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Tag: Fubara

  • No matter the situation today, I will emerge stronger – Fubara vows

    No matter the situation today, I will emerge stronger – Fubara vows

    Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Monday has vowed to emerge stronger amidst the current political crisis rocking the state posing threat to his administration.

    Fubara spoke at the inauguration of the Palace of Nyeweali Akpor Kingdom and a magnificent residential quarters for the King, Eze Levi Amos Oriebe, built and furnished by his administration in Ozuoba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

    Recall that the opposition party, APC had earlier call on Fubara to resign within 48 hours or face impeachment.

    He criticised those attempting to disrupt governance by intensifying political tensions, insisting that his priority remains maintaining peace and warning against any form of lawlessness.

    “I want to say to our teeming supporters, I know that while some of you are in high spirits, others feel discouraged. But I assure you of one thing: God does not start something and abandon it midway.

    “No matter the situation today, I promise you that we will emerge stronger and better. Follow my path, and that path remains one of peace. We need peace because, if anything happens, we will be the greatest losers.
    “Our concern for this state is not for personal gain but for the total well-being of Rivers State. So, I appeal to everyone: be law-abiding. I will not encourage disobedience or violence, but that does not mean we will support evil. We will never support evil,” Fubara declared.

    He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to good governance and its promise to deliver impactful, people-oriented development projects.

    “Our projects and services will continue to touch the hearts, souls, and spirits of our people. No matter the challenges we face, we will not renege on the promises we made to the good people of Rivers State,” he said.

    Fubara also invited the state House of Assembly members to a meeting to discuss, among other things, the payment of all their outstanding remuneration and allowances.

  • BREAKING: Only option for Fubara is to resign or be impeached – APC

    BREAKING: Only option for Fubara is to resign or be impeached – APC

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Tony Okocha on Monday has said the only option available for the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara to resign or face impeachment.

    Speaking at a news briefing in Port Harcourt, Okocha described Fubara’s invitation of pro-Wike members of the Rivers House of Assembly to a meeting as a Greek gift.

    He said Fubara was aware that the Assembly would be sitting on March 10 before inviting them for a discussion on the Supreme Court judgement.

    He also said that Fubara invited the Assembly members to come and discuss about their remuneration, the place that they would use for their sitting, and also the budget.

    Okocha stated that Fubara had no right to invite the Assembly to come and discuss the Supreme Court judgement since he was meant to present the budget to them.

    According to him, the Governor ab initio disregarded the 8-point agenda for peace by President Bola Tinubu, who is also the leader of our party.

    ‘’The All Progressive Congress, as an opposition party in the state, will not sit down and watch Gov. Fubara disobey Mr President; for us, that’s an insult.

    “We call on Gov. Fubara to resign within 48 hours or face impeachment; the findings of the Supreme Court is enough for him to resign, he is already sitting on a keg of gunpowder,” Okocha said.

    He, however, commended the Speaker and the members of the House of Assembly for standing on their grounds till date.

  • INVITATION ! “Dey your dey as we dey our dey, “Rivers lawmaker tells Fubara

    INVITATION ! “Dey your dey as we dey our dey, “Rivers lawmaker tells Fubara

    A member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Lolo Isaiah Opuende, has poopoohed an invitation from Governor Siminialayi Fubara for a crucial meeting at Government House, Port Harcourt.

    In a trending video, Opuende stated that it was time for the governor to “dey his dey” (be on his own) while the lawmakers would do the same.

    Representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, Opuende recalled that when the political crisis began, their principal had warned that a time would come for both sides to go their separate ways.

    He also questioned the mode of invitation transmission, arguing that it was not feasible for lawmakers to honor the governor’s request.

    “How can you write a letter for the House of Assembly and put it on social media and expect us to come. The governor should write us the proper way”, he said.

  • Judgement: Fubara invites Rivers Assembly members to meeting

    Judgement: Fubara invites Rivers Assembly members to meeting

    Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has invited the state House of Assembly members to a meeting to discuss, among other things, the payment of all their outstanding remuneration and allowances.

    Fubara, made the invite in a letter, dated March 7, 2025, signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tammy Danagogo and issued to the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule.

    The meeting is scheduled for  10 a.m. on March 10, 2025 in the Office of the Governor, Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The letter which was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Port Harcourt is titled, ‘’Meeting Between the Governor of Rivers State and the Honourable Members, Rivers State House of Assembly.’’

    Fubara said that the meeting would also discuss the presentation of  budget and sundry matters, provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sitting, and any other necessary matter to chart a way forward.

    NAN recalls that Gov. Fubara on March, 5, announced that he  would comply with the court ruling once he received the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgement.

