₦airaland Forum

The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has apologised to the people of the state over the recent political crisis in the state.

In a statement on Saturday, Fubara described the crisis as “regrettable anxieties.”

According to him, it was important to make sacrifices for peace to reign.

Fubara addressed the bombing of the state House of Assembly complex and the division among lawmakers.

The governor also expressed his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his intervention in the rift with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The statement reads, “My dear good people of Rivers State, I consider it necessary to issue this press statement on the developments of the past few days in our dear state

“Late on Sunday, October 29, 2023, I was inundated with reports that the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been gutted by fire. The blaze was successfully put out by the fire service, after which security agencies took control of the situation.

“My visit to the assembly complex on Monday, October 30, 2023, was to assess the level of damage and undertake remedial measures to protect lives and property within the assembly complex. I charged the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and report it to me.

“Shortly after, I got reports that the state House of Assembly had broken into two factions: one claiming to have impeached and suspended the House Leader and three others preparatory to initiating an impeachment action against me, and the other rival faction impeaching the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, thus sparking off some form of political crisis.

“I wish to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, for his fatherly intervention, which opened a series of communication channels to facilitate the timely resolution of the festering crises. I wish to also thank our elders who are currently intervening in the matter.”

Fubara added, “Let me clearly state that my actions are aimed at restoring peace and stability in our state. I am a man of peace and as governor, the advancement of our state is my primary concern.

“Consequently, no sacrifice is too much for me to make to achieve this objective. Furthermore, as leaders, it is the collective responsibility of the immediate past governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and my humble self, to leverage our positions and influences within and outside the state to advance the progress, security and well-being of our people.

“We must, therefore, not allow circumstances that could retard all efforts at achieving greatness for our people to prevail.

“On our part, we are always willing and ready to embrace the path to lasting peace and tranquility with a commitment to consummating all efforts and initiatives by Mr. President and other well-meaning Nigerians, including my brother governors and the elders.

“I assure the people of Rivers State that peace will certainly prevail and we shall continue to work together to advance the peace, security and progress of our state.”

The Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of businessman Cletus Ibeto who failed to appear in court for his arraignment over an alleged N4.8bn fraud.

A statement by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said Justice I.O. Ijelu gave the warrant on Friday.

The judge had, on October 5, 2023, adjourned till November 3, 2023, the arraignment of Ibeto alongside Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings on 10-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretences, fraudulent conversion of property, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and deception, following an application and appeal by his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu.

Mr Ikpeazu, while seeking an adjournment, had told the court that: “The law is not a respecter of any person. I am of the firm view that this is a matter that can be resolved, and if given some time.”

The defence counsel further told the court that he had no medical report with him in court to explain the absence of the defendant, adding that the issue at stake was one that could be resolved between the complainant and the defendants.

Responding, prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs said though plea bargaining was encouraged even in criminal matters, “the EFCC gave them the opportunity to go and resolve their differences, but they did not seize the opportunity, even before the charges were filed.

“There should be an arraignment first before the court will assume jurisdiction to do anything”, he said.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has described as ignorant those accusing him of demanding 25 per cent from the Rivers government.

Wike stated this when a delegation of the Rivers Caucus in the 10th National Assembly, comprising three senators and 11 members of the House of Representatives, visited him in Abuja.

A crisis had erupted in Rivers after an attempt by the Rivers Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

“I was governor for eight years. I am now FCT Minister, and some will say that I am asking for 25 per cent. That is madness. I am not interested in the governance of Rivers; I am not interested. I am here as a governor in FCT, but I am interested in the political structure of Rivers, which we have built over the years.

“If anybody dares to bring it down, the person will face the crisis he wants in his life. Perform or don’t perform, but don’t touch our political structure. Anybody who puts his hand in our structure, anything you see, take it,” Wike warned.

He urged members of the caucus not to disappoint the state but to work as a team for the good of the people of Rivers.

“When you make mistakes, we will call you and tell you that you are making a mistake. Take it in good faith that we are calling your attention because we think that you are derailing.

“But when we call you, don’t say we are expecting a kickback of 25 per cent from you or so and so per cent. All of us are one. We’ve built this political structure for a long time, since 2015, and we have emerged victorious.

“As the opposition party, from 2015, I saw hell. The Federal Government fought me left, right, and centre, but with your support, we survived. When you work as a team, you’ll discover that it is difficult for an outsider to defeat you at home,” Wike said.

The Court of Appeal has upheld the victories of three Delta senators and a member of the House of Representatives.

The senators are Prince Ned Nwoko, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, and Ede Dafinone, respectively of Delta North, South, and Central senatorial districts, and Francis Waive of Udu/Ughelli North/South federal constituency.

