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Tag: rivers

  • ‘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.”

  • Rivers assembly crisis: Court strikes out LP’s suit against INEC

    Rivers assembly crisis: Court strikes out LP’s suit against INEC

    A Federal High Court in  Abuja on Monday struck out a suit filed by the Labour Party (LP) seeking an order compelling INEC to conduct fresh election in the Rivers House of Assembly to fill the seats of the defected lawmakers.

    Justice James Omotosho struck out the suit after counsel for the party, F. I. Adariku, applied to withdraw suit.

    In the suit, the LP had sought the order of the court to compel the commission to conduct fresh election to fill the seats of the lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC).

    But INEC, through its lawyer, Victor Giwa, disagreed with the LP.

    Giwa, in a preliminary objection filed on INEC’s behalf, prayed the court to dismiss the suit for being frivolous and incompetent.

    According to the lawyer, the suit is an abuse of court process.

    He urged the court to decline jurisdiction in the case as the plaintiff (LP) lacked the locus standi and territorial jurisdiction to institute the action.

    Giwa, a human rights activist, argued that there was a pending case currently ongoing at a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt judicial division with suit number: FHC/PH/CS/25/2024 before Justice E.A Obile.

    He said the Port Harcourt suit had same parties and concerned same subject matter which was filed earlier before the instant suit in February.

    However, after INEC filed its objection, the LP approached the court to withdraw the suit.

    Adariku, who held the brief of Kehinde Edun, the party’s national legal adviser, sought to withdraw the suit, praying the court to strike it out.

    A. S. Adisa, who held the brief of Giwa, did not oppose the application.

    The lawyer, however, sought for N500, 000 cost.

    The judge, in a ruling delivered on May 3 but its certified true copy sighted on Monday, ordered LP to pay N50, 000 cost.

    “It is hereby ordered as follows: that this matter having been withdrawn is hereby struck out.

    “That the cost of 50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) is awarded against the plaintiff in favour of the 29th defendant (INEC),” Justice Omotosho declared.

    NAN reports that other defendants in the suit were Gov. Siminalayi Fubara,  Dumle Maol, Major Jack, Franklin Uchenna Nwabochi, Christopher Ofiks, Azeru Opara, and Enemi George.

    It also included Granvill Wellington, Ngbar Bernard, John  Iderima, Queen Uwuma  Williams, . Loolo  Opuende and  Abbey Peter.

    Others are Igwe – Obey Aforii, Justina Emeji,  Ignatius Onwuka,  Hon. Chimezie Nwankwo, Lemchi Prince Nyeche,  Barile Nwakoh, Emilia  Amadi,  Nkemjika Ezekwe,  Davios  Oxobiriari,  Nwankwo Sylvanus, Gerald Oforii and  Wami Solomon.

  • Wike/Fubara: Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers is ‘extra-legal’ – Falana

    Wike/Fubara: Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers is ‘extra-legal’ – Falana

    Human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana, has stated clearly that President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the political crisis rocking Rivers State is “extra-legal”.

    Recall that President Tinubu in late last year at waded into the crisis involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike.

    But Falana said there was no provision outside of the law to resolve the political crisis.

    “I think the President’s intervention in the Rivers political crisis is not backed by any provision of the Constitution mind you,” he said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

    “It’s an extra-legal measure towards the restoration of law and order in that state.

    “The President can only wish them well. And if they have taken their battle to the court of law, they just have to follow through and allow the law to take its course. That is what the rule of law is about under a democratic dispensation.

    “There is no provision outside the law and that point has to be made abundantly clear to those involved in the crisis in Rivers State,” he said.

  • ‘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.

  • Wike causing problem in Rivers for selfish interest – Secondus

    Wike causing problem in Rivers for selfish interest – Secondus

    Prince Uche Secondus a  former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)  on Saturday labeled former governor of the State,Nyesom Wike as selfish and greedy, saying he’s the architect of the problem in the state, because of his selfish interest.

    Secondus made this known while speaking to journalists in Abuja, said the FCT Minister was the brain behind Governor Siminalaye Fubura’s political troubles.

    He posited that the former governor brought misery, grief, and anguish into the state, stressing that the Minister has failed to attract any federal project to Rivers.

    According to Secondus, Fubara fell out with his estranged godfather when he (Fubara) decided to prevent the looting of the state.

    He explained that the political crisis currently rocking the state was orchestrated by those who demand unfettered access to the state’s finances, a demand he said the governor refused to accept.

    Secondus said, “Wike has been Governor for eight years and is now Minister of the FCT.

    “As Minister, what has he, Wike, attracted in terms of Federal projects to our dear State since he assumed office?

    “Perhaps misery, grief, and anguish. As governor he supervised the exit of investors from the state due to his draconian policies.

    “He had on an occasion mentioned that he is capable of causing a crisis and he is not far from the truth, as he is causing an unfathomable crisis in Rivers State.

    “Mrs Patience Jonathan and I worked for his emergence as governor, have we ever breathed down his neck? Instead, what we get is disrespect and insults.

    “I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prevail on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to stop overheating the Rivers State political atmosphere and allow Fubara to work. Whatever Wike thinks he is, it must be stressed that Rivers people made him.”

