TheNewsGuru

Tag: Fubara

  • Rivers Palaver: Amaechi declares stand, says I won’t take sides in Wike-Fubara feud

    Rivers Palaver: Amaechi declares stand, says I won’t take sides in Wike-Fubara feud

    Immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, at the weekend said that he will not be supporting either Governor Siminalayi Fubara or Nyesom Wike in the current political crisis in the state.

    Amaechi spoke during a visit to a leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Hon. Okorinama West at his private residence in Port Harcourt.

    Amaechi further encouraged young supporters to take an active role in shaping the state’s leadership.

    He said, “I can’t stand and join either Sim or Wike. I will not join Sim, I will not join Wike.

    But don’t forget, they are not big without you people, I hope you know that.”

    He added, “What Sim thinks is popularity today is because he is anti-Wike. That’s his popularity, not that Sim is the best man on earth.

    ” It’s because he is anti-Wike and that’s what is happening.

  • We stand on Rivers interest first – Fubara

    We stand on Rivers interest first – Fubara

    Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has said that his administration will continue to prioritise the interest of people of the state under the mantra: ‘Rivers First’.

    Fubara made the remark during the praise night organised on Friday by the state government to mark his first year in office, in Port Harcourt,

    The governor, represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, solicited the support of the people, in moving the state forward.

    He urged the people  to contribute their quota to assist the administration to achieve its vision of advancing the fortunes of the state.

    The governor prayed that God would continue to move mountains on the path of the state, and make it better.

    Fubara noted with happiness the spiritual ministrations and prophetic declarations by  artistes during the event.

    He said that they were manifestations of the victory which God had sealed in the state.

    “We shall continue to have this shared vision of putting Rivers state first, but we can’t do it alone.

    ‘’We need all of you, big and small, to be there for us, to chip in the little or the much you can, and at the end of this our first tenure, you will see where God will take Rivers state to.”

    Fubara thanked everyone who graced the occasion, especially the artistes, for the performances which included singing and dancing.

    ‘’I think there were spiritual ministrations that they have made, and they have also made prophetic declarations that we all said amen to,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured praise and worship songs in appreciation to God for the first year of Fubara.

    Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the governor’s wife, Lady Valarie  Fubara; former Gov. Peter Odili and his wife, retired Justice Mary Odili; and Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi.

  • Fubara fires 10,000 civil servants engaged by Wike

    Fubara fires 10,000 civil servants engaged by Wike

    As the political crisis in Rivers State continues to escalate, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has fired 10,000 civil servants engaged by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

    Fubara said a new recruitment process would be carried out subsequently.

    Speaking when he received a delegation of leaders and members of the RIWAMA Service Providers Association, on a Solidarity Walk to the Government House Gate in Port Harcourt yesterday Fubara said he took the decision because most of the people employed by his predecessor were over aged.

    He was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke.

    Fielding questions from the audience, the governor said, “I know that is the first question, the ten thousand jobs. When we came on board we already had details that were submitted to us from the 23 local government areas.

    “You will agree with me that when we subjected those names to proper scrutiny, most of those names, in fact, 60 per cent of those names were over-aged. They were names that people brought for political patronage.

    “But what we are talking about today is employment for the future. I, personally after the analysis of those things, said ‘How will you employ somebody who is 52 years old as a civil servant.

    “How many years is the person going to work before retirement?”

    Fubara assured that the social contract between his administration and the Rivers people won’t be broken as he challenged service providers for the Rivers State Waste Management Agency to redouble their efforts and make sure that refuse wastes are cleared off the streets promptly to have a cleaner city always.

  • Fubara vows to end era of fiscal recklessness in Rivers

    Fubara vows to end era of fiscal recklessness in Rivers

    Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers on Thursday in Elele vowed to ensure prudent management of the state’s revenue during his administration.

    Fubara made the vow while declaring the commencement of construction of N80.3 billion 33.5-kilometre Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road dual carriageway and bridge project in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers.

    He assured the people that his government was dedicated to serving their interests and emphasised that no distraction would deter it from serving that objective.

    “So, I assure you that every Kobo will be accounted for in Rivers State.

    “We are people that are transparent; that are ready to serve in line with President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

    Fubara expressed displeasure at recent attacks on his supporters by hoodlums allegedly backed by outgoing Local Government Council chairmen in the state.

    He warned that those who attack innocent citizens in the name of politics would not be forgiven and would pay for their crimes.

    “It is unfortunate that after we inaugurated the Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo Road project on Tuesday and left, some people went there and attacked our people.

    “There is no need for that. Nobody has the monopoly on violence.

    “I should even be the one to come out and shout that I will do this and that, but I have not done so because both sides (people) belong to me.

    “So, I am advising those people who call themselves local government chairmen and that have few days in office, to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner,” Fubara said.

    The governor also highlighted the transient nature of political power and urged politicians to act with caution.

    “Politics will come and go, but we will still live our lives. If you deliberately hurt anybody because of expressing your useless support, nobody will forgive you.

    “I have been the target of abuse as the Governor who doesn’t know what to do with power, but have I said anything?

