Tag: Siminalayi Fubara

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has justified President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention in the political crisis in Rivers State as being in order.

According to the party, the president’s intervention was in accordance with his responsibility of ensuring peace and order in every part of the country.

Reports have it that the President has directed that the impeachment move by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara be suspended in the interest of peace of the state.

But the move had been described in some quarters as an abortion of a constitutional process.

Reacting to the development, National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party, Felix Morka, yesterday on a national television, defended the President’s action in the build-up to the impeachment process against the governor and his deputy Prof Ngozi Odu by the State House of Assembly.

Reacting to a question challenging the President’s advice to all the warring factions in the state to cease further action, as a move to stop a constitutional and lawful process, Morka argued that the President has not in any way aborted any constitutional process.

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He said: “To the best of my knowledge, the President has not aborted any constitutional process. He just gave his own counsel as the president to those involved. He did not go to the House of Assembly to instigate them or command anyone to do anything.

“As the president, they came to him, and he gave his advice on the matter. I think the President’s action was compatible with our constitutional democracy.”

Disagreeing that the president was meddling in Rivers’ matter, Morka said: “As the President, he was concerned, just as he did when the atmosphere was degenerating to violence by imposing the state of emergency.

“It is still within the realm of his office, as president, to ensure that every component part of the country is functioning properly.”

On the status of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike in the political equation of Rivers State,  the APC spokesman noted that the former governor has a key role to play while admitting that Governor Fubara, who is now a member of the ruling APC, is the leader of the party in the state.

On the fears being expressed over possible invasion of the county by the United States (U.S.) under the guise of fighting terrorism, Morka, dismissed the fear as baseless, insisting that the federal government has given enough explanations on the military activities of the US forces in the county, which he said was limited to the global war against terrorism.

“The war on terror is a war that must be won. Terror must be defeated by all means necessary. The collaboration between the Nigerian Armed Forces and their U.S. counterpart is one that had received a lot of conversation and explanation by the government.

“What we know is that Nigerian government and US authorities are coordinating very seriously to defeat terror that had brought hardship and pains to our people.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has vowed to keep his focus on governance despite the ongoing political turbulence in the state.

Fubara spoke on Wednesday shortly after inspecting the ongoing construction of the Borokiri and Creek market at the Town Area of Port Harcourt.

The governor said he had promised the people of the state that he would continue to deliver on the mandate they had given to him.

Fubara, who was cheered by crowd of residents, said rhe little he owed the people was to give them confidence in his administration.

He said, “I promise our people that no matter the situation we are in, we will not loose focus on governance because our people have given us this trust and the little we owe them is to give them confidence in leadership and ensuring that governance continues strongly.”

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The governor said the project was part of efforts of his administration to restore the beauty of the Town area of Port Harcourt and stop people from trading along the road.

He said, “You are aware that sometime last year I visited this place and I did promise that because we want to bring back the beauty of town to its old ambiance that the issue of people trading along the Creek Road and also in most of the major streets in town that there will be the need to fix the market. 

“So, I went to check the ongoing projects that have to do with roads and after that I am here to see for myself what is going on in the market. 

“From what you can see the contractor has already mobilised to site and I believe that in the next one week the project will commence. 

“What are we trying to do? You can see the difficulty driving through the Creek Road and what is happening there? Because we don’t have good settlement for market. So if we fix this market those trading along the streets will vacate and will be inside the market. When they are inside the road can be properly fixed and the beauty of the town will start reflecting.

“I mentioned that the roads were part of what we are doing. We are not fixing the market. We have to fix the market so that the people along the road will move in. The road rehabilitation is from Boriki down to every part of Port Harcourt township to ensure that the roads are properly fixed.”

Rivers State Governorr Siminalayi Fubara has donated N100 million to launch the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem.

The governor called for increased support for the families of fallen and retired members of the armed forces, stressing that such support was necessary in recognition of their sacrifices for national unity and stability.

The governor spoke during the Emblem Appeal Launch to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, held yesterday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Fubara described the theme: “Sacrifice and Unity: Honouring Our Heroes,” as timely and significant.

The governor noted that retired soldiers devoted the better part of their lives to the defence of the nation and the maintenance of peace and stability across the country.

