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RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR FUBARA FACES IMPEACHMENT THREAT AS SPEAKER AMAEWHULE DEMANDS SACK OF COMMISSIONERS

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule, has issued a letter to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, demanding the sack of all 19 commissioners and political appointees who were not screened by him. Amaewhule also requested that the Governor submit a fresh list of nominees for appointment as commissioners and fill vacancies in all offices within 48 hours. The letter stated that the Governor’s “attention should once again be drawn to your illegal appointments of persons to serve in various offices without forwarding their names for screening and confirmation as required by the 1999 constitution as amended and other extant laws”. Amaewhule specifically criticized the Governor’s failure to forward the name of Dagogo Iboroma for screening as Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, citing contravention of sections 192 (2) and (5) as well as section 195 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended. In response, Commissioner for Environment Hon Sydney Tambari dismissed the lawmakers’ demands, stating that they were acting on “the stigma of their imagination” and overstepping their bounds. Tambari explained that all commissioners were screened by the then Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Edison Ehie, who was recognized by the court as the authentic speaker. Tambari further stated that the Governor cannot send a fresh list of nominees to the Assembly, as all commissioners and political appointees were duly screened. He also accused the lawmakers of acting outside the decision of the Supreme Court, which addressed the 2024 budget, not the sacking of commissioners and appointees.

RIVERS STATE ASSEMBLY GIVES GOVERNOR FUBARA 48-HOUR ULTIMATUM TO PRESENT 2025 BUDGET

The Rivers State House of Assembly has given Governor Sim Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget to the lawmakers. This directive was made during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday, with Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol moving the motion. In a resolution signed by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the lawmakers stated, “That pursuant to the order of the Supreme Court… you are requested to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.” They emphasized that the House expects the governor to present the budget within 48 hours. Amaewhule condemned Governor Fubara’s directive to the heads of Local Government Administration to take charge of the councils, saying it is illegal and against the Supreme Court’s decision. The lawmakers drew the governor’s attention to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023, and the Judgement of the Supreme Court in Suit No.: SC/CV/343/2024. Interestingly, Governor Fubara had already signed a ₦1.1 trillion 2025 Budget into law on January 2nd, after presenting it to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led lawmakers. However, the Supreme Court’s recent order for Amaewhule and his group of lawmakers to resume sitting as legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly has added a new twist to the situation. The lawmakers also resolved to go on recess by Friday, citing their non-stop work for the past two years. The Supreme Court had mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold allocations for Rivers until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders. It also nullified the local government elections in Rivers State conducted last year. Following the verdict, Governor Fubara called for fresh council polls in the state, promising to obey the judgement of the apex court. He directed the Heads of Local Government Administration to take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections.

OPPOSITION REPS HAIL GOV FUBARA FOR OBEYING SUPREME COURT RULING

A coalition of opposition House of Representatives members has commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State for complying with the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding local government elections in the state. The lawmakers praised Gov. Fubara’s decision to appoint heads of personnel to oversee the affairs of local government councils, pending fresh elections. Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, spokesperson for the coalition, lauded Gov. Fubara for his democratic stance, despite provocations from groups loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike. “The Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court have yet to make pronouncements on their illegal decampment. Until then, their seats remain vacant,” Ugochinyere emphasized. He noted that the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the APC in 2023 “remain constitutionally sacked” until a higher court rules on pending cases. The coalition urged citizens to remain calm, assuring that the opposition remains committed to pursuing legal and peaceful resolutions to uphold constitutional order. Ugochinyere announced that the coalition would address the nation formally after obtaining the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment.

RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR ORDERS HANDOVER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS AFTER SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has directed all elected Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to hand over to the Heads of Local Government administration immediately. This follows the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s judgement on February 28, 2025, which declared the election of the 23 Chairmen and 319 councillors invalid. In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, March 2, 2025, Governor Fubara stated that the Heads of Local Government administration will take charge and conduct the affairs of the councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. “I assure you that upon the receipt of certified judgements, we shall study their ramifications and implement them without reservations to move the State forward,” Governor Fubara said. He also directed the outgoing Local Government Chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Personnel Management by Monday, March 3, 2025. Governor Fubara emphasized that his administration has always conducted the affairs of government within the framework of the constitution, due process, and the rule of law. He urged everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about their legitimate daily activities, assuring that his administration will continue to do everything in its power to advance its responsibilities to the citizens. “Although our dear State seems to be back in trying times, I urge everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about with their legitimate daily activities as we continue to do everything in our power to advance our responsibilities to the citizens,” Governor Fubara said.

SUPREME COURT SACKS RIVERS STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN, BARS STATE FROM RECEIVING ALLOCATIONS

The Supreme Court has declared the local government election conducted on October 5, 2024, in Rivers State invalid due to gross violations of the Electoral Act. In a judgment delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the court declared the election invalid, stating that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission continued voter registration even after announcing an election date, which is a clear violation of the Electoral Act and guidelines. Justice Tukur said, “The action of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission is declared void for lack of substantial compliance to the Electoral Act and guidelines.” The court held that processes leading to the conduct of a local government election were abridged in clear violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act. In another judgment, the Supreme Court barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State until the state government complies with a court order. The court also ordered the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly and other elected members of the house to resume sitting. The Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers Assembly is loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The court’s decision is seen as a significant blow to the Rivers State government, which has been embroiled in a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike.

SUPREME COURT DISMISSES GOV FUBARA’S SUIT AGAINST PRO-WIKE 27 RIVERS LAWMAKERS

The Supreme Court has dismissed a suit filed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, seeking to remove 27 members of the State House of Assembly for allegedly defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The court’s decision follows the withdrawal of the appeal by Fubara’s lead counsel, Yusuf Ali SAN, who cited that “events have overtaken” the suit. Justice Musa Uwani-Aba-Aji delivered the ruling, dismissing the suit after Fubara’s counsel withdrew the appeal. The Rivers State House of Assembly and its Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, did not oppose the withdrawal but demanded an outright dismissal of the suit. The court agreed, awarding N4 million against Fubara to be paid to the House of Assembly and Amaewhule. According to Ken Njemanze, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the dismissal clears the way for the 27 lawmakers to take over the House of Assembly fully. Njemanze stated that all steps taken by Fubara in the absence of the 27 lawmakers, including the presentation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets to only three lawmakers, have become null and void. This development comes after the Court of Appeal dismissed Fubara’s appeal on the same matter on October 10, 2024. The Federal High Court in Abuja had also nullified the passage of Rivers State’s N800 billion 2024 budget by four members of the House of Assembly on January 22, 2024.

GOVERNOR DIRI EMERGES CHAIRMAN OF SOUTH-SOUTH GOVERNORS FORUM

Governors of the South-South geo-political zone have unanimously elected Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, as chairman of the South-South Governors Forum. The election took place on Tuesday during the forum’s meeting in Government House, Yenagoa. Chief Press Secretary to Governor of Bayelsa State, Daniel Alabrah, said in a statement that Cross River Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, emerged as vice chairman of the forum. Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, moved the motion nominating Diri while his Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara, seconded it. Responding, Diri said his emergence as chairman was a call to higher service and promised to serve the forum and the region diligently. He stated that the forum would go beyond issuing communiques to taking action in critical issues that affect the region’s development. “Working together, we have all resolved that our region will not fail. We have seen other regions working while our region was quiet,” Diri said. In his opening address, Diri outlined the objectives of the forum, which include fostering greater synergy among states, advancing regional investments in critical sectors, and promoting sustainable development and prosperity. He identified South-South regional flight connection as one area of collaboration to ease air travel within the zone. The governors also expressed support for the ongoing tax reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration, but urged the president to extend the proposed VAT sharing to other areas of derivation like oil and gas. They argued that the law on oil derivation prescribed a minimum of 13 per cent and that the federal government should consider increasing the amount on oil derivation to states in the region. The forum appreciated the president for the award and commencement of the coastal road project, but demanded that it equally commence from the Calabar axis to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic development in the region. They also called for the intervention of the federal government in other areas, including the extension of the ongoing remediation of Ogoni land to other polluted environments in the region. Alabrah said the highpoint of the meeting was the celebration of the birthday of the Rivers governor, Sim Fubara, who turned 50 on Tuesday.

