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  • Wike: Fubara’s letter to Rivers Assembly on Supreme Court verdict ‘useless’

    Wike: Fubara’s letter to Rivers Assembly on Supreme Court verdict ‘useless’

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday dismissed as “useless” the letter sent by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to the state House of Assembly requesting an audience with lawmakers.

    The letter was reportedly linked to discussions on implementing the Supreme Court’s verdict on the state’s political affairs.

    Wike disclosed this during a live broadcast with journalists in Abuja.

    He said: “You have had a frosty relationship with an arm of government. If you are a good politician, will you go and write a letter? Is it by writing a letter signed by the SSG? What an insult! Is it how it is done? If you are a politician you know what to do.

    “You want to play to the gallery which is rubbish. All these letters are useless, you are not sincere, you are playing to the gallery,” he said.

    Wike said Speaker Martins Amaewhule and other lawmakers in the Rivers Assembly are not Fubara’s boys and should be accorded some respect.

    Wike said instead of inviting members of the House through a public letter, Fubara should have called Amaewhule and his team via the phone and agreed on a date and time for a meeting.

    On Friday, February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court made final decisions on the political situation in the oil-rich South-South state.

    The judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Martins Amaewhule as the Speaker.

    In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Martin Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    The apex court also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to the Government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.

    Read Also: Wike cautions Abuja residents against sabotaging govt efforts

    Also, the apex court declared the local government election conducted in the state on October 5, 2024, as invalid.

    Fubara subsequently said he would fully implement the judgments of the apex court and directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to come up with modalities for the fresh election.

    The electoral commission fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh local government poll in the state.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, in a letter dated March 7, 2025, sought a meeting with the lawmakers for March 10, 2025 to discuss the re-presentation of the 2025 budget and a peace talk.

    However, the Assembly had asked the governor to channel his invitation properly.

  • Wike cautions Abuja residents against sabotaging govt efforts

    Wike cautions Abuja residents against sabotaging govt efforts

    …supervises removal of structures on road corridor in Gishiri village

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Tuesday supervised the demolition of structures obstructing the construction of the Arterial Road N16 in Gishiri village in Katampe District, Abuja.   

    He advised Abuja residents against sabotaging government developmental efforts.

    Briefing reporters at the site, Wike disclosed that the residents were duly served with eviction notices and clearly communicated the necessity of their cooperation with the government.

    He said this was vital for the contractor, Messrs CGC, to complete the road project and hand it over by the end of May.

    The minister however regretted that the residents rejected the government’s offer of compensation and pledged to facilitate their relocation, despite being granted a one-week extension as requested by the village chief, thereby impeding work on the road project.

    He said the road project was in the public’s overriding interest and not a case of acquiring land for private development, warning that the FCT Administration would not tolerate the sabotage of projects of public interest.

    Wike said he was personally involved in the demolition exercise to send a message that it would no longer be business as usual.

    According to the FCT Minister: “We served them with the eviction notice and we told them the need for them to cooperate with the government so that the contractor, CGC will be able to complete this road and then hand it over by May ending”.

    Read Also: MoU with Italian govt visit aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, says Wike

    Speaking further, the Minister said: “The traditional ruler of course pleaded with us to give them one week. The money for compensation has been made available and we did also promise that in spite of that, we will still make available somewhere they can relocate.

    “But with all these assurances, it did appear, from what I got in the report, that work is not going on. I informed the traditional ruler that this work has to go on and enough is enough. No government will fold its arms and allow people to sabotage a project for the interest of the public. It’s not as if anybody is coming to acquire land to build houses”.  

    Addressing concerns regarding the impact of the demolition on residents of the village and public perception, the Minister asserted that ample time had been provided for the residents to vacate.

    He stated that the government would not halt a crucial project for the sake of a few individuals, having granted them enough time and made funds available for compensation.

    He said: “enough time has been given. Are we going to say that because of a few people, the government will not do their work? No. We have given them more than two, three months. I cannot fold my hands and say let the job stop. No. we will not do that”.

    Speaking further, the Minister said: “We have promised to relocate them to another area and even the money for compensation has been given, but they said they will not accept, which means the job will not go on and we will not allow that”.

    He reiterated the government’s commitment to relocating the affected residents and providing compensation and advised them to cooperate with the FCT Department of Resettlement and Compensation to finalize the modalities for their relocation.

    Some of the residents were seen running to salvage what they could during the demolition.

  • Who will save Rivers from her warring children?

    Who will save Rivers from her warring children?

    Politics has been variously defined as ‘authoritative allocation of values or “who gets what when and how”. But I think in terms of intrigue that goes into balancing the interest of pressure groups and public interest, deviousness and ruthlessness of office seekers and for our purpose in this write up ‘politics as the art of the possible will be more appropriate (Otto Von Bismarck, German statesman and First Chancellor of Unified Germany 1815-1898).