Delivering the judgement on the winners of the February 25, 2023, Delta National Assembly elections, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Courts of Appeal, Asaba Division, stated that the five issues of appeal filed by Thomas were meritorious, declaring the earlier judgement given by the tribunal set aside.

The court subsequently awarded N250,000 against Michael Diden (aka Ejele) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a related development, the Court of Appeal, Lagos, affirmed the tribunal judgement, declaring PDP’s Prince Ned Nwoko the legitimate winner of the Delta North senatorial election.

The court sitting in Lagos dismissed the appeals of Peter Nwaoboshi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ken Kanma of the Labour Party (LP) for lack of merit.

The National Assembly elections petitions tribunal in Asaba, Delta State, had earlier ruled in September that Nwoko overwhelmingly won the February 25 election.

Also, the Court of Appeal in Lagos upheld the election of Senator Dafinone against PDP candidate Chief Igboyota Amori.

Similarly, the court on Wednesday set aside the tribunal judgement that earlier nullified the election of Rev. Francis Waive, the member representing Udu/Ughelli North/South federal constituency, in a suit by PDP candidate Solomon Awhinawhi.

The lower court had ruled that Waive was not qualified to contest the 2023 general elections because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to publish his educational qualifications, which were submitted to INEC as required by law.

Waive, who is a member of the APC, challenged the tribunal’s verdict, arguing that he submitted all the necessary documents to INEC and that the non-publication of his qualifications on the INEC portal was not his fault and that it’s not a ground known to law for the nullification of an election.

In a unanimous judgement delivered in the case, the appellate court upheld Waive’s appeal and dismissed the cross-appeal filed by his opponent, Solomon Awhinawhi of the PDP.

The court granted all the reliefs sought by Waive and awarded N500,000 each as cost against Awhinawhi, PDP and INEC.

The court held that the non-publication of Waive’s qualifications by INEC was not a ground for disqualification and that there was no evidence to prove that he forged or falsified any document.

The court also affirmed Waive’s victory at the polls, saying that he scored the highest number of valid votes cast in the constituency.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, threatened to sack any of his cabinet members who fail to deliver on the specific mandate of his or her ministry as his administration settles down to the business of governance.

Tinubu handed down the threat while declaring the 2023 Cabinet Retreat for Ministers, Presidential Aides, Permanent Secretaries and Top Government Functionaries open at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking on the theme: “Delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda”, Tinubu said his administration was not oblivious to the challenges ahead but there must be a clear-cut decision and action plan by all stakeholders to wriggle out of the problems.

The President also stated that since becoming President, he had graciously accepted all challenges and liabilities thrown at him by his predecessor.

He said there would be no room for excuses, hence the reason he took his time to assemble all the best brains in his cabinet, who can aid the administration to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens.

The President said he had directed the Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Bala Hadiza to head the Result and Delivery Unit, through which key performance indicators of all ministerial appointees would be monitored.

He said at the end of the retreat all ministers would sign a bond of understanding to track those performing to expectation or not.

“If you are performing nothing to fear, if you miss the objectives, we review, if you have no performance you leave us, no one is an island because the buck stops on my desk,” Tinubu stated at the retreat.

Among the key priorities the Tinubu administration wants the cabinet members to focus on are food security, ending poverty, economic growth and job creation, access to capital, inclusivity: drawing on skill base, security, fairness and rule of law and anti-corruption.

David Emmanuel Ombugadu, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the blast governorship election in Nasarawa State, has extended his warm congratulations to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following her victory at the Appeal Court.

.ng recalls that the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, had affirmed Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the duly elected candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial Election earlier in February.

The court dismissed the appeal filed by Abubakar Ohere for lacking in merit.

Reacting, Ombugadu acknowledged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s historic achievement as the first female senator representing Kogi State and commended her dedication to public service.

In his message, published on his Facebook page, Ombugadu said, “Congratulations on your groundbreaking victory at the Appeal Court and your achievement as the first female senator in Kogi State.

“Your resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to public service are an inspiration to many, especially the aspiring young women in your community and beyond.

“Your historic milestone marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of gender equality and empowerment. Your leadership serves as a beacon of hope and progress, and I have no doubt that your tenure will bring about positive change and transformation in Kogi State.

“May your journey continue to be filled with success and impactful contributions for the betterment of your constituents and the nation at large,” Ombugadu said.

The Labour Party (LP) has announced its decision to move on following the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the victory of Presidential Bola Tinubu in the February 25 election.

Julius Abure, the LP National Chairman, made the remark while accusing the Supreme Court of shredding the fabric of justice and good conscience in its verdicts.

The Justice John Okoro-led five-man panel of justices had thrown out LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s appeal challenging Tinubu’s victory in the last presidential election.

Obi had called for the disqualification of Vice President Kashim Shettima due to double nomination.

