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Tag: Siminialayi Fubara

  • Fubara, Speaker clash over deplorable condition of schools in Rivers 

    Fubara, Speaker clash over deplorable condition of schools in Rivers 

    …Ibas left N600bn in Rivers coffers, says Speaker 

    …schools didn’t just become bad overnight, says Fubara 

    Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, are at loggerheads over the deplorable conditions of public schools particularly primary and secondary schools in the state.

    Amaewhule while addressing lawmakers decried the deplorable conditions of schools across the state, attributing the development to abandonment by the executive arm of the government.

    He said, “Public Schools in Rivers State particularly at the primary and secondary level are generally in deplorable condition. It’s a fact. The reason is because of abandonment by people who are supposed to be doing the needful. 

    “As at yesterday the House committee Chairman on Education found out that one teacher is teaching two classes. Two classes are in one classroom being taught by one teacher, primary one 1 and 2. 

    “So, the teacher will teach primary 1 a little while primary 2 is listening to primary 1 class. Then primary one will stop listening while the teacher will teach primary 2. Maybe they are blocking their ears and they are in the same classroom, no toilet, no electricity, yet that school is sharing fence with the PHED headquarters, no electricity, no security. 

    “That same school is directly opposite the police headquarters, meanwhile vandals have taken over the school. They destroy the little facilities they have there. The worst of it is that upon what we said when this motion came up nothing has happened”.

    Amaewhule lamented that despite the complaints of the Assembly through its resolutions the executive arm led by Fubara had refused to remedy the situation.

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    He said, “The Rivers State Executive Council has not done anything. They have nothing to remedy the situation. This is a sad commentary. Something has to be done for our schools, for our children, for the future of this state. 

    “Our primary and secondary schools cannot remain like this. They cannot remain without teachers. When the last administration was leaving they plan for the employment of people, I think 10,000 across the state took place, interviews. What has happened? 

    “People were not employed, but when it is time for protest funds will come for people to go and protest. When it is time to employ teachers and make teachers to be in the classroom there will be no money. We cannot continue to keep quiet. 

    “We cannot continue to fold our arms while our children continue to suffer, while teachers continue to cry. How will anyone believe that in the year 2025 in a state like Rivers State one teacher will be teaching two classrooms under one roof?

    “How would anyone believe a school that is very close to the Government House in the year 2025 that pedestrians will be called to come and teach people because there are no teachers? It is an abomination, it is an aberration and it is unacceptable. Something has to be done. We will not allow this indolence to continue.”

    Amaewhule insisted that the assembly would not allow the sorry state of schools to continue adding that the lawmakers must act on complaints from parents.

    The speaker said there was no reason for such abandonment disclosing that the former Sole Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok Ibas left over N600bn in the coffers of the state.

    He said, “We are the only people mandated by law to fight for our parents. Parents are crying. The complaints we are getting, the pictures they are sending to us are coming from parents from Township School 2. 

    “The other day somebody went to a school in Etche and saw children inside the classroom with even weed on their roof. How the weed went to their roof and they are learning under I don’t imagine. I’m trying to remember the name of that community now. It is appalling.

    “Is it that we don’t have funds in the state? Of course we have! As at the time the administrator, Ibas was leaving, he left over N600 billion in the accounts of Rivers State. Over N600 billion by October, can’t such funds be used to remedy the situation in our schools?”.

    But Fubara while replying Amaewhule said that improving the poor state of education in Rivers State was a top priority of his administration, announcing that the sector would receive the largest allocation in the 2026 budget. 

    The governor spoke while declaring open the 123/124 combined quarterly meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt.

    He admitted that many schools across the state were in bad shape but stressed that the decay did not happen overnight. 

    According to him, the deterioration predated his government and was one of the major issues used by opponents during the 2023 election campaigns.

    The governor said his team was working strategically to reverse the decline, noting that his background in public administration guided his approach to planning and reform.

    On healthcare, the governor pointed to the ongoing upgrade of zonal hospitals and other interventions in the healthcare workers welfare as evidence of improved service delivery in the sector.

    Speaking on employment, Fubara said the government remained committed to creating jobs but insisted that recruitment, including the anticipated 10,000 openings, would be based on the needs of the state, adding that the exercise would not be politicised.

    Monday’s meeting, which was the 3rd and 4th combined session of the year and the fourth since he assumed office, also provided an opportunity for Fubara to commend traditional rulers for their role in resolving the political impasse that once threatened stability in the state. 

  • Rivers State and her fair-weather friends

    Rivers State and her fair-weather friends

    There has been no dull moment in Rivers State since 2023 when Siminialayi Fubara upon inauguration chose to fight his own government. But with the Supreme Court’s February 28 declaration that there has been no government in Rivers in the last two years, in spite of all the drama, including bombing of the assembly complex, conducting LGA election in defiance of court order, and presentation of budget to a three-man assembly, we now know all have been noise without substance or ‘a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing’ (William Shakespeare).

