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Six Months After Rivers Emergency Declaration: What Lies Ahead?

President Tinubu, Fubara in Secret Meeting in London

Our Reporters4 weeks ago4 weeks ago04 mins

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu met with Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, whom he suspended on 18 March, according to The Africa Report. Two aides to the president confirmed to The African Report that the meeting took place in London last week, shortly after Tinubu left Paris. The meeting, it was learnt, was at the insistence of Governor Fubara, who has been desperate to return to office since the president declared a state of emergency in oil-rich Rivers State. “It is true. Governor Fubara held a private meeting with the president last week. Fubara has promised to make some compromises. Negotiations are ongoing, but from all indications, his suspension will be lifted before the six-month deadline,” said an adviser to the president who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak to the press. Another presidential aide said Fubara is also open to joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to ingratiate himself with the president and then obtain cover. “If Fubara joins the APC, it means the president’s chances of winning Rivers State are much higher,” he said. It was also learnt that Fubara’s estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, was not part of the meeting and was uncomfortable with such meetings taking place behind his back. However, Tinubu is expected to broker a meeting between Fubara, Wike, and the Rivers State lawmakers to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the state. The president had on 18 March declared a state of emergency in Rivers State for six months, just hours after two oil pipelines exploded. Security officials traced the explosion to a longstanding feud between Governor Fubara and 27 state lawmakers who are loyal to Wike, the current minister of the Federal Capital. The state lawmakers had, at Wike’s prodding, resolved to impeach the governor for constitutional breaches, including the alleged bombing of the state parliament building. With Nigeria relying on oil receipts for about 60% of government revenue and 90% of its foreign exchange, the Tinubu administration decided to declare a state of emergency to save the state from descending into anarchy. He followed up by appointing former naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State with full powers to act as governor. Since Fubara’s suspension, however, there have been weekly protests in Rivers State and cases instituted in court, but the governor has been criticised for not taking a tougher stance. In his Easter message, Governor Fubara called on the people of Rivers State to continue to support Tinubu.

NBA Refutes Selling AGC 2025 Hosting Rights Claims

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has denied selling her 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) hosting rights to Rivers State. Chairman, 2025 NBA AGC Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu, SAN stated this in a media statement on Monday. The statement reads; “The attention of the Annual General Conference planning committee has been drawn to a statement credited to the Administrator of Rivers State to the effect that Rivers state government paid hosting rights for the hosting of the NBA AGC 2025. “We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Portharcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights. The host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the Conference must be held in a chosen city. “Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organizations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested for is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever. “Recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organizations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA. Such financial supports are in the form of gifts, partnerships or sponsorships. The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC. “We are committed to delivering a world class conference to members of the Bar and will not be drawn into any unnecessary controversy over this issue.” The 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) which has been moved from Portharcourt to Enugu is slated bwetween 22nd and 28th og August.

#BringBackFubara: Women Demand End to Emergency Rule in Rivers

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

A group of women in Rivers State staged a protest on Friday morning in Port Harcourt, the state capital, demanding the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and an end to the emergency rule declared in the state. The protest, which began in the early hours of the day, saw the women chanting slogans and wielding placards with inscriptions such as ‘We need our democracy restored’, ‘#BringBackFubara’, ‘Obey the rule of law’, and ‘Save our democracy’. “We want Governor Fubara back,” one of the protesters was heard saying in videos circulating on X. PUNCH Online gathered that the demonstration culminated in a march to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, where the women called for a return to democratic governance and described the current political situation in the state as “unconstitutional”. The protest comes in response to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state on March 18, citing a prolonged political crisis. Following the declaration, Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, was appointed as the sole administrator of the state. Videos circulating on social media showed the women chanting solidarity songs and demanding an end to what they termed a “breach of democratic principles”.

EFCC Arrests 37 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Port Harcourt

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago01 mins

Operatives of the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested Thirty Seven (37) suspected internet fraudsters. They were arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday April 8, 2025 in an operation code named “operation eagle sweep”. They were arrested for alleged internet fraud after the Commission received credible intelligence on their activities in various hideouts within the State. Items recovered from them include different brands and models of exotic vehicles, smart phones, smart wrist watches, international passports, Automated Teller Machine, ATM cards of different banks and laptops containing incriminating materials and documents. The matter will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Ibas Appoints Administrators for 23 Rivers LGs

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state. This comes less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt reportedly restrained him from appointing administrators to oversee the affairs of the local government councils. The order was issued by Justice Adam Muhammed on Tuesday in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 in the case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity. However, Ibas also approved the constitution of some boards of agencies, commissions and parastatals which he had earlier suspended. The approval was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika. The statement said the appointments take immediate effect. Mr Okroiyobi Animete was appointed as administrator for Abua/Odual LG, Mr Goodluck M Iheanacho for Ahoada East LG, Mr Promise Jacob for Ahoada West LG, among others. The statement read, “His Excellency, The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State. “He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended. “All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.” Recall that last week, the sole administrator had suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state with immediate effect. In a separate development, Ibas also cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state. He said the cancellation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law within the period. The sole administrator, according to a previous statement also issued by the SSG, directed all MDAs that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices to refund such fees to the respective contractors immediately.

Eid-el Fitr: Rivers Muslim Community Visits, Prays For Fubara

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday hosted the State’s Muslim Community at his residence in Port Harcourt on the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr. According to the embattled Governor, the body under the aegis of Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs who came on a Sallah visit, used the opportunity to pray for him and his family. “It was also a good time to reassure them of our hope in God and our determination to actualize a greater future for our dear State. “As they declared unwavering support for our government, we promise to continue working to uphold a society where no one or any religion will be oppressed as we stand for what is right and just.”

I Was Offered ₦5bn To Impeach Fubara – Edison Ehie

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, has alleged that he was offered ₦5 billion in October 2023 to facilitate the governor’s impeachment. Ehie claimed to have concrete evidence of the offer. “It was for impeachment. It’s here. I have it recorded, and I have printed it and distributed it, in case, in their evil imagination, they decide to attack me or kill me,” he said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

Fubara makes first public appearance after his suspension

Gov. Fubara Reacts to Ex-Rivers HoS Allegations

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Suspended Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara dismissed in its entirety the claims of former Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke. Dr. Nwaeke accused Fubara of ordering the bombing of the state House of Assembly complex in 2023 amongst others. Fubara has, however, denied the allegation, asking Nigerians to disregard it. Fubara in statement said; “My attention has been drawn to a press briefing by the former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke aired on Channels Television on Friday the 28th of March 2025. “Ordinarily, I would not have responded to his claims, but to correct the erroneous impression such allegations may create in the minds of the people, and the disaffection it is bound to cause in the state and the country. “First, on the claim that he was aware of my discussions and plans to support Bala Mohammed’s alleged 2027 presidential bid, “It is laughable that Dr. Nwaeke would be part of any high level political meeting as Head of Service, much more sitting in my alleged night meetings with Bala Mohammed and militants like he claimed. Howbeit, none of such meetings ever held. “The truth is that the whole world knew when the Bauchi State Governor, as Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum visited the State, and there was nothing secret about the visits. “It is also ludicrous for Dr. Nwaeke to claim that he was aware of my meetings to encourage attacks on oil pipelines and other National assets in the State, as there was no time I held any meeting with militants or any criminal group to destabilise the State. “It is on record that I have been at the forefront preaching peace in the State even in the face of obvious provocations. “The truth is that Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me. “I call on all well meaning Nigerians and the good people of Rivers State to disregard everything said by Dr. Nwaeke as they are mere desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration, and undermine the peace process by Mr. President.”