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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 days 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

IPU cannot consider Natasha’s petition – Jimoh Ibrahim

Published

21 hours ago

on

March 14, 2025

By

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of the Senate Inter-parliamentary Committee, remarked that the purported petition from the suspended Senator Natasha is “dead on arrival.”

He emphasised that Nigeria, rather than Senator Natasha, is the member of the IPU.

A petition can only be lodged against another member state by a member state.

This implies that the IPU cannot consider petitions from individuals who are not members.

The suspended Senator Natasha is not a member of the IPU, but Nigeria is!
Additionally, the suspended Senator cannot represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I served as the interim president of the IPU in Geneva in 2023, and I am familiar with how the IPU operates after presiding over its proceedings.

Furthermore, as Chairman of the Inter- parliamentary Committee in the Nigerian Senate, I did not approve or authorise the suspended Senator Natasha to attend the IPU on behalf of Nigeria to the Senate President.”

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Politics

Senate moves to establish Early Voting for Nigerians on essential duties during elections …..As Bill scales 2nd reading 

Published

22 hours ago

on

March 14, 2025

By

By George Mgbeleke
The Senate on Thursday passed to second reading a Bill to amend the Electoral Act to provide opportunity for Nigerians on essential duties to perform their civic duties.
The Bill sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz zMusa Yar’adua seeks to amend the Electoral Act tagged “Electoral Act(Amendment -Early Voting Bill) 2024.

Senate in session in the chamber

In his lead debate Senator Yar’adua noted that the Bill seeks to enfranchise a significant group of Nigerians who, due to the nature of their duties on election days, are denied the opportunity to exercise their most fundamental democratic right; the right to vote.
He said,”This very important bill seeking to introduce early voting in the Electoral Act 2022 to enhance the inclusion, participation and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, and for related matters, was read for the first time on Wednesday, the 15th day of May  2024.
“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, due to the far-reaching nature of this Bill, let me crave your indulgence to extensively highlight the background, which I believe will not only provide a proper context for this legislative initiative but also motivate this hallowed chamber to accelerate the legislative process in enacting the Bill.
“Background and Rationale
In any democratic process, equal opportunity must be given to all citizens to participate in elections regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, occupation or socioeconomic status. This ensures the true reflection of the will of the people thereby enhancing the stability of the democratic process. Unfortunately, a huge number of Nigerians who are involved in making Nigeria’s elections a success are excluded from the crucial decision-making of choosing their leaders through the ballot.”
The lawmaker further observed that,”Over one million citizens who play critical roles in ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections are disenfranchised.
” These include INEC officials, including ad-hoc staff, the security personnel, journalists, observers and others who work on election day to uphold the integrity of the process are effectively denied their right to vote because they are deployed to polling units far from where they registered. This is an irony that should not be lost on us, and this bill seeks to correct that by making provision for early voting for such citizens.
“Mr President, Distinguished Colleagues, this exclusion has characterised all elections in the Fourth Republic and became more alarming in the 2023 General Elections with over 1 million ad-hoc staff, 310,973 police personnel, 93,495 military and Department of State Service (DSS) personnel, 51,000 personnel from the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), 21,000 from the Federal Road Safety Corps, 11,336 from the Nigeria Correctional Service, 9,447 from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and 350 personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who were actively engaged in election activities were disenfranchised. Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission reported that 144,800 observers were deployed by 196 national and domestic organisations, with the implication that those citizens were also unable to vote. This is in addition to journalists and others involved in elections in various capacities. The number of those excluded from voting could change the outcomes of election results.”
Continuing he said,”Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, the figures highlighted above makes this bill a necessity to address the ‘disenfranchisement’ of eligible voters. As lawmakers, it is our duty to ensure that every Nigerian citizen, regardless of their profession or duty on election day, has the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral process. Incorporating early voting in our electoral legal framework shall strengthen universal adult suffrage as our Constitution guarantees every eligible Nigerian the right to vote.
” Furthermore, this Bill strengthens democratic values as democracy thrives when participation is broad, inclusive, and representative. By preventing those on election duty from voting, we are limiting the breadth of participation and undermining the very principles of democracy.
“Distinguished Colleagues, here are the highlights of the bill:
Provision for eligibility and registration of early voters:  Political parties will receive a list of registered early voters to ensure transparency.
Eligible individuals include security personnel, electoral officials and those deemed eligible by the commission who must apply 30 days before the early voting date (Clause 44A (2)-(6)).
“Implementation and Voting Procedure.
A designated early voting date will be set, not more than 7 days before the general election (Section 44A (1)).
Voting centers will be established in every ward, with early votes counted on the official election day (Section 44A (10)-(17))Cross-Country Survey.”
The Lawmaker noted  that early voting has been part of the electoral legal frameworks in other jurisdictions with its attendant huge success stories in promoting voter participation, reducing election day pressure, and increasing accessibility.
” In the United States, early voting varies by State, with some states allowing a few days to several weeks (up to 45 days) in advance of election day. In Australia, early voting starts about 2-3 weeks before the election, with the 2019 federal election recording 40% of voters that cast their ballots early. In Canada, early voting takes place 12 days before election day allowing voters greater flexibility. In Germany, Postal voting is initiated four to six weeks before the election, enabling voters to participate ahead of time.
“Distinguished Colleagues, it is interesting to note that early voting has also gained traction in several African countries as a tool to improve electoral efficiency, increase voter turnout, and enhance inclusivity, especially for marginalized groups. In South Africa, the Independent Electoral Commission allows early voting 2 days before the general election for individuals such as the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, security forces, and those working on Election Day.
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Politics

No Individual Bigger Than PDP, Says Diri

Published

2 days ago

on

March 13, 2025

By

PDP zonal caretaker C'ttee members with Gov Douye Diri (2nd from the Rt)

By David Owei ,Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was bigger than any individual and that its internal challenges would be fixed once the members resolve to tackle them.

Speaking to journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday after the inauguration of the party’s South-South zonal caretaker committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi, the Bayelsa Governor said the political will to confront those fomenting trouble in the party resided with the members and not solely on the leadership.

Diri, who is also Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, stated that for the party to be competitive as the oldest in the country, it must look inwards and fix its internal issues.

He said: “For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues.

“It is very easy to point accusing fingers. But the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others.

“I want the PDP to be competitive with other political parties. We are the oldest political party in Nigeria. So we have no reason to be accusing outsiders.”

On whether the party’s leadership had the political will to discipline those fomenting trouble, Governor Diri averred that such will resided with the members.

“We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party.”

He stressed that the newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee had the mandate of the National Working Committee to look into every issue affecting the party in the South-South.

The Bayelsa helmsman expressed the hope that the event was a step forward for the party.

“In our zone, which is the only area in the country you have four governors of the party, we have all resolved and are together on this. You can see the deputy governor of Delta State, who represented the governor. I have also received messages from the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. It shows that we are together and what we need to do is to show leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP.”

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