     No thanks to Rivers fair weather friends led by the likes of Ikenga Ugochinyere, an Imo member  of the House of Representatives, who today claims to speak on behalf of opposition lawmakers coalition in the House. His undefined mission during most of his N6.5m one-hour “news commercialization’ appearances, seems to be targeted at further destabilization of PDP or prolonging the nightmare of people of Rivers State. Of course, we also have sympathisers of Labour and PDP in borrowed toga of Arise TV journalists whose motive for fighting Fubara’s war like a slave is Wike, his estranged impetuous and abrasive godfather.

    Fubara by virtue of the February 28 Supreme Court ruling had an opportunity to dig himself out of the hole. President Tinubu’s call on him to stoop to conquer because ‘compromise is democracy’s highest badge of honour was another chance. Fubara however chose to keep huffing and bluffing because of backing by meddlers like Ugochinyere and Arise TV. Last Thursday, the former gave vent to this by first taking an hour slot of “news commercialisation” in TVC and later the same day in Arise platform to embark on his usual monologue.

     And what did he fritter the N6.5m on? The assembly’s alleged intention to seek court order to stop the conduct of the local government and, the assembly’s plan to amend the Rivers Independent Electoral Commission law.

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    It is sad Fubara thinks some windbags from outside his state love his state more than the state’s elected lawmakers who by the way, do not need permission of interlopers to make laws.

    And as for Arise TV, its last Thursday’s analysis of Wike’s Wednesday chat with some journalists was a disservice to journalism. There were misrepresentation of facts, outright lies, odious comparisons and an attempt to set the Ijaw nation against other nationalities in the Niger Delta region.

    First, Arise TV along with Jake Epelle, their invited quest, agreed that Governor Fubara has been thoroughly humiliated, ridiculed and dishonoured because of his humility. They all agreed Fubara needs to become more Machiavellian since his humility has become a burden. They declared with shocking finality, that Tinubu was behind the crisis in Rivers even without proof.

    They falsely claimed Rivers House of Assembly locked out the governor. How do you lock out someone who was not being expected? Governor Fubara himself confirmed he was on a road show or out to play to the gallery by branching at the assembly quarters when he was scheduled to commission some projects in Okirika at 10am. He left with the following parting words “maybe they are still working on the letter and will later get in touch with me”.

    On impeachment, it was unfair to impute meaning to what Wike said in an answer to Arise TV question. He had said impeachment which is enshrined in our constitution is not criminal and that heaven will not fall if anyone who committed impeachable offence is impeached. In any case, if anyone slammed with impeachment charges is a good politician, he will know what to do, he added.

    It was also pure mischief to give the impression that Wike was disrespectful of the Ijaw nation during the chat. In fact what can be taken away from what he said was that those making threat to destroy pipelines are politicians in government; that Ijaw whose sons including Tompolo secured the contract to protect the oil pipelines cannot at the same time be threatening to blow off the pipeline. He said people should stop arrogating power to blow off the pipelines only to Ijaw as other groups within the Niger Delta are also capable of doing the same.

    The fact that the Ijaw national body has denounced the Ijaw Youths making such reckless statement seem to have vindicated Wike’s claim that such threats were planted by politicians in government

    I am not sure the issues of the population of Ijaw nation, the fourth largest group in Nigeria was the focus of discussion. Wike’s reference to Ijaw during the media chat was to the effect that except in Balyelsa State, the Ijaw nation does not constitute a majority in Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Rivers; that in the spirit of live and let live, he and some illustrious Ijaw elders agreed the gubernatorial ticket should be ceded to Ijaw in 2023. Arise TV only demonstrated its partisanship by exhibiting such  disdain for Wike who they said does not know Ijaw constitutes the fourth largest population because of what they attributed to his academic deficit!

    Finally, attempt by Arise TV to draw a parallel between the tragic mismanagement of our crisis of nation-building by President Nnamdi Azikiwe and Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa which led  to the collapse of the first republic and current crisis in  Rivers where an elected governor is at war with an arm of his government is borne out of mischief.

    And what are the facts?

    S. L. Akintola, the Premier of Western Region was legally removed by his party, a decision upheld by the Privy Council in London, the highest judicial body at the period. Akintola then sought the help of Zik and Balewa, coalition partners at the centre against his principal.  The duo had been bitter enemies of the West out of envy for her giant strides and for leading the battle for the creation for the Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers (COR) and Middle Belt states from the east and the north respectively.

    Zik and Balewa, who did not see the need to declare state of emergency in the east or in the north where Isaac Boro’s Niger Delta Uprising and Tiv’s popular uprising had to be suppressed by the military, illegally declared state of emergency in the West because a few NCNC member started throwing chairs just as vote of confidence was about to be passed on Adegbenro by the Western House as enshrined in the constitution. (Premiers Ahmadu Bello and Okpara had earlier breached the constitution by their refusal to recognize Adegbenro).

