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Tag: Fubara

  • Court dismisses suit seeking to stop Fubara from re-presenting Rivers’ 2024 budget

    Court dismisses suit seeking to stop Fubara from re-presenting Rivers’ 2024 budget

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed the suit seeking to stop Gov. Siminalayi Fubara from re-presenting the N800 billion 2024 budget of Rivers.

    Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a ruling, also set aside the earlier interim order made on Jan. 22, directing parties in the suit to maintain a status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

    Justice Abdulmalik held that a similar suit in the matter had already been decided by a sister court on the day the interim order was granted.

    Besides, the judge held that the plaintiffs’ counsel, David Maduka, lost the opportunity that would have afforded him to be heard when he failed to address the court on the propriety of the instant suit in the face of the judgment already delivered in a similar case.

    The five-member Rivers House of Assembly led by the then factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, had, on Dec. 13, 2023, passed the appropriation bill sent to it by Fubara and the governor assented to the bill on Dec. 14, 2023.

    But Justice James Omotosho, a brother judge, had, in the judgement delivered on Jan. 22, set aside the Rivers’ N800 billion 2024 budget passed by the five members of the house and signed into law by Gov. Fubara on Dec. 14, 2023.

    Justice Omotosho also restrained Gov. Fubara from frustrating the House of Assembly, under Martin Amaewhule-led leadership, from sitting or interfering in its constitutional and legislative functions.

    The judge equally barred the National Assembly, the police and any member of the state executive arm from interfering in the assembly’s affairs.

    But Justice Abdulmalik, on the same day, granted the ex-parte order filed by six elders of the state, who were plaintiffs in the suit.

    They are Hon. Victor Okon Jumbo, a member of the Rivers assembly representing Bonny State Constituency; Sen. Bennett Birabi, Sen. Andrew Uchendu, Rear Admiral O.P. Fingesi, Ann Kio Briggs and Emmanuel Deinma.

    The judge, in a ruling, directed the parties not to take further steps, pending the determination of the application seeking to stop Fubara from re-presenting the already passed 2024 budget before the legislative house.

    The plaintiffs equally, through their lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, sought an order declaring the seats of the 27 lawmakers who dumped Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for All Progressives Congress (APC) vacant, among other reliefs.

    They queried the constitutionality of a peace agreement they alleged that President Tinubu made governor Fubara to enter into with the immediate-past governor of the state and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

    They maintained that the said agreement that was signed on December 18, 2023, was not only illegal, but amounted to an usurpation, nullification and undermining of the extant/binding relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    The plaintiffs, consequently, prayed the court to among other things, determine whether Tinubu, Fubara and the Rivers assembly had the rights and entitled to enter into any agreement that had the effect of nullifying or undermining the constitutional provisions of Section 109 (I) (g) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

    Justice Abdulmalik, who fixed Feb. 28 to hear the application, directed that the defendants which include President Bola Tinubu, Attorney-General of the Federal, Fubara, Rivers assembly, assembly’s speaker and Independent National Electoral Commission, be put on notice in order to respond to allegations raised.

    But the six plaintiffs filed another motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1718/2023.

    In the motion dated Jan. 24 and filed Jan. 25, they sought an order granting accelerated hearing in the suit.

    The also sought an order abridging the time within which the defendants could file all their processes, including the plaintiffs’ reply and the court fixed the hearing for today.

    When the matter was called, Maduka, who appeared for the six elders, told the court of their motion ex-parte.

    The lawyer urged the court to grant their two prayers.

    But Justice Abdulmalik called Maduka’s attention to Jan. 22 judgment delivered by Justice Omotosho.

    She said that at the time the interim order was granted, there was a judgment which is on a matter similar to the present suit.

    The judge then ordered Maduka to address the court on the judgment which had already settled the case brought before her.

    Responding, the lawyer said he was unaware of the judgment.

    “I have not been able to see that judgment my lord. If I have seen it, I would have been able to address the court,” he said.

    Maduka prayed the court to stand down the matter to enable him get the judgment so he could properly address the court.

