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Tag: Gov Fubara

  • Breaking: Rivers House of Assembly serve Gov Fubara notice of misconduct

    Breaking: Rivers House of Assembly serve Gov Fubara notice of misconduct

    The political crisis rocking Rivers State took an interesting turn on Monday after the State House of Assembly accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu of gross misconduct.

    The development comes after lawmakers, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule,  forwarded the notice to the Governor and his deputy, stating that their action was in accordance with constitutional provisions.

    “In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office,” the notice reads in part.

  • Rivers Crisis: Finally, PDP throws weight behind Gov. Fubara

    Rivers Crisis: Finally, PDP throws weight behind Gov. Fubara

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has taken a clear stance on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his political mentor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the FCT Minister, have been at odds, resulting in a divided State House of Assembly. There have been concerns regarding the PDP leadership’s silence on the matter.

     

    In a communiqué released after their meeting in Enugu on Wednesday, the governors from the PDP expressed their support for Governor Fubara. The communiqué, signed by the Forum’s chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, noted the conflicts within the Rivers State Chapter of the party and committed to ensuring peace.

     

    The Forum resolved to support His Excellency, Sir Sim Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, while also engaging in broader consultations with stakeholders to peacefully resolve the issues and find a lasting solution to the crisis.

    Gov Fubara and Wike has been at loggerheads over who should control the structure of the state.

  • Rivers: Amid crisis, Governor Fubara nominates 23 LGAs caretaker chairmen

    Rivers: Amid crisis, Governor Fubara nominates 23 LGAs caretaker chairmen

    Following the crisis that ensued after the expiration of Local Government chairmen in Rivers state, Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has nominated caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas in the state.

    It was gathered that the governor already transmitted the list to the three-member Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Victor Jumbo.

    This is coming amid the renewed political crisis in the state owing to the refusal of the former council chairmen to vacate their offices after the expiration of their tenure.

    According to the  statement issued on Tuesday night by the Clerk of the House, G.M. Gillis-West, the Assembly invited the nominees for screening on Wednesday by 8:00 am.

    Full list:

    1. Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson

    2. Ahoada East LGA – Hon. Happy Benneth

    3. Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green

    4. Akuku Toru LGa – Otonye Briggs

    5. Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan

    6. Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree

    7. Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua

    8. Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon

    9. Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa

    10. Emouha LGA – David Omereji

    11. Etche LGA – John Otamiri

    12. Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden

    13. Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji

    14. Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana

    15. Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo

    16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe

    17. Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi

    18. Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan

    19. Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald

    20. Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam

    21. Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip

    22. Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo

    23. Tai LGA – Hon Matthew Dike

  • Rivers: Police surround LG secretariats amid tension over expiration Chairmen’s tenure

    Rivers: Police surround LG secretariats amid tension over expiration Chairmen’s tenure

    Following the expiration of the tenure of LG chairmen in Rivers state, the police have stationed armed operatives at the secretariats of four local government councils in the state.

    Police vans are currently positioned at the entrances of Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ahoada East and Ogu/Bolo LGAs.

    Earlier, youths in Degema and Asari/Toru LGAs occupied their respective council secretariats in protest against the extension of the tenure of the LG chairmen.

    The youths chanted solidarity songs in support of those Governor Siminalayi Fubara is expected to appoint to manage the local councils on a temporary basis.

    Recall that the outgoing LG chairmen, who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, had their tenure extended by an amended Local Government Law Number 5 of 2018 by the faction of the State House of Assembly headed by Martins Amaewhule.

    However, the extension was nullified by a Rivers State High Court ruling on May 21, 2024, which declared the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024 as inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.

    Despite the court’s ruling, the chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Samuel Nwanosike, has vowed to remain in office.

    It was learned that two LG chairmen from Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro, who are loyal to Fubara, celebrated the expiration of their tenures with a thanksgiving service on Sunday.

    Rivers governor,  Fubara hasn’t made any official statement concerning their tenure expiration and the next line of action in the state.

     

  • Rivers Crisis: I never knew I’d last one year in office – Gov. Fubara

    Rivers Crisis: I never knew I’d last one year in office – Gov. Fubara

     

    Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of Rivers state  has said that he didnt know he would spend more than a year in office, following the political crisis that rocked the state shortly after he took office.

    Recall that Fubara was sworn into office on May 29, 2023 and by October 30 of the same year, a political crisis brewed in the state, beginning with a fire incident in the State House of Assembly.

    Speaking at a Church Thanksgiving to conclude the activities to mark his first anniversary on Sunday, Governor Fubara said, “Some two months ago, nobody would have believed that we will be seated here to say, ‘God, thank You that we are able to navigate this troubled water to this point’.”

    Continuing, Fubara said the plans were orchestrated to frustrate his administration up to the moment the first anniversary was being planned.

    He said, “You won’t understand. I can tell you in good authority that even before we started this programme, there was every plan to frustrate us. But to the glory of God, we are all gathered here to say, ‘God, thank You, that You have carried us and led us to this point’.

    “Now, if we have God by our side, do we have any problem? I want to thank everyone of you that are here to support us.”

    Governor Fubara promised not to betray the trust the people have bestowed in him, assuring them that the governance of the state under his watch will get better by the year.

    He said, “What the devil thought it was evil, God turned it to blessing and good.