    The first victim of the state of emergency was Awo who was detained in mosquito-infested Lekki while Akintola who had been constitutionally removed and Fani-Kayode of NCNC were imposed as Premier and deputy premier of Western region by Balewa and Zik.

    In breach of constitutional provision which disallowed the centre from interfering in the affairs of the regions, Zik and Balewa decided to probe the administration of Western Region between 1952 and 1962. At the end Awo was indicted and  accused of theft while his deputy who single-handedly controlled the affairs of the region from 1959 was let off the hook because he served as the prosecution witness.

    To ensure Awo will be too old to ask how Nigeria was being run by the time he gets out of prison, he was slammed with  treasonable charges which provided an excuse for Zik and Balewa, the coalition leaders, to send Awo and his colleagues to 10 years imprisonment.

    The Yoruba waited patiently for the 1964 Western Regional election to liberate themselves but Fani-Kayode publicly swore he and Akintola would win the election whether the people voted for them or not. Zik and Balewa, as coalition leaders, went on to massively rig the 1964 election in favour of their stooges – Akintola and Fani-Kayode.

    It was at this point the people of the West resolved that ‘those who sowed the wind must reap the whirlwind’. Violence, code-named “Operation wet e” broke out with dead bodies littering major streets of major towns in Yoruba land. The battle was against those Yoruba identified as traitors.

    We cannot trivialise the above historical facts by attempting to draw a parallel between it and Fubara’s self-inflicted 2023 crisis when he blindly decided to fight his own government. And except for those engaged in mischief to give a false narrative of our past history, there is no basis to compare Zik and Balewa’s malevolent handling of Western Region crisis with President Tinubu’s handling of Fubara’s disagreement with an arm of his government.

    President Tinubu did what a statesman should do by making Fubara sign a truce with the warring members of an arm of his government in the presence of Rivers elders. If he breached his undertaking, it was because he, as an office holder, who does not know that in a democracy, rulers rule but others dictate the tune, allowed himself to be misled by Arise TV and non-politicians in politics who probably do not know better.

  • Fubara vows to build new hostels, sports complex, others in Rivers varsity 

    Fubara vows to build new hostels, sports complex, others in Rivers varsity 

    …says IAU surviving mainly on TETFUND’s projects 

    Rivers state governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has promised to build new male and female hostels, administrative block, health centre and sports complex at the state-owned Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni.

    Fubara also regretted that the school was surviving mainly on infrastructures built by the Tertiary Education Trust Funds (TETFUND).

    The governor made the promise on Wednesday when he visited the school on the invitation of the AIU’s Governing Council to assess the needs of the university.

    Fubara, who was received by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Adokiye Amesemaka, members of the council, vice-chancellor, Prof. Okey Onuchukwu, crowd of students and residents of the area said the council told him there was a need for the government to intervene urgently on critical needs of the school.

    The governor said he personally led his team to the school to see the condition of the facilities in line with the request of the council.

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    He said: “This afternoon I can say that with what I have seen here the improvement recorded very regrettably are only those ones that have been achieved through the TETFUND and it is unfortunate that as a government we have not done much for a school that is under our control.

    “I can make bold to say that this afternoon from what I have seen the way the school has also managed itself we will immediately grant the request of the Governing Council.

    “The request includes building of new hostels both male and female, administrative block, a new health center and a sports complex. You can consider those requests granted here and now. 

    “Let me appeal to the authority, they are doing a good job, especially the Acting Vice-Chancellor. Politics aside you are doing your job very well, we have to commend you.”

    The governor advised the students to make good use of their opportunity in the school to actualise their dreams.

    To the students, he said: “Don’t just pass the school. If you are passing through the school alone you end up not getting anything. Allow the school to pass through you, so that when you leave, you leave with something from the school.

    But in all we assure you that we will do what we need to do to improve the state of this school.”

  • Why PDP remains in precarious situation, by Fubara

    Why PDP remains in precarious situation, by Fubara

    Rivers state governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains in a precarious situation because its leaders are putting the cart before the horse.

    Fubara, who spoke on Saturday night when the PDP Youth Wing led by its chairman, Jamilu Kalsingi visited him at the Government House, Port Harcourt, said leaders must do the proper things before the party could regain its glory in the affairs of the country.

    Addressing the youths, he said: “First, I understand the enthusiasm of every one of you here, that what you want is to see that our party regains its glory in the affairs of things in the country.

    “It is the right thing, and if we have to get it done, those things that need to be put in place properly, we as a party must first of all do those things. But unfortunately, we found ourselves in a precarious situation where we are putting the cart before the horse rather than the horse before the cart.

    “So it is a problem. But when the youths have decided to take this very serious issue into their own hands, I believe that the elders of the party at this point will understand that it is important for us to look into the issues affecting the growth and unity of our party”.

    Fubara said that his government was doing everything possible to keep the true soul of the party alive, but said there were others in the state, who claimed to be in the party whereas they belonged to APDP.