    Delivering the ruling, Justice Abdulmalik said she found that the instant suit bordered on Rivers assembly matter which had been decided by a sister court.

    She held that Maduka had lost the opportunity to afford him of fair hearing.

    She said: “Therefore, I hold that the plaintiffs/applicants are privy to that judgement,” which barred the parties from acting in contrary to the decision of the court.

    According to the judge, the plaintiffs/applicants are at liberty to study that judgment to know which way to go.

    Therefore, she held that the motion ex-parte filed on Jan. 25 had been overtaken by event.

    Justice Abdulmalik, who vacated the earlier interim order, dismissed the suit in its entirety.

    Although Maduka stood up to explain that he was not deliberately avoiding to address the court, the judge did not give him a listening ear.

    NAN

  • Fubara speaks after Supreme Court verdict

    Fubara speaks after Supreme Court verdict

    Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers says he will remain committed to the purpose he was elected and will no longer allow anything to distract his administration.

    Fubara said this on Thursday at the Government House, while addressing newsmen on the heels of the Supreme Court affirmation of his election as the governor of Rivers.

    Fubara said his triumph at the Supreme Court has laid to rest the legal battles that added to the distractions his administration grappled with in the last eight months.

    “About an hour ago, the Supreme Court revalidated our mandate in the election.

    “It is a victory for the entire state

    “It is important for us to note that we need this victory to consolidate the purpose of governance.

    “Prior to this moment, we have had a few distractions here and there.

    “And the good news that came to us this morning is a refreshing strength that will encourage us to continue the good work in governance,” Fubara said.

    He expressed gratitude to God for His help and President Bola Tinubu for his fatherly role in the internal crisis and litigation against his election.

    He also extended gratitude to his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, whom he described as his “Oga”, for all his support.

    The governor called on everyone to join hands with his administration to build a competitive state that would be reckoned with as truly prosperous in all ramifications.

    “We have a dream of making it a highly competitive state that will measure, if not up to Lagos but close to becoming like Lagos.

    “We can only achieve this in an atmosphere of peace.

    “So, I am calling on everyone, not just on our internal issue but those members from other parties, the issue is settled, come and let’s build the Rivers of our dream

    “We will continue to protect and provide the basic needs of governance to everyone who is doing business and who lives in Rivers,” Fubara said.

    He further said that he would soon address the good people of the state on the apex court victory.

    “For now, let everybody be happy that one elephant is out of the road, the other one, by God’s help, will be resolved amicably and the family will be one.

  • Court to deliver judgment in Rivers Assembly speaker’s suit against Fubara, NASS

    Court to deliver judgment in Rivers Assembly speaker’s suit against Fubara, NASS

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, reserved judgment in a suit filed by the Rivers House of Assembly’s Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, against Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, National Assembly (NASS) and others until Jan. 22.

    Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter for judgment after counsel for the parties presented their arguments for and against the case.

    The Rivers House of Assembly and Amaewhule are 1st and 2nd plaintiffs in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023.

    In the amended originating summons dated Dec. 7, 2023 but filed Dec. 11, 2023 by their team of lawyers including Ken Njemanze, SAN, Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, among others, the plaintiffs sued the NASS, Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

    Also joined in the suit include House of Representatives Speaker, House Deputy Speaker, House Majority Leader, House Minority Leader, Clerk to NASS as 6th to 10th defendants.

    They also sued Governor of Rivers, Attorney-General of Rivers, Commissioner of Finance, Accountant-General of Rivers, Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and Rt. Honourable Edison Ehie, who is also listed as Rivers Assembly’s Speaker in the suit, as 11th to 17th defendants respectively.

    The plaintiffs sought an order of injunction restran‘ng the 1st to 10th defendants (NASS) from entertaining any request from the 11th defendant (Fubara) to take over the performance of the functions of Rivers Assembly, including its role to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Rivers in respect of matters that are within its constitutional and legislative competence.

    AN ORDER OF MANDATORY INJUNCTION compelling the Inspector General of Police (whether by himself or by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force under his command) to provide and continue to provide adequate Security and protection for the 1* Plaintiff under the leadership of the 2” Plaintiff as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for the purpose of transacting the business of the 1% Plaintiff.