    He confirmed in this letter that he has received the judgement.

  • Power will not change me – Rivers gov, Fubara

    Power will not change me – Rivers gov, Fubara

    Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara says that the associated advantages that come with holding a lofty position in government will not change his person.

    Fubara made the remark on Tuesday while receiving some leaders and elders of the state who visited to congratulated him on his 50th birthday anniversary in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    He also assured of his commitment to state development which, he said, he promised the people when he sought their mandate during his electioneering campaign.

    According to him, I will remain committed to my vows made to Rivers people to completely put in place structures and projects that will transform the state to become what they dream of.

    “I want to say that I will still be the Fubara that you know; power will not change me, I will still make sure that what I hold dear in life remains.

    He added that he held God and respect for people very dear and would continue to maintain it.

    Fubara said that power would come and go but he would remain the same, stating that with the support of the elders and leaders, the state would be transformed into an enviable one.

    He said that definitely his administration would achieved it but in the case it did not completely, it would put in place the things that would drive the achievement with the support of the leaders.

    ‘’I will not do anything or act in any manner that will bring disgrace to myself or to every one of you who have decided and ready to sacrifice everything for us,’’ he said.

    Fubara, however, said that he had never subscribed to celebrating birthdays but seeing leaders of the state gathered to celebrate him pulled out tears of joy from his eyes.

    He expressed happiness for clocking 50 years, saying, ‘’it means that I have joined the league of the old men from today.’’

    He also expressed gratitude to God for his divine grace in his life and family and thanks the leaders for making sacrifices to come to wish him well on his birthday.

    In his remark, one of the leaders, Celestine Omehia, thanked God for installing Gov. Fubara, saying that he has delivered the state and its people from the hands of those bent on destroying it.

    Omehia, who was the governor of the state from May 29, 2007 to Oct, 25. 2007, said it worth celebrating ‘’a patient and meticulous leader such as Fubara, loved by Nigerians,’’ on his 50th birthday.

    He stated that Fubara had continued to prioritise the interest of the state and protected it.

    The former Governor recounted the strength of faith in God that Fubara had demonstrated, and pledged the continued support of people to ensure the success of his administration.

    Speaking also, the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, stated that ‘’as soon as the king is crowned, the kingmaker gives way to the king to perform his duties.’’

    He said that amidst the brewing crisis, Rivers people and Nigerians were admiring and loving the character of steel and total trust in God demonstrated by Fubara, including forging unity, and inclusivity of the people.

  • Wike V Fubara: Supreme Court fixes date to hear all appeals in Rivers cases

    Wike V Fubara: Supreme Court fixes date to hear all appeals in Rivers cases

    The Supreme Court has set February 10, 2025, to hear two separate suits filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the validity of the local government elections conducted in Rivers State in 2024.

    On the same day, the apex court will hear five additional cases related to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, which began in October 2023 when a faction loyal to former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, attempted to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

    The crisis intensified after Fubara sealed off the state Assembly complex in response to impeachment moves. Subsequently, lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, which Fubara dismissed as illegitimate. This led to the creation of a controversial three-member Assembly that took critical legislative actions, including passing the 2024 budget.

    The legitimacy of the Assembly and its decisions have become a legal matter, progressing through the Rivers State High Court, Federal High Court, and the Court of Appeal before reaching the Supreme Court.

    Legal Consolidations and Disputes

    The Supreme Court has consolidated four appeals for a streamlined hearing, including:

    Rivers State House of Assembly vs. Rivers State Government
    Rivers State House of Assembly vs. Rivers State Governor
    Rivers State House of Assembly vs. RSIEC
    Rivers State House of Assembly vs. Accountant General of Rivers State
    These appeals, along with the two separate APC suits, will be heard on February 10.

    2024 Local Government Elections

    The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) scheduled the local government elections for October 5, 2024, despite objections from the APC. The APC alleged that RSIEC violated a bill extending the tenure of local government chairmen, passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly.

  • We’ll continue to criticise Fubara’s govt., says Rivers APC Chairman

    Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee in Rivers, Chief Tony Okocha, has said that the party will continue to constructively criticise the Gov. Siminalayi Fubara-led government in the interest of the people of the state.

    Okocha, who stated this on Sunday in Abuja at NAN news forum, said it was the responsibility of APC in Rivers to put Fubara’s administration in constant check.

    “Our position as a vibrant opposition in Rivers is, first and foremost, to speak for the voiceless in the society via constructive criticisms and point out grey areas to the state government.

    “By so doing, we are demarketing Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “We are not expected to be applauding the PDP government in Rivers. Doing that means we won’t be able to win future elections in the state.