    The truth is that not all office seekers or office holders are politicians. Politicians are a special breed of selfless public servants who are not deterred by the fact they that are hardly trusted by the public they serve who often see them as corrupt, devious and men of many words. These largely misunderstood patriots ruled and may sometimes be addressed as their excellences, but others call the tune. Unfortunately, no matter how much politicians are detested, our survival as an organized society depends on their resourcefulness and brinkmanship.

    Of course, bluffing Governor Similayi Fubara who had all his past battle fought for him is not a politician. In fact he is not smart enough to learn from our recent history.

    We once had a Raji Babatunde Fashola, a non-politician but a very smart guy as governor of Lagos State. He was not his party’s but his godfather’s choice. When he had a slight disagreement with his godfather, all those who had wanted his job, rose up in his defence not because they loved him, but to spite his godfather. Opposition parties were dangling their party’s’ ticket in his face in case he was denied his party’s ticket for a second term.

    But instead of swallowing the poison as Fubara did, he went for an international engagement where he gave a lecture and announced to the whole world that “Tinubu made me governor”. That became newspaper headlines in both local and international newspaper the following day. The godfather was humbled. If the godfather today takes credit for landmark projects like the Lagos rail line and Atlantic City, it was because his trusted godson, the actualiser, unlike Ambode who ignored some of the projects during his four years tenure, remained faithful to his godfather and his dream project.

    Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, following some disagreement with Obasanjo also joined forces with his estranged godfather’s political foes including James Ibori who also headed the Yar’Adua group that did not want Jonathan to succeed the ailing President Yar’Adua. This was long after he had declared publicly that apart from God and his biological parents, Obasanjo was the next most important personality in is life. Jonathan was hijacked by the late pa Edwin Clark, who gave himself the title of ’father of the president’ to spite Obasanjo. Jonathan forgot his battle was fought by the likes of Tunde Bakare on the streets of Lagos and Abuja with the ‘doctrine of necessity’ slogan. The rest is history.

    Today, facing the same scenario, Fubara, like Jonathan, teamed up with enemies of Wike, his estranged godfather including Imo Ikenga Ugochinyere, who has today become Fubara’s interpreter of court pronouncements. Others include PDP stalwarts in borrowed robe of media men who would not forgive Wike for bringing PDP down during the 2023 elections. Some of them pretend to be news anchors without appreciating that the greatest attributes of a news anchor include  journalistic integrity, professionalism  and ability to be ‘silent and listen”. These men lionized Fubara, encouraged him to stand up to his estranged godfather and talked him out of his initial undertaking to implement term of truce reached when the president first intervened.

    Unfortunately, Fubara still does not understand that the only people benefiting from the tragedy he has inadvertently brought upon his people are these self-serving advisers and media promoters who smile to the banks at the expense of besieged people of Rivers.

    For instance, ‘News commercialisation’ which refers to situation “whereby the electronic media report as news or news analysis a commercial message by an unidentified or unidentifiable sponsor giving the audience the impression that news is fair, objective and socially responsible”(Nnorom,1994) is not cheap. The 30 minutes slot cannot be anything less than N20m. That is what someone coughs out to allow the likes of Ikenga Ugochinyere to speak without substance on TV for 30 minutes in the name of fighting Fubara’s war. He was pathetic to watch last week on Fubara’s favourite TV platform as he gave his own interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment after which he urged Fubara to ‘carry on’ the battle.

    The above forces that exploited Fubara’s lack of capacity to understand that sometimes in political warfare , you may have to stoop to conquer, were behind his missing of an historic opportunity provided by last week landmark  Supreme Court judgment to end his people’s nightmare after two years of his unstable government.

    The Supreme Court judgment was straight forward.

    The court ruled there is no evidence that the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), because without evidence presented before the court, in the eyes of the law, no defection took place and consequently the status quo in the House of Assembly must remain.

    It criticized the governor for behaving likes a despot by demolishing the House of Assembly complex and preventing the 27 lawmakers from sitting. It also condemned Fubara for destroying of Rivers State over his fear of impeachment

    “Since the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot, the Supreme Court held that “As it is, there is no government in Rivers State”.

    It held that “The doctrine of necessity cannot be invoked to justify the continued existence of a deliberately contrived illegal or unconstitutional status quo.

    That “political disagreements cannot justify these attacks and contempt for the rule of law by the governor of a state or any person.

    That “The part of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, affirming the judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/AB)/CS/984/2024 is hereby affirmed.

    Read Also: United Nigeria Airline launches Abuja-Katsina flight route

    That “The said judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/AB)/CS/984/2024 is hereby restored.

    That “For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby ordered that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation should forthwith stop releasing and paying to the Government of Rivers State, its organs,… until an Appropriation Law is made by Rivers State House of Assembly constituted as prescribed by the 1999 Constitution.