    They sought an order of injunction restraining Gov. Fubara from impeding or frustrating the assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership as its speaker.

    They equally sought an order restraining Fubara including the 12th, 13th and 14th defendants from withholding any amount standing to the credit of Rivers Assembly in the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, including salaries and emoluments due and payable to the speaker, deputy speaker and other members of the house as well as to the clerk, deputy clerk and other members of staff of the assembly.

    Alternatively, they sought an order of injunction restraining them from denying the assembly of the due funds for running its affairs including the payment of salaries, allowances, emoluments and meeting its financial obligations no matter how described, among other 11 reliefs.

    Upon resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Omotosho granted the application for joinder filed by Ehie.

    Ehie, who also listed himself as speaker of Rivers Assembly, was joined in the suit as 17 defendants and the court made an order deeming all processes filed by him as being properly filed.

    Plaintiffs’ lawyer, Njemanze informed the court that contrary to the insinuation, he did not file any motion of discontinuance of the case.

    “We are ready to proceed on the substantive matter but we have a motion pending. It is a motion filed on 15 day of December, 2023. We are asking for the restoration of status quo as at November 29, 2023,” he said.

    The senior lawyer said that pursuant to the order of the court made on Dec. 11, 2023, the plaintiffs amended the originating summons in the suit in which they sought 11 reliefs and raised six questions for determination.

    He said the 26-paragraph affidavit was deposed to by Amaewhule, the 2nd plaintiff.

    He also said that on Dec. 15, 2023, a motion on notice was filed, seeking an order to restrain Fubara, A-G, finance commissioner, and the accountant-general from continuing the demolition and destruction of the house of assembly complex in Port Harcourt.

    “We are saying that they want to deter us from performing our constitutional duties despite the order my lord made ex-parte,” he said.

    He said they ignored the order even after it was extended.

    “In this situation, you have the power to discipline all the parties,” he said.

    Justice Omotosho then said he read online that the issue had been settled.

    But Njemanze responded this: “As at the time we came, the House of Assembly was performing its work, but now, they are being interfered with.”

    The lawyer, who informed the court that only about four members passed the state’s budget, urged the court to grant their prayers

    On his part, counsel for the 1st to 10th defendants (NASS), Dr Joshua Musa, SAN, said he filed a counter affidavit on Dec  14, 2023.

    According to him, the counter affidavit is a counter by nomenclature because our position is that the circumstances for the invitation of National Assembly to take over the assembly has not arisen.

    “We are not opposing the originating summons having regards to the documents presented.

    “An invitation to take over at this stage is an invitation for constitutional mischief, which we will not support,” he said.

    K. A. Imafidon, who appeared for Gov. Fubara, told the court that his client instructed them to withdraw all that they filed in the suit

    “We have a motion on notice seeking to dismiss the plaintiffs’ suit dated on 11 and filed 12 Dec. 2023. We also filed a motion on notice dated and filed on Dec. 11 to set aside the interim. orders made in this suit on the Nov 30.

    “We have a counter affidavit in opposition to the plaintiffs’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction dated Dec 12 and filed same day, etc

    “We sought to withdraw them and urge the court to grant our prayer,” he said.

    M. O. Ojo, who appeared for Ehie (17th defendant), however prayed the court to stand down the matter on the grounds that the information he had was that the parties had settled their differences.

    He pleaded with the court to grant his request to allow his senior take over the matter.

    The judge, however, cautioned counsel against drawing conclusion based on what is read or seeing on social media.

    “it is the fact before the court that the court will place its decision on. It is the way parties conduct thier matter that will determine the position of the court.

    “This is a court of record. It is this record that will be transmitted to Appear Court and Supreme Court. I must base my decision on what you are doing here,” he warned.

    Omotosho, who said he had  gone through the court file and I had not seen any notice of discontinuance of the case, however granted Ojo’s plea.

    Upon resumed hearing, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN:, who now announced appearance for Ehie, said he did not come earlier because of the information that the matter was to be withdrawn since President Bola Tinubu had intervened.