    He, however, admitted that his government took some desperate measures to stabilize governance in the state, saying those actions did not mean that they were no longer true members of the party.

    He said: “On our part, we are doing our best to make sure that the true soul of the party is kept alive. And when I say the true sole you understand that we are not adulterated, we are the true PDP.

    “We have some sets here, who might claim that they are PDP or what do you call them, APDP. But ours, we remain PDP, we are doing everything to make sure that we still stand.

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    “We had some cases where our loyalty was being questioned, but desperate situations also require desperate measures. Maybe a few things we must have done in the cause of ensuring that we continue with governance don’t mean that we are not in PDP. But we must ensure that we allow our government to move on”.

    Fubara appealed to everyone to believe in one Nigeria and avoid actions that could burn the country while trying to fight for the party

    He said: “I will appeal to everyone that as much as we are trying to come together to fight and ensure that our party regains its place it will also be proper that we don’t burn the house that we already have. And that house I mean is the country.

    “We will try as much as we can, every one of us to do what we need to do to ensure that the house remains. Because if the house does not remain I wonder what you will be coming to claim. We must work together to protect it.

    “Keep aside our ethnic and religious differences and understand that the success of this country belongs to every one of us, it doesn’t matter the language or the colour, or where you are found, but what is important is for all to come together.

    “When it comes to politics our differences will come but we must make sure that the soul of the country survives, so we must come together and work as one. Some people may call it one Nigeria, we must therefore believe in one Nigeria not a sectional Nigeria.

    Earlier, in his speech, Kalsingi congratulated the governor on the recent court judgment in Rivers describing it as a victory for Nigerian youths.

    He said the Bauchi state governor and chairman of PDP’s Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, had informed them about the sacrifices and struggles Fubara was making to salvage the party.

    He said the Rivers governor was not fighting for himself alone but for the future of the country claiming that the people were relying on the PDP to save the country from the ruling party.

    He said: “We believe that with the way the ruling party is moving this country, we all see that Nigeria is sinking. People are suffering, people are crying, and we need someone to save this country.

    “The common man believes it is only the PDP that can save this country. That is why, Your Excellency, we see it as part of our responsibility that we cannot fold our hands while our leaders are out there fighting and working around the clock to rescue and restore this party to order. For us, this is for our future”.

    Kalsingi likened Fubara to a doctor hired to treat the cancer in the PDP saying the youth forum was reactivated to help the governor succeed.

    He said: “That is why this forum was reactivated. We called ourselves together to support you because this fight is for all of us and Nigerians. It is no secret that we all know the problems of our party, the PDP.

    “But we thank God that you are the commander fighting those problems. We are encouraging you to continue. Nigerian youths are with you in this fight, and we will continue to be with you till the end.

    “You are like a doctor.  We have cancer in our party, and you are the doctor. I believe that with our support when the time comes to treat that cancer, we will overcome it.

    “We must commend you. Despite the political crises, sabotage, and interference in Rivers State, you have still managed to deliver good governance, prioritizing the interests of your party.

    “We assure you that you have our support. Your reach goes beyond Rivers State—it spans across Nigeria. All PDP youth leaders across the 36 states and the FCT are with you, and whenever you call, we will answer.”

  • Court dismisses suit seeking to compel Fubara to re-present 2024 Budget 

    Court dismisses suit seeking to compel Fubara to re-present 2024 Budget 

    The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, has dismissed a suit seeking to compel Governor Siminialayi Fubara to re-present the 2024 Budget to the 26 lawmakers led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule.

    The suit was filed by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Claimant of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners.

    The suit named the Government of Rivers State, the Governor of Rivers State and the Attorney-General as defendants. 

    In his judgement dated December 20, 2024, Justice S.M Aprioku said the claimant’s suit from the facts disclosed in the affidavit’s evidence of the parties  was hasty and premature.

    He said the issue of jurisdiction concerning the locus of the 27 “former  lawmakers” legitimacy to make laws is still pending for determination at various courts and therefore the status quo shall be maintained pending the determination of the cases in the various courts.

    The judge averred that “the claimant’s claim seeking declarative and injunctive reliefs for the re-representation of the 2024 budget to the former 27 lawmakers, who defected and automatically vacated their seats, lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed l”.

    While dismissing the suit the court awarded the cost of N500,000 in favour of the defendants and against the claimant.

    In the 33-page judgement, Justice Aprioku said: “I cannot see anywhere in Section 109 (1)(G) or any of the Section of the Constitution, where the court has any role to play before the seats of defecting lawmakers could or would become vacant. 

    “I cannot also see any provision in Section 109 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, that stipulates that approval must be obtained for the party of the defector before the act of vacation will be deemed concluded.

    ” In my considered view, Section 109 (1)(G) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is self-executory, for once the person defects from the party that sponsored his election to another party, without any division in his/her political party, that person automatically vacates the seat. 