  • 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 Crisis: Governor Fubara’s loyalists elect Oko-Jumbo as Speaker

    Rivers Crisis: Governor Fubara’s loyalists elect Oko-Jumbo as Speaker

    The political crisis in the oil rich state of Rivers is far from over as some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara have elected the member representing Bonny constituency, Victor Oko-Jumbo, as their Speaker.

    Oko-Jumbo, who is said to be the new speaker for the entire 32-member Assembly, was said to be elected at 10am during plenary on Wednesday, in line with the Standing Order of the House.

    Findings show that Oko-Jumbo was one of the four lawmakers loyal to Fubara in the wake of the political crisis in the state.

    They had at the time of the crisis elected Edison Ehie as the speaker but the latter later resigned from the State Assembly, and was appointed the Chief of Staff to the Governor.

    As at the time of filing this report it wasn’t clear  how many lawmakers were present during the plenary that produced Oko-Jumbo as speaker.

    Oko-Jumbo was led to the plenary with the original mace of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Sergeant-at-Arms, David Wariboko, who managed the last sitting of the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly in the same position.

    However, Oko-Jumbo in his acceptance speech thanked the members for electing him as the new Speaker sequel to the resignation of the former Speaker, Edison Ehie.

    He called on the Executive and the Judiciary, as well as the public to disregard every law purportedly enacted by the Amaewhule-led Assembly, describing it as an exercise in futility.

    “You will agree with me that after the House last sat on the 13th of December, 2023, and adjourned sine dine, there has been an avalanche of legislative rascality perpetrated by the 25 former members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, led by the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule.

    “These former members, being fully aware of the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) of the CFRN 1999, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Party (APC) on the 11th of December, 2023.

    “Consequently, the Rt. Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie-led Assembly, on the 13th of December, 2023, wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaring the seats of the 25 lawmakers vacant in line with Section 109(1)(g) and (2) of the CFRN 1999.

    “My distinguished colleagues, there are a plethora of cases pending in our courts further to the defection of the former lawmakers,” he said.

    “All laws, plenary sessions and actions taken by the illegal House members are hereby declared void and a nullity in the eyes of the law by virtue of the judgment of Lord Denning in the celebrated case of MacFoy v UAC (1961) 3 All ER 1169.” Oko-Jumbo emphasised.

    He said, “Furthermore, this House would want to most respectfully urge and call on His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, DSSRS, to desist forthwith from further dealings with the 25 former lawmakers, in whatever guise.

    “Those members are merely floating and do not have any landing ground or anywhere to berth their ship since their defection to the All Progressives Congress on the 11th of December, 2023.

    “This House is the legally and constitutionally recognised House of Assembly by virtue of the defection of the other members, and is ready to receive correspondences from and work with His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. Distinguished colleagues, let me thank you once again.

    “I know I can count on your unalloyed and unwavering support as we work with His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in moving our dear Rivers State forward in promoting the progress and welfare of the State.”

  • 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.

  • Why Rivers lawmakers can’t impeach Fubara – PDP

    Why Rivers lawmakers can’t impeach Fubara – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the 27 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers at the Rivers House of Assembly can’t impeach Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, because they are no longer members of the House.

    Mr Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, said this at a new conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
    Ologunagba said that the directive by the state APC chapter for the lawmakers to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor was in vain.
    He said that the APC lawmakers had since vacated their seats at the House, by virtue of Section 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution.
    “The lawmakers claiming to be APC members lost their seats after their defection from the PDP, the political party platform on which they were elected into the House.

    “For emphasis, Section 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution provides that: a member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if … (g) 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.

    “It should be noted that Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution is self-executory. The import of this provision is that the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who defected, have vacated their seat by reason of that defection,” he said.

    Ologunagba advised APC to come to terms with the fact that Rivers was home to PDP and that the people of the state were not ready to leave the party.

  • Police arrest 16 suspects in Rivers over killing of Inspector

    Police arrest 16 suspects in Rivers over killing of Inspector

    Police in Rivers have arrested 16 suspects in connection with Thursday’s murder of Insp Christiana Erekere in Bori.

    Police spokesperson in the state, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, stated in Port Harcourt on Monday, that Erekere was killed while manning a checkpoint.

    “She was killed following an altercation with a group of individuals travelling in a Lexus salon car, who were stopped for routine checks in front of Bori Police Station.

    “After the occupants of the vehicle were stopped, they became agitated and proceeded to barricade the road, disrupting the flow of traffic,’’ she stated.

    Iringe-Koko added that following the completion of checks on the vehicle, officers on duty asked the occupants to vacate the road.

    “Unfortunately, they refused to vacate the road, claiming that Erekere had recorded a video of their disruptive behaviour using her mobile phone.

    “In their attempt to forcibly seize Erekere’s phone, they pelted her with stones.

    “Upon losing consciousness, Erekere was immediately transported to a hospital in Bori, where she tragically succumbed to the injuries sustained in the assault,’’ she stated.

    Iringe-Koko stated also that the deceased officer’s body had been deposited in a mortuary pending autopsy.

    She assured that those responsible for the brutal attack would face prosecution if found culpable.

    “The command expresses its deepest condolences to the family of our departed colleague during this difficult time,’’ Iringe-Koko stressed.