    “I owe my lord that duty to inform my lord that the understanding they have is that the 2nd plaintiff, in particular, is to withdraw the action,” he said.

    Aladedoye notified that the 2nd plaintiff even attended the meeting convened by the president where the decision was taken.

    The judge then asked if there was a term of settlement before the court.

    “If that was the position, why did you move the motion for joinder,” he said.

    Moving his motion, Aladedoye said a notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court was filed on Dec 18, 2023.

    According to him, the preliminary objection prays for an order striking out the suit for want of jurisdiction.

    Besides, he said a counter affidavit was also filed We also filed on Dec 18 in response to the amended originating summons with one exhibit.

    The lawyer urged the court to dismiss the suit.

    “I have a question for plaintiff. Do you think we can stil continue with this matter in view of the submission of counsel for the 17th defendant that the president had settled the issue?” Justice Omotosho asked Njemanze.

    Responding, Njemanze said he was aware that President Tinubu invited all the parties, excluding the NASS and its members (1st to 10th defendants), to a meeting.

    “And at that meeting, it was agreed that the 11th defendant (Fubara) and his supporters shall withdraw all pending suits.

    “Secondly, it was also agreed that the plaintiffs shall withdraw the notice of impeachment against the governor.

    “The notice of impeachment has been withdrawn and the assembly is sitting fully but the governor has failed to withdraw the suit he, as governor, filed at Rivers State High Court.

    “What we are supposed to do under the agreement, we have done. If tomorrow, I am instructed to withdraw, I will do so. We are for peace,” he responded.

    Then the judge asked Aladedoye: “Who is the 17th defendant and on what capacity did you file this suit?”

    The senior lawyer responded thus: “As at the time your lordship adjourned on 7th day of Dec., 2023, and up until Mr President convened the meeting, the 17th defendant was the speaker of Rivers Assembly.

    “It was after the intervention of the president and the stakeholders in Rivers that it was resolved that the parties should restore status ante bellum.

    “And it was in line with that that the 17tj defendant resigned, even as member of the House of assembly on the strength of the understanding they had.

    “That resignation was based on the agreement parties had and he ceased to be the speaker on the basis of the understanding they had with President of Nigeria.”

    The judge, who was unhappy with the development, said: “The motion for joinder was moved on 8th of January, 2024 as speaker, even when he (Ehie) has ceased to be.”

    He described the act as move to mislead the court.

    Aladedoye, however, clarified that when Ojo appeared before the court on the last adjourned date, he did inform that the parties had settled the matter.

    NAN

  • Rivers State: Teachers protest exclusion from N100,000 Christmas bonus

    Rivers State: Teachers protest exclusion from N100,000 Christmas bonus

    More than  100 primary and secondary school teachers in Rivers state on Friday, staged a protest at the Government House in Port Harcourt over alleged exclusion from the N100,000 Christmas bonus approved for civil servants by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

    The protesters alleged that other civil servants in the state have received theirs along with their December 2023 salaries, but wondered why they didn’t benefit from the bonus.

    Recall that Prior to the Yuletide holidays, Fubara approved the bonus for each civil servant, a development which ignited wild jubilation from the workers and both the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in the state.

    The aggrieved teachers, who occupied the Government House, expressed displeasure about the development and called on the state government to intervene.

    Speaking to newsmen on Friday, one of the teachers simply identified as Oke said, “We were so happy when we heard that the governor approved a N100,000 Christmas bonus for all civil servants. So we assumed that the last Christmas was going to be very great for us.

    “But as we speak today, this is January, a few of us as you can see have not received the Christmas bonus.

    “On Monday, schools will be resuming. Most of us travelled and we have returned.

    “We have exhausted all we have. So we are here this morning to register our complaints to our dear loving governor to help us talk to those who are holding our Christmas bonus.

    “Our N100,000 Christmas bonus should be released because it will go a long way in cushioning the effect of the hardship especially in this January.”

    Others who spoke accused their banks and the state Universal Basic Education Board of failing to address the matter.

    An official of the government who addressed the protesting teachers commended them for their peaceful disposition and assured them that their complaints would be looked into.

