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Tag: Rivers

  • NBA: N300m a non-refundable gift, not hosting payment

    NBA: N300m a non-refundable gift, not hosting payment

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has clarified that the N300 million it received from Rivers State is a gift and not payment for hosting rights to its annual general conference (AGC).

    NBA had moved its forthcoming conference to Enugu State following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.

    The Rivers government on Monday demanded a refund of the N300 million from the NBA.

    NBA, in a statement by its AGC 2025 Planning Committee Chair Emeka Obegolu (SAN), said: “The attention of the Annual General Conference planning committee has been drawn to a statement credited to the Administrator of Rivers state to the effect that Rivers state government paid hosting rights for the hosting of the NBA AGC 2025.

    “We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Portharcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject to any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights.

    “The host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the Conference must be held in a chosen city.

    “Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organisations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.

    Read Also: Emergency Rule: NBA leadership not fighting enough for our democracy — Centre claims

    “Recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organizations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA.

    “Such financial support is in the form of gifts, partnerships or sponsorships. The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC.

    “We are committed to delivering a world-class conference to members of the Bar and will not be drawn into any unnecessary controversy over this issue.”

  • Miscreants using SSG’s office to issue misleading information, says Rivers govt

    Miscreants using SSG’s office to issue misleading information, says Rivers govt

    The Rivers state government has raised the alarm that miscreants are using the office of Secretary to State Government (SSG) to dish out misleading information.

    A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the SSG, Dede Friday, urged members of the public to disregard such information.

    It was gathered that the statement became necessary following viral reports on Thursday that claimed that the Sole Administrator of Rivers, Vice-Admiral lbok Ibas (retd), approved the recruitment of 1000 persons into the state’s civil service.

    The statement, which asked interested applicants to submit their applications via a yet-to-be-opened portal, claimed that it was signed by the SSG.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Fubara, family vacate Rivers Govt House amid emergency rule

    But the office of the SSG swiftly denied it describing it as false and misleading.

    Another statement reportedly signed by the SSG also claimed on Friday that that a former Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Dr Samuel Nwanosike had been appointed by Ibas as the Sole Administrator of the Rivers Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

    But the statement from the office of the SSG said: “It has come to the notice of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government that some miscreants are going about misinforming the public with purported Special Government Announcements or Releases claimed to have been signed by the Secretary to the State Government.

    “Please be informed that all official communications from the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government have appropriate channels through which they are circulated. 

    “Be aware that while the Rivers State Government is focused to ensure progress and sustainable development, any individual or group of persons out to disinform and misinform the public to cause disaffection in the system will be appropriately dealt with upon being identified”.

  • Women march in Rivers, demand reversal of emergency rule

    Women march in Rivers, demand reversal of emergency rule

    Hundreds of women from Rivers State on Friday took to the streets of Port Harcourt, asking President Bola Tinubu to reverse the ongoing emergency rule in the state.

    The aggrieved women marched along the popular Aba Road from Isaac Boro Park to Garrison Junction displaying placards and chanting solidarity songs.

    The protesters came out under the spices of Women Unite Prayer Group led by Dr. Nancy Chidi Nwankwo, Tamunobelema D. West and Cynthia Amadi.

    The women in their position paper appealed to Tinubu to restore the democratically elected Governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

    They said: “Women of Rivers, gathered for justice and democracy, and express total rejection of the state of emergency declared over our beloved state. 

    “This imposition is not driven by any genuine threat to national security but clearly a politically motivated maneuver aimed at subjugating our people and undermining our democracy.

     “The overreach of the Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), is glaring indicator of the political conquest. His actions, which go far beyond the limited powers of a placeholder, betray the impartiality expected of his office and reveal the real intention behind this emergency rule.

    The women said they it confounding that the federal authorities in Abuja would choose to descend with full weight of force on Rivers State, deploying a sledgehammer to kill a fly, while ignoring the dire security emergencies ravaging states such as Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue. 

    They said: “In these states, terrorists have overrun entire communities, taken control of local governments, and brutally murdered thousands of innocent citizens. Yet, no such declaration of emergency has been made.

    “If the National Assembly’s intention was truly to prevent breakdown of law and order in Rivers, a state that has remained relatively peaceful and has recorded no fatal incident, why has it failed to take even more decisive action in states where chaos and bloodshed are daily occurrences?

