and falsely attributed to the SSG, warning that such misinformation is intended to mislead the public, cause panic, and disrupt the state’s peace.

    The government reaffirmed that all official information is released only through verifiable channels, including the official Rivers State Government website, authorized social media platforms, press releases from the Governor’s office or the SSG, and accredited traditional media outlets.

    Read Also: Prevail on Wike, Fubara to end crisis, Dickson tells Tinubu

    The statement said: “The Rivers State Government has become aware of fraudulent announcements circulating on social media, falsely attributed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). These malicious fabrications are designed to mislead the public, create panic, and disrupt the peace in Rivers State.  

    “One such fake announcement falsely claims that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the suspended Governor of Rivers State, and the Deputy Governor, Prof. Mrs. Ngozi Nma Odu, were summoned to a meeting at the Government House on Friday, April 18, 2025.  

    “The Rivers State Government categorically states that this announcement is fake and did not originate from any official source. The public is urged to disregard this and any similar misinformation, as they are the work of troublemakers seeking to destabilize the state.  

    “The public is advised to always verify information before sharing and to rely solely on official government sources for accurate updates.”

  • We have taken steps to strengthen unity in Rivers, says Ibas

    We have taken steps to strengthen unity in Rivers, says Ibas

    The administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd), said that his administration has taken deliberate steps to restore normalcy and strengthen the fabric of unity in the state.

    Ibas spoke when he received members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets, led by its chairman, Ademorin Kuye, at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

    He said: “In the past few weeks, our administration has prioritised the stabilization of the state’s security environment and the peaceful resolution of the political conflicts that had threatened to erode public trust and economic progress.

    “Through consultations, peace-building engagements, and coordination with security agencies, we have taken deliberate steps to restore normalcy and strengthen the fabric of unity in Rivers State.”

     Ibas said that his administration would require sustained collaboration and the support of institutions like the National Assembly to achieve its mandate.

    He said: “We therefore call on the National Assembly to continue supporting us in our effort to reposition Rivers State on the path of peace, progress, and prosperity.

    “We count on your expertise and your legislative support as we work to enhance the value of federal assets in the state, improve service delivery, and stimulate economic growth.”

    Ibas said the visit of the national lawmakers had rekindled hope that together they could work to overcome the challenges and unlock the vast potential of Rivers for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    He harped on the need for strict implementation of all existing Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreements at the various Sea Ports in the state to properly harness the derivable benefits.

    Ibas said the state had continued to serve as a critical hub for maritime, Oil and Gas operations, including other industrial activities.

    He, however, said that weak regulatory framework, lack of accountability and conflicting interest among stakeholders, had hampered business growth.

    He urged the visitors to fine-tune such PPP agreements to ensure transparency and strict adherence to contractual obligations.

    Ibas regretted that despite the volume of maritime activities in Rivers, the state had continued to grapple with numerous challenges in the infrastructural landscape following years of neglect, vandalism and underutilization.

    He noted the need for such public assets in dire need of rehabilitation and strategic realignment to be given the desired attention.

    Ibas said: “Among the assets currently operating under Public, Private Partnership framework in the state are the Onne Port Complex, various oil and gas service zones and certain segments of the Nigerian Ports Authority facilities.

    “While some of these partnerships have yielded appreciable results in enhancing operational capacities and boosting revenue, others remain underperforming due to weak regulatory frameworks, lack of accountability, and conflicting interests between stakeholders

    “A comprehensive assessment of these assets is therefore essential to determine their current state and chart a clear path forward. I believe that the National Assembly, through this committee, is well-positioned to help fine-tune existing Public-Private Partnership arrangements by ensuring greater transparency, adherence to contractual obligations, and improved monitoring mechanisms.”

    Their visit was auspicious because it provided an opportunity for them to carry out on-the-spot assessments of key federal assets, particularly those under PPP, lease-holding and concession agreements.

    Read Also: Reps committee summons Ibas over emergency rule in Rivers

    The Administrator sued for greater collaboration in ensuring that such partnerships delivered value for money and served the best interests of the Rivers people.

    “It is also important to emphasise the significance of this oversight visit in evaluating the state of critical infrastructure in our state”, he said.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Ademorin Kuye, said they were in the state to conduct oversight on federal assets, specifically to determine their usage, status, and possible disposal of those assets within Nigeria and overseas.

    He explained that they were also mandated to look at seized assets, as proceeds of crime in particular, working with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to ensure that Nigerians got the full benefits of the disposal of such assets.

    Kuye said that they were looking at the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements entered into by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) that were still subsisting at Port Harcourt Ports, Ibeto Ports, and Onne Ports, to evaluate their findings and present a report to the House.