    “In my view it is not at every repeated defection that a Speaker of the House or the Court will intervene as to make the Honourable member stop ascending legislative sessions.

    “In this case the Defendants in their Counter Affidavit at several paragraphs stated that Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers defected and therefore automatically vacated their seats on 11/12/2023, two days before the Budget was presented and passed into law on 14/12/2023. 

    “They further deposed that, the fact of their defection and vacation of their seats was concealed from Hon. Justice J. Omotosho, for if the trial Judge was aware, he would ordinarily refuse to grant the reliefs but may have struck out the suit, for they have lost their locus standi to pursue any legal right”.

    The judge, who reproduced the relevant paragraphs in the affidavit filed by the defendants, said the claimants did not controvert the facts that the 27 lawmakers defected from the platform on which they were elected as lawmakers.

    He said: ” It is settled law that, depositions in an affidavit, which were never challenged by the claimants in a further affidavit, are deemed admitted. See Obumseli & anr .v. Uwakwe (2019)LPELR-46937. The Court can act on the uncontradicted averments as being the truth. See Yardua .v. Yandoma (2014) LPELR-24217; EFCC .v. Dina (2022)LPELR-58435. 

    “However, this Court will in doing justice, follow the decisions of the Superior Courts on settled principles of law, as canvassed by the Defendants’ Counsel, which the Claimants’ Counsel did not file a reply on points of law to address. 

    The judge opened that the present Governor could transact business with the members that did not vacate their seats. 

    The judge said: “The governor cannot carry on business with those, who defected and by that act of defection, lost their seats. 

    “Therefore, the same way His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, presented Budgets and financial Bills with only six members, when the numbers were less than two third of the 32 members, so shall His Excellency, Sir, Siminalaye Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State be constitutionally guided to interface, and approach the properly constituted House of Rt. Hon. Oko-Jumbo, to carry on business of the State and until the 27 lawmakers, who defected and lost their seats, approaches the Court, for a redemption or INEC conducts another election to fill the seats vacated by the 27 lawmakers upon their defection.

    “In sum, until the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the issue of jurisdiction which affects the status of the 27 Lawmakers, it is only those who did not vacate their seats, the Governor can, constitutionally approach to present Budget, appoint Chief Judges and President Customary Court also screen Commissioners, including the Attorney General and make Board appointments. 

    “Therefore, the Claimants case which was seeking declarative reliefs and mandatory injunction, will be dismissed as it is premature, pending the decision of the Supreme Court in respect of the issues of jurisdiction raised on locus standi of the 27 former Lawmakers. 

    “This suit be and is hereby dismissed and costs of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) Only, is awarded in favour of the defendants and against the claimant”.

  • 10,000 athletes warm up for Public Service Games

    10,000 athletes warm up for Public Service Games

    The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has promised adequate security for over 10,000 athletes, who will be participating in the forthcoming 43rd Public Service Games in the state.

    Declaring Rivers as the host state, Fubara, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tammy Danagogo, said the games christened “Simplified Rivers Games 2024,” would see public servants from across the federation partaking in 16 games between Nov 27 to Dec 5, 2024.

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    He said five venues were undergoing renovation in preparation for the game identifying the places as the Sharks Stadium, Alfred Diette-Spiff Civic Centre, Adokiye Amiesamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt Club, and the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.

    Danagogo spoke in Port Harcourt in the company of the President, the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA), Mr Aloku Amaebi, and the Local Organizing Committee Chairman, Dr George Nwake.

    Danagogo said: “No doubt the state is ready to host the Public Service Games. His Excellency has granted his approval for this game to be held in Rivers State and by the grace of God, we are ready to host the games.

  • JUST IN: Allow me govern Rivers, Fubara tells Wike

    JUST IN: Allow me govern Rivers, Fubara tells Wike

    Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara has called on his estranged benefactor and predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike, whom he referred to as my oga, to allow him govern the state.

    Speaking on Politics Today, Fubara said there was no need for anybody to destroy things in the state recalling that when Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, was the Governor, Rivers was the envy of all. 

    He told the Minister that it was time for governance and not politics noting that he should be allowed to concentrate on governance.

    When asked what could have been the bone of contention, Fubara said be would not discuss it but that it bordered on power and control.

    He said: “My appeal is that everyone should shield their sword. Even to the Minister, my oga, there is no need to destroy things. He once ruled and the state was the envy of every other state. 

    “Another person is there now what he needs is to give his support. After four years or who knows eight years I will also leave and another person will take over. That should be the spirit. 

    “When the election comes, you can fight and do whatever. But now is time for governance. We need all the support. We are complaining that Nigeria oil production is low and we are trying to improve our production stage, we have the problems in Emohua and Degema we are trying to manage it and we are now adding in-house issues. This is an in-house issue that ought not to be out.

    “We all know the issue. It is very simple. It has to do with the issue of power and control. You have all seen it in this case. If election had been held in Rivers and council chairmen had been inaugurated in a normal situation do we even need anybody to go and obstruct them from entering the secretariats? 

