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Resign If You Are Not Desperate To Return As Governor, Rivers Residents tell Fubara •As Supporters Accuse him of Insulting them

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By Our Reporter
Embattled Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara seems to be gradually losing the bulk support he has enjoyed from majority of residents of the state, following his claims of not being desperate of returning to office.
Recall that governor Fubara had on Sunday, during the service of songs organized in Port Harcourt by the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, said that his spirit has left government house, and that he now enjoys peace of mind and even looks healthier.
The suspended governor while responding to several speakers at the event who addressed him as “Governor”, and called for his immediate reinstatement, said some of the remarks and actions of his supporters were unnecessary and contrary to his personal beliefs and principles of pursuing peace in the midst of the political crisis in the State, adding that they were not likely to promote peace, but to worsen his situation and escalate the crisis instead.
Wondering if such people ask themselves whether the path they were taking was the true way to peace, stability, reconciliation, Fubara urged his supporters to tone down their confrontational approach to the state’s political situation and instead follow his strategic steps towards enduring peace by showing restraint.
He said, “Not everything is by oshogbe. “Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit has already left there,” he said.
In his homily during the service, Apostle Zilly Aggrey quoted James 4:13-16; Hebrew 12:14-15; and Matthew 7:12; and emphasised that the season called for wisdom on the path of all actors.
He urged all players in the political arena to make peace with one another, saying that only a people united in spirit and purpose can defeat any lurking enemies.
He thanked the former Governor and Minister of FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike for his role in Governor Fubara’s election, and tasked him to commit himself to the path of peace and reconciliationfor normalcy to return to the State.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fatherly role in the political crisis, and appealed for more proactive steps to bring lasting peace and restore democratic institutions in the State.
Others who spoke at the event included former Governor of the State, and Chairman, Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, Chief Rufus Ada George, former Deputy Governor of the State, Sir Gabriel Toby, Senator Benneth Birabi, Prof Atuboyedia Obianime, Prof Steve Azaiki, Ms Ann Kio Briggs, Bishop Elkanah Hanson, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, Prof Roseline Konya, and Senator John Azuta Mbata.
Reacting angrily to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s speech, some supporters of the governor berated him for allegedly selling out their trust on him, and insulting all his loyalists with his remark on Sunday.
A key believer of the suspended Governor, said, “Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara will continue to suffer in this political crisis for seeing or taking this battle as a personal battle between him and the Wike, instead of seeing it as a battle for the survival and liberty of the socioeconomic and political soul of Rivers State from a self-centred minded soul like Wike.
“You are not desperate to remain or returning back as governor but you dey waka every midnight like dey beg to return!
“Oga Govo, if you think you are honest and sincere then resign let’s see!
“All the souls of the men and women and youths including Late Pa Edwin Clark who wasted their time and resources thinking they’re defending you or one with an appreciating heart, you insulted yesterday (Sunday) including that old man, Bishop Elkana will never forgive you!
“Honestly speaking, a lot people, especially those on Facebook and other social media platforms don’t know the insults, Gov Fubara gave to all of us his supporters and followers including Rivers elders both living and Death yesterday!
“You can say whatever you like just to defend this Governor Fubara actions, it doesn’t concern me, but Governor Fubara messed up yesterday and I know he’s seriously regretting his speech desperate now.”

Editorial

Declare state of emergency on insecurity, ex-APC chieftain tells Tinubu

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi,Abuja

A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare State of Emergency in the entire Northern states due to the recurrence of the activities of bandits and terrorists, saying “enough is enough.”

In a message sent to President Tinubu through his Facebook page, Ojo, who is a certified security expert, said Nigeria is becoming a laughing stock in the comity of nations because of the failure of the government to protect its citizens from brazen attacks by bandits.

He, however, gave a caveat that the state of emergency in the North he is advocating for should not affect democratic institutions in the affected states.

“I am lending my voice to the request by the Northern Elders Forum last week that Mr. President should declare State of Emergency in the entire Northern Nigeria.

“I think it is high time this is done. You heard what the governor of Borno State has just announced about the number of people that were slaughtered in the last two days. This is unacceptable.

“I think it is time for Mr. President to militarise the entire Northern Nigeria to smoke out all these bandits and snuff out life out of them.

“Enough is enough. No matter the sponsors, no matter the backers, no matter the informants, these people can not be greater than the Nigerian government.

“Mr. President should over-police the entire Northern Nigeria. We should smoke out these people (bandits) and send them back to their creator.

“Enough is enough. Enough of other countries turning Nigeria into a laughing stock. Mr. President should hack to this clarion call.

“Mr. President can declare the State of Emergency on insecurity without anything that will affect the Democratic institutions in Northern Nigeria.

“We can not take this again. Enough is enough.”

“God bless Mr President, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and God bless Nigerians.”

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Editorial

‎Prosperity Cup Organizers Extol Virtues of Bayelsa Deputy Governor at 60

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Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo( left) Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe(right)

By David Owei,Bayelsa ‎
‎The organizers of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament has felicitated the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo on the occasion of his diamond jubilee.

‎Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe in a statement on behalf of the Central Organizing Committee, COC describes the Deputy Governor as an exceptional administrator and a visionary leader who has continued to show commitment towards the stability and development of sports in the state.

‎According to him, the Deputy Governor is an astute administrator, a dependable ally and deputy to Governor Douye Diri, who has served his people with an outstanding record of performance in governance in the state, even as Commissioner for Works then, maintaining that the competition organizers are pleased to be associated with him, particularly his tremendous qualities and experience in steering the affairs of sports in the state.

‎The statement notes that the tournament’s success story was incomplete without the supervision of Senator Ewhrudjakpo and has placed the Prosperity Cup as a premium competition in the continent that has continued to give young Bayelsans the platform to showcase their talent.

‎He expressed gratitude to God for granting the deputy governor the grace and presence of mind to discharge his duties creditably well in the past five years he has been in the saddle as deputy governor of the state.

‎”From all of us in the Prosperity Cup team, we say a happy blessed, and glorious 60-year birthday to His Excellency, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor, Bayelsa State”.

‎“We are proud to identify with your achievements in the past 60 years of your existence. Over the years, you have been a symbol of humility, diligence and discipline.

‎“You have also devoted your life to service to humanity, especially to sports and the Prosperity Cup that has become Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football tournament. Your exemplary leadership and commitment to the common good of society has endeared you to so many people in Bayelsa State and beyond”, he stated.

‎“Your Excellency, may the Almighty God bless your new age with good health, sound mind and more wisdom to serve humanity and the state, Mr. Akpe concluded.

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Editorial

ADC To Police, FG: Leave Our Leaders Alone, Face the Bandits — Says Police Harassment of El-Rufai, Attack on Malami Are Dangerous Signs for democracy 

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By Our Correspondent

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed grave concern over the increasing use of law enforcement agencies to harass and intimidate opposition leaders, while criminal violence continues to devastate communities across the country. The party condemned the politically motivated police summons issued to former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as well as the shocking attack on the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami’s convoy in Kebbi State, which left many party members injured and terrified.

ADC Publicity Secretary, Bolaji-Abdullahi


In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC,on Friday,the party described these developments as an assault not just on individual politicians, but on Nigeria’s democracy itself. It warned that the Nigeria Police Force has seemingly become a willing tool of political suppression for the federal government rather than a national security department, that is truly focused on rooting out bandits and other criminals across the country.

The full statement reads:

“At a time when terrorists and criminal gangs freely operate in large parts of the North, the Nigerian Police appears more interested in silencing opposition leaders than protecting citizens. After the recent attack in Kaduna, where the former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and other ADC leaders were attacked; in Kebbi, the convoy of former Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) was violently attacked in broad daylight around the GRA area of Birnin Kebbi—barely meters from a police outpost. Despite the seriousness of the attack, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators remain at large.

“This growing trend is disturbing — and all Nigerians should take note. In Kaduna, the police reportedly looked away as thugs—armed with stones and cutlasses—attacked a peaceful ADC gathering. Instead of arresting those responsible, the police are now targeting the victims with summons.

“Every hour spent harassing El-Rufai and shutting down ADC offices is an hour not spent confronting the terrorists and criminals destroying lives across the North, and the urban bandits destroying the nation.”

“To make matters worse, police authorities in Kaduna sealed off the ADC party offices ahead of a planned meeting of zonal leaders—a deliberate attempt to stifle our constitutional right to assemble and organize.”

Continuing, “The ADC wishes to place this on record: These acts by the police are not isolated. They represent a systematic attempt to criminalize opposition politics, especially in states where the ruling party feels threatened by the growing influence of the ADC.

“In this regard, the ADC calls on the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police to immediately withdraw the politically motivated summons issued to Nasir El-Rufai and other ADC leaders in Kaduna State. These invitations are not about justice or security, they are about silencing dissent and should therefore be halted without delay.

“We demand that the police authorities unseal the ADC office in Kaduna State, and stop the illegal obstruction of lawful political activity. No democracy can thrive where opposition party structures are routinely shut down under vague pretexts.”

The statement added,”The Nigeria Police must also publish the names of those who filed complaints that triggered these recent investigations and summons. The public deserves to know who is behind these attacks on political freedom, and what interests they serve.

“We further demand that security agencies arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attack on Abubakar Malami’s convoy in Kebbi State, as well as the violent thugs who disrupted our stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna. The failure to bring these perpetrators to justice only emboldens further violence.

“In addition, we call for an internal disciplinary process within the police to investigate officers who were present during these incidents but failed to act. Those who stood by and allowed political violence to occur should not be wearing the uniform of the Nigerian state.

“Finally, we urge the Federal Government to redirect the focus of the Nigeria Police toward their primary duty—protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians— instead of being used as a tool of political manipulation.

“Our party will stand with our leaders and members. We will not be intimidated.”

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