Rivers

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.

Rivers State Governor Siminalaya Fubara has withdrawn his appeal against the Appeal Court ruling that declared the 2024 budget illegal.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

The Rivers State Government has approved a minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants in the state.

The Head of Service of the state, George Nwaeke, announced that the approval was granted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara during a closed-door meeting with labour leaders and senior government officials.

Following the meeting, Nwaeke confirmed that the implementation of the new minimum wage will take effect immediately.

On their part, the Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Team, Chukwu Emecheta praised Governor Fubara for meeting the expectations of Rivers State workers.

He expressed appreciation for the Governor’s commitment to the workforce.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers State, Alex Agwanwor, noted that the minimum wage will greatly alleviate the economic hardships faced by workers in the state.

More to follow……

The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal brought before it by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara seeking to remove 27 members of the State House of Assembly on account of their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Abuja Division of the court said Governor Fubara has no basis to bring out the appeal having withdrawn his opposition to the case of the pro-Wike lawmakers at the Federal High Court.

Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, who delivered the lead judgment held that the governor, having withdrawn from the case cannot claim to be aggrieved with the judgment of the federal high court.

Consequently, the Court of Appeal barred Fubara from intervening with affairs of the House of Assembly.

The appellate court also barred him from withholding the House of Assembly fund and removing the Clerk and Deputy Clerk from the House.

Similarly, the Court of Appeal ordered him to re-present the budget of the State to the House under the recognised Speaker as contained in the judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the federal high court.

Justice Oyewole said that the blunder of Fubara in withdrawing from the suit in the federal high court cannot be redeemed by any known advocacy.

Justice Oyewole also held that the appeal of the governor has no utilitarian value as it cannot confer any advantage on him having lost his legal rights by admitting all issues raised against him with his voluntary withdrawal from the suit.

By coming to the court, Justice Oyewole said that Fubara was approbating and reprobating and blowing hot and cold at the same time, adding that such conduct had no basis in law as parties must be consistent in their approach to court matters.

He therefore voided and set aside the passage of the 2024 budget by 4 out of 32 members on the ground of illegality that must not be allowed in a democratic setting.

The court also held that Fubara engaged in executive recklessness that are unknown to law by presenting budget to only 4 members and signing same to law under 24 hours.