     “The unconstitutional and provocative actions of the Sole Administrator further expose the underlying political agenda at play. What we are witnessing is not governance. it is occupation. Not democracy, but autocracy.

    “Rivers people, especially women, are outraged by what is fast becoming a dual system of laws in Nigeria, one for other states, and another, unjust and repressive, for Rivers. We reject this blatant political invasion and the imposition of emergency rule in its entirety.”

    The women called on eminent personalities such as former Presidents, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Muhammadu Buhari and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the Rivers scenario.

    Read Also: Bode George warns Rivers Sole Administrator against ‘unconstitutional’ appointments

    They also appealed to distinguished diplomats such as Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Dr. Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Prof. Tanko Yakassai, Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, Chief Victor Attah, and Sen David Mark, to urgently prevail upon President Tinubu to restore full democratic governance in Rivers.

    They said: “Women and youths of Rivers State can no longer remain silent in the face of intimidation, repression, and disenfranchisement. We will continue to rise in peaceful resistance and demand our right to freedom, justice, and self-determination.

    “We call on civil society organizations, rights groups and the international community to speak out against this assault on democracy. There is no credible security threat in Rivers to justify this state of emergency. The narrative being peddled is entirely fictitious, crafted to validate a political takeover.

    “Rivers State is the heart of the Niger Delta, a region of immense national significance. Peace has prevailed in our communities. We will not allow anyone to steal our voices or subvert our will. Democracy must be restored.”

  • Rivers Court bars parties from commenting on Nwaeke’s allegations against Ehie

    Rivers Court bars parties from commenting on Nwaeke’s allegations against Ehie

    The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has foreclosed further comments and discussions on the subject matter of the N2bn libel case instituted by Dr. Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara, against the immediate past Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke and Channels Television.

    The presiding judge, Dr. Jumbo Stephens, in a copy of an order dated April 10 directed the parties not to make comments, statements or any manner of representation to the public or whomsoever relating to the subject matter of the suit until the case is determined by the court.

    The judge also adjourned the matter to June 4th for mention and further proceedings.

    Ehie had filed a N2bn libel suit against Nwaeke and Channels Incorporated Limited following the recent allegations of Nwaeke televised by Channels TV that he was the mastermind of the inferno that engulfed and destroyed the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex among others.

    Ehie in the suit is praying the court to award him N2bn as general damages saying that the defendants on March 29th without cause or occasion made the allegations thereby seriously injuring his credit, character and reputation.

    He said the publication by the defendants brought him into public scandal, odium, contempt of his person, character and integrity and lowered him in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public and society.

    He described the said publication as false and most disparaging of his person to the knowledge and understanding on the defendants.

    Read Also: Rivers saga: Wike knocks ex-governor George over comments

    Ehie further prayed the court for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants forthwith either by themselves, agents, privies, workers or however from further publication or from further publishing or from further continuing to publish or circulating either to the general public or to any manner of persons, howsoever the said malicious and libelous document subject matter of the suit and or such similar documents concerning the person of the claimant.

    He asked the court to issue “an order for immediate retraction of the said publication and an apology to the claimant by the defendants for the said invidious and libelous publication forthwith and same to be widely publicized in the second defendant’s (Channels TV) television network, another television network and two newspapers with nationwide leadership in Nigeria.

    The court issued an order of substituted service on the defendants and granted Ehie the leave to serve the originating and other processes in the suit on the first defendant (George Nwaeke) by pasting same at the entrance of his residence at No 10 Olumeni Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt.

    The judge also ordered that the originating processes should be served on Nwaeke via publication in a daily newspaper having nationwide circulation including Abuja, FCT.

  • Rivers crisis: Pro-democracy group demands reversal of LGA appointments

    Rivers crisis: Pro-democracy group demands reversal of LGA appointments

    Citizens for Democratic Watch (CDW), a pro-democracy group, has condemned the appointment of administrators for the 23 local government areas in Rivers State by the sole administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, describing it as “a dangerous abuse of power and a direct attack on the constitution”.

    The action, which came just 24 hours after a federal high court restrained Ibas from making such appointments, has triggered widespread concern over what CDW calls “the rapid erosion of democratic institutions under the guise of emergency governance”.