    “I will not give this day to anybody, I will not talk about anybody, I will only say, ‘God Almighty thank You’.”

  • Wike left Rivers in big debt – Fubara

    Wike left Rivers in big debt – Fubara

    Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers State Governor, has revealed that the state is highly indebted as a result of the huge debt profile inherited from the previous administration of Nyesom Wike.

    Governor Fubara made this known  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.

    Recall that Fubara and Wike,  have been at loggerheads over control of the political sphere in the state.

    Despite intervention from President Bola Tinubu, the duo have continued their cold war with no end in sight.

    Wike had on several occasions claimed he was leaving the state debt-free.

    But 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.

    Although, Fubara did not give an estimate of the state’s debt, but claims that he is now compelled to speak out after being pushed by his detractors.

    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.”
    Governor Fubara also said he invited his Abia State counterpart, Alex Otti to commission the project, stating that he is committed to aligning with progressive figures.

    Otti, on his part, described Fubara’s style of governance as true leadership, adding that true leadership is service to the people, and not to a few interests.

    In his summation, Otti believes Governor Fubara cannot be distracted by the political crisis in Rivers State.

  • Rivers Crisis: Governor Fubara threatens to probe Wike

    Rivers Crisis: Governor Fubara threatens to probe Wike

    Siminalayi Fubara the Rivers State Governor, on Monday said he’s got plans to set up a panel to probe previous governments including the immediate past administration of Nyesom Wike.

    Fubara who has been in a running battle with his predecessor, Wike disclosed the plan after swearing in Dagogo Iboroma as the Attorney General of the state.

    The governor expressed pessimism that the lingering political crisis currently rocking the state cannot be resolved anytime soon.

    Apparently referring to Wike, the governor accused his opponents of deliberately sabotaging his administration while he was hopeful that the issue in the state would be resolved amicably.

    Governor Fubara vowed to make tough decisions moving forward no matter how they would be perceived by the public.

    Fubara also responded to recent comments by former Attorney General Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Works Alabo George-Kelly.

    According to the governor, the former attorney general alongside other critics of his administration have been sabotaging the progress of his government by working  against the interest of the state.

  • Rivers Crisis: Police surround State Assembly complex, block entrance, exit gate

    Rivers Crisis: Police surround State Assembly complex, block entrance, exit gate

    Operatives  of the Nigerian Police Force on Friday besieged the entrance and exit of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.

    Policemenmen numbering about 30 or more were seen at the first and second gates to the lawmakers’ estate, while about 25 patrol vans were used to block the other two entrances.

    The policemen took over the place shortly after the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, accused Governor Sim Fubara of planning to demolish the legislative quarters.

    The state assembly is currently in crisis following the emergence of a factional speaker, Victor Oko Jumbo.

    But the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi, had disowned the Fubara’s Assembly faction.

    Amadi insisted that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly remains Martin Amaewhule.

    This follows the face-off between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over the political structures of the state.

    On Thursday, Fubara paid an unannounced visit to the facility, explaining that he was there to access the place following the emergence of a new speaker.

    “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there?

    “You are aware of the developments. We have a new speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people,” the governor said.

  • Governor, Fubara downplays political crisis in Rivers state, says he’s focused on leadership

    Governor, Fubara downplays political crisis in Rivers state, says he’s focused on leadership

    Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers State Governor, has dismissed report that the state is engulfed in political crisis, saying his administration has provided focused leadership and governance to the people.

    Fubara made this known while receiving members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions at Government House in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said his goal for the Rivers people was delivering good governance.

    The governor explained how the pressure from the unwarranted political crisis served as an enabler to strengthen his commitment to service that is now impacting lives positively.

    “As far as we are concerned, there are no political issues. I had seen a movie many years ago, entitled, ‘Devil’s Advocate.’ I believe some of you must have seen that movie too,” he stated.

    It would be recalled that Rivers State has been embroiled in crisis after a strained relationship between Governor Fubara and his erstwhile political godfather and former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike

    Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), currently serves as a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister under President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    At the height of the crisis last year, 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly dumped the PDP for the APC. The lawmakers, led by the Speaker, are loyal to Wike and accused Governor Fubara of starving them of funds.

    The lawmakers have also been having a strained relationship with the governor and attempted to impeach him in the heat of the political crisis in the state before President Bola Tinubu intervened and invited the feuding parties to Abuja which gave birth to an eight-point resolution.

  • Rivers Crisis: Assembly reignite impeachment threats against Governor Fubara

    Rivers Crisis: Assembly reignite impeachment threats against Governor Fubara

    Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara is once again facing impeachment threats by the  Assembly members in the state.

    According to the assembly, it “will not hesitate to impeach Fubara, if it becomes the last resort to uphold the Constitution.”

    The threat to impeach the governor was made known by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule during a media briefing in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    The Speaker was flanked by 26 of his colleagues.

    This is as the 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, took a swipe at the former Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council, led by Dr Abiye Sekibo, over its recent attack on Wike.

    It would be recalled that In 2023, the lawmakers had threatened to impeach the governor following his face-off with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

    But in December, 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly had withdrawn their impeachment notice against Fubara.

    This was contained in the notice of withdrawal read on the floor of the House on Wednesday.

    They said the decision was made out of respect for President Bola Tinubu who had convened a reconciliation meeting between the warring parties.