    That “The Rt. Honourable Martin Chike Amaewhule and the other 26 members should forthwith resume unhindered sitting as Speaker and members respectively of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    With all the roads blocked, if only Fubara understands politics as the art of the possible, and had without the meddlesomeness of elders and politicians on both sides of the aisle who speak from both sides of the mouth, picked up the phone to congratulate the speaker of his state House of Assembly and his colleagues over their victory at the court and offer to forward the 2025 budget and the list of his commissioners as directed by the Supreme Court, the following day.

    And let us for a moment imagine Fubara with awesome apparatus of his office storming Wike’s victory church thanksgiving in Abuja and insisting Rivers State seat of power remains in his house until he agrees to join him for another thanksgiving in Port Harcourt to convince the mass of Rivers people in whose name they all swore, that the battle was over.

    Of course Fubara would have seized the initiative while Wike would have been humbled.

    Unfortunately, Fubara who cannot appreciate the worth of the office he never fought for will rather keep on playing the ostrich. Whilst he claims to wait for certified copy of the court judgment to start complying with the Supreme Court judgment, that has not stopped him from starting preparation for the conduct of a new local government election.  A few days after informing his street boys to wait for signals, a trending video of AK-47 wielding militants in the creeks threatening to attack oil installations emerged. The Punch gave an elaborate coverage to them and their demand.

    Ijaw youths have also joined the fray in support of Fubara, the first Rivers governor of Ijaw ethnic extraction.

    The question now is with Fubara’s resolve to continue waging war against his own government, politicians admitting treachery against their state, elders speaking from both side of the mouth while our once beautiful ‘Garden City’ turns into a city of blood by militants groomed and armed by Rivers’ successive governors, who is going to save Rivers?

  • Women pillars of our homes – Wike

    Women pillars of our homes – Wike

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister,  Nyesom Wike, has hailed women for their invaluable contributions to the society.

    Wike said as pillars of our homes and considering their roles in our society, they are worthy to be celebrated.

    The Minister, in his goodwill message on this year’s International Women’s Day, expressed appreciation to women, especially those in the FCT for what he described as their unique roles.

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA), to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement in Milan, Italy, that: “Under Wike, as the FCT Minister, women will always get their deserved recognition and positioning”.

    He stressed that women were custodian of men and children, noting that their roles in the management and sustenance of the family institution, which is the basic unit in any society, are forever appreciated.

    Read Also: Wike in Italy for talks with Lombardy Region’s President, agribusiness investors

    While specially appreciating women in the FCT, Wike urged that they continue to support the government, promising more dividends of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. 

    He said: “To our women in the FCT, starting from the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mahmoud Mariya, and the first female Head of Service, Grace Adayilo, today gives us the opportunity to say we are grateful for the impact you make.

    “For us, we will keep doing our best to make life more meaningful, especially for the women who are undoubtedly,  the pillars of our homes”.

  • Wike arrives Italy for official engagements, meets Lombardy president

    Wike arrives Italy for official engagements, meets Lombardy president

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, arrived in Milan, Italy, on Wednesday for a series of official engagements, including a meeting with the President of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana.

    Wike is also expected to engage with agribusiness investors during his visit.

    According to a statement issued in Milan by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister departed Abuja on Tuesday night and arrived in Milan at about 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday. 

    He was received by the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Italy, Ambassador Mustapha Mohammed.

    Read Also: Wike’s Incandescence Prevails Amidst Political Noise, Court Ruling Affirms Assembly Leadership

    He said: “While in Milan, the FCT Minister will hold a meeting with the President of Lombardy Region on Thursday, and also meet agribusiness investors.

    “Lombardy is adjudged as the first region of Italy in terms of economic importance, with population of about 10 million people. It is the second most populous region of the European Union (EU) and the second region of the European Union by nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “The FCT Minister’s meeting with the Attilio Fontana will center on seeking collaboration and evaluating possible prospects in the areas of Agriculture and Vocational Education, as well as strategic development partners with the Lombardy Region. 

    “Subsequently, Wike will meet investors in agribusiness and experts in vocational training, with a view to unlock new opportunities.

    “The FCT Mandate Secretaries for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo and Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, as well as Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Dr. Udo Samuel Atang and Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Multi-Lateral Cooperation, Barrister Benedict Daudu, accompanied the Minister on the trip”.

  • Wike’s Incandescence Prevails Amidst Political Noise, Court Ruling Affirms Assembly Leadership

    Wike’s Incandescence Prevails Amidst Political Noise, Court Ruling Affirms Assembly Leadership

    …A Reply to Ikenga Ugochinyere and Deji Adebanju

    By Dr. Dauda U. Adamu

    A recent political drama unfolding in Rivers State has once again proven that efficiency and brilliance prevail over sentiment-driven noise. The events surrounding Bar. Nyesom Wike, Deji Adebanju, and Ugochinere have highlighted the stark contrast between robust leadership and what can only be described as political posturing.

    Ugochinere, who previously alleged wrongful imprisonment by Bar. Wike attempted to capitalize on the Rivers State situation, bringing his grievances into the fray. However, the core issue became a clear demonstration of Wike’s incandescent personality against a backdrop of what can be described as mere “noise.” The desire for perceived “freedom” by the anti-Wike detractors in Rivers State and beyond ultimately proved insufficient against Wike’s strategic and decisive approach.

