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Rivers Crisis: Gov Fubara Recognises pro-Wike lawmakers as Assembly members, invites them for peace meeting  •Wike’s, Amaehule’s supporters kick

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5 months ago

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Gov.Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State
By Our Reporter
In compliance with the directives of the Supreme Court judgement, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has finally recognised and acknowledged the 27 lawmakers led by Martin Amaehwule as members of the State House of Assembly.
Recall that Governor Fubara,  lost to the Amaehwule-led lawmakers at the Supreme Court on Friday, February 28, 2025, after a political battle that has lasted for a year and five months has now  recognised Martin Amaehwule as the authentic Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Speaker Rt Hon Martin Amaehwule

In a move to resolve the 17-month crisis between him and the lawmakers, that led to burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex on Sunday October 29, 2023, and a failed impeachment attempt on him the following day, October 30th, 2023, and later division of the House into two factions, the Governor has invited the lawmakers for a peace meeting with the State government.
The invitation for the peace meeting scheduled to hold at the Governor’s office, Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday 10, was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Rivers State Governor (SSG), and addressed to the Speaker, Martin Amaehwule.
According to the SSG, the meeting was in response to the Supreme Court ruling which he promised during a statewide broadcast last Sunday to comply to and implement accordingly upon receiving the certified true copy of the judgments.
After the broadcast, the Pro-Wike lawmakers during plenary the next day, Monday and gave the governor a 48 hours ultimatum to present the 2025 budget before them.
Upon expiration of the ultimatum on Wednesday, 5th March, 2025, the Assembly gave another 48 hours ultimatum to Governor Fubara to sack all 19 Commissioners in his cabinet, including members the local government civil service commission, house of Assembly service commission as well as members of other agencies that were not screened by them, and forward new list of appointees to them for screening.
The letter from the state government to the Amaehwule-led Assembly reads in part; “I hereby write in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5 March, 2025 to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court Judgment, and has therefore directed me to invite you and your colleagues – the Honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly, to a meeting.”
According to the SSG, among issues to discuss at the meeting includes; provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings and payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the Honourable members;
He also listed presentation of the Budget and sundry matters, as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the State.
Meanwhile, some loyalists of the FCT Minister and supporters of the Martin Amaehwule led Rivers Assembly have reacted to the invitation of the lawmakers to a peace meeting by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
A political pressure group in the state known as Wike Generation Next while reacting to the invitation said the meeting might likely not be possible, as members of the House of Assembly are yet to officially receive the said letter from the Rivers State government and Governor Siminalayi Fubara inviting them to a peace meeting.
The group accused Governor Fubara of not being ready for a genuine reconciliation and initiatives that will move the dear state forward. They also alleged that the governor playing hide-and-seek game, being reason why he didn’t sign the letter himself, instead the SSG, Tammy Danagogo did.
Leader of the group, Okazu Powers, in his reaction said, “We have taken note of a letter allegedly signed by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Chief Dr. Tammy  Danagogo, dated March 7, 2025, which was later published on social media on March 9, 2025.
“To the best of our knowledge, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly has not received any official correspondence from the Governor or the Government of Rivers State. His initial letter, which could have reopened the channel of communication between the Governor and the House, was rejected upon dispatch to the Rivers State Government House.
“There is no record of the letter being officially received by the Assembly—no acknowledgment copy was signed by the Speaker or the Clerk of the House, nor is there any proof of formal correspondence with the Assembly. Instead, the government claims to have seen the Speaker’s initial letter only on social media after preventing the House’s logistics consultants from delivering it to the Government House in Port Harcourt.
“It is highly irregular and unacceptable that a government communication dated March 7, 2025, was withheld until Sunday, March 9, 2025, before being published on social media, seemingly for public theatrics rather than genuine governance.
“We find it absurd and unco Martin Amaewhule for the Governor to be communicating to the Rivers State House of Assembly through the office of the Secretary of the State Government, Governor Fubara is playing hide-and-seek game which is not necessary at this point.
“The Governor is the Head of the Executive as it is standard protocol that He must accord respect to the Speaker who is the Head of the Legislature. Well-meaning Rivers people will know when the Governor is ready for genuine initiatives that will move our dear state forward.
“The date in question had already been set for a plenary session, during which the House expects the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Rtd.), to appear before the House at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 10, 2025. This matter, among others, remains a priority for the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
On one of the issues highlighted by the Rivers SSG for discuss in the proposed peace meeting, the group said, “The first issue raised in the government’s letter has already been conclusively addressed by the judgment of Justice J.K. Omotosho in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023, which was upheld by the Supreme Court.
The judgment affirms that the House of Assembly has the legal authority to conduct legislative business in any location it deems fit. This ruling follows the unconstitutional and undemocratic demolition of the Assembly Complex at Moscow Road, Port Harcourt. As lawmakers, it is their duty to uphold the rule of law and resist executive overreach.
“The second issue in the letter is non-negotiable. By law, the Governor cannot access or spend a single kobo of Rivers State’s resources without first presenting a budget to the House of Assembly.
“The members of the Assembly, who have endured undue financial hardship and hunger for the past 12 months, will not be coerced into submission. Despite multiple court rulings affirming their rights, the Governor has deliberately refused to pay them. Due process must be followed, and the right thing must be done before any financial discussions can take place,” they posited.
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Politics

