Tag: Gov Siminaayi Fubara

  • Fubara returns to Port-Harcourt after Germany vacation

    Fubara returns to Port-Harcourt after Germany vacation

    Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has returned to Nigeria on Friday evening after a two-week vacation abroad.

    Fubara arrived at the international wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, around 7 PM and was received by a small group of aides.

    In a viral video, the governor was escorted to a waiting Sports Utility Vehicle, which immediately drove him away from the airport.

    Although the governor had been in Germany, sources indicate he held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu in London, United Kingdom, during his time away.

    Fubara’s return comes amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State.

    The governor, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly were suspended by President Tinubu following the declaration of a state of emergency in the oil-rich state.

    The President cited rising attacks on oil pipelines by militant groups and worsening security concerns, which he linked to the power tussle between Fubara and 27 lawmakers reportedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

  • No apology from Fubara yet – Wike replies Tompolo

    No apology from Fubara yet – Wike replies Tompolo

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has rejected calls for reconciliation from former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, stating that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has not approached him for forgiveness.

    In a statement issued by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, the minister made it clear that forgiveness requires an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a direct plea for pardon, neither of which Fubara has made.

    Tompolo had earlier called for Wike to temper his anger and reconcile with Fubara for the sake of peace in Rivers State. The Niger Delta leader said, “And just like I will not accept rebellion from my son, I will also not cause more problems. Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all. We will have a dialogue and resolve all lingering issues, and again Fubara will return to his seat.”

    When asked about Tompolo’s appeal, Wike’s camp responded with scepticism.

    “There is no offence. It is when somebody has offended you personally that you are talking about the person seeking forgiveness or whatever. As Christians, let’s now assume that Fubara has offended the minister, do you forgive someone who has not come to you to seek forgiveness?

    “The person who has wronged you must first agree that in his mind he has wronged you. Let’s assume that Fubara has offended the minister, has he come to seek forgiveness? I’m not saying there is an offence and there should be forgiveness, but he has not even come for forgiveness.”

    Olayinka explained that Wike’s concerns were rooted in governance principles, rather than being of a personal nature.

    “The minister has never said that Fubara offended him personally. He only said that Fubara should govern in accordance with the rule of law and that Fubara should not throw away those who risked their lives and resources—and that is not too much to ask. He said, ‘Those who worked to make you governor, don’t throw them away like that’. So, that is not about forgiveness. If there is one person Fubara would say he has offended, it should be the president.

    “He is the one to go for soul-searching because throughout the time he was working with this same Wike, throughout the time Wike was facing the bullet for him, Wike was not a bad person then. So, at what point did Wike become a bad person to him? He should ask himself. When did Wike become somebody that Fubara would be so bold as to tell him that he would deal with him? At what point?”

    Concluding with a proverb, Olayinka said, “It’s like asking a doctor to prescribe medicine for a sick person, but not convincing the sick person to take it. What’s the result?”

  • APC wants Fubara investigated over allegations by ex-HoS

    APC wants Fubara investigated over allegations by ex-HoS

    ABUJA – The All Progressives Congress, APC, has asked security agencies in the country to investigate the suspended Governor of Rivers state, Mr Siminalayi Fubara over recent revelations by the former Head of the State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke on how state officials allegedly orchestrated the bombing of the State Assembly.

    APC said the public revelation made by Dr Nwaeke on how the suspended governor facilitated the incident has now vindicated it.

    Chairman of the party in the state, Sir Tony Chidugam Okocha in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja said Dr Nwaeke as the Head of Service in Rivers State at the time, was the Number 3 man in the State, and as such, his account as stated by him cannot be hearsay.

    “The APC in Rivers State is strong in her belief that the relevant Security Agencies will be professional enough to get at the root cause of this whole matter, and make such public.

    “The verbal attacks staged against the resigned HoS, will not deter the Statesman from unveiling the rots of Sim Fubara’s which we harped on as opposition political party. On this matter, APC shall function as watchdogs”, said Okocha.

    The APC in Rivers State had earlier accused Fubara of being the brain behind the incident.

    Noting that no matter the level of the thickness of darkness, it cannot withstand daylight, APC said tax payers money in Rivers State was wasted in a way and manner that cannot be forgotten in a hurry amidst scarce resources, and global economic crunch.

    “As if that wasn’t enough, the suspended governor went a step further in less than 48 hours after the bombing to personally supervise the pulling down of the assembly complex, while his supporters cheered him on.

    “The Supreme Court put it rightly in her unanimous judgement delivered on 28th February, 2025, by describing the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a ‘Dictator’.

    “Yes, he was a Dictator! The explosive revelation or allegations if you like, made by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service in Rivers State further corroborates the position of the Rivers APC as submitted by Sir (Chief) Tony C Okocha, the State Party Chairman, that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the architect of the entire political crisis in Rivers State, leading to the swift intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, with the declaration of a state of emergency to restore law and order, and forestall a total breakdown of peace in Rivers State.

    “In a press release by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service in Rivers State, he stated categorically that the political crisis was “orchestrated by Fubara himself”.

    “What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.

    “Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State”, Okocha added.

  • Rivers Crisis: MASSOB backs Wike, blames Fubara for reneging

    Rivers Crisis: MASSOB backs Wike, blames Fubara for reneging

    Founder of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has taken a swipe at Simi Fubara of Rivers State for not keeping to whatever terms of agreement between him and his godfather, Nysome Wike, which he said was responsible for the present state of emergency declared in the state.

    In a video he released on Thursday, the Biafra agitation leader took sides with the Minister for Federal Capital Territory, Wike, stating that he who goes to equity should have clean hands.

    Uwazuruike stated that even though he was taking an unpopular position, natural justice demands that agreements should be kept even among thieves.

    According to Uwazuruike, the crisis in Port Harcourt affects and is prevalent in both the south east and south south geopolitical zones of Nigeria, noting that the crisis would have been avoided if one party kept to agreement.

    “If you know that you’re a politician and that you are approached to do a dirty job which your conscience doesn’t permit you to do, at that inception say I won’t, I can’t do it. That makes you a gentleman. It’s very common in the south east and south south where somebody will bring you out from the obscurity and make you a Governor, but at the end of the day you refuse to do your own part of the bargain. It not good!”

    He waved the idea of people saying that the Governor was voted by the masses, stating that if a godfather had not given a party’s ticket to the beneficiary, nobody would have seen or known the candidate for votes to him.

    “In this crisis, if it continues, many innocent people will die and when you trace the origin you will see that two persons reached an agreement and one party fulfill his own part of the bargain while the other refused to perform his part after benefiting from that agreement. It’s unjust and we need to look at that angle.

    “If he (Fubara) had listened to the advice of former governor Fayoshe, he wouldn’t have fallen into this temptation. Nobody is a better governor because Nigeria is a corrupt nation. If you know that you cannot keep to an agreement, why should you accept it? Is it because you have been sworn in as a Governor and now has executive powers and you start flexing muscles. What has he gained now in all these?

    “This is very important for our people because it’s distracting everybody in the south east and south south. We are not the only people in Nigeria, look at the other places. I’m not happy about it because it will involve the lives of our people and that is why I’m saying it. We need to weigh the balance and not just to mention Wike! Wike!! Wike is not the only devil in Nigeria politics. All the Governors in Nigeria are corrupt and no one should play the victim card here.”

  • Fubara remains Rivers governor – PDP

    Fubara remains Rivers governor – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that Siminalayi Fubara remains the Governor of Rivers State, describing President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency as illegal, unconstitutional, and null and void.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, after an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC), PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, stated that Tinubu lacks the constitutional authority to remove a democratically elected governor, his deputy, or the State Assembly.

    Ologunagba reaffirmed the party’s position that Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers State cannot stand, as it violates multiple provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “The purported suspension of Governor Fubara is unconstitutional, impracticable, invalid, and completely out of the question. No provision of the Constitution empowers the President to dismantle a sub-national government or suspend a democratically elected governor under any circumstances.”

    He accused Tinubu of attempting to suspend the 1999 Constitution, overturn a democratic government, and impose an undemocratic regime, citing violations of Sections 1(2), 14(2)(a), 180, 217(2)(b)(c), and 305(2) of the Constitution.

    “The Constitution does not grant the President the power to dismantle a tier of government, appoint a sole administrator as governor, or override the duties of the State Assembly.”

    The PDP also accused President Tinubu of bypassing the National Assembly, a mandatory constitutional step, before a state of emergency can take effect.

    “Section 305(2) of the Constitution clearly states that the President must transmit the proclamation to the National Assembly, which must approve it before it takes effect. Tinubu’s order for immediate implementation is a blatant violation of the Constitution.”

    The party also condemned the revocation of the PDP National Secretariat’s Right of Occupancy (R of O) by the APC-led Federal Government, calling it a targeted attack on the opposition.

    “This attempt to revoke our National Secretariat’s land title is part of a broader scheme to weaken opposition forces and silence democracy in Nigeria.”

    The PDP urged: The National Assembly to invoke its legislative powers to stop Tinubu’s unconstitutional actions. The military and security agencies to remain neutral and uphold democratic principles. Nigerians and the international community to reject this assault on democracy.

    “Governor Fubara remains the elected Governor of Rivers State. The PDP stands firmly with him and the people of Rivers. President Tinubu must act as a ‘resolver’ of crises, not an ‘exacerbator’ of problems. Rivers State was at peace before this illegal declaration.”

    The PDP concluded by vowing to resist the unconstitutional takeover through all legal and democratic means.

  • Rivers: NBA blasts Tinubu, condemns suspension of Fubara, calls it unconstitutional

    Rivers: NBA blasts Tinubu, condemns suspension of Fubara, calls it unconstitutional

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and his suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    The NBA, in a statement released on March 18, 2025, by its president, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, emphasized that the President lacks constitutional power to unilaterally remove elected officials under the guise of emergency rule.

    President Tinubu, in his national address, cited rising political tensions and recent acts of pipeline vandalism as justification for the emergency declaration.

    However, the NBA argues that such actions, while concerning, do not meet the constitutional threshold for suspending an elected government.

    The NBA pointed to Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which governs the procedure for declaring a state of emergency. While this section grants the President emergency powers, it does not allow for the removal or suspension of elected officials. The NBA stressed that the only constitutional method for removing a governor or deputy governor is through impeachment as outlined in Section 188.

    Furthermore, the removal of lawmakers must adhere to electoral laws and constitutional provisions. The NBA insisted that a state of emergency does not equate to an automatic dissolution of an elected government, and any attempt to do so is an overreach of executive power.

    The NBA also highlighted that Tinubu’s emergency declaration requires approval from the National Assembly within two days if in session, or ten days if not. Until such approval is granted, the declaration remains legally ineffective.

    Condemning the move as a “dangerous affront” to democracy, the NBA warned that allowing the suspension of elected officials under emergency rule could set a precedent for removing state governments based on political considerations. It urged the National Assembly to reject any attempt to ratify the unconstitutional suspension of Rivers State officials.

    The NBA called on all stakeholders, including the judiciary, civil society, and international observers, to monitor the situation closely. It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding Nigeria’s democracy and urged the federal government to resolve political conflicts through constitutional and legal mechanisms, not executive orders.

    The association concluded by insisting that Nigeria’s democracy must be protected at all costs, warning that any unconstitutional interference in state governance threatens the nation’s democratic stability.

  • Rivers also needs “Lagos Treatment”

    Rivers also needs “Lagos Treatment”

    President Bola Tinubu is expected to bring his “magic touch” to fix the Rivers State political crisis just as he did in dousing the heat rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    In the Lagos case, the president’s intervention was in favour of reinstating Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker while his opponent, Mojisola Meranda, reverts to her position as Deputy Speaker. Tinubu soothed frayed nerves in the two camps by inviting them to the State House in Abuja and the two sides came out of the meeting singing his praises, showing the crisis was apparently over.

    Following the Supreme Court verdict that recognised the Martin Amaewhule-led 27-member House of Assembly and the stoppage of federal allocations to Rivers State until the Court’s verdicts are fully implemented, the question arose as to how to proceed without worsening the situation.

    While Governor Siminalayi Fubara had pledged to implement the judgement to the letter and cooperate with the pro-Wike House of Assembly, the latter appears determined to double down on the advantage offered by the verdict. This is understandable because Governor Fubara had used his executive powers to sideline them since the crisis started about 16 months ago. They appear set to start impeachment proceedings against him.

    This situation is stoking ethnic sentiments that were largely under wraps in the state since the return of civil rule in 1999. Some pro-Fubara Ijaw groups have been breathing fire and brimstone if the governor is removed, a threat that Wike waved aside in a recent media briefing.

    We are worried over this unhealthy build-up. We strongly believe that the Supreme Court verdict, no matter how unpalatable it might seem to some, can be implemented without compromising the peace and development of Rivers State. This can only be achieved if all sides resist the temptation of riding rough-shod over the others to press home their seeming advantage.

    In this kind of situation, “might” may not be “right”. The two sides may not be in the mood to exercise diplomacy and implement the verdict through consensus. That was exactly the situation that the Lagos Assemblymen and women found themselves in until the president intervened in a fatherly manner.

    We call on him to adopt the same attitude towards the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict in Rivers State. We suggest the president holds private talks with Governor Fubara and Minister Wike and commits them to peace and hold them responsible in case of a breach of the peace.

    All court cases should be withdrawn, the impeachment threat against the Governor must be dropped, while the entire House of Assembly should reconvene under Amaewhule. Outstanding entitlements of the 27 lawmakers must be paid.

    No side should be allowed to push its luck too far. Everything must be done to preserve the peace.

  • Rivers’ Crisis: Tinubu’s ‘Rule of Law’ plea ignites fury

    Rivers’ Crisis: Tinubu’s ‘Rule of Law’ plea ignites fury

    This week, President Bola Tinubu addressed the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the State House, touting the rule of law as his fix for the Rivers State crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. His plea comes as Nigeria’s judiciary stumbles—plagued by corruption, conflicting rulings, and political influence—raising doubts about the courts the government champions.

    Voices from Abuja and beyond weighed in, blending hope with skepticism.

    However, President Tinubu stood firm: “I am here by the grace of God, appreciating your support, prayers, and concern. I cannot complain. I campaigned for this position and begged for the job. I must do it with all my heart, whatever it takes.

    “I will make sure we achieve our promises and goals. Nigeria is a great country. To some cabinet members here, from outside looking in and inside looking out, we have been doing our best to give Nigeria a re-bounce, a reset, and a recalibration of the economic fortune.

    “Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg.

    “I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers State. I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened. We reached an agreement, a written agreement, and both parties signed.

    “It is sad we find ourselves in this situation today. This is a nation with a rule of law. I should not be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria if there is no rule of law.

    “I have total confidence in our judiciary. Now, the Supreme Court has spoken—that is it.”

    He referenced a signed agreement to end the crisis, blaming conflicting court rulings and ‘misleading advice’ to Fubara for its collapse, urging PANDEF to counsel the governor for peace.

    The President continued, “Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court. Help! Privately and openly intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability.

    “Go back home and take charge of peace. If you need me, let me know. I have given the situation enough time and enough consideration. We cannot fall back, and we will not. The people of Rivers State will not suffer because of democracy. We worked together on it. They will not suffer. They must be protected.

    “We cannot achieve Eldorado in one day. But we are on the path to it. We will succeed by the grace of God Almighty. We are resetting the economy, and it looks far better. We have funds for our children in college. Our medical colleges are also getting equipped.

    “The ongoing coastal road project will create new economic benefits for the Niger Delta and the country. We are already working with international companies to build ports in the Niger Delta States.

    “I have seen what you have tolerated in the region. Community development is very close to my heart. The leader of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is doing a great job and should be encouraged to do more. He is your son. We are all proud of him.

    “Yes, there are lots of misadventurers around Nigeria on democracy. We will continue to work on preserving the integrity and character of our legislators. I sincerely thank you for bringing up those issues.”

    However. here are what Nigerians are saying in separate responses:

    Agreement was a death warrant – Rufai Oseni

    Oseni branded Tinubu’s mediation a sham, exposing judicial flaws that fuel skepticism. He blasted: “”I disagree with President Tinubu. The so-called agreement that President Tinubu suggested Fubara should sign was effectively a death warrant. It is the same death warrant they are attempting to execute now. Initially, the main point of contention was impeachment. Then, the lawmakers defected in order to prepare everything. That agreement was not a safeguard against impeachment; rather, it was to ‘cede all powers to the lawmakers’, who would then return to undermine Fubara. Many people opposed this agreement, believing it would ultimately harm him.

    “Furthermore, the circumstances under which he signed were perceived by many as coercive; it was not a viable solution. We then endured the lengthy process of the courts, with numerous cases still pending in relation to the federal high court’s determination regarding the lawmakers’ fate. I have also thoroughly reviewed the Supreme Court judgment. While we must respect the rule of law, we must also acknowledge the heavy-handedness of these lawmakers. The governor wrote a letter, but they rebuffed him. The APC is in turmoil, with Tony Okocha issuing a statement urging them to proceed with impeachment. Meanwhile, Emeka Beke, another factional APC chairman in Rivers State, advised against listening to Okocha.

    “There are no guarantees that these lawmakers, once they assert their authority, will refrain from targeting Fubara. This is fundamentally a power struggle, and we know their affiliations. This is why the people are outraged; the Niger Delta community is voicing their concerns. Ankio Briggs visited recently, and the situation is reminiscent of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It’s not that Ukraine does not want peace, but we are asking: where are the assurances? Where are the ironclad guarantees that Russia will not invade again? They have placed the ball in Russia’s court, and we will see how they respond. This is the same Russia that violated the Minsk agreement, just as the current situation in Rivers mirrors past betrayals. Once these lawmakers consolidate their power, they will undoubtedly target Fubara, and this has always been the concern, even among the elders in Rivers.”

    Tinubu Focused Only on Fubara –
    Reuben Abati, Journalist

    Abati praised Tinubu’s legal stance but flags judicial bias as a reform snag. He said, “President Tinubu met with leaders from the Niger Delta region while breaking his fast, alongside governors, military chiefs, political leaders, and representatives from the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF). During this meeting, he made several statements regarding River State that I would like to examine.

    “First, he spoke about the importance of adherence to the rule of law. We cannot fault him on that; respecting the rule of law is essential. He emphasised that the decisions made by the courts, particularly the Supreme Court, should be upheld, asserting the sanctity of the rule of law. In this context, we hope that President Tinubu’s gesture signifies his administration’s commitment to the rule of law.

    “What does the rule of law entail in this case? The Supreme Court has ruled on the River State matter, stating that the local government elections conducted by Governor Fubara on 20 March 2024 were invalid, as was the budget presentation made to a former member of the River State House of Assembly, led by Honourable Jombo.

    Furthermore, the Supreme Court ruled that the 27-member Pro-Wike faction of the River State House of Assembly has not lost their seats. Governor Fubara had previously indicated his intention to abide by the Supreme Court’s decision and reiterated this point yesterday, emphasising that it is in the interest of peace in the state.

    “However, the president advised him to be humble and to ‘stoop to conquer’. This phrase is particularly instructive; as a former literature lecturer, I recall teaching a course titled ‘Shakespeare and His Contemporaries’. The phrase ‘stoop to conquer’ originates from Oliver Goldsmith, during the reign of King George III, suggesting that one can achieve victory by adopting a humble approach. While this is a well-known literary notion, my concern is that President Tinubu seems to have focused solely on Fubara. What about his own minister, Wike, who is reported to be a principal source of the crisis in River State? From what I’ve read, the president did not address the role of his minister, Nyesom Wike, although Chief Ankio-Briggs raised this issue, urging the president to question Minister Wike, asserting that a former governor should not be controlling affairs in River State—a significant concern.

    “At that same occasion, members of the Rivers Elders Forum, led by Chief Rufus Ada-George, a former governor of the state, expressed the need for all parties to set aside their differences in the interest of Rivers State, a sentiment I also support. However, there are factions that do not wish for peace. One group, led by Tony Okocha, who describes himself as the APC’s state chairman, and another called the Sim Worldwide Group or whatever they call themselves, warned that any attempt to impeach Fubara would lead to chaos in the state. This should be the focus of our discussion: who are these individuals intent on causing chaos? Who insists that Fubara must be impeached, even after he has submitted to the will of the political elite? Godfatherism remains a major challenge in Nigerian politics, and it appears that Minister Wike has had his way, with anti-Fubara forces succeeding, and President Tinubu supporting that coalition.

    “The critical question is whether we all desire peace and stability in River State. The people who have suffered the most are the citizens of River State. Without federal government allocations, there has been little development, despite Fubara’s efforts to inaugurate various initiatives. For how long can he sustain this? This is the crux of the issue in River State, and I hope that reason will prevail in the end.”

    It’s Time for Action Now – Mike Ozekhome, SAN

    Ozekhome backed Tinubu’s judicial trust but presses for reform to ensure compliance. He said, “Tinubu’s call for rule of law in Rivers is timely. The judiciary has spoken; now it’s time for action to ensure all parties respect the Supreme Court’s verdict.

    “The President’s revelation of a signed agreement shows his effort, but peace hinges on compliance, not just words.”

    Conflicting Orders Undermine Tinubu – Chukwudi Okeke, Legal Analyst

    Okeke tied judicial chaos to reform delays, undercutting Tinubu’s plan.

    “Tinubu’s faith in the judiciary is commendable, but conflicting court orders in Rivers show the system’s flaws. He must go beyond words and ensure the Supreme Court’s ruling isn’t mocked,” Okeke argued.

    Lip Service Won’t Work – Kunle Olusegun Adebiyi, Barrister

    Adebiyi slammed judicial enforcement gaps as a reform hurdle. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s rule of law talk is good, but Amaewhule’s faction barring Fubara from the Assembly hours after shows it’s lip service unless enforced,” he snapped.

    Wike Must Be Called Out – Annkio Briggs, Activist

    Briggs linked Wike’s defiance to a judiciary needing an overhaul. She fumed, “The President’s mediation failed before because Wike didn’t honor it. Telling PANDEF to counsel Fubara alone is one-sided and won’t solve anything. Tinubu knows Rivers is the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy; he should stop playing neutral and call Wike to order.”

    Rivers Needs Direct Action – Blessing Akinlosotu, Executive Director, National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN)

    Akinlosotu urged Tinubu to fix judicial rot for Rivers’ peace. “We welcome Tinubu’s focus on peace and the judiciary, but delegating to PANDEF isn’t enough. Rivers needs his direct hand to stop this madness,” Akinlosotu insisted.

    Enforcement Is Missing Link – Tamuno George Sokari, Spokesperson, Niger Delta People’s Advocacy Group

    Sokari saw judicial weakness as a reform stumbling block. “Tinubu’s ‘rule of law’ talk is hollow when Amaewhule’s faction blocks Fubara from the Assembly. Where’s the enforcement? Rivers is bleeding!” Sokari shouted.

    Wike’s Defiance Undermines Trust – Fatima Mohammed, Civil Rights Advocate

    Mohammed blamed judicial capture for doubts in Tinubu’s approach.“Tinubu mediated before, and it failed. Why should we trust this ‘go counsel Fubara’ line when Wike’s camp keeps defying him?” she demanded.

    Peace Needs More Than Words – Archbishop Israel Usoro, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) South-South Zone

    Usoro sought a stronger judiciary to bolster Tinubu’s peace plea. “We commend President Tinubu for urging peace and upholding the judiciary, but we urge him to match his words with action. Rivers’ people deserve peace, not platitudes,” he said.

    Wike Mocks Godly Law – Samuel Chijindu Obi, Pastor

    Obi tied judicial reform to upholding divine justice.

    “Tinubu’s call for law is godly, but Wike’s camp mocks it by barring Fubara. Clergy must pray and speak louder for justice,” Obi preached.

    Peace Requires Real Strength – John Ogunleye, Reverend

    Ogunleye demanded judicial strength for true peace.

    “Blessed are the peacemakers, says the Bible. Tinubu’s effort is good, but peace won’t come until he stops the Assembly’s lawlessness,” Ogunleye intoned.

    Tinubu’s Diplomacy Lacks True Grit – Aminu Yusuf Bello, Social Critic

    Bello faulted judicial frailty for weakening Tinubu’s diplomacy. “Diplomacy without action is weakness. Rivers needs a leader, not a referee,” Bello asserted.

    Stability Hangs in Balance – Chinedu Ezidiegwu, Social Commentator

    Meanwhile, Ezidiegwu sidestepped judicial woes, lauding Tinubu’s tact. “President Tinubu’s diplomacy is spot on. He’s trying to keep Rivers stable without picking sides,” Okonkwo countered.

    In Abuja, YouTuber Tunde Adeyemi, 27, chimed in: “My viewers crave peace, not promises. Tinubu says ‘rule of law,’ but Wike’s crew still blocks Fubara—where’s the balance?” he asked, filming his latest take near the Federal Secretariat Complex.

    Judicial reform in Nigeria staggers under heavy burdens: corruption scandals, and a 200,000-case backlog, per a 2023 Nigerian Bar Association report. Rivers’ clashing rulings — federal courts versus the Supreme Court — expose a system where power often trumps principle.

    Tinubu’s promise, ‘The people of Rivers State will not suffer because of democracy,’ wanes when Wike’s allies act unchecked. The President’s imagery—’Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg’—falters if the judiciary, its guardian, remains a fractured shell. For now, Rivers waits, and Nigeria’s rule of law yearns for a reformer’s resolve.

  • Rivers: Heavens won’t fall if Fubara is impeached — Wike

    Rivers: Heavens won’t fall if Fubara is impeached — Wike

    PORT Harcourt — THE political crisis in Rivers State took a dangerous turn, yesterday, as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, downplayed reported threats by some Ijaw-linked militant groups to blow up crude oil pipelines and hold the nation to ransom, should Governor Siminalayi Fubara be impeached by the 27 members of the State Assembly loyal to him.
    In fact, Wike said heaven would not fall, if the governor was impeached.

    This was as the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly, which shunned a reconciliation meeting called by the governor, barred Fubara from entering the Assembly complex to present the 2025 budget, alleging improper communication.

    In a quick counter, Fubara said he was ready to re-present the budget, despite being locked out, insisting that he notified the House through Speaker Amaewhule.

    Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, once again reiterated its earlier position that if Fubara (an Ijaw man) was impeached for any reason, the consequences will be too heavy for the country to bear economically.

    Describing the lawmakers’ action as reckless, the INC said Wike cannot drag the Ikwerre and Ijaw Nations into a tribal war.
    In like manner, the Pan Niger-Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, described the legislators’ action as provocative and an insult to Rivers people; as oil communities warned the lawmakers against igniting fire in the Niger-Delta.

    No ethnic group has monopoly of violence — Wike

    While noting that no ethnic group had a monopoly of violence and that the state has the wherewithal to deal with criminal elements, Wike said the heavens will not fall if Fubara was impeached for constitutional infractions.

    The minister spoke during a live interview with some television reporters, monitored in Abuja.

    While he described PANDEF as the worst organization for anyone to rely on, the immediate past Rivers State governor also took a swipe at Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Muhammed, who he accused of using him to settle scores with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Monopoly of violence

    Wike said every ethnic group in the Niger Delta had the capacity to do whatever others are doing, warning that no one should arrogate to himself the monopoly of violence.

    He said: “Who has called for his impeachment? Who? If he has committed an infraction to be impeached, what is wrong? Is impeachment a criminal offence? Is it not provided for in the constitution? Am I a member of the Assembly?

    ‘’The point I am making is, if he has committed an infraction on the constitution and the Assembly deems it fit to say he should be impeached, then fine. Is he the first person that would be threatened with impeachment? Don’t you know what to do? What’s all this hullabaloo about impeachment?

    Threat by Ijaws

    “I have heard people say if they impeach him, there will be a breakdown of law and order. Rubbish. Tell me who are the militants? Who was born a militant? Tell me. Who is a militant? Who cannot blow the pipelines? Why do you arrogate this power to a certain group of people? ‘’Are Ijaw people the only ones who can blow up pipelines? What nonsense is that? Who told you that Ogoni, Ikwerre and others cannot blow up pipelines? Why do you arrogate powers to people?

    ‘’Who is the one doing the contract of the pipeline surveillance? Is he not an Ijaw son? Is it not Tompolo? Tantita? They gave you the contract. You are Ijaw and somebody will say Ijaw people will go and blow pipelines and somebody will listen to that?
    ‘’How dare you threaten a country? Which threat? It does not exist. These are political thugs planted by some people in government. We know ourselves. You make an appointment as MD of NDDC, they threaten that they will blow pipelines. You make an appointment, they threaten again to blow pipelines.

    “I have told people, when the law speaks, all these ‘Asawana’ (an Ijaw spiritual chant) will die. Let me tell you, Ijaw does not constitute the majority of the Niger-Delta. People must speak the truth. Heavens will not fall. You only die once, not two times.
    “What nonsense, everyday you wake up, Ijaw will do this, Ijaw will do that! In Akwa Ibom, Ijaw cannot be governor. In Delta, Ijaw is a minority. With all due respect to our late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, he is from Delta.

    “He never produced an Ijaw man to be governor of Delta. The only place Ijaw can be governor solely, is in Bayelsa, not in Edo, not in Rivers. It was out of our own benevolence, the idea of live and let’s live, that I said, look, we are working as a team. We are members of the same political family. Let us allow this to go to this area.

    ‘’If it is by strength, they cannot beat the Ogonis, they cannot beat the Ekpeyes, and they cannot beat the Ikwerres.
    “When people do something to bring people together, you appreciate it. In fact, when I brought this governor, they said’ no,’ that he is not a real Ijaw man.

    ‘’If you are talking about Ijaw, the ticket should go to the Kalabaris, how can you say if they want to give governorship to the Ijaw, that it should be the Opobos? And you closed your eyes and did it. All those who fought me are the ones now parading themselves and deceiving him.”

    Useless letters

    Wike also slammed Fubara for writing a “useless” letter to the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly, inviting them for a meeting at Government House in Port Harcourt and also informing them of his intention to re-present the state’s annual budget.

    Describing Fubara as an insincere politician, the FCT minister, who was largely instrumental to making him governor, said having been at loggerheads with the lawmakers for a long time, Fubara ought to know what to do, rather than sending a subordinate to write them.

    Wike, who wondered how three lawmakers would sit and make laws for a state, said: ‘’We are talking about the Supreme Court. Do we need to go to the Supreme Court? In your own conscience, are you telling me three members will constitute a parliament?”

    Asked to explain what happened during his tenure when, at a point he worked with five lawmakers, the minister said: “That is not correct. You see, people should stop all these. Even when they say so, why not do your research? Remember, the assembly was inaugurated, remember there was a tribunal.

    ‘’The Court of Appeal nullified some seats. Before that time, the budget had been done. And then we did a rerun and the assembly was full. If anybody tells you that I, as governor, presented a budget to a number that is not what is required by the constitution, it is a blatant lie. Prove it. Prove with empirical evidence.

    Faulting Fubara’s budget presentation move, Wike said: “You have had a frosty relationship with an arm of government. If you are a good politician, will you go and write letters?

    “If you are a good politician, you have had a frosty relationship with me for many years. I have never sat down with you, I have never spoken with you, you seized my salary. They could not pay their children’s school fees. Now you went to the Court of Appeal. It didn’t even occur to you, even though I won at the Court of Appeal, I still want peace.

    “The matter went to the Supreme Court. And the Supreme Court now gave it to me. Then the next thing you do is to write a letter and who signed the letter? A bloody SSG would sign a letter to the head of an arm of government? What an insult?

    ‘’You are telling me here that the SGF will sign a letter to the President of the Senate or to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and say Mr. President is coming to do so and so. Is that how it is done?

    “First, assuming you want to go that route, you call the leadership and say, listen, this is where we are. I want to present this budget tomorrow. They will say okay, let’s look at it. You are not the one to tell them you are coming to present a budget tomorrow. Who does that? ‘’You want to play to the gallery. I have been in government, I don’t just write letters to Mr. Speaker to say I am coming to present a budget tomorrow morning. Are they your children? Do you know their engagements?

    ‘’If you are sincere, you will call first and say ‘Mr. Speaker, where are you? Are you home? Can we talk? Can you come? Or can I come?’ And they agree on something and then Mr. Speaker will go back and call his colleagues and say, listen, ‘Mr Governor called me and I met with him and he wants to present the budget on so, so date’.

    ‘’Then, they will look at their schedule and say okay, let us shift it or let us accommodate him on that day. That is how it is done.
    “All these letters you (Fubara) are writing are useless. You are playing to the gallery. Everybody knows you are not sincere. A true politician will not behave that way. Let me tell you, Mr President was to present a budget to the National Assembly and the Assembly people were not happy for one thing or the other.

    ‘’We met at Exco and they said they had shifted it. Why? He had to meet with the leadership to agree on some grey areas. He didn’t need to write a letter. A man who does not want peace is the man who is playing to the gallery, saying I have written a letter, written letter to your son?

    “The governor is not sincere. I never knew he is this kind of character. The Supreme Court said there is no way three members can sit and legislate for a state. You took your commissioners, Attorney-General for these three members to screen.

    ‘’The court said it is not possible and the Assembly people said submit the list of members of your cabinet, we are willing to screen them. Instead of us to applaud them, you are saying why should they give a time limit? When the Assembly asked him to submit a list, he now told his commissioners to go to court, after the Supreme Court had given judgment on this matter.”

    PANDEF taking sides

    Accusing PANDEF of taking sides in the matter, Wike said: “Yesterday (Tuesday), I heard that some people (PANDEF) went to see Mr. President. It is the worst organization anybody can rely on. I used to tell my father, daddy, I am disappointed in this.

    ‘’If you continue, I am not going to be a party to it. If you have a father who is always interested in money, he can sell his children.

    “These leaders, look at the comments they made. Mr. President intervened in this matter. The vice president was there, the National Security Adviser was there. This same PANDEF came out and said Mr. President had no right.

    ‘’They took Mr. President to court. People like Chief Sara-Igbe, even Diette-Spiff who I respected, went to Rivers Government House. Look at the statement he made. ‘I am an Ijaw man. You are an Ijaw man. Call us, we will be with you.

    ‘’An elder-statesman will go and make such a statement. Now you are the same person coming again to meet Mr. President to intervene. Intervene how? The Mr. President you said had no right? Mr. President that you took to court that he had no power to intervene?

    ‘’They took Mr. President to court. From the state High Court in Rivers State, and at the Court of Appeal, they lost, up to the Supreme Court. Now you are going to tell the president to do what, that the Supreme Court judgment should not be obeyed?”

    How Fubara emerged governor

    Wike said but for the elderly counsel of Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Fubara would not have been governor as consensus was already building in favour of having a governor of Ogoni extraction.

    According to Wike, before the elections, the consensus was to have a governor of Ogoni extraction but Chief Alabraba begged that the ticket should be given to the Ijaw to give them a sense of belonging. He noted that today, Fubara has used all manner of degrading adjectives against the elder.

    Wike also said Fubara couldn’t have shown up uninvited in the State House of Assembly Quarters after he demolished the complex in December 2023.

    The governor, who addressed reporters at the quarters, had said he communicated his plan to be at the quarters to the speaker, Amaewhule.

    Rivers State government also shared a letter notifying the House of the governor’s visit.

    However, Wike said: “If you write a letter to the Assembly, won’t you wait for a response? He is playing to the gallery. He brought the Assembly Complex down. Assembly now sits in their residence. If you are coming, they have children; they will say the governor is coming today, so they have to prepare themselves.

    “You cannot just go and open the gate and say ‘I’m coming to present budget.’”

    On PDP crisis

    On the state of affairs in the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Wike described the party’s National Working Committee NWC as “stupid”, accusing it of causing problems and blaming others.

    “Congresses had been held. When you cause problems for yourself, you will go and call other people. Look at the stupid PDP NWC. You purportedly wrote a letter to INEC dated 20th, a Friday.

    ‘’Now, 21st was the day of the Congress. Then you submitted the letter on Monday when the Congresses had taken place. You are now telling INEC you have postponed a Congress that had taken place.

    “Secondly, you go and say you are forming a caretaker committee. You are the one killing the party. For example, which senator in a meeting where governors are seated will oppose them?

    ‘’If you do something the right way and achieve results, who will challenge you? All (PDP) governors, let them challenge me, I will tell them one by one the role they are playing in the crisis in the party.”

    Bauchi gov used us

    “How did Bala Muhammed use us? Bala Muhammed was having problems with Atiku and others. He came to me. In fact, that day, I was going to commission the lounge at the airport. When he landed, I said there is no need to come to town since I am coming to the airport. “Bello Adoke, the former Attorney-General was there. Bala said Atiku will kill him if Atiku won, that we must support Asiwaju. I laughed. I said okay. We now organized G-5 to go and pay Bala a visit in Bauchi, not knowing he was using us to settle with Atiku.

    ‘’So, when we went there, he was happy. The next day, Tambuwal, Sule Lamido, all of them led a team to see Bala and Bala abandoned us, and now reconciled with Atiku,” he stated.

    How 27 lawmakers barred Fubara from Assembly quarters

    Governor Fubara was at the Assembly in the early hours of yesterday to implement one of the key decisions contained in the certified true copy, CTC, of the Supreme Court judgment, which is the presentation of the 2025 budget to a properly constituted state Assembly.

    Some staff of the Assembly who spoke anonymously, said there was no formal communication that the governor was coming to the Assembly today (yesterday).

    “I am not disposed to such information that the governor was billed in the Assembly today (yesterday). If there is such information, the speaker will inform us. For now, we are not aware of the governor’s visit to the Assembly,” the source said.

    I’m ready to re-present budget, despite being locked out — Fubara

    Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has expressed dissatisfaction over the action of the lawmakers denying him entry to the quarters.
    He disclosed that he made several attempts including sending whatsapp messages to Ameuwhule to fix the visit to the assembly to no avail.

    Addressing residents of Khana LGA of the state during the commissioning of some health facilities, shortly after the drama at the Assembly quarters, Fubara insisted he communicated his intention to visit the lawmakers to Speaker Amaewhule before he showed up at the quarters to re-represent the 2025 budget as directed by the Assembly, following the verdict of the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025.

    “I still believe, maybe, they might be instructed later. If they are instructed, I’m still ready to come any day to get this particular issue sorted out,” he said.

    If Fubara’s impeached, consequences will be heavy — INC

    Reacting to the political development in the state yesterday, the President of INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, said he was not surprised that the 27 lawmakers acted in that “shameful way”, saying they were neither interested in peace nor the overall interest of Rivers people. According to him, the lawmakers are there to serve the interest of their master, Nyesom Wike.

    The INC president alleged that the lawmakers were loyal to Wike because the FCT minister “bought the forms that took them to the Assembly. They were handpicked by him. Wike said so publicly. That is why I am not surprised by the way they act.”

    “Some people said Sim is very weak. He promised Mr. President that he would implement the judgment, why then should the lawmakers block him from entering the Assembly complex?

    “These same lawmakers gave the governor 48 hours and then 72 hours ultimatums to present the budget. They issued another ultimatum to the governor to sack the 19 commissioners. If he sacks the commissioners, including commissioner for finance, who will then prepare the budget?

    “By their actions, they have shown the world how wicked they are. If they go ahead and impeach Sim Fubara maliciously, forcibly or recklessly, we will resist it and the consequences of such action will be too heavy for the whole country to bear. This is no threat,’’ Okaba warned.

    ‘’Wike cannot provoke us into ethnic war. The Ikwerre people had apologized to the Ijaw people over the attitude of Wike against Sim.”

    Don’t ignite fire in Niger Delta, oil communities warn lawmakers

    Similarly, oil and gas producing communities of Niger Delta have warned the 27 River lawmakers to restrain from actions that may spark fire capable of affecting crude oil production in the region.

    Chairman, board of trustees, BoT, of the communities of oil and gas producing areas of the Niger Delta, CDC, Joseph Ambakaderimo, said, “This must be called into question because this action in itself is an affront on the Supreme Court judgment. These men call themselves lawmakers. They should always live by example.”

    Action insult to Rivers people, says PANDEF

    In like manner, PANDEF described the lawmakers’ action as “provocative.”

    A chieftain of PANDEF, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, told Vanguard on telephone that denying the governor access to the Assembly complex was not an insult to Siminalayi Fubara as a person, but the people of Rivers State in general.

    “The governor was elected by millions of Rivers people. As the chief executive officer of the state, he has unhindered access to all the facilities within the state. Blocking him from entering the complex is a direct insult and an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State.

    “It is now very clear that the governor is ready for peace but these people are not ready for peace. You can see that by their actions.

  • Rivers crisis: Why Fubara may survive impeachment

    Rivers crisis: Why Fubara may survive impeachment

    Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan made an iconic quote that has since gone into
    the political lexicon of the country’s history: “My political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian”. It presupposes that Jonathan would rather not pursue his ambition if such would lead to any violence.

    In the heat of the Boko Haram terror attacks, Jonathan also came up with yet another assertion that he had not used one tenth of his power. This forced many to ask, why crave for political position if you can’t exert the power thereof? Jonathan did not last in the office as President. He was booted out. He is an Ijaw man of Niger Delta extraction.

    Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara does not need to speak out that he does not need to use one tenth of his constitutional power as governor. The world has seen it all. And it is counted for him as weakness, hence the escalation of crisis in the state.

    Years before his death, former petroleum minister, Professor Tam David West had once described Jonathan as “the weakest President” Nigeria ever produced. But Rivers people have since come to acquiesce themselves with the fact that the leadership of government in Rivers state is taking shade under the tree of weakness while professing the path of peace. And the peace is pyrrhic.

    Pundits have averred that since October 29, 2023 when the crisis began in the state with the threat of impeachment, Governor Fubara failed to exert his power and nib it in the bud once and for all. While he keeps hoping that there would be a political solution some day, the opposition was swinging from post to post looking for where to nail him . They appear to be succeeding from recent developments especially with the recent Supreme Court ‘5-0’ judgment.

    Lack Of Consultation

    Sources within government circle in the state had informed that the governor would rather choose to carry the gauntlet alone without any botheration. The source noted that the man in the Bricks House does not care about some of the elders who stick out their necks to fight for his political survival. “Even a governor of a nearby state would call him, the man would not answer. He does not relate well with the leadership of the ethnic nationalities in the region who are solidly behind him in this fight”.

    Governor Fubara knows that there is a bigger masquerade behind the Minister of the federal capital territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, stoking the fire of crisis in the state. He knows the masquerade would not listen to him for obvious reasons. But there are distinguished Nigerians like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto among others. But “Oga will not want to consult anybody”, he said.

    He went on to reveal that “even when Papa Edwin Clarke was alive, am not sure Oga visited him one day despite the late man’s stout defence of his government”. The Governor chooses to surround himself with political feather weights who cannot rise up when occasion calls. They are supporters of the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. In 2023 these men were chased out of Rivers state to Abuja by Wike. When the table turned, Wike moved to Abuja as a minister while they returned to Port Harcourt to pitch tent with Fubara. Nothing to offer.

    Miserly

    Governor Fubara is known to be “a nice man”. Another source put it this way: “Fubara is generous. However, this generosity does not seem to reflect or show in the politics of the state. The governor has reportedly said that the revenue of the state is to develop Rivers for the betterment of the people. This is good. We support him for that. But he is fighting a survival battle and he needs to fight. Until lately, he was not doing that. The Supreme Court judgment appears to have woken him up. But how far can he go? He has lost huge grounds.’

    A member of the Elders Council in Rivers state had rebuked the governor for being “too stingy with money”. According to him, “last Christmas, not even a grain of rice from this government despite our support for him. Whatever we are doing, we are not doing it because of Fubara but for Rivers state. We like peace and not war”.

    Peace Moves

    A prominent retired Army officer from the north was said to have sent emissaries to the Governor to broker peace in the state. He turned it down. Though the man’s move was predicated on his interest in the oil well in Rivers, many northerners would definitely love to side with Fubara in the ongoing political quagmire just to spite Wike who is seen as Tinubu’s strongest man in the south-south region.

    “Yes, the general sent some persons to come to Port Harcourt to meet with the Governor. They could not. Maybe the governor was not willing to receive them. The effort is still on. We believe that he will see the reason to meet with the team and douse tension in the state”, the source said. “The governor appears to have made the fight an Ijaw affair. This is not an Ijaw fight. It is a fight for Rivers people and all lovers of peace and uprightness. This explains why the Governor has to come out firm and establish his authority to prove to all that he is fully in charge of governance in the state”, he said.

    Nevertheless, Comrade Franklin Ntekim believes that Governor Fubara’s mien disposition should not be taken for docility. “I believe that it is his own strategy. If you look at it clearly, the governor had been winning the war until the Supreme Court came out with that controversial judgment. He is not weak but a very calculative person”.

    Countering Franklin’s position, a social commentator, Comrade Gregory Akpan fumed that if it was not a sign of weakness or fear “how come the Governor had five consolidated cases in the Supreme Court and he could put up any fight and he lost them all. The courts are operated by human beings. Did his men fight to present quality and sound arguments and make noise against possible injustice that is common in our system?”

    Double Ultimatum

    Arising from the Supreme Court judgment which reinstated them as the “valid” members of the House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule and the 26 other lawmakers on Monday ordered the Governor to present the 2025 budget before the House within 48 hours.

    That ultimatum expired on Wednesday midnight only for another ultimatum to sack all Commissioners and political appointees who were not screened and confirmed by Amaewhule within another 48 hours. The House ordered the Governor to forward another list of nominees to the Assembly for proper screening to fill all vacant positions in the state executive council.

    Governor Fubara had since denied ever seeing any letter asking him to present the budget. In a letter by the secretary to the state government, SSG, Dr Tammy Danagogo, the Governor said such letter was never brought to his office, hence, he could not respond to anything in social media space.

    The two quick ultimatums issued out by Amaewhule are an indication that the House was in a hurry to get the Governor impeached. The battle line is now drawn. Interesting events are expected to unfold as the days go by.

    Support Base

    Governor Fubara has been enjoying a robust support since the political fight between him and Wike broke out in 2023. The show of solidarity has never been because of the moves by the governor but largely because of their interest in the state. Such groups as the pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, Ijaw national Congress, INC, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC and many more are solidly behind the Governor. President of INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba in his recent press statement warned on dire consequences if Fubara is impeached by the pro-Wike lawmakers.

    The leadership of IYC from the eastern zone said “the purported 48-hour ultimatum issued to the Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, by the defected Martins Amawhule-led House of Assembly to present the 2025 budget is a clear indication of an orchestrated effort to create chaos and potentially impeach the governor. This is not only an attack on our leadership but also an affront to the will of the Rivers people who have entrusted their governance to one of our own.

    “The IYC firmly warns that we will not stand by and allow detractors to steal this mandate. We are committed to defending our rights and ensuring that the voices of the Ijaw people are heard and respected”.

    INC on its part recalled that “In 2003, when Marshall Harry backed Sergeant Awuse’s governorship ambition, it was not Awuse but Harry himself who was assassinated, marking a painful loss for the Ijaw people. By 2007, Ijaw leaders such as Soboma George and Farrah Dagogo played a decisive role in securing victory for Sir Celestine Omehia, while Prince Igodo, a Kalabari-Ijaw warlord, was killed during Omehia’s swearing-in to prevent security breaches”.

    He went on to recall that “in 2011, when Rotimi Amaechi sought to nominate Pastor Tonye Cole as a minister, Dame Patience Jonathan, the wife of then-President Goodluck Jonathan, ensured that Nyesom Wike took the slot instead”. The INC lamented that despite these consistent sacrifices by the Ijaw people, an Ikwerre political elite now seeks to frustrate the first riverine governor in decades.

    The body stated that the Ijaw people will defend Governor Fubara “with every pint of blood in their veins”, emphasizing that they would not stand by and allow their long-awaited tenure to be truncated.

    Prof. Okaba also cautioned that while the INC has worked tirelessly to preserve peace in the Niger Delta, leading to increased oil production and revenue for the nation, regrettably, the same resources are now being used to marginalize the Ijaw people.

    Issuing a direct warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the INC insisted that the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State must not be treated as ordinary politicking. Prof. Okaba stressed that the Ijaw people, numbering over 40 million worldwide, would not tolerate any attempt to undermine their place in the Nigerian politics.

    He further stated that while it enjoins Governor Fubara to, in the spirit of sportsmanship, work with all duly constituted arms of government in the State, “if Governor Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Amaewhule-led Assembly or anybody else, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production.

    Division Among Ijaws

    Meanwhile, there appears to be a sharp division among the Ijaws following a recent call by the Rivers rescue Movement, RRM, rebuking the utterances of the IYC and INC leadership over the crisis in the state.

    This is as the leadership of the group after an extensive deliberations with Ijaw leaders expressed sadness over the recent statements credited to the President of INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba, Chief Sara Igbe, Alhaji Asari Dokubo and some leaders of IYC. Speaking to a cross section of journalist the secretary of RRM said for them as a group those statements were not only reckless, thoughtless and provocative but also a grave threat to national security and peaceful coexistence.

    “As a group that stand for peace, justice and a united Nigeria, we believe no individual or organization has the monopoly of violence, so we are calling on the Nigerian Security agencies to arrest these individuals or any other person or group that will threaten the Nigerian State, it’s economy or people.

    “RRM is wondering if the purveyors of these message of destruction or economic sabotage are more Ijaws than the 9 grateful Rivers State House of Assembly members from the IJAW extraction that have been maltreated, humiliated and denied all their allowances by the Gov Fubara administration for over a year when no court had declared their seats vacant?

    “RRM want to make it clear that we run a constitutional democracy guided by laws and the highest court of the land (The Supreme Court) has spoken and Gov Fubara is bound to obey the ruling. Furthermore, the public is hereby advised to disregard their empty, watery and old fashioned threat because the laws of Nigeria is always supreme”, the group said in a statement.

    Why Fubara May Survive Impeachment

    Every impeachment takes place in line with the constitution. With 27 lawmakers, it will be a very easy process to vote for all the impeachable offences committed by the Governor. But where the process will likely get stuck is when the Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi would be called upon to set up a 7-man panel to investigate those offences.

    Being a very principled man who is said to be neutral and “a decent gentleman”, people doubt if the CJ could be compromised.