    The appellate court’s recent ruling has definitively affirmed the Mr. Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, effectively ending the Ugochinere narrative. This decision underscores the difference between incandescence and dimness, solidifying Wike’s position and leaving his opponents in a state of total disappointment.

    Deji Adebanju’s criticism of Wike is rooted in personal disappointment after Wike declined his request to become PDP National Publicity Secretary. Adebanju’s accusations of land-grabbing and the rendering of directors redundant in the FCDA are baseless. Wike’s actions were aimed at curbing land racketeering and corruption within the FCT administration. There are reports where directors of land and legal matters were allegedly involved in illegal land allocations and collusion with land grabbers, forcing Wike to engage senior advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to reclaim misused land. Wike’s decision to engage Senior Advocates of Nigeria is what Adebanju, who has always portrayed himself as a human rights activist, refers to as rendering directors redundant. Adebanju’s narratives are not only misleading but also side with the oppressors. That is the kind of activism Nigeria now witnesses.

    Nigerians should distinguish political fiction from constitutional fact. Wike has a good heart and his committed to the good of the common people, though sometimes misunderstood, are ultimately for the public good. Nigerians will continue to recognize Wike’s incandescence and support his endeavors, regardless of the “noise” from his critics.

    Barister Nyensome Wike, may God bless you and keep you strong by the power of His name. I deeply admire your unwavering dedication to the common people, even when faced with manipulation and misunderstanding. Your recent victory in the Supreme Court regarding Rivers State is a testament to your integrity. Let your critics continue to have their Arise TV, you have us, the real common people.

  • Wike’s intriguing politics

    Wike’s intriguing politics

    To his surge of supporters, former governor of Rivers State and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr Nyesome Wike, has transformed into the status of deity. He is the object of their unending adulation and ululation. Among them, he is fast becoming the man who cannot be corrected because he is above mere mortals and thus can do no wrong. Alas! Wike knows more than anyone else the sheer ephemeral nature not just of power but of life itself. A leader who wants to succeed must beware of listening to the deceptive music of sycophants who desire nothing but to lure him to the cesspit of demystification and destruction. This is a factor that the incumbent governor of River State, Siminalai Fubara should also habitually keep in mind and meditate upon daily.

    On the other side, those who fervently support Governor Fubara detest his predecessor, Wike, with unmitigated passion and undisguised hatred. They do not see anything wrong with the governor turning so vehemently and venousmally against a mentor who not only sold his candidacy to the voting public but mobilized and deployed massive resources to ensure a little-known Fubara’s victory at the polls. Now that Fubara is in the governor’s seat, he has laid bare his fangs and set his claws like a feral beast waiting to pounce on any available prey. But it is a matter of moral integrity, character, loyalty and fidelity to truth. Of course, it can be argued that it was God who made Fubara governor of Rivers State. True, but God uses human beings to achieve his purposes on earth and in the case of Fubara, God’s tool was Wike and the governor must never forget that.

    It is difficult to understand how a man like Fubara who was a trusted aide to Wike and worked with him for eight years as governor, could so suddenly turn against a man who made him politically and helped build the political structure that enabled his victory to become Rivers State governor. Could he have been deceptive all along, hating his boss with all his might but disguising his true feelings in order to achieve his political objective? If so, Fubara should be Intelligent and wise enough to know that no matter which political party he gravitates towards in due course, he will not be trusted. His integrity will always be questioned as well as capacity for loyalty either to any person or group. Wike as it is now turning out to be, has little capacity to spot, recruit and motivate people of talent and ability to aid him add value to governance when he was governor of Rivers State.

    But then, despite his political astuteness and acumen, how could Wike have decided for and massively enhanced resources behind a Fubara who was his candidate for the governorship office in Rivers State? It is now obvious that if Fubara had any iota of loyalty to his then-boss, Wike, or any sense of commitment to the principles of truth and honesty, they were deceptive and only skin deep. But many of the Rivers State respected elders swarming around Fubara, singing his praises and denouncing Wike today are most likely to harbour some doubts within them about the character, constancy and dependability of Fubara.

    The lesson here is that rather than one person picking a candidate and imposing such an aspirant on the party, structured and institutionalized mechanisms must be put in place across parties to facilitate the emergence of candidates for elections in a competitive, transparent and credible process. But this also implies further that there must be a fundamental change in the way our political parties are funded and run. Rather than the current system whereby wealthy political entrepreneur’s fund and thus dominate the political parties, we should return to a new model where party members pay their dues through which the parties’ activities and obligations are funded.