PRESIDENT TINUBU PLEDGES PEACE, JUSTICE, DEVELOPMENT IN OGONILAND

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Ogoni leaders that his administration will prioritize peace, justice, and sustainable development in Ogoniland. The President made this pledge at a meeting with Ogoni leaders at the State House in Abuja, where he called for unity and reconciliation among the Ogoni people. The Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, said President Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate negotiations with the Ogoni leaders. “We cannot in any way rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward. We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry,” President Tinubu said. Onanuga stated that President Tinubu commended the delegation for embracing the Federal Government-led dialogue and emphasized the need for collaboration, trust, and inclusiveness to resolve lingering issues in the region. “We must work together with mutual trust. Go back home, do more consultations, and embrace others. We must make this trip worthwhile by bringing peace, development, and a clean environment back to Ogoniland,” President Tinubu said. Onanuga added that President Tinubu asked ministers, the NNPCL, and the Rivers State Government to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to achieve this mandate. Governor Fubara thanked President Tinubu for his support of the Ogoni people and for welcoming an all-inclusive representation of the people to the Presidential Villa. The National Security Adviser, Mallam Ribadu, commended the Ogoni people for their trust in President Tinubu and for embracing dialogue as a path to meaningful progress and enduring solutions. Onanuga noted that a representative of the Ogoni leadership, King Festus Babari Bagia Gberesaako XIII, expressed the community leaders’ willingness to engage in the process of finding lasting solutions to the lingering challenges in Ogoniland.

GOVERNOR FUBARA SEEKS GOD’S INTERVENTION TO CRUSH RIVERS STATE ENEMIES

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed his unwavering faith in God’s power to overcome the state’s enemies. Speaking at the crossover service into 2025, held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Fubara led the congregation in a gallant song, proclaiming God’s omnipotence. “At the mention of your name, every knee shall bow. At the mention of your name, every tongue confesses. That you are Lord, you are Lord, you are King, you are King of kings,” the governor sang along with the brethren. Fubara emphasized that the song’s lyrics were not only comforting but also a call to action, urging the people to trust in God’s ability to guide them toward triumph in the new year. He assured the congregation, “The Red Biro is still filled. It is still here with me. Every enemy plan will continue to crash.” The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, conducted the service, recalling the numerous challenges faced by the state in 2024, including conspiracy, blackmail, and economic hardship. However, he noted that these difficulties did not overwhelm the community. Oko-Jaja stated that God has given the people a new song of triumph, promising to uphold, deliver, and ensure their victorious living in the new year. He prayed for peace, unity, and progress in the state, aligning with the government’s 2025 Budget of Inclusive Growth and Development. The service featured praise and worship, choir ministration, and ushered in 2025 with shouts of “Happy New Year.” Distinguished guests in attendance included Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo; Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie; and members of the National Assembly, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, Boma Goodhead, and Anderson Igbiks.

BAYELSA, RIVERS GOVERNORS RESOLVE SOKU OIL WELL DISPUTE

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has expressed delight over the peaceful resolution of the Soku oil well dispute between Rivers and Bayelsa states. Contained in a statement made available to CTN and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri praised his Rivers counterpart, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his role in resolving the dispute. Governor Diri said the peaceful relations between both states were necessary for their development and called for its continuity. He also lauded Fubara for his handling of the demolished property of the Bayelsa government in Port Harcourt, which is still in court while both states are close to reaching an amicable settlement. Daniel Alabrah quoted Governor Diri as saying, “We came to pay you a Christmas visit… Going forward, we should continue to visit each other to keep both states peaceful and to allow for our development.” Governor Diri also stressed the importance of regular interactions between both states while assuring Fubara of the support of the government and people of Bayelsa at all times. According to Daniel Alabrah, Governor Fubara responded by saying that both Rivers and Bayelsa needed each other to make progress and insisted that they could not be separated. He called on Governor Diri to revive the BRACED Commission and strengthen cooperation among states of the Niger Delta region. The Bayelsa Governor also attended the 80th birthday celebration of General Stanley Diriyai (rtd) in Port Harcourt, where he hailed him as a father, mentor to many, and a worthy son of Bayelsa.