News
Fubara hails Tinubu, Wike for restoring stability in Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has publicly acknowledged President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for their contributions in restoring peace and stability to the state.
The governor made these remarks at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday, shortly after resuming office following the suspension earlier imposed by President Tinubu.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Fubara to give state address 6pm
His return was met with jubilation as a massive crowd of supporters thronged the venue to celebrate his reinstatement. Addressing the gathering, Fubara commended the people of Rivers State for their steadfast support throughout the political turbulence.
“I appreciate everyone who gave support to bring normalcy back to Rivers State. I know everybody wants to hear something from me. In fact, I expected it when I landed. I won’t take President Tinubu’s kindness for granted,” Fubara said.
He specifically acknowledged the interventions of President Tinubu and former Governor Wike, describing them as crucial to restoring stability in the state.
“I thank and deeply appreciate our father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his timely intervention and unwavering dedication to ensuring peace and stability in our state. I also extend my gratitude to our leader, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for his commitment to the prompt resolution of this political impasse in the state,” the governor noted.
Fubara further urged unity and reconciliation among Rivers people, stressing the need for inclusiveness in governance.
“There remain ample opportunities for necessary adjustments, reconciliation, and inclusiveness. Let us remember the saying: the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war,” he said.
He called on all stakeholders to embrace a new beginning and work together to consolidate peace and development.
“This is a moment for a fresh beginning. Let us work together with renewed hope and determination to build a stronger and more peaceful Rivers State, ensuring that no one is left behind,” he added.
The governor also reflected on his administration’s progress despite the recent crisis, listing achievements across key sectors.
“Despite the turbulence, we acknowledge the credible milestones our administration has achieved in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors over the last two years. Our immediate responsibility now is to return to the path of governance and development, completing the projects we started, reviving our economy, protecting lives and property, and improving the wellbeing of all Rivers people,” Fubara stated.
The wives of the five engineers allegedly murdered in Ebonyi State yesterday rejected the comments attributed to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on the development, describing it as an attempt to “sweep the truth under the carpet”. The group renewed calls for an independent reinvestigation into the case.
Nelson Onyemeh, Ernest Edeani, Ikechukwu Ejiofor, Samuel Aneke, and Stanley Nwazulum were reportedly kidnapped in November 2021 while supervising construction work on the Abakaliki Ring Road project.
The protesting women, whose husbands were consultants with NELAN Engineering firm, accused authorities of inconsistencies, interference, and a possible cover-up in the handling of the case, which dates back to November 3, 2021.
In a statement, Mrs. Patricia Onyemeh, Mrs. Lovette Edeani, Mrs. Ifeoma Ejiofor, Mrs. Esther Aneke, and Mrs. Nwazulum faulted Umahi’s claim that the engineers were victims of a communal crisis, as they insisted no such conflict occurred at the time.
They said: “The characterisation of the disappearance of the five engineers as a consequence of communal crisis is completely outrageous, misconceived, and flawed.” The engineers, according to the families, travelled to Ebonyi for an official meeting linked to the African Development Bank-funded ring road project when Umahi was governor.
They said: “Credible accounts indicate that our husbands were last seen in connection with official engagements tied to the Ebonyi Ring Road project. “This raises serious questions as to whether the incident can be fairly reduced to communal violence.”
They further alleged that while investigations were ongoing, Umahi announced that the engineers had been killed and buried, a move they said raised “serious suspicions”. The women said: “This announcement by a sitting governor, while security agencies were still tracking movements, raises grave concerns.”
The women also questioned the sudden removal of a Department of State Services (DSS) investigator, Victor Onyesom, who was reportedly handling the case.
They further accused the police of presenting unidentified skeletal remains to the families without conducting DNA tests. The group said: “The police claimed the remains were those of our husbands, but refused DNA testing.
You risk getting into trouble if you by any means, join in spreading the rumour that Tony O. Elumelu, because it is manifestly false, United Bank for Africa, one of the establishments of the popular Nigerian business mogul, warned on Monday.
Against the backdrop of rumours spreading across the social media, the bank rejected the claims as fake and damaging, saying at no time did the industrialist and Chairman of the Heirs Holdings, divorce his wife, Awele Vivien Elumelu.