Governor Adeleke is not Joining ADC Nor Aligning with Anyone in ADC- Spokesperson

Published

2 days ago

on

August 2, 2025

By

Gov Ademola Adeleke of Osun state

By David Owei, Bayelsa

Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.

Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.

The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.

“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.

“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.

“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.

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Politics

INC rejects bill granting exclusive co-chairmanship to Ooni, Sultan

Published

4 days ago

on

July 30, 2025

By

Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.

The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.

The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.

Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.

He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.

He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.

“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”

“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”

Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”

He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.

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Politics

Alleged Deportation of Nigerians in Ghana: Sen Aniekan urges Nigerians to remain 

Published

5 days ago

on

July 29, 2025

By

Senate in session in the chamber
By George Mgbeleke
The attention of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)  has been drawn to a disturbing video on social media showing a protest by some Ghanaians calling on the authority to send Nigerians back to Nigeria alleging that their behaviours and attitudes were not in conformity with the norms of Ghana.
In a statement,Chairman Senate Committee on Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Senator Bassey Aniekan, “the widespread indignation against Nigerians living in Ghana and branding them as criminals should be condemned by all.”
He reiterated that Nigerians are hardworking people and not criminals as purported  and are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves.
He added that while not denying the fact that there may be some bad individuals amongst them, the generality of Nigerians he stressed, are peaceful and law abiding people.
Furthermore, he pointed out the long standing relationship and partnership, the two countries have had over the years emphasizing that Ghana and Nigeria are brothers and  in the spirit of ECOWAS and regional integration, should continue to live in peace, stressing that dialogue has proven countless times to be a tool for peace and should be deployed.
The Senate Committee Chair on Diaspora and NGOs appealed for calm and urged Nigerians living in Ghana to exercise restraint, avoid provocation restraint, of any sort and to resist reprisal attacks as the issue is being handled.
Senator Aniekan confirmed that he had received reports that the issue is being addressed at the diplomatic level by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
He cautioned against the use of inciteful words by individuals on both sides, as  such statements are capable of aggravating the problem and further putting pressure on an already tensed atmosphere.
Senator Bassey Aniekan, also advised Nigerians to disregard the videos trending on line that Nigerians’ shops and properties are being destroyed by Ghanaians as there is no evidence to buttress such claims.
The Chairman applauded Ghanaian and  Nigerian High  Commissioners for their efforts to control the situation, adding that the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs , has also been in touch with Ghanaian authorities and had taken some pro- active measures to put the situation under control.
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