  • Six abducted in Rivers regain freedom 11 days after

    Six abducted in Rivers regain freedom 11 days after

    Six persons kidnapped by suspected sea pirates on Bille waterways in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have regained freedom after 11 days in captivity.

    The victims, who were travelling from their Bille community to Port Harcourt, the State capital were intercepted by armed sea pirates on April 4, and their boat diverted to undisclosed destination.

    Read Also: FCT land reform to block speculation, fast-track development – Wike

    They were reportedly released from captivity on Tuesday April 15.

    The Nation also learnt an Anglican Priest, Rev’d Saviour Ngere and others were dispossessed of their personal belongings on the same waterways last Wednesday.

    A community source said the priest and other victims were freed after payment of undisclosed ransom.

  • Rivers Magistrate compulsorily retired in February for truancy, says judicial commission

    Rivers Magistrate compulsorily retired in February for truancy, says judicial commission

    The Rivers State Judicial Service Commission has refuted the claims by a Chief Magistrate, Ejike King George, that he voluntarily retired to protest what he described as quasi-military rule in the state.

    The Commission in a statement by its Acting Secretary, Blessing Vic-Jumbo, clarified that George was compulsorily retired on February 10, 2025 for truancy.

    The statement said the decision was necessitated by George’s absence from work without leave from August 25, 2023 to December 2024.

    The statement said George faced a disciplinary committee that found him wanting and gave him a specified timeframe to retire voluntarily.

    It said his failure to abide by the decision of the panel within the timeframe compelled the commission to retire him voluntarily adding that the action was duly communicated to him.

    The statement chided George saying he was only being mischievous by trying to link his exist to the current political situation in the state.

    Read Also: FCT land reform to block speculation, fast-track development – Wike

    The statement said: “My attention has been drawn to the news making the rounds in the social media credited to one Ejike King George, Esq. retired Chief Magistrate dated 11th April, 2025, to the effect that he voluntarily retired due to “. the recent appointment of a quasi-military administration to run the affairs.” of Rivers State.

    “The general public should be properly guided. To set the records straight, the person we know as Ejike K. George, Esq.
    (Chief Magistrate Grade II Rtd.) was by a letter dated 12th February, 2025
    from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), compulsorily retired from
    service with effect from 10th day of February, 2025 for disciplinary reasons
    bothering specifically on complaint of continuous absence from duty without
    leave from 25th August, 2023 till December, 2024.

    “Sequel to the above, Ejike K. George, appeared before a disciplinary
    panel which found him wanting and made recommendations to the Commission.

    “The Commission offered Ejike K. George, opportunity to retire
    voluntarily within a specific time frame or be compulsorily retired. Ejike K.
    George, having failed to retire voluntarily within the said time frame was consequently retired compulsorily with effect from 10th day of February.
    2025; and this was duly communicated to him.

    “The above event has no nexXus whatsoever with current political happenings in the State. The attempt by Ejike K. George, to link his exit from service with the political situation is not only a contrived falsehood but a mischievous action calculated to deceive the public, attract undue sympathy and undeserved patronage”.

  • BREAKING: Rivers threatens legal action, vows to recover N300m from NBA 

    BREAKING: Rivers threatens legal action, vows to recover N300m from NBA 

    The Rivers State Government has countered claims of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that the N300m it received from the government was an unconditional gift not tied to the hosting of its Annual General Conference in the State.

    The government further vowed to deploy all legal process to retrieve the resources if NBA fails to willingly refund the money.

    A statement  by the SSA Media to Rivers State Government, Hector Igbikiowubo, insisted that the records of the government showed that the N300m was tied to the hosting of the NBA’s Annual General Conference in the state.

     The statement said: “The government  outrightly rejects the NBA’s recent allegation that the ₦300million payment made by the state was a “gift”, unrelated to hosting rights for the NBA AGC 2025. 

    “For clarity, the Rivers State Government’s records show that the payment of ₦300 million to the NBA was made with the mutual understanding that Rivers State would host the 2025 edition of the NBA AGC.

    Read Also: Speaker Abbas: Rivers Administrator must uphold governance until democracy is restored

    “The Rivers State Government entered into this arrangement with the NBA in good faith, with the understanding that hosting the conference in the state would attract significant economic benefits to our state, positively and directly impact the businesses of our people. 

    “The NBA’s unilateral decision to relocate the AGC 2025 against our mutual understanding and subsequent decision to withhold the ₦300 million paid for the purpose of hosting the NBA AGC 2025 in Rivers State is unethical and amounts to a breach of trust.

    “Failure of the NBA to immediately refund the ₦300million to the Rivers State Government, will compel the implementation of all legal means to recover the property of the good people of Rivers State.

    “We reaffirm our willingness to engage in partnerships with all professional bodies, including the NBA, but we will not accommodate exploitation of our people and the Rivers State Government”