    “Maybe there is somebody somewhere who believes that he is higher than the authority in the state. It is all issues of power. I don’t intend to discuss it and I don’t want to take issues with that. I want to focus on governance and manage the situations as much as I can.

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    Fubara added: ” I don’t think there is any understanding we had that I haven’t kept. There is no understanding that we had that I haven’t kept. Like I said I won’t want to discuss those issues”.

    Fubara said though, he welcomed the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who called for peace, he was worried that only his name was mentioned in the statement. 

    He said: “I don’t have any issue with the President intervention. But I am a bit concerned when my name was only mentioned. But like I said since it is coming from the President, I have no comments about it. 

    “This issue is simple. It is as simple as an ABC. Everyone in Nigeria and Rivers knows where this issue is coming from. It is not rocket science. The issue is not Fubara”.

    Fubara partly blamed the total withdrawal of policemen from the secretariats by the Inspector-General of Police for the violent protest that swept across Rivers on Monday.

    He said: ” I believe strongly that with the recent intervention of the IGP we would have peace. Maybe as a result of him pulling his men out of those secretariats was one of the reason why they took advantage of that. If the officers had been there and the elected officers would also have the opportunity to do their work. They should provide security. 

    “It was what I was thinking. I was never of the opinion that the Nigerian police should pull out completely. But when they said they were moving out it was what gave the opportunity for these miscreants to take advantage of the secretariats to destroy them. I understand that. They should come back and join hands with the chairmen to protect the councils’ property”.

  • UPDATED: Gunshots, explosions, arsons herald assumption of Rivers council’s chairmen

    UPDATED: Gunshots, explosions, arsons herald assumption of Rivers council’s chairmen

    Protesters, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), unknown arsonists and gunmen resisted attempts by many local government chairmen elected on the platform of the Action Peoples Party (APP) and sworn-in by Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara to assume offices on Monday.

    In some of the councils, hundreds of protesters barricaded their secretariats early in the morning even before the elected chairmen arrived the areas.

    Other councils’ secretariats were set ablaze with explosives and arsonists, who razed down some buildings and destroyed many valuables.

    Other local government areas witnessed violent clashes by rival groups, who engaged the surroundings of the secretariats with sustained gunshots.

    Chaos started spreading in Rivers shortly after the police withdrew the personnel they initially sent to guard the secretariats and ordered the unsealing of the facilities.

    The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Bala Mustapha, on Monday morning ordered the immediate withdrawal of all policemen from 23 councils’ secretariats.

    A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, said the directive was in line with the decision of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

    The statement reads: “In view of the recent political developments in Rivers State, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha hereby convey the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the Local Government Secretariats in the state. 

    “This decision is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.

    “Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariats, which were earlier secured by police personnel. The police will only be redeployed to these locations in the event of any crisis or breakdown of law and order, in which case emergency measures will be swiftly implemented to restore normalcy.

    “The Rivers State Police Command assures the public of its readiness to maintain peace and order across the state and will continue to act professionally in discharging its duties. We urge all residents and stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding as the situation continues to evolve”.

    The Eleme Local Government Area was the first to go up in flames after explosives were reportedly thrown into the Secretariat by unknown persons 

    A significant section of the secretariat was in rumbles while vehicles and other valuables were razed by the fire.

    The newly elected Chairman of Eleme, Brain Gokpa, in company with his councillors and supporters, arrived at the LG secretariat and discovered that some buildings in the complex were on fire.

    Hundreds of youths also took  over the Emohua Local Government Area’s Secretariat in protest against the recent council’s election in Rivers.

    The youths, who changed solidarity songs were said to have claimed that an unknown APP could not possibly win the councils.

    The protesters barricaded the main entrance to the secretariat, padlocking the gate and securing the small entrance. 

    They were said to have taken control of the administrative building, saying they would not allow the sworn-in Chairman, David Omereji, assume office.

     The supporters said they only recognised Dr. Chidi Lloyd as the duly elected chairman and demanded that he be allowed to serve out his tenure.

    The PDP Emohua Council Chairman, Morrison Jim addressed the public, reaffirming the party’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law. 

    Read Also: PDP backs Fubara on conduct of local government council election

    He said despite not participating in the recent election due to a court order, the PDP remained strong and united.

    He said: “We respect the legal process and have chosen to abide by the court’s decision,” Jim stated. “Our focus remains on serving the people and promoting the well-being of our good people of Emolga.” 

    The PDP emphasized its dedication to transparency, accountability, and good governance, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of rule of law.

    But shortly after the crowd departed the secretariat, huge fire emerged at the security and the transformer areas of the council.

    The Ikwerre Local Government Area was perhaps the worst hit by the riot as two rival political groups clashed setting the newly built edifice ablaze.

    Gunshots reportedly boomed uncontrollably at Isiokpo where the Secretariat was located sending passers-by and residents to run to different directions for safety.