    “So, I am begging everyone to conduct themselves properly because I do not want anything that will bring problem in this state,” he said.

    Regarding the project, Fubara explained that the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road and bridge project would be financed from the state’s Internal Generated Revenue (IGR).

    He said that 50 per cent of the project cost has already been paid and assured that it would be completed within 24 months.

    The governor said the contractor, Craneburg Construction Company, had affirmed to completing the project within the specified timeframe outlined in the contract agreement.

    “We are constructing this road out of our genuine commitment to serve the people, not because we have any economic interest here,” he said.

    Sen. John Mbata, a former member, House of Representatives, praised the potential economic impact of the road when completed.

    He applauded Fubara’s peaceful approach and leadership style of inclusiveness and consultation with all stakeholders in the state.

    “We have moved away from the time when the governor of the state is seen as a god and demanded worship.

    “We are now having a governor that has become a symbol and a rallying point for the people,” he said.

  • Rivers crisis deepens as four Wike loyalists quit Fubara’s cabinet

    Rivers crisis deepens as four Wike loyalists quit Fubara’s cabinet

    A fresh wave of resignations has hit the Rivers State Government headed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara as four more commissioners, who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have resigned from the governor’s cabinet.

    Those who resigned are Chinedu Mmom (from the Ministry of Education), Gift Worlu (from the Ministry of Housing) and Jacobson Nbina (from the Ministry of Transport).

    Inime Aguma also resigned as the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation saying “there is no room for progressional development in the work place”.

    Mmom and Worlu cited a toxic working environment as the main reason for their exit while Nbina cited “unresolved political crisis” in the state as his reason for exit.

    The four persons were among the commissioners who first resigned from the governor’s cabinet last December in the wake of the political crisis in the state but were readmitted into Fubara’s cabinet following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

    Earlier, three commissioners, Zacchaeus Adangor, Emeka Woke and Alabo George-Kelly also resigned from the Ministries of Justice, Special Projects and Works respectively.

    Governor Fubara recently announced a plan by his administration to set up a panel of inquiry to probe the governance of the state under the Wike administration.

    The governor accused his opponents of deliberately sabotaging his administration while he was hoping that the issue in the state would be resolved amicably.

    The move was the latest twist in the political crisis rocking the oil-rich state. The development has seen a deepening of the feud between Fubara and the state House of Assembly.

    Last week, lawmakers loyal to the governor elected a new speaker. Fubara had also issued an executive order relocating the sitting venue of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the Government House, citing safety concerns.

    The feud is due to the fallout between Fubara and his predecessor and current Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike.

  • ‘We’ll see the nyansh of the fowl’ – Fubara vows to expose Wike

    ‘We’ll see the nyansh of the fowl’ – Fubara vows to expose Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has vowed to expose the infractions in the contract awarded by the previous administration of Nyesom Wike.

    He revealed that the state is heavily in debt and that his administration inherited a huge debt profile.

    Governor Fubara stated this on Tuesday during the commissioning of the Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo Road, (also known as Old Bori Road in Eleme Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor and Wike, who is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have been at loggerheads over control of the political sphere in the state.

    Speaking at the commissioning ground at Eleme, Governor Fubara said most projects commissioned by the previous administration were not paid in full, adding that the contractors of the projects not fully funded are returning for outstanding payments.

    He said: “My story as a person will not be complete if Eleme is not mentioned, that is the truth. Maybe, if I have not started from Eleme, I will not get to Level 14.

    “At least I started here before I got to Level 14.

    “And for the records, this contract was awarded to CCECC on the 14th of August 2023 not by “I” but by this administration and as we go further, we will be going with a White Paper showing the record and amounts this project was awarded.

    “This project was awarded at N6.7bn and I can say boldly no kobo is remaining, we have paid the contractor completely without owing. The purpose of this is to let the world know that if there is one problem this administration has it is debts.

    “Most of the projects commissioned (by the last administration), the contractors are still coming for their balance payments running into millions and billions. I have said I don’t want to talk because I am part of that system but when they keep pushing me, I will say it so that we will see the nyansh of the fowl.

    “But let us leave that one until when they are ready, we will also be ready. The small one we are doing now, they are not sleeping, I wonder what will happen when we do the big one.

    “The Problem we have is accumulated debts from the past government.”

  • Pro-Wike group visits assembly quarters, says no need for rehabilitation

    Pro-Wike group visits assembly quarters, says no need for rehabilitation

    A group of Rivers elders and leaders suspected to be loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, on Sunday visited the state House of Assembly residential quarters.

    The group’s visit is coming a few days after Gov. Siminalaye Fubara embarked on an inspection visit to the facility.

    During that visit, Fubara had said that the essence was to find out the state of the facility for possible rehabilitation.

    Speaking during the visit, Mr Desmond Akawor, a former Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers, said that the visit was to ascertain the structural viability of the buildings.

    ”We got information about some leakages on some roofs and other structural defects on your residential buildings.

    ”We are also informed that the governor is set to intervene by breaking down some of the buildings and carrying out rehabilitation where necessary.

    ”For us, we will not want another structure in the state to be destroyed without replacement,” he said.