The bank, in a statement, which also described the story as also defamatory, and malicious publication, the statement said: “These statements and all similar content are entirely fabricated, reckless, and without basis. The claims are a deliberate falsehood designed to mislead the public and cause reputational harm.”
Stressing that the matter had been reported to law enforcement authorities, the statement, signed by Alero Ladipo, confirmed that three people linked to the publication had been arrested.
Naming those involved in spreading the rumour as Mr Kingsley Akunemeihe (@Directorkem), Mr Chigozie Success Ihebom, and Mr John Surpruchi Nwanorue (@problemchimky), the bank informed that investigations were ongoing and could lead to more arrests and prosecutions.
The statement added: “Investigations are ongoing and are expected to lead to further arrests and prosecutions of all persons involved in originating, amplifying, or sustaining this defamatory campaign. This serves as a formal notice to all individuals, platforms, and entities involved in the publication, reposting, or continued dissemination of this content to immediately cease and desist.
“Failure to comply will result in the initiation of legal proceedings, including claims for defamation, injunctive relief, damages, and any other remedies available under applicable law.
“The UBA Group is resolute in protecting the reputation, privacy, and integrity of our brand, that of Mr. Elumelu and will pursue all necessary legal avenues — civil and criminal — to ensure that all responsible parties are identified and held accountable.”
Abdulrahman Mohammad, National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), belonging to the camp of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), all but scoffed at the 13-member Interim National Working Committee (INWC), raised by the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) as a non-event.
In a statement, shortly after the committee was announced by Adolphus Wabara, PDP BoT Chairman, Mohammed dismissed claims upon which the body rested its decision after its 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC), describing the development as illegitimate and misleading.
The embattled party boss, who conveyed his position through, Jungudo Mohammed, spokesman of the camp, said: “The PDP wishes to categorically state that no such meeting was convened by the leadership of the party. Consequently, any resolutions, announcements, or claims emanating from that gathering are null, void, and of no effect.”
Stressing the irony in individuals he claimed previously opposed the idea of a caretaker committee, now embracing it, he said every NEC meeting must be preceded with due notification to the Independent National Electoral Commission to be valied.
Hear him: “Even if, for the sake of argument, they possessed the legal authority to convene such a meeting (which they do not), they have once again failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
“Specifically, the mandatory requirement to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a minimum of 21 days’ notice for such a meeting was blatantly ignored. There is no evidence of compliance, nor was INEC in attendance as required by law. This alone renders their actions null and void.”
Mohammed questioned the authority of the BoT, a mere advisory body to raise the 13-man committee led by Taminu Turaki, saying such a move ran against the grains of the PDP constitution, urging relevant regulatory bodies to examine the conduct of those involved, particularly members of the senior bar.
Describing the development as part of a pattern, the party said the alleged NEC meeting was a continuation of earlier failed attempts to create confusion within its ranks.
His words: “We therefore call on all party members, stakeholders, and the general public to completely disregard this illegitimate assembly and its outcomes. It has no constitutional basis, no legal standing, and no binding authority whatsoever.
“The PDP remains committed to upholding its constitution, the rule of law, and democratic principles under the able leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammad and Senator Samuel N. Anyawu.”
-
Columns3 weeks agoAbike Dabiri: Did Obi raise a monster or you’re drunk on Tinubu’s poisoned chalice?
-
News4 weeks agoStop using Latin phrases, make clear, unambiguous orders – NBA tells courts
-
News2 weeks agoJandor: Tinubu didn’t endorses Hamzat *I’ve briefed President on my ambition
-
Columns2 weeks agoBe the hero that saved Nigeria! Open letter to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
-
News4 weeks agoNafiu Gombe: Yes, I have sponsors! *I can’t fight ADC big men alone!
-
News6 days agoBREAKING: Makinde, Turaki, lose! *S’Court affirms Wike’s PDP leadership
-
Columns4 weeks agoCentus Nweze (JSC): Death of legal purist, irony of Nigerian judiciary
-
Columns2 weeks agoNow VDM has become Sowore’s nemesis, does Peter Obi need anther advocate?