  • Rivers crisis: Nobody can stop my term, Fubara boasts

    Rivers crisis: Nobody can stop my term, Fubara boasts

    Rivers State Governor Siminilayi Fubara has declared that no level of political turmoil would disrupt the tenure of his administration.

    Governor Fubara expressed his unwavering commitment to providing quality leadership, despite the efforts of those opposing his administration to dampen the spirit of the people of Rivers and disrupt the pace of development.

    He urged the people of Rivers not to be disheartened by the ongoing crisis, emphasising that nothing would prevent him from successfully leading the affairs of the state.

    Governor Fubara conveyed this message during a church service held at St Paul’s Archdeaconry Parish in Opobo Town on the New Year’s Eve of 2024, in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.

    Fubara said, “What they want is this red biro, but it is still with me. We are the winners because we are still signing with the red biro. As long as we are signing with the red biro, development will continue in Rivers State.”

    Governor Fubara underscored that nothing will impede his administration from reaching its destination, as its foundation is firmly grounded in God, who alone will provide the grace to complete the process of building.

    The governor emphasised that there is already a well-designed development agenda and a predetermined level of progress set for Rivers State in 2024. He reiterated his unwavering commitment to working for the well-being of the state.

    Fubara expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his fatherly role when he intervened to assist in restoring peace in Rivers State.

    “Like I keep saying, it takes a responsible man to be a father. He acted like a father. On our part, we will continue to give him all the necessary support because if he does not succeed in Rivers State, he will not succeed as a president.

    “So, as a State, we will continue to give him every support. We are not pretenders. Our support is genuine, and it is to uplift his programmes. Our sacrifices are part of the support,” Fubara stated.

    Fubara also thanked Rivers people for their steadfast support, referring to them as believers in the true essence of Rivers State.

    He urged them to trust the decisions he makes,b assuring that no one will be abandoned. He pledged to stand firm in defence as their governor.

  • Just in: Rivers House of Assembly withdraw suit Against Gov Fubara

    Just in: Rivers House of Assembly withdraw suit Against Gov Fubara

    In a session at the High Court of Rivers State, Isiokpo, today on December 20, 2023, in Suit No. IHC/230/2023 involving Siminalayi Joseph Fubara v. Rivers State House of Assembly & Ors, Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, representing Rivers State House of Assembly, informed Hon. Justice O. Ben-Whyte of the decision to withdraw the case due to recent developments arising from an agreement between the parties.

    However, D. O. Okoro, SAN, counsel to the Claimant, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, conveyed to the court that he lacked the instructions from his client to withdraw the matter. In response, the court directed the Claimant’s Counsel to confer with his client regarding the unfolding situation presented by the Defence Counsel.

     

    The proceedings concluded with the case being adjourned to the 31st day of January, 2024, for the Report of Settlement, indicating a potential resolution or further clarification on the matter in the upcoming session.

    Details shortly…

  • Rivers crisis: We’ll resist any attempt to reduce Fubara into a 2nd class gov- Ek Clark

    Rivers crisis: We’ll resist any attempt to reduce Fubara into a 2nd class gov- Ek Clark

    Frontline Niger Delta leader, High Chief EK Clark has declared that any attempt to rubbish Governor Siminalayi Fubara would be resisted by the good people of Ijaw nation

    Firstly, I wish to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for heeding the various calls, including our own, to mediate in the on-going crisis rocking Rivers State by calling Barr. Nyesome Wike to order so as to restore peace and tranquillity in the State and avert any problem similar to that which occurred in 2013, when Barr. Wike was Minister of State Education.

    However, the terms of settlement as contained in the Communique issued at the end of the reconciliatory meeting is what is baffling, appalling and unacceptable to the people, especially, the Ijaw ethnic nationality. From the terms of settlement, it is obvious that President Tinubu sees his role as a mediator, to once again, show gratitude to the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for “delivering” Rivers State to him during the past Presidential elections, having first of gratified him by making him the Minister of FCT.