    Receiving the group, the assembly’s factional Speaker, Mr Martin Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor-1), described the visit as an indication of Rivers people’s concern over the happenings in the state.

    Amaewhule said that they had engaged experts who confirmed that nothing was wrong with the buildings.

    ”This is one of the best legislative quarters in West Africa, it is in good shape, it does not require rehabilitation at the moment,” he said.

    The factional speaker said that the law of separation of powers empowered the assembly to have full ownership of the estate without the governor’s interference.

    NAN reports that also at the visit, was Mr Kingsley Chinda (PDP Obio/Akpor federal constituency) and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

    It would be recalled that the ongoing political crisis in Rivers has polarised the state into two political groups in support of the governor and the minister respectively.

  • ‘Fubara would have been level 14 civil servant’ – Wike’s loyalist

    ‘Fubara would have been level 14 civil servant’ – Wike’s loyalist

    A former Commissioner for Works in Rivers State, George-Kelly Alabo, has stated that the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, would have been “a level 14 officer in the civil service”.

    Alabo resigned from the cabinet of Fubara in March before he became the Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency.

    Speaking on his resignation in a video shared by Channels Television, Alabo declared his loyalty to Wike, saying he couldn’t be seen as a betrayer.

    “My loyalty lies irreversibly with Nyesom Wike.

    “ Let me tell you something, we must not forget those who helped us to climb. The governor, for instance, would have been a level 14 civil servant in the Ministry of Finance if not for Wike who made him a DFA, Permanent Secretary, Accountant General, and governor,” he said.

    On his disagreement with the governor, the former commissioner said he couldn’t have taken sides with Fubara because he did not fulfil his side of the peace agreement initiated by President Bola Tinubu.

    “Part of the resolution was that the budget should be represented to the House of Assembly. So, there is no appropriation. How are you spending? That’s probably why I couldn’t side with him,” he stated.

    Fubara and his godfather, Wike, have been at loggerheads since some lawmakers loyal to the Federal Capital Minister moved to impeach the governor.

    Speaking on Saturday, the minister apologised to the people of the state, saying he made a mistake that would be corrected at the appropriate time.

    He, however, did not disclose the nature of the mistake.

    “I want to say this clearly: in life, we make mistakes. I have made a mistake. I own it up, and I say God forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But we will correct it at the appropriate time,” he said.

  • Rivers: Factional Speaker claims Fubara planning to demolish residential quarters

    Rivers: Factional Speaker claims Fubara planning to demolish residential quarters

    Mr Martin Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor 1), the factional Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, has accused Gov. Siminialayi Fubara of planning to demolish the residential quarters of members of the State House of Assembly.

    Amaewhule made the remark on Friday in Port Harcourt while reacting to the governor’s recent visit to the quarters.

    Fubara had told newsmen during the visit that he wanted to ascertain the state of the facility for possible rehabilitation.

    Amaewhule described the visit as ‘unannounced and an invasion’ on the residential premises of Rivers assemblymen.

    ”His plan is to demolish the quarters the way he did to some parts of the state assembly complex in 2023,” he said.

    The factional speaker said that the governor’s move was purely political because the Rivers assembly residential quarters was still the best in the country.

    ”The residential houses were built by the administration of former Gov. Nyesom Wike in 2022.

    ”There’s nothing wrong with the buildings. They are in perfect condition. We have not called on the governor for any form of help.

    “The governor’s undue interference is one that is unbecoming of a sitting governor who is supposed to uphold the sanctity of the law,” he said

    Amaewhule further accused Fubara of always carrying out actions that were against democratic norms and principles.

    ”His actions show that he had declared war on all politically elected people in the state,” he said.

    Efforts to obtain the state government’s response to the accusations proved abortive as neither the governor nor the information commissioner was ready to react.

  • Rivers ALGON supports Fubara’s impeachment process

    Rivers ALGON supports Fubara’s impeachment process

    The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), River Chapter, says the call for the impeachment of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara is a step in the right direction.

    The Chairman, Mr Allwell Ihunda said at a news conference in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that 21 local government chairmen in the state were in support of the call to impeach the governor

    Te Rivers Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recently called on the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against Fubara.

    Ihunda, also the Chairman, Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, said that the call for Fubara’s impeachment was to safeguard democracy and the rule of law.

    The ALGON chairman alleged that the governor did not release statutory allocations to the local government councils in April.

    ”We did not receive allocations in April, this development is a show of executive rascality on the part of the governor,” he said

    He said that Fubara had refused to convene the Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting, which is the prerequisite for the release and disbursement of funds to the councils.

    ”The governor’s action is illegal. The state is at the verge of being plunged into totalitarianism,” he said.

    Ihunda further said that Fubara had directed Heads of Local Government Administrations in the councils to present salary vouchers to his office directly.

    ”He wants salary vouchers and overheads of civil servants, excluding chairmen, vice chairmen, councilors and political appointees sent to his office,” he said.

    ”This action is unconstitutional. It is in contravention of Sections 3(6), 7 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution,” he said

    “The chairman urged the state House of Assembly to take appropriate steps towards checking the excesses of the governor to safeguard democracy in the state.