    In a statement on Wednesday, Dr Hassan Dantani, Executive Director of CDW, called on President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly to intervene before the situation spirals out of control.

    “Appointing 23 sole administrators in clear defiance of a federal court order is not only unlawful — it is tyrannical,” Dantani said. 

    “No state of emergency gives anyone the license to override the judiciary, erase local governance, and act above the law. This must be condemned in the strongest terms.”

    Dantani noted that the local government system is a constitutionally recognised tier of government, and any attempt to run it without democratic structures sets a very dangerous precedent.

    “This action by Ibok-Ete Ibas is a grave violation of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the system of democratically elected local government councils,” he said. 

    “Our democracy cannot function if unelected individuals are imposed to run local governments under military-style appointments.”

    CDW warned that if allowed to stand, the appointments could embolden future political actors to trample on the rule of law and weaken the judiciary.

    “The blatant disregard for a valid court order should alarm every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation,” Dantani said. 

    Read Also: Rivers crisis: Uncertainty as Wike, Fubara reconciliation stalls

    “When leaders ignore court rulings and impose their will, what remains of the rule of law? If we allow this to stand in Rivers, it could happen anywhere else.”

    The group called on the National Assembly to urgently summon the Rivers sole administrator to explain his actions and ensure that all constitutional boundaries are respected.

    “We urge the Senate and House of Representatives to treat this matter as a priority,” he added. 

    “Democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of expediency or political convenience.”

    Dantani concluded by demanding the immediate reversal of the LGA appointments and a return to constitutional order.

    “The people of Rivers State deserve legitimate, elected representation — not handpicked appointees. We must not normalise authoritarian shortcuts in a democratic society,” the group warned.

  • JUST IN: Police fire teargas at Rivers protesters

    JUST IN: Police fire teargas at Rivers protesters

    The police on Monday morning fired teargas cannisters at the Take-It-Back protesters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The organisers and supporters of the movement such as the Civil Society Organisations and Niger Delta Congress had gathered at  Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt for the protest.

    But they were resisted by the police operatives, who fired teargas cannisters to disperse them.

    The policemen first asked the protesters to leave but later applied minimal force to disperse them.

    Read Also: Two Chinese, Police Inspector killed, four rescued from kidnappers

    But the protesters started singing solidarity songs and began marching inside the park and later marched on the popular Aba Express Road.

    The police intercepted them at the CFC junction and ordered them to vacate the street.

    But the protesters remained adamant compelling the policemen to fire more teargas, which scattered the protesters.

    Details Shortly…

  • Ibas cancels pending procurements, tender processes in Rivers

    Ibas cancels pending procurements, tender processes in Rivers

    Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd), has cancelled all pending procurements and tender processes in the state.

    A statement signed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Worika, said on Thursday that the decision was in adherence to the Appeal Court’s ruling in suit number CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024.

    Ibas notified the general public that all procurements and tender services carried out by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) during the period have been cancelled.

    Read Also: Ibas pushes for completion of Rivers Trans-Kalabari Road project

    The statement said: “Accordingly, all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices are, by this special announcement, mandated to refund such tender fees to the respective contractors immediately, pending the approval of a spending plan by the State, which shall be notified in due course.”

  • Nigerians in US seek reversal of state of emergency in Rivers

    Nigerians in US seek reversal of state of emergency in Rivers

    A coalition of Nigerian activists in the United States, under the Democratic Movement (DM), has announced a demonstration at the White House to protest the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.

    The coalition is demanding the reversal of the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State by the Nigerian government, the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the restoration of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    A statement on Thursday by Cosmos Collins Achief, president of the group, said the protest aims to draw global attention to what the coalition describes as a “direct assault on democracy and the will of the people.”

    “We cannot sit back while an elected governor is removed, an entire legislature is suspended, and an unelected administrator is imposed. These are dangerous precedents that threaten Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.

    The coalition said the protest will take place in Washington, D.C., with demonstrators marching to the White House and the U.S. Department of State to submit petitions demanding international intervention.

    Read Also: Rivers crisis: Nwaeke has vindicated us, says APC

    “The world needs to see what is happening in Rivers State. A democratically elected government has been suspended under the guise of emergency rule. We are urging President Donald Trump to engage with Nigerian authorities and call for the immediate restoration of constitutional order,” the statement added.