    Most parts of the council, which witnessed reconstruction and special facelift during the past local government administration, were left in rubbles.

    The fire completely destroyed the Executive Chambers located in a white two-storey building with the furniture totally razed.

    It was gathered that the two groups of fighters, who exchanged gunfire disagreed over the conduct of the local government election.

    While one camp insisted that there was no election, the other said an election was held and that an elected Chairman had been sworn in and must be allowed to resume his duties at the secretariat.

    Obio-Akpo was also enveloped in tension as sustained heavy gunshots boomed continuously from unknown gunmen.

    The unknown gunmen surrounded the Secretariat and held people in the council hostage for hours.

    People were seen running helter skelter  seeking safety at the Secretariat as the gunmen sustained their shootings.

    Some armed policemen were also seen trying to confront the gunmen and stabilize the council.

    At least one person was feared dead following shootings in Bori in Khana Local Government Area.

    It was gathered that the incident was part of the violent protest spreading in the state against the local government election and its outcome.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said  that the gunshots were heard near Bori, saying people started running to different directions. 

    He  said: “It was near Bori but I can’t say exactly where. A young man was shot and oeople started running. The man was rushed to the hospital this morning.”

    In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, protesters reportedly invaded the council headquarters in Omoku, refusing the newly sworn in chairman to resume office. 

    Oyigbo, Ahoada East, Ogu Bolu and others also witnessed their fair share of protests and gunshots.

    However, some secretariats particularly the ones located at the riverine areas were said to be peaceful as their chairmen assumed their offices and inaugurated their councilors.

    For instance, in Port Harcourt City Council, there were no reports of violence and protest as the chairman reportedly inaugurated the councilors from various wards.

    New Mayor of Port Harcourt City Council,  Ezebunwo Ichemati, immediately dissolved the 7th Legislative Assembly and inaugurated the 8th Assembly, whose members later elected the principal officers 

    Also the Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area was peaceful and the Executive Chairman, Dr Enyiada Cookey-Gam inaugurated the Vice-Chairman Beauty Adokiye Simon at the Executive Chambers and proceeded to inaugurate the legislative arm.

     The inauguration was done in the presence of the council principal officers, representatives of the traditional institution, security agencies, and heads of youth bodies.

    Inauguration of the 11 ward councillors by the council boss was done at the Council Legislative Chamber in presence of past councilors of the 7th Legislative Assembly among others.

    Cookey-Gam in his address, reaffirmed the commitment of his administration in delivering the dividends of democracy to the good people of Opobo/Nkoro.

    Immediately after the inauguration, the councilors held their first sitting to elected their principal officers.

    Fubara Visits Ikwerre, condemns arson

    Disturbed by the development, the state Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, rode into the Ikwerre Local Government Secretariat to access the damage done by the arsonists.

    Fubara, who was flanked by heavily armed security operatives inspected the completely burnt Executive Chamber at the Secretariat.

    The governor condemned the actions of the protesters describing them as irresponsible. 

    He said they were happy when the police announced the withdrawal of their personnel from the secretariats, but observed that the hoodlums took advantage of the opportunity to vent their anger on the facilities.

    He said the greatest losers of the attacks were the people, whose funds would be utilized by the new chairmen to restore the damaged facilities.

    He regretted that instead of channelling such funds to other meaningful ventures, the councils’ chairmen would be constrained to use for repairs and replacements of damaged facilities.

    Cautioning the people, Fubara said: “Do your politics with a sense of responsibility. We don’t need to kill ourselves. Even if anyone advises you to destroy your property, you should think twice. We all know where this is coming from but we will allow security agencies to do their investigations”.

    PDP Governors’ Forum defends Fubara on APP, LG poll

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), Senator Bala Mohammed, defended the decision of Fubara to conduct the local government elections against all odds.

    Mohammed said Fubara had proven himself a true democrat, who pushed through with decisions and actions to deepen democracy.

    He said Fubara was proactive with an open mind, deploying his democratic instincts with strategies to carefully deliver democratic governance at the local government level, irrespective of party allegiance or consideration.

    Senator Mohammed, who is also the Governor of Bauchi State, spoke shortly after he witnessed the swearing-in of 23 democratically elected Rivers State local government council chairmen. 

    A statement signed by Fubara’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS) quoted Mohammed as affirming that Rivers remained a PDP State, even if the just sworn-in local government chairmen and councillors were of different political parties.

    Mohammed bemoaned the situation, describing it as the problem that they had found themselves both as a party and as governors. 

     Mohammed said Governor Fubara, who is the Vice-Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, was still an avowed member of the PDP despite the fact that other parties constituted the body of elected officers at the local government level.

    He said: “Of course, he is still with us. He’s still a PDP man, and I have to come, on behalf of the governors, to show solidarity to him for this very proactive democratic instincts that he developed, which is a new manifestation in the political arena in Nigeria; where he had to intensify, and he has to develop strategy to be able to deliver governance, irrespective of party allegiance or party consideration.