    “Our business is to constructively criticise the government and that is what is giving us an edge; otherwise, we inherited an APC that was not a party but a social club,” Okocha said.

    He said that this was so because Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past Minister of Works, who was then the APC leader in Rivers, customised and colonised the party.

    He said that APC’s desire was to see the ruling party and other opposition parties weakened so it could have a smooth sail in the 2027 general elections.

    “We can’t allow them to be strong; we will not close our eyes and watch them become united so that they will come again with their forces, like the Labour Party did with Peter Obi, its presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election,” he said.

    Speaking on the Federal High Court’s dismissal of a suit seeking to replace the pro-Wike 27 lawmakers, Okocha

    said they were not members of APC as was being insinuated.

    He stated that there was no proof of the lawmakers’ registration as APC members, even at the ward level.

    “They didn’t join us. I wooed them and did much more to get them to join us; I even begged them but they refused to join us.

    “I am saying this as chairman of Rivers APC caretaker committee, clearly and without mincing words, that the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers are not our members.

    “Let anyone saying they joined us show proof; the law is not about emotion but facts,” he said.

    Okocha challenged those saying the lawmakers defected to APC to show proof of their registration as members and their membership cards to buttress their claims.

    NAN reports that the pro-Wike lawmakers were reported to have defected from PDP to APC on Dec. 12, 2023.

    The court held that the suit, instituted by the Action Peoples Party (APP) and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/978/2024, was statute-barred, as it was not filed within the 14 days allowed by law.

    While the reported defection was said to have taken place on Dec. 12, 2023, APP filed its originating summons on July 12, 2024.

    The party was requesting, among other things, that the court should empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seats of the lawmakers vacant and conduct by-elections to replace them.

  • Rivers Crisis: Call Wike to order, INC urges Tinubu

    Rivers Crisis: Call Wike to order, INC urges Tinubu

     

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to order over lingering crises in Rivers.

    Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President, INC,  made the appeal at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Wike and Gov. Siminialayi Fubara are at loggerheads over the control of political machinery in the oil-rich state.

    Okaba said INC was concerned that if left unchecked the political crisis could affect other parts of the country.

    ‘’Mr President, sir, as the father of the nation, the alter ego of Nigeria, we are fervently appealing to you to call the FCT Minister to order.

    “This is for the sake of peace and security in Nigeria. Stop this drift towards national disintegration and anarchy now’’, he said.

    Okaba alleged that Wike’s power tussle with Fubara might not be unconnected with the minister’s desire to enhance Tinubu’s electoral fortunes in the next general polls.

    ‘’We understand the dictates of politics and the need to harvest Rivers votes for the President’s second tenure elections.

    “What we misunderstand is the thought that only the FCT minister can assist the President to win Rivers’’, Okoba said.

    He said Fubara had been faithful to Tinubu’s 8-point directive to both parties during the conflict resolution meeting held in Abuja.

    ‘’In October 2023 you called stakeholders to a meeting and tabled an 8-point directive to all parties involved to return peace to Rivers.

    ‘’Whereas many of our people considered your 8-Point directive as manifestly slanted against the governor’s interest and in favour of the FCT minister, the governor acceded to it,’’ he said.

    Okaba said that while governor acted in good faith with respect to the directive, the minister acted otherwise by refusing to withdraw the court cases instituted by him.

    He added that less than three weeks after the Presidential directives, Martins Amaewhule led 25 members the Rivers House of Assembly to defect to the opposition All People’s Congress.

    On the just-held local government election in the state, Okaba said that Fubara obeyed Supreme Court order that Local Government Areas in Nigeria must be administered by elected officers, without which funds must be withheld.

    He said Fubara worked assiduous to actualise the return of elected officers to the local government areas in accordance with Tinubu’s desires and backed by the Supreme Court judgement.

    He also said that Fubara holds permanent olive branches, sending constant peace emissaries to the FCT minister.

    ‘’So again we appeal to Mr President to call the FCT minister to order as a stitch in time, they say saves nine,’’ he said.

  • BREAKING! Court dumps Fubara’s appeal, recognizes Amaewhule as Speaker of Rivers

    BREAKING! Court dumps Fubara’s appeal, recognizes Amaewhule as Speaker of Rivers

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, affirmed Hon. Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly.

    The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, equally validated the Amaewhule-led members of the Assembly as bonafide lawmakers for the state.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, affirmed Hon. Martin Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly.

    The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, equally validated the Amaewhule-led members of the Assembly as bonafide lawmakers for the state.

