Home > Rivers > Page 2
Tag:

Rivers

Headlines

Fubara makes first public appearance at salvation ministries after suspension

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

There are reports that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, is attending a Sunday service at Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

This development follows widespread speculation regarding his whereabouts since President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency last Tuesday.

Amid uncertainty, some reports suggested that Governor Fubara had relocated to the Bayelsa State Government House to reside for the six-month duration of the emergency.

However, his public appearance today provides clarity on his location.

President Tinubu had suspended the governor, his deputy and all elected members of the state House of Assembly over a prolonged political crisis in the state, citing a Brando of law and order.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: Tinubu swears-in Ibas as Rivers sole administrator

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has sworn- in the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), into office.

Tinubu swore Ibas into office at about 03:00 pm at the State House, Abuja.

The brief ceremony was witnessed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 12:48 pm (local time).

On Tuesday night, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the extraordinary measure.

The crisis, which had paralysed governance in the oil-rich state, stems from a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

FG to release Rivers allocation to Administrator

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government on Wednesday said that the allocation for Rivers State will be released to the Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd).

The government also said President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State was timely and meant to avert an implosion in the state.

This is as it has said that the former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has no role in the political crisis in Rivers State that culminated in the declaration of a state of emergency.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, stated this while briefing State House correspondents at the presidential Villa, Abuja.

While fielding questions on whether the Federal Government would release the allocation from the federation account to the state in view of the latest development, the Minister said if the administrator requests for it, it will be released to him.

“And to me, it will be in order for the release of that fund because the event of the extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal situation of things.”

He justified the decision of the President to declare a state of emergency in the state.

According to him, “We have about two years into the administration in the state.

“Now, when do you think he (President Tinubu) should have come in? Is it when everything has been destroyed? I don’t think so.

“I think the President has acted timeously. He has given the opportunity to all the parties involved, to make amends. Before then, he had to assemble them, he had tried to mediate,” he stated.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Rivers: Reps in heated argument before plenary

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Some members of the House of Representatives engaged in a heated argument over the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The incident reportedly occurred during its plenary session on Wednesday.

DAILY POST sighted a video of the incident shared online by AIT News on Wednesday.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday night, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The President made the pronouncement in a nationwide broadcast.

However, the Constitution requires the National Assembly to consider the President’s gazetted proclamation within 48 hours if it is in session and within 10 days if it is in recess.

If the National Assembly does not consider the proclamation valid, it will vote otherwise. A two-thirds majority of both houses—the Senate and the House of Representatives—is required to uphold or reject the declaration.

Video link below:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DjSFokVjB/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Soldiers hold Fubara, family hostage at Rivers governor’s residence

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his family members are being held hostage at the Government House, Port-Harcourt, by a contingent of heavily armed soldiers Tuesday night.

The development comes moments after President Bola Tinubu invoked Section 180 of the Nigerian Constitution to proclaim a state of emergency in Rivers. The Nigerian leader based his controversial move on a prolonged and rapidly escalating political feud led by state lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, who commenced impeachment proceedings against Mr Fubara last week to settle scores in his fallout with Mr Wike, who engineered Mr Fubara’s election in 2023 despite corruption charges.

Rivers government sources told The Gazette that soldiers carrying out the president’s instructions on declaring the state of emergency barricaded all entrances and exits to the government house immediately after the president’s speech.

Attempts by Mr Fubara and his family to pack their belongings out of the Government House have been rebuffed by the soldiers, who suppressed all movements around the premises.

“We are being held hostage,” an affected official told The Gazette from the scene on Tuesday night. “They said they don’t have instruction to let anyone leave the premises.”

It was unclear whether the soldiers implemented their duties as instructed or were overzealous in following specific orders.

Spokespersons for the Nigerian Army and Defence Headquarters did not immediately return requests seeking comments about the soldiers’ treatment of the Fubaras.

Mr Tinubu’s declaration to suspend the feuding parties from office for six months, effective Tuesday, sparked furious debates across social media as netizens argued whether the president had constitutional grounds to suspend an elected governor whom the state lawmakers have not yet impeached. Efforts to impeach Mr Fubara began on Monday, barely 24 hours before Mr Tinubu imposed an emergency ordinance.

Lawyers like Inibehe Effiong and Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana have excoriated the president for taking the law into his own hands without regard for the Constitution’s position.

The president named the retired chief of naval staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as the military administrator in Rivers in the interim.

Source: People’s Gazette

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Tinubu
Headlines

Rivers crisis: Tinubu to address Nigerians Tuesday night

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu will address the nation on Tuesday in a nationwide broadcast regarding the situation in Rivers State.

This was confirmed in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The NTA and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria will broadcast the address at 7pm.

All television and radio stations are requested to link up with the broadcast.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: Resign Within 48 Hours Or Be Impeached – Rivers Governor Fubara Given Fresh Ultimatum

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has issued a fresh ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, demanding his resignation within 48 hours or face impeachment.

Okocha made the declaration on Monday while addressing journalists at his private residence in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

He accused Governor Fubara of disrespecting President Bola Tinubu, particularly in his handling of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. According to him, the governor failed to honour the peace initiatives led by the president, prompting the APC to take a firm stance.