    Read Also: EFCC arraigns ex-Abia governor, son, three others for alleged N60.85bn fraud

    Both Wike and Fubara have their respective faults in the ongoing political crisis but the governor in my view has the greatest responsibility to bend over backwards to cultivate his mentor and former boss. It is certainly not too late. Moreover, it is the well-being and progress of the people of Rivers State that must be paramount. The speed with which he moved against and sought to decapitate Wike politically is amazing and creates the impression of a ‘Machiavellian’ for whom  the end justifies the means no matter how base or immoral. But a lesson of history is that adopting a Machiavellian disposition to life can often be counterproductive or outrightly self-destructive.

    It was not until he stormed the venue of the PDP presidential election convention and very nearly got the ticket but for the ethnic sleight of hand that gave Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the PDP presidential flag, that I began to take a serious view of Wike. If Atiku had picked him as his running mate, would that not have brightened his chances in the last presidential election? Well, that question lies in the bosom of time. Wike is energetic, focused and productive. Both as governor of Rivers State and now Minister of the FCT, even WIKE’s most ardent adversaries would admit that he is a star performer and an aggressive goal-getter. But his failure with regard to the Rivers crisis is his penchant for intervening unnecessarily in the administration of Rivers under Fubara. Many see him as too brusque, harsh, dictatorial and overbearing. Even as it is important to let Wike know the need to curb these traits, his shortcomings cannot be an excuse for what is widely believed as Fubura’s betrayal of his former boss.

    The Scenario in Rivers is no exception. We have continued to witness ceaseless confrontations between governors and their successors since the inception of this dispensation in 1999 and across party lines. And in most cases, it is due to a struggle between former governors who seek to play the role of party leaders in their respective states and newly elected governors who seek to assume control of the party structure and assume the leadership of the party in the state. It was this conflict between the leadership of the party and that of the government machinery that led to the

    breaking down of the relationship between Chief Obafemi Awolowo as Leader of the party and Chief SLA as Premier of Western Nigeria that later degenerated into widespread riots and demonstrations in the region and later led the country to civil war with excruciating implications for millions of people on both sides of the battleground. And it was to avoid such a situation to recur in future that in the Second Republic from 1979, Awolowo insisted that the governor in each state controlled by the Unity Party of Nigeria must also be the leader of the party in the state.

    How he walks the tightrope of being a Minister on the platform of the APC and also a still influential member of the PDP is intriguing  and impressive. But we can only wait in bated breath as events unfold in the near future. President Tinubu tried in futility to reconcile the warring factions. Their mutually agreed positions were soon jettisoned and the contenders were back in the trenches. It is surely time for elders in Rivers State to close ranks and help bring these two eminent citizens of the state together.

    Meanwhile, we will continue to closely watch Wike’s intriguing dance steps on the often treacherous terrain of Nigerian politics.

    • This article was first published 8th February 2025

  • S’Court judgment: Jubilant Wike storms Rivers; Fubara camp somber

    S’Court judgment: Jubilant Wike storms Rivers; Fubara camp somber

    • Minister says era of impunity over in Rivers; slams Atiku, Bala Mohammed
    • Apex court recognises pro-Wike lawmakers
    • Restrains CBN, AGF from releasing state’s allocations
    • Annuls recent local government elections
    • Voids 2025 budget, orders governor to submit proposal to 27-man assembly
    • We’ll do what’s best for Rivers, says state govt
    • Assembly: we believe Fubara will repent of his sins
    • INEC to Gov: Don’t mislead public on defections
    • ANALYSIS: Apex court brings closure to political crisis

    A jubilant Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike flew to his political base Port Harcourt last night a few hours after the Supreme Court restored the control of the River State House of Assembly to his supporters.

    At the Port Harcourt Airport to receive him were scores of his associates.

    The celebration was a continuation of the ‘Worship, Praises and Prayers’ held in Abuja by Wike and his associates moments after the apex court gave Speaker Martin Amaewhule and the other 26 pro-Wike lawmakers the green light to return to the House.

    And the legislators wasted no time in resuming sitting.

    They hailed the apex court for the ruling and hoped that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who had sidelined them over the months and worked with his own four supporters in the House, would repent from his ‘sins’.

    Wike, Fubara’s estranged godfather and immediate past governor, described the Supreme Court’s verdict as the end of the era of impunity in the state.

    An apparently disappointed Rivers State Government urged calm among the people of the state, saying it was yet to get the full details of the judgment.

    It said it would carefully evaluate the situation and determine the best steps to take in due course.

    The Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment, restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AG-F) from further releasing funds to the Rivers State Government until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a lawfully constituted House of Assembly, with Amaewhule as Speaker.

    A five-member panel of the apex court also ordered that Amaewhule and other 26 members of the State House of Assembly, who were alleged to have defected, should be allowed to resume legislative duties unhindered.

    The Supreme Court also ordered that all members of the Assembly should resume normal legislative businesses without any hindrance to any member.

    Justice Emmanuel Agim, in the lead judgment, agreed with the arguments made by lawyer to the Amaewhule-led members of the Assembly, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja (SAN).

    Justice Agim condemned the conduct of Governor Fubara for choosing to destroy the government of Rivers State and resort to acting unlawfully by pulling down the House of Assembly building owing to his fear that there were moves to impeach him.

    He said: “It must be stated loud and clear that the crisis in Rivers State is as a result of non-adherence to the rule of law as well as the fragrant disregard of court orders.”

    Justice Agim faulted the Court of Appeal for holding that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 which sought to restrain the CBN and AG-F from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government owing to its failure to obtain a valid Appropriation Act in compliance with the January 22, 2024 judgment by Justice James Omotosho in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023.

    He also faulted the consequential order made by the Appeal Court in the December 13 judgment, voiding the October 30, 2024 judgment by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024.

    Justice Agim said: “The view of the Court of Appeal that suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is over the consolidated revenue fund of Rivers State is wrong as it is not supported by the reliefs claimed for in the originating summons.

    “This wrong view influenced it to hold that the subject matter of this suit is not within the scope of the justification of the Federal High Court.

    “It is glaring that the objective of suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is to stop the release of funds to the first and second respondents herein – the Government of Rivers State and Simi Fubara – so as to compel them to comply with the judgment in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 by causing the passage of the appropriation law by the Rivers State House of Assembly properly constituted as prescribed by the Constitution.

    “Suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is not a fresh action with the subject matter independent of the subject matter of suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023. It is sequel to the judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023,” the judge said.

    Justice Agim consequently set aside the December 13 judgment of the Court of Appeal in which the appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear and determine cases relating to funds belonging to Rivers State.

    He restored the October 30 judgment by Justice Abdulmalik and all the consequential orders made thereto.

    The judge said: “In the light of the foregoing, I hold that the decision of the Court of Appeal that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain and determine suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is wrong.

    “The trial court validly exercised its jurisdiction to hear and determine suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024

    “So appeal number SC/CV/1174/2024 is resolved in favour of the appellants. On the whole, this appeal succeeds as it has merit. It is accordingly allowed.

    “The order of the Court of Appeal made on the 13th of December 2024 in appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/1287/2024, striking out suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 for lack of jurisdiction is hereby set aside.”

    Justice Agim said there was no merit in the decision of the Rivers State Governor to deploy the doctrine of necessity and the provisions of Sections 102 and 109 of the Constitution to justify his decision to relate with only four members of a 32-member Rivers State House of Assembly.

    He held that having created an environment that made it impossible for the state assembly to lawfully function, Fubara could not rely on the provisions of Sections 102 and 109 and the doctrine of necessity to give validity to the proceedings of the Rivers State House of Assembly constituted by less than 1/3 of the members and his actions, which included presenting the state’s appropriate bill before a four-member Assembly.

    Justice Agim noted that Fubara had started preventing the House from conducting its businesses even before the issue of alleged defection of the pro-Wike legislators occurred.

    Read Also: Wike lands in Rivers after Supreme Court’s judgement 

    He held that having prevented the 27 members from conducting their legislative businesses by pulling down the Assembly complex, Fubara’s claim that the lawmakers were no longer members of the state Assembly, on the ground that they had defected, was incorrect.

    “The claim that the 27 members are no longer members is a perpetuation of his attempt to prevent them from participating in the House business. The 27 members are still valid members of the House of Assembly,” Justice Agima said.

    He added that Fubara’s fear of impeachment was not a justification for his attack on the House of Assembly.

    “What he has done is to destroy the government because of his fear that he wants to be impeached,” he said, expressing concern that this practice was becoming a culture among politicians.

    Justice Agim awarded a cost of N5 million against Fubara and the Government of Rivers State, to be paid to the Rivers State House of Assembly and Amaewhule.

    Other members of the panel – Justices Uwani Abba-Aji (who presided), Ibrahim Saulawa, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme and Jamilu Tukur – agreed with the lead judgment.

    In another judgment yesterday by the same panel, the Supreme Court voided the October 5, 2024 local government election conducted in the state.

    All members of the panel unanimously held that the election was conducted in violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2024.

    Justice Jamilu Tukur, in the lead judgment, agreed with the appellant, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that conditions precedent were not complied with before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission held the election.

    Justice Tukur held that there was no evidence that voters’ registration continued until 90 days before the election and that the requisite notices were issued as required by law.

    Amaewhule-led assembly: We believe Fubara will repent of his sins

    Soon after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment yesterday, the Martin Amaewhule-led assembly applauded the apex court for its “well considered judgment”.

    Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, said in a statement that the legislators reconvened yesterday during which House Leader, Major Jack, informed members of the judgment, affirming their legitimacy and the green light to resume sitting immediately.

    Speaker Amaewhule described the judgment as victory for democracy and the rule of law, saying that the Supreme Court proved him and other members right when the House asserted that Fubara was “running a criminal government with persons not screened by the House and without an Appropriation Law.

    “We believe that now that the Supreme Court has spoken, Governor Siminialayi Fubara would repent from his legion of sins, and those impostors who are parading themselves as appointees of this government without the constitutional imprimatur of this House would desist forthwith.”