    The court held that governor Fubara’s decision to present the 2024 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to only four out of 31 members of the Assembly, amounted to a gross violation of section 91 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    It will be recalled that the Rivers State Assembly was fractionalised owing to the frosty relationship between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

    Whereas Governor Fubara, in line with terms of the peace deal, withdrew all the processes he filed to challenge the suit, however, the pro-Wike lawmakers only withdrew an impeachment notice they served on him while they declined to terminate their legal action.

    While deciding the suit, Justice James Omotosho of the high court held that the budget was invalid as it was not properly presented before the Rivers State House of Assembly as required by the law.

    It held that Governor Fubara acted like a tyrant when he demolished the Rivers State Assembly complex and withheld funds standing to the credit of the legislative house.

    The court also described as unconstitutional, the redeployment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Rivers State Assembly by Governor Fubara.

    Justice Omotosho stressed that the governor lacked the statutory rights to interfere with the operations of the Assembly, adding that he acted in contempt of a subsisting order that barred the parties from taking any steps to overreach the matter that was pending before the court.

    Besides, the court held that the National Assembly could not take over the legislative affairs of the state in the absence of the preconditions that were listed under section 11 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    Consequently, the court, among other things, nullified all actions the Rivers Assembly took without the participation of the Amaewhule-led members of the House, among which included the presentation of the state appropriation bill.

    It issued an order of injunction, restraining Governor Fubara from impeding or frustrating the operations of the Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership as its speaker.

    It ordered the governor to release all funds standing to the credit of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    While upholding the verdict of the lower court, the appellate court held that Fubara conceded to the Amaewhule-led lawmakers when he withdrew all the processes he filed against their suit.

    “A party must be consistent in the presentation of its case. A party cannot approbate and reprobate or blow hot and cold at the same time,” the appellate court held.

    It held that the orders of the trial court were appropriate given the circumstance of the case, saying the appeal Fubara filed before it amounted to an academic exercise.

    Accordingly, it ordered Fubara to pay a cost of N500,000 to each of the Respondents in the appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024.

  • Court declines to stop Fubara from spending Rivers funds

    Court declines to stop Fubara from spending Rivers funds

    A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja has refused to shut down all expenditures of Gov. Siminalay Fubara of Rivers pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit field by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24 and moved by Sebastien Hon, SAN, rather ordered the plaintiffs to put all the defendants in the suit on notice.

    Justice Nwite, however, granted another motion ex-parte by the plaintiffs to serve the 5th to 10th defendants with the originating process and other applications in the matter by substituted means.

    The judge said: “the leave is hereby granted to the plaintiffs/applicants to serve the 5th to 10th defendants/respondents with tne plaintiffs/applicants’ originating and any other process(es) filed or issued in this suit by substituted means to wit:

    “By publishing same in the Nation Newspapers.”

    Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until Aug. 7 for hearing of the motion on notice.

    NAN reports that the 5th to 10th defendants are  Fubara; Accountant-General (A-G) of Rivers; Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC); Chief Judge (CJ) of Rivers, Hon. Justice S.C. Amadi; Chairman of RSIEC, Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd.) and Government of Rivers State respectively.

    The Rivers State House of Assembly and Right Honourable Martin Amaewhule (1st and 2nd plaintiffs) had, through their lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, filed the suit dated July 14 but filed July 15.

    They had sued the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

    Also joined in the suit are Fubara, Rivers A-G, RSIEC, Rivers CJ, Chairman of RSIEC and Rivers government as 5th to 10 defendants.

    In the motion on notice brought pursuant to Order 28 Rules 1 and 2; Order 27 Rules 5; Order 28 Rule 1(2) of FHC Civil Procedure Rules 2009 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, the plaintiffs sought two orders.

    They sought an order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants from honouring any request, command, order or mandate or any banking or other instrument, financial instruction or other instructions issued by the 5th defendant.

    on his instruction or at his instance or deriving from the 5th defendant’s authority or in any manner, fund or revenue of Rivers State or Rivers State Government in the custody of the said the defendants, or held by the said defendants for the benefit of Rivers State or Rivers State Government or in any
    NAN reports that the two rulings, which were delivered on July 17 in the judge’s chamber, were obtained on Sunday in Abuja by NAN.

    The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly had, on July 15, suspended all expenditures of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara until he re-presents his budget before the house.

    The lawmakers gave the governor a seven-day ultimatum to re-present his budget, which they said had expired.

    Rivers House Leader, Major Jack, moved the motion to bring up a resolution alerting the house of the governor’s seven-day deadline for presenting the 2024 budget to the house

    Following consideration, the assembly decided to shut down the Rivers State Consolidated Revenue Account, prohibiting any expenditure by Gov. Fubara’s administration.