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Category: Rivers Update

  • Fubara Draws the Line Amid Tensions with Wike’s Loyalists

    Fubara Draws the Line Amid Tensions with Wike’s Loyalists

    Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared his resolve to move forward despite escalating tensions with allies of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

     This stance follows months of friction, culminating in Fubara’s announcement that he will no longer tolerate actions he perceives as undermining his administration.  

    During the signing of the ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget in Port Harcourt, Fubara addressed controversies surrounding the state’s legislative body. 

    He emphasized that the Assembly led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo remains the only recognized legislature, dismissing the legitimacy of 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

    READ ALSO: MY PREDICTIONS FOR 2025

    According to Fubara, their defection disqualifies them from reclaiming their seats.  

    Fubara acknowledged past efforts to reconcile differences but maintained that his focus remains on advancing Rivers State’s development.

     He highlighted achievements in infrastructure and set ambitious goals for education, health, and agriculture in 2025.  

    READ ALSO: PDP Expels Ex-South East Vice Chairman over Alleged Misconduct

    The governor also commended the three-member Assembly for facilitating the budget process and praised his cabinet for their collaborative efforts. 

    He urged state officials to build on their 2024 accomplishments, promising to uphold the interests of Rivers State and deliver on key commitments to its citizens.

  • Rivers APC Opposes Fubara’s Budget Presentation, Warns of Growing Tensions

    Rivers APC Opposes Fubara’s Budget Presentation, Warns of Growing Tensions

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent budget presentation, calling it illegal. 

    The Governor presented the ₦1.18 trillion 2025 budget to only three members of the state assembly loyal to him, which the APC says violates legal and procedural norms.

     According to APC Chairman Tony Okocha, this move goes against a court ruling in January 2024, which recognized the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly as the legitimate legislative body for such matters.

    READ ALSO: Tinubunomics: Have We Crossed The Rubicon?

    Okocha expressed disappointment that the governor, with his experience in finance and governance, bypassed the full 30-member assembly, presenting the budget in a session that a court had deemed unlawful. 

    He described the event as a “forum of friends” rather than a legitimate legislative gathering, pointing out that it undermines the governance process in Rivers State. 

    He also criticized the governor for fostering division instead of promoting peace, noting that this could increase political tensions in 2025. 

    READ ALSO: Uniabuja Appoints Prof Aisha Maikudi Vice Chancellor

    Despite these challenges, Okocha emphasized that none of the 27 lawmakers who support former Governor Nyesom Wike have joined the APC, affirming their continued loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

  • Fubara Approves ₦1.1tn 2025 Budget Amid Assembly Crisis  

    Fubara Approves ₦1.1tn 2025 Budget Amid Assembly Crisis  

    Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has enacted the state’s ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget, ensuring its implementation until December 31, 2025. 

    The approval follows a week after the Oko-Jumbo-led State Assembly received the proposal.  

    Fubara declared the Oko-Jumbo Assembly as the sole legitimate legislative body in the state, taking into consideration the legal implication of the defection of Martins Amaewhule and 26 other legislators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    ALSO READ: Tinubunomics: Have We crossed the Rubicon?

     Despite their attempts to reverse their decision, Fubara maintained they are no longer recognized as lawmakers.  

    The defection has fueled tensions between Fubara and former Rivers governor Nyesom Wike, who supports the dissenting legislators. 

    Despite political challenges, the governor stated his administration’s commitment to advancing the state’s development agenda.

    Based on extant laws, a legislator who defects from the party on which platform he/she was elected, into another party, even when the original party is not in any form of serious crisis, that legislator shall lose his/her seat.

  • Rivers Political Crisis: Fubara’s Impeachment Imminent – Tonye Cole

    Rivers Political Crisis: Fubara’s Impeachment Imminent – Tonye Cole

    Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election expresses concerns about the potential impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

    Mr. hinges his concern about impeachment as the most probable outcome of the ongoing political crisis in the state. 

    Cole’s warnings come after a recent Court of Appeal ruling upheld a Federal High Court decision that invalidated the 2024 budget presentation and approval for Rivers State.

    According to Cole, this ruling places Fubara in a precarious position that threatens the stability of his administration. 

    He pointed out that by having to present the budget again, the Assembly led by Amaewhule is recognized as the legitimate body, increasing the likelihood of impeachment proceedings against Fubara.

    Cole highlighted the political fragmentation in Rivers, where the governor belongs to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), while the Assembly is predominantly APC, and local government structures are led by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APP). 

    This situation has created a complex political landscape that is adversely affecting governance and development in the region.

    He criticized the ongoing political battles, stating that the residents of Rivers are the real victims of this conflict, with essential developments stalled. 

    Cole argued that if the interests of the people were prioritized, the state would not be facing such turmoil. 

    The ongoing disputes among political factions have overshadowed the needs of ordinary citizens, leaving many without the benefits of governance.

  • President Tinubu Condemns Violence In Rivers

    President Tinubu Condemns Violence In Rivers

    Gov Fubara expresses reservations about the manner of President’s intervention

    President Bola Tinubu has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.  

    In response to recent tensions following last Saturday’s local government council election, the President expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state.  

    He urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions.  

    President Tinubu directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately.  

    While instructing law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control, he emphasised the need to ensure the security of public institutions.