He said the donation represented 150 per cent increase over the N40 million the state donated during the previous appeal.

Fubara urged the Nigerian Legion to forward the names of 50 wards for employment, to enable the state government to fulfil its outstanding commitment made last year.

He also assured that the ongoing construction of the legion’s permanent secretariat would be completed next year.

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Fubara said: “This year’s celebration has been tagged Sacrifice, Unity Honouring Our Heroes. It is very significant, as the drama sketch stated. These are people who have lived their lives for Nigeria.

“People who made sacrifices for the unity of this country, and the least we can do is to appreciate them, not just coming here annually to do the emblem launching, but it should go beyond that to support those that are still alive, and appreciate the dead ones through any other means.

“The chairman said we made a promise to employ fifty of their wards. It was an order that I gave. It was expected that they would forward a list to my office, if I had not treated it before saying it publicly. However, bring the list and if I don’t do anything, next year you can now say it.

“The event is an annual ritual that we do to support the families of the fallen heroes, to support the ones that are alive that are considered the casualties for the survival of our country. So I want to urge everyone to ensure that you support this emblem launch for the well-being of the legion.

“As a government, we have always stood by them. I am happy that the chairman made it public that we are ensuring that they have their own Secretariat and by the grace of God, it will be completed before the end of next year.”

• Governor: I’m ready to make sacrifices for peace

Governor of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara has promised to do everything required of him to let peace reign in the state.

Fubara, who spoke yesterday while inaugurating the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda-Omerelu Road built by his administration, insisted that the state cannot make progress without peace.

The governor, who was accorded a red-carpet reception by a crowd of residents and supporters, urged all lovers of Rivers to eschew disunity and embrace togetherness.

He promised the people that development would get to all the nooks and crannies of the state, but maintained that progress would not come to the state in an atmosphere of disagreement.

Fubara said: “My plea will continue to be: everyone should try to maintain peace. We can’t develop our place in an atmosphere of disunity. Progress will not come to our people when there is disagreement and fighting. Everyone who loves this state, I will continue to say we need peace for development to come into Rivers State.

“I stand here to make this promise again. Whatever is required of me to ensure that there is total peace, I will continue to do it. I also make this promise to the good people of Rivers State that development will get to every part of this state. We will make sure that we touch every part of the state. It is our promise today and we will live up to it.”

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Speaking on the project, the governor recalled that it was borne out of his promise when he went to the area about a year ago to inaugurate the other side of the road.

“We were here about a year ago to inaugurate the other side of the road. At that event, the people of Emohua, Egbeda in particular, requested that this stretch, 8.7 kilometres, that if the government would be magnanimous by doing the road, it would bring development to the people.

“We made a promise that we were going to do the project and today, I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omarelu people.”

Fubara decried the idea of ceremonious inauguration of projects in Africa, but said he decided to embrace it to let people know his administration’s story.

He said: “You know in Africa what we do is when we deliver projects we call our people to showcase what we have done. But in the real sense of it, what is the purpose of governance? Governance is to provide services to the people.

“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from and if you don’t tell people our story, a lot of people won’t know that we are doing something to show.

“Let me thank everyone of you for your support. Like I said, we don’t even need to come here to do this, but if we don’t tell our story, who will?

“So, we are here to tell the world that even in the face of our tribulation, we were still focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour.”

The governor restated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying his administration would back all groups working to deliver him in 2027.

Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decision to bestow Posthumous Pardon on the Ogoni 9, and the prestigious National Honours Awards on the Ogoni 4.

 The governor, who spoke in Government House, Port Harcourt commended the President for granting the Ogoni 9,  Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gboko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine, Posthumous Pardon for their “exemplary service to Nigeria and in particular to promote reconciliation within the Ogoni community.

 Fubara further applauded Tinubu for awarding the Ogoni 4, chiefs Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage the National Honours “for their patriotism to Nigeria and in particular to promote reconciliation within the Ogoni community.”

 The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said the Rivers government was grateful to the President, the Council of States and Nigerians for recognising the patriotism of the Ogoni 13.

 Fubara explained that the Presidential Pardon and National Honours Awards would promote genuine reconciliation, guarantee enduring peace and unity within the Ogoni communities, and also help accelerate sustainable development in the state.

 He assured Tinubu of the unfettered commitment of the Rivers state government to the total reconciliation of all Ogoni people.

 The governor expressed optimism that the government’s action would bring renewed hope and restore confidence in the Ogoni communities.

 He appealed to the people of the state, particularly the Ogoni people to see the Federal Government’s decision as a significant step towards addressing age-long demands of the communities.

 The governor emphasised that the government’s investment in the area was a testament to the commitment to the well-being of the people and development of Ogoniland.

 He encouraged the people to key into the policies and programmes of government at all levels to achieve the purpose of governance in the state and the country.

 In a related development, the family of the  late General Mamman Jiya Vatsa has also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the state pardon granted him  saying that Vatsa was innocent of the coup plot allegation.

 The Council of State on Thursday approved the exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy for 175 persons across various categories, including Vatsa.  The decision followed a presentation by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s recommendations based on the report of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

 Vatsa was executed for an alleged coup plot against General Ibrahim Babangida regime in 1986 along with nine other military officers after a Military Tribunal found them guilty of an alleged coup plot.

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 The family of Vatsa said the news has brought the greatest moment of joy to the family since the late Vatsa was executed 39 years ago as they stated various ways they had consistently appealed to every administration since to grant their son a state pardon to enable the family run a foundation in his honor.

 The family, in a statement in Minna yesterday, signed by the spokesperson and former commissioner for Information Culture and Tourism and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger state, Jonathan Vatsa  described the news as welcome development adding that President Tinubu has wiped away the tears of the family after 39 years of sorrow and sadness and has given the Gulu Vatsa community, Lapai local government and the entire state hope again.

 “Today is the happiest moment in the life of the family after 39 years of sorrow and sadness following the killing of our late father, brother and uncle. Though nothing can bring him back to life, the family is consoled by this display of statesmanship by our dear president Tinubu. He has written his name in gold and history will forever remember him.

 “Justice can never be denied but can only be delayed, the family is convinced that the late Vatsa must be a Happy person today in his grave by this singular act of compassionate by president Tinubu. This goes to show that truth doesn’t expire”, Vatsa added.

 He described the alleged 1986 coup as a frame up, adding that the trial was stage managed with the goal to eliminate the late Vatsa out of envy and hatred for a man who has a root and identity.

 Vatsa also disclosed a highly respected Military General, late Domkat Bali once said in an interview that the evidence against General Vatsa was weak and that he doesn’t know whether he was supposed to have been killed.

 “That is why the family still maintained that the late Vatsa was innocent of the coup. But we still thank President Tinubu for his magnanimity in granting him the state pardon. How we wished this was happening when the late wife, some of his late children were still alive, notwithstanding we thank God that some of the children and grandchildren are still alive to witness this pardon”.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has issued a one-month ultimatum to Raffoul Nigeria Limited, the construction company handling the 6.5km Woji–Aleto–Alesa–Refinery Road, to either complete the project or get out of the site.

Fubara in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, gave the directive on Friday during a surprised inspection visit to the project site in the company of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Projects, Mr. Hebron Wisdom.

The governor, who was visibly displeased with the pace of work, expressed disappointment over the contractor’s performance despite multiple variations granted to ensure completion of the road and its 200-metre bridge.

The governor said: “We came to visit one of our sites, and I must say I feel highly disappointed. This project was awarded about June, 2020, by my predecessor. I even went as far as giving them two variations to enable them to achieve a good proportion of this job. But to my greatest surprise, there is no progress to show for it.”

Fubara noted that the project had been evaluated and cancelled under the previous emergency administration, but said he decided to give Raffoul another opportunity to deliver within the deadline.

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He, however, warned that he would revert to the earlier government position, if the company failed to complete the work within one month.

“If they can’t complete this job in the next one month, I will stick to that position of administrator as when the emergency rule was in the state,” he said.

The governor also frowned at the ongoing dredging activities near the bridge, describing it as unsafe and unacceptable.

He said: “How could a normal human being be dredging very close to a bridge? Is it proper? If I come here any other time or get any information that dredging activity is being conducted around this area, I will personally supervise and destroy the dredger myself.”

Fubara emphasised that his administration remained committed to delivering quality infrastructure across Rivers and would not tolerate any contractor that failed to meet contractual obligations.