    First Observation:
    The composition of the attendees of the meeting was one sided in favour of Nyesome Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), because while Martins Amaewhule, a former Speaker, (because he has automatically lost his seat the very moment he decamped to another political party), was present at the meeting, it would have only been equitable and expedient, for Edison Ehie, the Speaker as affirmed by constitutional provisions and by the granting of the court, to be in the meeting, if there were sincerity of purpose.
    The 8 resolutions reached, are the most unconstitutional, absurd and obnoxious resolutions at settling feuding parties that I have ever witnessed in my life. As a matter of fact, some medias captured it very well when they described it as Directives. And for the fact that such thing was done at the Villa, the seat of the Federal Government of Nigeria, is sacrilegious, because any place housing or is a custodian of symbol of authority, ought to be sacred.

    It is obvious that Governor Siminialayi Fubara was ambushed and intimidated into submission. President Tinubu should know that with all the powers he possesses, he cannot override the Constitution. From all that transpired at the meeting, the laws of the land have not been obeyed. President Tinubu simply sat over a meeting where the Constitution, which is the fulcrum of his office as President and which he swore to uphold and abide by, was truncated and desecrated.

    27 or so members (because the figure is not certain), of the Rivers State House of Assembly left the political party on which platform they were elected.

    The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is very clear on that. Section 109 is quite clear on that and it says:
    A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if
    Being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected:

    Provided that his membership of the later political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored;
    The Speaker of the House of Assembly shall give effect to subsection (1) of this section, so however that the Speaker or a member shall first present evidence satisfactory to the House that any of the provisions of that subsection has become applicable in respect of the member.
    Nyesom Wike is quite abreast of these constitutional provisions. He shouted his voice hoarse calling for the removal of persons like David Umahi as Governor of Ebonyi State, Ben Ayade as Governor of Cross River State and Bello Matawalle as Governor of Zamafara State, when they decamped from the PDP on which platform they were elected into office, to the APC, citing the above constitutional provisions. What has changed?

    A Court of competent jurisdiction has pronounced Edison Ehie as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    “That Ruling has not been vacated, and based on that he exercised the duties conferred on him by Section 109 (2) as quoted above, when the 27 or so members openly defected to APC, waving the flags of the party and singing President Tinubu’s campaign songs, from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). As at today and going by the Constitution, the Rivers State House of Assembly has four members who are recognised by the laws of the land Therefore, on what premise is Mr. President saying that the 27 decamped members should go back to the House? Under what political party, the PDP or the APC. The directives of Mr. President is absurd and cannot hold water. Mr. President should be aware that Siminialayi Fubara, today, is the elected Governor of Rivers State in the same manner Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the elected President of the country. And as a Governor, Mr. Fubara possesses all the powers as conferred on him by the Constitution.
    2. Re-Submission of the names of Commissioners who have resigned their Appointments:

    Another “directive” of Mr. President that the names of the Commissioners who were nominated by Nyesom Wike and who resigned on their own volition, and who have lost their trust in Governor Fubara, should be represented to the Rivers State House of Assembly for clearance to become Commissioners again, is ridiculous. Who is nominating them to become Commissioners again? Is it Mr. President? Was Mr. President thinking that he was mediating in a matter between Nyesom Wike and employees in Nyesom Wike’s private company? Is it what Nyesom Wike means when he talks about “structure”, referring to Rivers State as his personal holdings or enterprise?

    Re-Presentation of a Budget already signed and passed into Law:
    Another unthinkable “directive” of Mr. President is that a Budget which has been passed into Law, should be represented. It is absolutely ridiculous and unconstitutional.

    By President Tinubu’s actions and directives, he has overruled the Constitution of the country; he has shaken the foundation of the country’s democracy. People lost their lives fighting for democracy in this country. Today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has made of no effect the blood of the freedom fighters shed to salvage this country. He has thrown the country’s democracy fifty years backwards; this is unacceptable. Rather than building a strong system and society, we are building strong, invidious characters, with our national patrimony through corruption and avarice.

    By the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he has really shown his dislike and disdain for the Ijaw people. and confirms his hatred for them. And as the leader of the Ijaws, we will resist it.