    The Speaker thanked the justices of the Supreme Court, Wike, members of the Assembly and all those who contributed in fighting for the entrenchment of democratic principles and ethos in the state.

    Wike in ‘Time for Worship, Praises and Prayers’

    A jubilant Wike was seen on video which he posted on his X handle Nyesom Ezenwo Wike@GovWike singing and dancing along with his friends and associates.

    He simply wrote: ‘Time for Worship, Praises and Prayers’.

    In his formal reaction to the Supreme Court judgment, Wike described it as the end of impunity in Rivers State.

    He mocked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, both of whom he accused of hailing Fubara for ‘lawlessness’ in the state.

    He wondered if they would now hail Fubara in the aftermath of yesterday’s judgment.

    He said Fubara has no choice but to fully comply with the Supreme Court’s verdict, as it represents the final legal authority on the matter.

    His words: “There is nothing like the Amaewhule faction. What the Supreme Court said is that the budget should be presented to the properly constituted Assembly, which is the authentic leadership of the Assembly led by Martin Chike Amaewhule.

    “But first of all, let’s give God the glory, let’s give God the honour, that today, the 28th of February, 2025, God has done it all for the interest of everybody, for the interest of the people of the state.

    “I have always said that the wheel of Justice is sluggish, but it will come when it will come. More than 15 months, 16 months, this matter has been laid to rest by the highest court of the land.

    “The Supreme Court has made it very clear that you cannot have democracy without a legislature. The Supreme Court has made it very clear that you cannot have a government without a legislature.

    “It is unheard of where anybody will say three people will constitute an assembly to make laws for the entire state. It is unheard of.

    “It has nothing to do with any individual, whether you like this person’s face or not. But what is important is that three people cannot make laws for a state, not to even talk about appropriation.

    “If the Federal High Court said you cannot do this, you cannot do it, and therefore set aside everything they’ve done.

    “Three people will screen commissioners, three people will do all kinds of things, a governor will go and bring down the house of legislature and will do as if nothing happened.

    “An arm of government, independent arm of government, and people pretend as if nothing has gone wrong.

    “You are talking about Wike, it’s not about Wike. What we are saying is” can you, for whatever it is, go and demolish the building of another arm of government? No consequences?

    “Then you carry the legislature to your own house, not even carrying the proper legislature, three people to sit inside the Government House? Begin to make laws? Begin to pass appropriation bills? And you are spending money, and you say nothing will happen?

    “You went on appeal, the Court of Appeal said this is wrong, you can’t continue with this. Petitions were written against the justices of the Federal High Court.  

    “For me, it’s happiness for Rivers State and for Nigerians that yes, this impunity must stop.

    “Enough is enough. We can’t continue with this. You are aware, when the issue of local governments came up, a governor elected, who had taken an oath to abide by the constitution, came up to say that is a corrupt judgment, castigating the judiciary.

    “But thank God, today, the court has said it all: go back, you have no budget.

    “Central Bank, accountant general, you cannot continue to lose money when there’s no government.

    “Until you present your budget to the appropriate assembly which is the 27 members, no money should be released.

    “You refused to follow the electoral act in terms of conducting local government elections.

    “What was the issue? If you don’t comply, you will not obey. I’m not saying we are clapping.

    “People like Atiku were hailing him. That yes, you’ve done well. I hope they will also hail him today.

    “I hope the chairman of PDP Governors Forum will also hail him today.

    “We must not truncate our democracy. If you had allowed this, one day, one member would constitute an assembly, and there is nothing you can do. One member.

    “You can imagine three people, one sitting as speaker. So, two people are allowed to vote.

    “We must commend the judiciary for being bold and firm to say no, this should not be allowed; this impunity must not be allowed.

    “I’ve told people that Rivers State is not like any other state. We are not prisoners of war. We will challenge anything we know is illegal. We will not allow it.

    “You can do that in any other state, but as far as River State is concerned, we will not allow it; it doesn’t matter what time it takes us.

    “So, for us, it is just happiness. We’re happy that the right thing has been done.

    “All we have to say, nobody should go into violence. No fighting. Allow the law to take its course. I knew that the law would take its course.”

    The minister later flew to Port Harcourt last night, according to his spokesman, Lere Olayinka.

    Olayinka posted on X a video of the minister being received at the airport by supporters.

    We will act in Rivers best interest, says govt

    In its own reaction to the development yesterday, the Rivers State Government said Governor Fubara would act in the best interest of the state and its people while it awaits full details of the judgment.

    Information and Communications Commissioner Warisenibo Joe Johnson, in a statement in Port Harcourt, said government would carefully evaluate the situation and determine the best steps to take.

    He advised the people to remain calm.

    He said the main issue of alleged defection of Speaker Amaewhule and 26 other members of the State Assembly was still pending at the Federal High Court and was not part of the matter decided yesterday by the Supreme Court.