    “He didn’t have a structure of the party in the state, for certain reasons, and he had to go out to make sure he allows other parties to participate within the political space so that there wouldn’t be any vacuum. 

    “And, I think this is very auspicious, that is very creative and I am very proud of him. And I said, yes, we have lost as a party, and that is why we want to be running away from this. 

    “Again, he has established himself as a Governor and the pride of all the governors in Nigeria.”

    Mohammed said it was inadvisable to ignore a sitting governor at the sub-national level because of his roles and number of followers.

    He said: “A Governor is the Chief Executive. He can do anything. He can spring surprises because the Nigerian State is run by governors at the sub-national level. 

    “Even the Federal Government is a tenant. Nigerians live in the states and local governments, and that is why what he did is very proactive and creative, irrespective of the fact that he knew his party will lose.

    “And certainly, because of his deep democratic instincts, he had to allow the other parties to win, and I will just wish that those who have won will see it in their own modesty and willing to give him support.

    “Because he is not doing it with any strings or asking them to do anything. Let the APP and him have that relationship so that he can govern,” he explained.

    Mohammed recalled that as a person in 2019, he encountered a similar situation, but braced up and was able to navigate through it safely.

    He said: “I had a similar situation in 2019. I governed a State where only nine PDP person were members in the State Assembly and he (Fubara) is still doing that. 

    “So, his political sagacity has come to a level where he has become a specimen for democratic studies in Nigeria.”

    Responding to how soon the PDP would resolve its festering crisis and achieve desired unity, Mohammed assured that it might seem prolonged but quickly added that true reconciliation was in view.

    He said: “And that is the more reason I am here. Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. All the governors are with him, and certainly, we are taking steps to ensure reconciliation.

    “Reconciliation with somebody who they had started with; the former Governor of this State and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is a must because, certainly, they have come a long way. We didn’t want to throw the baby away with the bad water.

    “And certainly, the governors are with the Governor (Fubara) because this is our own tradition and fraternity; at the same time, out of our own political history as a party that has history of governance.

    “We are still stretching our arms of reconciliation to his mentor, to his friend and brother, and also our colleague”.

  • PDP to Fubara: obey court order restricting conduct of LG poll

    PDP to Fubara: obey court order restricting conduct of LG poll

    …says announcing results invitation to violence

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers state on Friday, October 4, warned the state governor, Siminialayi Fubara, of the consequences of disobeying the Federal High Court judgement outlawing the conduct of October 5, local government elections.

    The PDP said that nobody should participate in or allow the conduct of any local government elections that deviated from the court’s judgment.

    The PDP state chairman, Chukwuemeka Aaron, emphasised that participating in or conducting elections contrary to the court’s judgment would be unlawful.

    He urged citizens to disregard any announcements calling for local government elections on October 5, citing a Federal High Court judgment that halted the poll.

    Aaron reiterated the party’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, adding that the RSIEC and the State government could not choose which court orders to obey or ignore.

    He called on Rivers state governor, a PDP member, to comply fully with the court’s judgment.

    He said: “The PDP, having reviewed all the cases relating to the local government elections, concludes as follows: we cannot support or promote lawlessness, or impunity in any form whatsoever even though we are the ruling party in Rivers state.

    “The proper court judgment must be obeyed as we cannot choose which order of the court to obey and not to obey.

    “We, therefore call on the Rivers State Governor who incidentally is a member of our great party the PDP to obey and comply wholly and strictly with the judgment of the Federal High Court in line with our character and ethics of our party, the PDP and suspend the planned October 5 Local Government elections in Rivers State.”

    Read Also: Furious Fubara attacks IGP over contentious Rivers council poll

    Aaron commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for standing by the truth and complying with the court’s judgment.

    He said INEC had clarified that it did not release the Voters Register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), a critical requirement for the elections.

    While commending the Nigerian Police for standing by the Federal High Court judgment, Aaron, however, cautioned that announcing election results despite the suspension would be considered an invitation to violence.

    He added: “We also call on our members and indeed the law-abiding residents of Rivers State to defend the rule of law ensuring full compliance with the judgment from the Federal High Court.

    “Nobody should participate in or allow the conduct of any local government elections in deviance from the judgement of the Federal High Court.

    “We want to thank the INEC for standing on the part of the truth, clearing the air on the non-release of Voters Register to RSIEC, and for complying with the Federal High Court judgment.

    “We also commend the Nigerian Police for standing up to the Federal High judgment being the latest on the Rivers State Local government elections.

    “We want to caution that any attempt to announce any results whatsoever will be an invitation to violence and will be properly revisited as no election will be held in Rivers State on the 5th of October as ordered by the court.

    “We enjoin the general public to disregard any announcements calling for the October 5 local government elections, for the same is a call for crisis and which will not be in the interest of Rivers people.”