    Nyesom Wike is not an emperor. For the eight years he was in power as Governor of the Rivers State, he ruled with an iron fist. As Governor, he will not accept such treatment from anyone, as he is spear heading to be meted out to the current Governor of the State, Siminialayi Fubara.

    ” Barr. Wike destroyed his opponent’s houses and even threatened to kill them as cried out by Senator Lee Maiba from Ogoni, and Dr. Abiye Sekibo from Okrika.

    It is still fresh in our memory, how Nyesom Wike, as Minister of State, Education, used federal might to fight the then Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi that almost led to the grinding to a halt of governance in Rivers State when the Judiciary was closed down and the House of Assembly was shut down by the then Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.

    President Jonathan did not interfere in his action because if he did, he will definitely be breaching Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, which President Tinubu has deliberately breached, despite his oath of office to uphold and promote the Constitution. Nyesom Wike is Minister now, and again, he is using the federal government to truncate the wishes of the people of Rivers State. The rule of law in the country is completely truncated by President Tinubu. While it will be noted that presently, the National Assembly is discussing on the Bill of Local Government Autonomy, President Bola Tinubu is directing Governor Fubara to put into effect, a Bill passed by people who are no longer law makers.

    “The members of the House of Assembly choosing where they will sit to carry out their legislative duties:
    It is the duty of the executive to provide legislative accommodation for the Houses of Assembly including the National Assembly, and not the members of the House of Assembly to choose a place to meet.

    “It is in this vein that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in presenting his Budget to the National Assembly, recognised the FCT Minister, Nyesome Nwike, as the land lord, because he is of the executive arm of government. It is the FCT that owns the National Assembly complex and maintains it. It is, therefore, ridiculous and unconstitutional for President Tinubu to direct, in his settlement, that the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, should meet wherever they want to meet.

    We will resist such draconic, arbitrary and unconstitutional action by Mr. President and his customer Nyesom Wike. We will go to court to challenge this so-called one-sided and oppressive action of Mr. President.

    On his part, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara, who has the mandate of the people of Rivers State to govern them for the next four years, has shown feebleness of character, by agreeing and appending his signature on a document containing such absurdity. He has betrayed the people who elected him as Governor and those who stood behind him in this cause. Mr Fubara has shown naivety in his actions; by signing that document, he has signed his death warrant, believing that the President will show him some sort of favours. Mr. Fubara’s mandate is Constitutional and so, he cannot surrender it in the face of intimidation from any quarter. And it is quite unfortunate. Did he go to that meeting to speak and justify his actions, or he went there to take directives from an equally elected President. As Governor of a State and as the Chief Security Officer of the State, he has shown tremendous lack of courage and competence.

    ” It will be in his best interest to resign if he cannot govern the State as constitutionally provided, or he may as well decamp and join APC, and be taking directives from Nyesom Wike and President Tinubu on the governance and leadership of the State.

    “Like I stated earlier, these obnoxious directives will not stand. The people of Rivers State, particularly, the Ijaws, who are in the majority and who have about 11 (eleven) Local Government Areas, out of the 23 Local Government Areas in the State, will resist it.

    ” Because by it, President Tinubu has delivered Rivers State to Nyesom Wike as a reward for “delivering” the State to him. I call on the people of Rivers State and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians, to stand up against it, using all Constitutional and legal means, because we do not know the next State in the country that will be affected or pawned to another political customer by President Tinubu, as political patronage. It is absurd, it is draconian. It is transactional. It is a rape of our democracy. The people of Rivers State should remember that it was the same lopsided solution/directive that President Tinubu gave to the people of Ondo State but they resisted and rejected it. Today, the needful has been done in that State.

    Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not allow himself to be treated the way he oversaw Mr. Fubara being treated. We all can recall what happened when he governed Lagos State for eight years, and when he successfully resisted President Olusegun Obasanjo’s dictatorial tendencies when he tried to prevent him from creating more Local Government Areas in Lagos State. Nigerians hailed Bola Ahmed Tinubu for standing up to the occasion. That made him to be the undisputed leader of Lagos State. But today, he is overseeing such draconian and authoritarian action as President of the country, giving directives to a Governor to take action on things obviously not in tandem with the nation’s Constitution.