    He said: “We have taken note of reports in the media regarding the recent judgment of the Supreme Court concerning the funds of Rivers State and the administration of local governments in the state.

    “At this time, we are awaiting a detailed briefing on the implications of the judgment. We will carefully evaluate the situation and determine the next steps to take in the best interest of Rivers State and its people.

    “Though we have not gotten the details of the judgment from our legal team, we enjoin Rivers people to remain calm, law abiding and go about our legitimate businesses as we seek clarity on the judgment.

    “We believe that the determination of the main issue of defection of the 27 lawmakers is a matter not before the Supreme Court as it is pending at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

    “Since the issue of defection wasn’t on the table before the learned Justices, in their eyes, Amaewhule and the 26 others are still operating as lawmakers until that matter of defection comes before them.

    “We assure you that we remain committed to upholding our mandate to protect the best interest and the rule of law in all matters affecting our dear State.”

    PANDEF pleads for reconsideration of ruling on LGs allocation

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) expressed concern over the aspect of the Supreme Court’s judgment on suspension of revenue allocation to local governments in Rivers State until certain conditions are met by the State Government.

    The group said this decision could cause financial strangulation for the LGs.

    “Withholding funds essential for economic growth, social welfare and infrastructure development would disproportionately impact the people of Rivers State,” PANDEF said in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini.

    The group said while it remained committed to  peace, reconciliation, and conflict resolution, the Supreme Court should “reconsider its decision”, stressing that “fairness, equity and national unity must guide judicial and political decisions, particularly those affecting the South-South region, which remains crucial to Nigeria’s economic stability.”

    It claimed further that the ruling “could derail ongoing peace-building efforts, including the Obong Victor Attah-led Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which has made significant progress in fostering stability in Rivers State.

    The forum urged the Federal Government, political actors, and the judiciary to ensure that governance and economic development take precedence over political rivalries.”

    It likened the situation to the withholding of local government funds from Lagos State by the Obasanjo administration and argued that a similar scenario in Rivers State could have even more dire consequences for peace and security in the Niger Delta.

    Why we can’t conduct by-elections in Rivers now — INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday that it would not conduct any by-election into the Rivers State House of Assembly until the cases before the court are finalised.

    Reacting to a statement credited to Governor Fubara in which he accused the commission of  selectively choosing and conducting by-elections into vacant positions, INEC said while it was  aware of the situation in Rivers State, it would  not comment on it because it is sub judice.

    Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, appealed to people occupying high public offices to be circumspect in their public statements to avoid misleading the general public and casting aspersion on public institutions.

    Oyekanmi said: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in which the Commission was accused of selective implementation of elections to fill vacancies arising from the defection of serving members of the National and State Assembly from one political party to another.

    “While no specific instances of the alleged selective action were presented, the statement specifically accused the Commission of deliberate failure to fill the vacancies resulting from the protracted crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly where two factions are jostling for control.

    “In the midst of the crisis, three or so lawmakers have declared the seats of 27 members vacant and vice versa.

    “While the Commission is aware of the situation in the Rivers State House of Assembly, the matter is pending in court and, therefore, sub judice.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission has been joined in several suits filed by litigants at various courts, including the Supreme Court.

    “Under the circumstances, the Commission must await the final judicial pronouncement on the matter before it embarks on a puerile exercise that may eventually amount to a nullity and a waste of public funds.

    “We urge people occupying high public offices to be circumspect in their public statements before they mislead the public and cast aspersion on public institutions, particularly where they are aware of the pendancy of cases in court.”

  • Wike lands in Rivers after Supreme Court’s judgement 

    Wike lands in Rivers after Supreme Court’s judgement 

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, flew to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday evening shortly after the Supreme Court’s judgement. 

    ‘The Minister is in town,” a source, who spoke in confidence said.

    The source added that crowd of his supporters received the former Governor as they hailed him over the victory of his camp at the Supreme Court .

    Read Also: FCT residents applaud Wike’s police station project, hail security boost

    The camp of the Governor was thrown into jubilation shortly after the judgement. 

    It was also gathered the presence of Wike increased the excitement.

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court judgment ends impunity in Rivers – Wike

    BREAKING: Supreme Court judgment ends impunity in Rivers – Wike

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday hailed the Supreme Court’s ruling, which nullified the recent local government elections in Rivers State and upheld the legitimacy of the 27-member Martin Amaewhule-led State Assembly.

    Speaking in Abuja after the judgment, Wike declared that the apex court’s decision has effectively ended the reign of crisis in Rivers State.

    Wike also took a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, accusing them of supporting lawlessness in the state.

    Read Also: Troops kill 217 terrorists, arrest 122 oil thieves in February

    According to Wike, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no choice but to fully comply with the Supreme Court’s verdict, as it represents the final legal authority on the matter.

    The ruling marks a major development in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, reinforcing the authority of the Amaewhule-led Assembly while nullifying the controversial local government elections.

    Details shortly…