    President Tinubu said government facilities built with public funds must be safeguarded from vandalism.

    He stressed that self-help has no place in a democratic system, especially after 25 years of continuous democracy.  

    According to President Tinubu, the judiciary can settle all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no exception.  

    Gov Fubara, Angio Briggs express reservations

    Reacting to the President’s intervention however, Governor Siminlaye Fubara and Niger Delta Environmental Rights activist, Angio Briggs berated the manner of the President’s intervention.

    Speaking on a Channels TV programme last night the duo wondered why the President singled out Governor Fubara’s name while leaving out the name of the alleged traducer.

    Ms. Briggs rhetorically asked who are the political leaders President Tinubu referred to but couldn’t call their name(s)?

  • IGP Egbetokun Rejects Fubara Allegation

    IGP Egbetokun Rejects Fubara Allegation

    IGP assures the public of the commitment of the police to neutrality and adherence to legal directives.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s allegations about the police’s role in the recent local government elections. 

    Egbetokun described Fubara’s remarks as baseless and unnecessary, emphasizing that the police acted lawfully.

    Fubara had accused the Nigeria Police Force and its state command of attempting to disrupt the elections by attempting to seize materials. The Governor warned Egbetokun to be mindful of his position.

    In response, Egbetokun clarified that the police only followed a Federal High Court ruling from July 19, 2024, which restricted their involvement in the elections. 

    He explained that the Rivers State High Court later issued a conflicting order on September 4, directing police to provide security at the elections. 

    However, the Federal High Court reaffirmed its earlier stance on September 30, declaring the police’s involvement unlawful.

     He stated that all court orders were reviewed by the police’s legal team, who advised compliance with the Federal High Court ruling.

    He urged the public to disregard misinformation and emphasized the importance of political decorum, stressing that the police would not engage in any political disputes but remain focused on their mandate.

  • Violence Erupts in Rivers State as Protesters Set Local Government Secretariat Ablaze

    Violence Erupts in Rivers State as Protesters Set Local Government Secretariat Ablaze

    On Monday, unrest unfolded in Bori, Khana Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, leaving one person feared dead after gunfire was reported. 

    The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, though it coincided with widespread protests across several LGAs, following a police directive to reopen all 23 council secretariats that had been closed since July.

    In Ikwerre LGA, demonstrators stormed the council headquarters in Isiokpo, setting a section of the building on fire, forcing staff and the newly appointed chairman to abandon the premises.

     Although authorities intervened to control the situation and extinguish the flames, some parts of the building sustained damage.

    In Emuoha LGA, protesters prevented the newly sworn-in chairman from entering the council headquarters.

     They voiced opposition to the election results, claiming the Action Peoples Party’s candidate was not popular enough to win.

     The demonstrators blocked access to the administrative building, insisting on the reinstatement of the previous chairman, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, whose tenure, they argued, was extended by the state House of Assembly.

    Earlier in the day, violence also broke out in Eleme LGA, where protesters set the secretariat on fire, destroying several structures and vehicles, including a police car.

     The police responded but were still assessing the extent of the damage.

  • Fubara Swears-in Newly Elected Council Chairmen

    Governor Siminlaye Fubara of Rivers State has sworn-in the newly elected Chairmen of the 23 LGAs in Rivers State.

    The new helmsmen of the last tier of government emerged yesterday following fractious election that brought the state governmemnt on collision course with agencies of the Federal Government.

    At the end of the exercise yesterday, the Action Peoples Party (APP), the proxy party of Governor Fubara, won in 22 of the LGAs, while the Action Alliance won one of the LGs.

    Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn Local Government on their electoral victories

    The swearing-in ceremony took place at the at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.

    Each elected Chairman was accompanied by a guest to the event which took place 4 pm.

    The newly elected chairmen will represent the 23 local government areas of Rivers State

  • Rivers LG Election: Armed Gunmen Disrupt Polls in Wike’s Ward

    Tensions have escalated in the Rumuepirikom community, Rivers State, as gunmen disrupt voting in the ongoing LG election.

    Rumuepirikom is the home of Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory who is opposed to the election taking place.

    Observers say that voting could not take place as heavy gunfire rings out during election day. 

    Further reports indicate that earlier, unknown individuals warned residents to stay indoors, discouraging them from participating in the polls. 

    As electoral officers approached the voting station in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, armed assailants arrived and launched an attack, effectively seizing control of the area.

     One person has reportedly been injured by gunfire and is receiving medical treatment.

     The violence has left voters in fear, disrupting the electoral process.

  • Rivers LG Election: Atiku Applauds Gov Fubara

    Rivers LG Election: Atiku Applauds Gov Fubara

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed strong support for the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for moving forward with the local government elections scheduled for Saturday. 

    According to Abubakar, Fubara’s actions are crucial in reinforcing the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.

    Abubakar encouraged the people of Rivers State to participate in the electoral process, emphasizing the importance of local governance and the rule of law. 

    He believes these elections offer a valuable opportunity to uphold the principles of democracy and constitutionalism, ensuring that citizens can freely select their grassroots leaders.

    The former Vice President highlighted the significance of these elections in empowering local communities to shape their leadership, urging peaceful participation and a strong sense of civic responsibility among voters.

    READALSO: Tribunal: Tinubu, INEC, APC oppose Atiku’s tendered evidences