    The pro-democracy movement also called on global leaders, including the United Nations and the African Union, to take notice of what it describes as a blatant attack on democratic governance in Nigeria.

    “The president must understand that his actions could lead to serious diplomatic consequences. This move is a step toward dictatorship, and Nigeria risks facing international sanctions if democratic principles are not respected,” Achief warned.

    The demonstration is expected to draw the attention of Nigerians in the diaspora, civil rights activists, and supporters of democracy who share concerns about governance in Nigeria.

  • Rivers crisis: Nwaeke has vindicated us, says APC

    Rivers crisis: Nwaeke has vindicated us, says APC

    The Chairman of Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC), Sir. Tony Okocha has said the recent revelations of the former Head of Service, George Nwaeke have vindicated the party’s position that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubura is the architect of the political crisis rocking the Niger Delta state.

    The oil-rich State has been engulfed in series of political crisis which led to the declaration of March 18th State of Emergency  by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the subsequent appointment of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), as the Sole Administrator of the state. 

    Okocha in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday said the recent revelation by Nwaeke that the governor initiated and authored the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly also confirmed the APC allegations against Fubara. 

    According to Okocha, the former Head of Service in his revelation stated categorically that the political crisis in the state was “orchestrated by Fubara himself”.

    The statement reads: “The APC in Rivers State through her State Chairman, Sir (Chief) Tony C. Okocha, have been accusing suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of being the brain behind what Rivers people woke up to witness on October 29, 2023, the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly, an edifice comparable to none in the 36 States across Nigeria.

    “The truth is like broad day light which shines through darkness, and repels darkness, to bring forth daylight. No matter the level of the thickness of darkness, it cannot withstand daylight.

    “It is important to state here for purposes of emphasis, and for clarity, that Dr. George Nwaeke as the Head of Service in Rivers State at the time, was the number 3 man in the State, and as such, his account as stated by him cannot be hearsay.

    ”Tax payers money in Rivers State was wasted in a way and manner that cannot be forgotten in a hurry amidst scarce resources, and global economic crunch.” 

    Okocha alleged that the suspended Governor went a step further in less than 48 hours after the bombing to personally supervise the pulling down of the assembly complex, while his supporters cheered him on.

    ”According to Dr. George Nwaeke, the governor directed his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to carry out the attack on the Assembly complex to prevent his impeachment by lawmakers aligned with Minister Nyesom Wike.

    “Dr. George Nwaeke even went as far as to reveal how he witnessed a cash handover to Edison Ehie for the purpose of the attack.

    “What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party, is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.

    “Again, it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.

    “The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her (APC) as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027″ he stated. 

    Okocha called on security agencies to get at the root cause of this whole matter, and make such public.

  • Ibas pushes for completion of Rivers Trans-Kalabari Road project

    Ibas pushes for completion of Rivers Trans-Kalabari Road project

    Rivers Sole Administrator Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd) has described the Trans-Kalabari Road Project as one strategic effort at addressing the socioeconomic difficulties experienced by residents in the riverine communities.

    Ibas asked the contractor in charge of the project to complete it within the given timeline acknowledging that the state government had fulfilled its part of the bargain.

    Ibas spoke on Monday when he inspected the project in Rumuolumeni community and the  Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters in Rumuokwurushi all in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

    He said it was imperative that the projects were completed, particularly the Trans-Kalabari Road, saying it would  contribute immensely to boosting the socio-economic status of Rivers and Nigeria.

    Ibas said: “We are also very much aware of the very difficult, challenging terrain around here, in terms of communication, and  communicating between communities. This project, when completed, I think, will boost the socio-economic life of the state and the nation as a whole.

    “We are hoping and imploring the contractors to make sure they keep to the timelines. I think the state government has been able to meet up with its own obligation in terms of making available resources for them. So we are counting on them to keep to the completion time.”

    At the Civil Servants Quarters designated for Permanent Secretaries, Ibas pointed to some challenges experienced by civil servants saying they needed comfortable housing facilities to enable them perform better at their workplace.

    He said: “I have civil servants, who have challenges with their accommodation. We have been out there to see how far the project is going and I think I was also assured that the accommodation will be delivered on time so that those who require them will be able to settle down to do their work.”

    Ibas insisted that was steering the process of building a peaceful state and that Rivers people would remain the greatest beneficiaries.