He claimed that Shettima was not qualified to serve as Tinubu’s running mate during the last presidential election.

But, Justice Okoro of the Supreme Court said it cannot allow the matter of double nomination to be relitigated.

The justice recalled that the apex court issued a judgement on the matter when it was before a lower court.

“This matter ought not to have come here. When the matter was pending at the trial court, this court delivered judgement on it. This appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” the court ruled.

In a similar vein, the apex court dismissed the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging Tinubu’s victory.

Faulting the Supreme Court judgment, Abure described the verdict as disappointing while expressing hope for the future.

A statement by Abure reads partly: “The leadership of Labour Party watched as the sacred fabric of justice and good conscience was shredded today at the Supreme Court as it delivered its verdict in the case between our party, the presidential candidate and the APC presidential candidate.

“We are indeed very shocked and surprised that even the apex Court will toe the line of an earlier judgement in spite of all the flaws associated with the judgement delivered by the Presidential Election Appeal Tribunal.

“Having conclusively exercised our fundamental rights as gifted to us by the laws of the land, we have no other choice but to move on. We may be disappointed and dismayed by the outcome of the exercise, but we have chosen to trudge on and to remain optimistic of what the future holds for the nation.

“We weep for our institutions that cannot rise to the occasion and courageously defend democracy and the voices of our people.”

Famous Nollywood actress turned politician, Tonto Dikeh has finally opened up on why she defected from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

.ng reports that Tonto Dikeh was officially unveiled as an APC member by the National Women Leader, Dr Mary Alile at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Monday.

Speaking on her decision to join the APC, Tonto, who was the running mate of the ADC governorship candidate in Rivers State during the 2023 election, stated that she believes in the prosperity of Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu administration.

The actress in a post on her Instagram page on Tuesday, said, “Facts accompanied with evidence usually bring arguments to an end, which propel drastic decisions and changes for the common good.

“Having been presented with these facts, goals and vision of the current renewed hope agenda, I have decided to put emotions aside and work for the greater good of the Nigerian youth, women and the country at large as I have always done through Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS) platform in partnership with the Federal Government.

“I have learnt over the years that impactful leadership comes from visionary leaders offering selfless service to humanity. This is not a win for me alone but for our dreams, hope and struggles to ensure we make our unborn generation proud with good legacies.

“As a patriotic Nigerian, I want to reiterate that I believe in the prosperity of Nigeria under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the era of talkshots is over and appointees must try to ‘work the talk’.

Tunji-Ojo made this known while delivering a keynote address at a breakfast meeting as a Special Guest, organised by Business Day in Abuja.

“I have no excuse whatsoever not to secure the nation’s borders. President Bola Tinubu to solve problems.

“We must work the talk in line with the present administration’s slogan of Renewed Hope”, he said.

Tunji-Ojo added that any nation that cannot secure its borders, its military, Police and other security personnel would always be over pressured, stating further that the ability to control the borders reduces insecurity by more than 70 percent.

He contended that the Ministry of Interior is very integral to any nation, adding that beyond passport issuance, he would not want to be remembered as the Minister that solves passport problems, “because there are bigger things to solve”.

Tunji-Ojo stated, “also any country that cannot critically analyse, dictate and determine who comes in and who goes out of its country is prone to insecurity”.

Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that its attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, where he reportedly endorsed Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for a second term.

The Party in a statement signed by its Vice Chairman, Abia North, Abraham Amah, said that Wabara, who is the acting Board of Trustee Chairman, BoT of PDP, made the endorsement in his reaction to the recent flag off of reconstruction of Aba-Port-Harcourt road, by Governor Otti.

According to the statement, Wabara described the Abia governor as a reliable and true man of honour who is also a master strategist that deserved a second term in office as Abia governor.

However, Abia PDP in the statement, said the former Senate President did not speak the party’s mind, but only spoke for himself.

He said, “The Abia PDP dissociates itself with the said statement which presents Senator Wabara as someone who has either lost touch with the reality, is not at home with the undercurrents of Abia politics or one who probably spoke under the influence of some elements.

“While we recognize his entitlement to his personal opinions on issues relating to governance in Abia State and Nigeria, the Abia PDP is constrained to warn that such a highly placed official of the PDP who failed to deliver his unit for the Party during the last election should be mindful of his conduct and statements in the public, especially if the person is not well versed on the issue at core.

“The Party has appropriate channels of communication which must not be breached by any officer, no matter how highly placed.”

Concerning the second flag off of the Port-Harcourt road project, the Abia PDP said that Senator Wabara dabbled into the matter without knowing the history and facts about the road project.

The opposition party further insisted that the former administration in Abia State under Okezie Ikpeazu should share the credit for the project as it did some drainages on the road.