    I, Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, as leader of the Ijaw nation, and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), decided to hold this emergency Press Conference with the full authority of my people.

    “We are prepared to face any consequences that may result in the political crisis in Rivers State.

    ‘We will resist any attempt subtle, subterranean, convert, overt, to make an elected Ijaw son, Siminialayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, a servant, a stooge to Nyesom Wike, who had boasted that any attempt by the Governor to touch his so-called ‘Wike’s structure’, with the connivance and support of President Bola Tinubu, will be resisted by us.

    Like I said, we will go to go court to resist this oppressive action using all available constitutional and legal means. It is on this note I wish to appeal to the youths who are aggrieved, to remain calm, as we will use legal means to dethrone this hydra headed monster, called oppression.

    Enough is Enough.

    Chief (Dr.) EDWIN Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON

  • Rivers lawmakers withdraw impeachment notice against Gov Fubara

    Rivers lawmakers withdraw impeachment notice against Gov Fubara

    The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn the impeachment notice earlier sent to the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

    The lawmakers announced the withdrawal in a notice read at plenary in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.

    The lawmakers cited a respect for President Bola Tinubu as the reason behind their move.

    It would be recalled that President Tinubu, on Monday night, intervened in the political crisis in Rivers State.

    Tinubu, in an eight-point resolution/directive signed at the end of a meeting with political heavyweights, including the former governor of the state and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday, directed that all lawsuits instituted in courts by Fubara and his team regarding the political crisis in Rivers State be withdrawn immediately.

    The president ordered that all impeachment proceedings initiated by the Rivers Assembly against Fubara should be dropped immediately.

    Governor Fubara was also directed to re-present the 2024 budget he had earlier presented to five members of the Rivers Assembly to the full House.

    The governor and his predecessor, Wike, have been at loggerheads over the control of the state’s political structure.

    The feud split the members of the Rivers Assembly with 27 of them defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

  • Aso Villa Meeting: Wike, Fubara end feud, sign agreement document

    Aso Villa Meeting: Wike, Fubara end feud, sign agreement document

    Rivers state Governor, Sim Fubara and his immediate predecessor, Nyesom Wike have agreed to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign in the state.

    An agreement was reached after President Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders met with the two warring factions late on Monday night..

    It was learned that a document was signed by both Fubara and Wike where it was agreed that all impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara by the Rivers State House of Assembly should be dropped immediately.

    It also directed that all matters instituted in the courts by Fubara, and his team, in respect of the political crisis in the state “shall be withdrawn IMMEDIATELY”.

    Other directives according to the document read, “The leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly as led by the Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule shall be recognized alongside the 27 members who resigned from the PDP.

    “The remunerations and benefits of ALL members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff must be reinstated immediately and the Governor of Rivers State shall henceforth not interfere with the full funding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    “The Rivers State House of Assembly shall choose where they want to sit and conduct their legislative business without interference and/or hindrance from the Executive arm of government.

    “The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, shall re-present the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly.

    “The names of ALL commissioners in the Rivers State Executive Council who resigned their appointments because of the political crisis in the state should be resubmitted to the House of Assembly for approval.

    “There should not be a caretaker committee for the local governments in Rivers State. The dissolution of the Local Government administration is null and void and shall not be recognized.”

  • Rivers ‘wahala’: Tinubu, Fubara, Odili in crucial meeting in Aso Rock

    Rivers ‘wahala’: Tinubu, Fubara, Odili in crucial meeting in Aso Rock

    President Bola Tinubu on Monday began a crucial meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the former governor of Rivers State, Sir Peter Odili, and some other stakeholders from the state at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    This is coming on the heels of the face-off between the governor and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

    The FCT Minister was earlier seen at the State House.

    Although the agenda of the meeting between the President and the the Rivers State gladiator in thebcrisis was not made public at the time of filing this report, it might not be unconnected with the recent developments in the state in which 27 out of 32 members of the State House of Assembly, who are loyalists of the FCT Minister, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    Also at the meeting is the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and the Rivers State deputy governor.