“As a political party, we are today advising the governor; there are two options, resign honourably or be impeached. That is the position of the All Progressives Congress,” Okocha said.

He further stated, “He has disrespected Mr. President, and we told him that we cannot be here and have him disrespect Mr. President. The offences are there; the Supreme Court has agreed and even provided us with more evidence. The House of Assembly does not need to set up any committee again to investigate him.”

Okocha emphasized that the APC would not tolerate any defiance from the governor, insisting that he should step down immediately.

“48 hours is too much to give him as an ultimatum. He should just resign honourably,” he added.

This latest ultimatum comes just days after the Rivers State House of Assembly gave Governor Fubara a 48-hour deadline to present the 2025 budget.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: Supreme Court sacks all Rivers Local Government Chairmen loyal to Fubara

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Supreme Court has invalidated the local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on October 5, 2024, citing significant breaches of the Electoral Act.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur ruled that the election was null and void due to a lack of substantial compliance with electoral laws and guidelines. According to the court, RSIEC failed to adhere to proper procedures, particularly by continuing voter registration after officially announcing the election date.

Justice Tukur emphasized that the electoral commission’s actions violated Section 150 of the Electoral Act, which outlines the necessary procedures for conducting local government elections.

The court further noted that the hurried process leading up to the election compromised its credibility, rendering the entire exercise unlawful.

More to come…

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: Fubara Backs Down, Withdraws Appeal on 2024 Rivers Budget Ruling

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Rivers State Governor Siminalaya Fubara has withdrawn his appeal against the Appeal Court ruling that declared the 2024 budget illegal.

The withdrawal of the suit was made by Fubara’s counsel, Yusuf Ali. In addition to dismissing the appeal, Justice Uwani Abba-Aji of the Supreme Court ordered Fubara to pay a cost of two million naira to the Rivers State House of Assembly and Martin Amaewhule.

The development was also disclosed by Lere Olayinka, Media Aide to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday.

Recall that Governor Fubara had submitted the 2024 budget to the Edison Ehie-led House of Assembly in December 2023. However, the Appeal Court in Abuja delivered a ruling on October 10, 2024, upholding the Federal High Court’s January 22, 2024, judgment that nullified the passage of the Rivers State 2024 budget.

The controversy surrounding the budget began when pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule, took the state government to court for submitting the budget to the Ehie-led house, arguing that it was not properly passed.

Wike is currently at odds with his estranged political godson, Fubara, allegedly over the control of political structures in the state.

In a social media statement on Monday morning, Olayinka revealed that Governor Fubara has admitted to illegality by withdrawing his appeal.

He wrote, “Governor Fubara of Rivers State has withdrawn his appeal No. SC/CV/1071/2024 against the Appeal Court judgment declaring the 2024 Budget of the State illegal and ordering him to present the budget to the House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule.

“The Appeal Court had upheld the judgment of Justice J. K. Omotosho in Suit No:FHC/ABJ/1613/2023 wherein the court ruled that Governor Fubara should re-present the 2024 budget to the House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule.

“By this withdrawal, Gov. Fubara has accepted the lower and appellate courts judgments, declaring presentation of the Rivers State budget to three members of the State House of Assembly as illegal.”

The governor’s camp is yet to comment on the development.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: FCT Minister Wike Reportedly Dissolves Appeal Court Panel Over Rivers LG Election Ruling

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly ordered the secret dissolution of the Special Court of Appeal in the FCT that gave a favourable ruling on the Rivers State Local Government Elections.

The panel was “quietly disbanded” after it upheld the Rivers State Local Government elections conducted by the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The controversy surrounding the Rivers State Local Government Elections has been ongoing, with the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullifying a judgement of the Federal High Court that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the conduct of local elections in the state.

The appellate court panel, led by Onyekachi Otisi, had held that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, citing Section 28 of the Electoral Act, which does not accommodate elections conducted by state governments.

The court had held that “The Electoral Act does not apply to local government elections and the lower court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the appeal.”

According to sources, Mr. Wike is not happy with the development.

The FCT minister has reportedly reached out to Senior Judicial officers and fixers, secretly disbanding the first panel that gave the favourable ruling.

The new panel approved by Wike is litigating on the matter from Abuja, where Wike’s wife is also a senior judge. Wike is also enraged over the decision of the accountant general to pay Rivers allocation based on what he claimed was a mere “stay of execution.”

“The panel that sat to hear the new appeal was headed by Justice Hamah Barka and it also has Justice Adebukola Banjoko and Justice Peter C. Obiora. Wike got upset and reached out to Senior Judicial officers and fixers. He secretly disbanded the first panel that gave the favourable ruling,” SaharaReporters quoted a source as saying.

“Ironically, Justice Barka had recused himself from the Rivers State issue in the panel earlier set for the same purpose, saying he was under attack by some forces claiming he was compromised,” the source further revealed.

“The new panel approved by Wike is litigating on the matter from Abuja Where Wike’s wife is also a senior judge,” the source added.

“Wike is also enraged over the decision of the accountant general to pay Rivers allocation based on what he claimed was a mere “stay of execution.”

The federal government had initially said it would halt the October monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue payment to Rivers State, citing a court order as the reason. However, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) later cited a subsisting appeal, saying that the allocation could not be stopped.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts