News

Rivers APC directs lawmakers to impeach Fubara

Published

1 year ago

May 8, 2024

Charles Flames

7 Views

The peace deal in Rivers State appears to have completely broken down.

The party warned that it would invoke its rules against its lawmakers in the House if they failed to comply with the directive .

The APC has 27 members in the assembly, with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has only five lawmakers.

Caretaker Committee Chairman of the state APC Tony Okocha told reporters yesterday that the decision followed Fubara’s outburst that the Martin Amaehwule-led Assembly had seized to exist in the eyes of the law.

Fubara had during a visit by the Bayelsa State delegation of traditional and political leaders in Port Harcourt, said ‘’those group of men who claim to be Assembly members are not existing. I want it to be on record that I accepted that peace accord to give them a floating (soft-landing).’’

He also told the delegation that everything in the truce brokered by President Bola Tinubu was political and not constitutional.

But Okocha, who was described by the state’s Information and Communication Commissioner Joseph Johnson, as lacking the locus standi to direct the governor’s impeachment, said the APC in the state would not fold its hands and watch Fubara “insult Mr President.”

Accusing the governor of not being a respecter of the rule, running the state with impunity and ridiculing Rivers State, Okocha said he(Fubara) was now a man whose ‘’head has become bigger than his pillow.’’

He said: “The President is the leader of our own party. It will amount to stupidity on our party to sit down and see somebody who weighs less than Mr President insult him(Tinubu) under our very nose.

“It is also absurd to see the governor begin to intimidate people who are members of our political party and we stand akimbo doing nothing.

“We are here to respond vehemently and soundly to them. And as chairman of APC Rivers State, and as representative of Mr. President, we will not sit down here and see the governor insult Mr. President, we won’t sit down here and see the governor declare on his own as if he is a court, the seats of the Assembly members vacant.

“On Monday, the governor said there was no issues in the state. He was heard threatening fire and brimstone. In fact, he rewrote the 1999 Constitution when he said that the House of Assembly of Rivers State does not exist and that for it to even exist, it must be on his whims and caprices; that whatever they are doing is because he allowed them. That means that he has rewritten the country’s Constitution and removed the Legislature. He is now running two arms of government in the state– the Executive and Judiciary.

“This is completely absurd in whichever way you look at it. This is nothing but the tendencies of a despot, a dictator and totalitarian leader.

“To that extent, in consultation with my party, we have redirected and we’re directing the APC members who are members of the Assembly to immediately commence the impeachment of Governor Siminialayi Fubara.

“We have directed members of Rivers State House of Assembly to begin a process of impeachment of a comatose government; a government that does not respect the rule of law. His head has become bigger than his pillow, we will no longer tolerate it.

“He no longer respects the rule of law; he does anything he cares to do, that is impunity and we will not sit down here to see Rivers State become a laughing stock in the comity of nations. This is unacceptable.”

Information Commissioner Johnson said Okocha’s directive to the lawmakers was a jamboree.

Stating that Okocha was only raising a smokescreen, he claimed that the governor never said that the state had no House of Assembly.

The commissioner said: “Tony Okocha by definition is an acting caretaker chairman and you know once there exists a caretaker, it means there is a substantive chairman of APC in the name of Chief Emeka Beke.

“That matter is before the jury and on the issue of whether he has the power to direct, the answer is no.

“Section 109(1g) of the 1999 Constitution which is our ground norm has already eliminated the existence of those young men who crossed from the major political party(PDP) to another party. APC as a matter of fact does not have leadership. They have a leadership that is Tony Okocha on one hand, in contention with Chief Emeka Beke on the other hand, so whose report shall we follow?

“So, the governor was right to say that by our own law, the 1999 Constitution says that once an Assembly member that has moves from his own political party that brought him to power, once he defects he losses. No court on our land can change it, once the Constitution states a thing it becomes law.

“What Tony Okocha is raising is a smokescreen. He is standing on one leg. He does not have the locus standi to direct. And let me assure you, Rivers people will resist it to the last point.”

*Clark urges IG to wade in.

Ijaw National Leader Edwin Clark advised that the crisis in the state must be put to an end.

Clark, in an open letter to Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun warned that the crisis could result in anarchy if not nipped in the bud.

He explained that by virtue of section 109 (1g) 2 of the 1999 Constitution, the 27 lawmakers ceased to be members of the House of Assembly since they defected from the PDP to the opposition APC.

The letter partly reads: “ We owe it as an obligation to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Government which will be one year on the 29th of May.

“We must therefore condemn and prevent any action by any individual or group of individuals that would threaten the peace, stability and unity of this country.

“We have no other country to go to if there is any uncontrollable crisis in the country and this is the main reason why I have been involved in the looming crisis in Rivers State between the former Governor Nyesom Wike who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the current Governor, His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, which is spreading like wildfire and every attempt by Mr President to resolve it amicably has not succeeded.

“I had earlier advised and appealed to our President to call his Minister Nyesom Wike to order to avoid this looming crisis and that the interest of the entire country should supersede the interest of an individual or a small group of people otherwise the consequences will be disastrous.

“The 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have automatically forfeited their seats in accordance with section 109 (1g) 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended .

He therefore urged the Police IG to the lawmakers from parading themselves and making provocative statements to intimidate and increase tension in Rivers State which may one day burst into open conflagration.’’

News

2027 Election: Fight breaks out at APC stakeholders meeting with Ganduje, others

Published

1 hour ago

June 15, 2025

Charles Flames

2 Views

A fight broke out on Sunday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe.

Top party officials, including the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and the North-East Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Salihu, were forced to leave under tight security.

The clash started after Salihu publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 election without mentioning Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Soon after his speech, delegates began shouting and threatening Salihu, prompting security officers to rush him out of the venue.

When Ganduje later took the stage, he also failed to acknowledge Shettima in his 10-minute speech.

His remarks, which praised President Tinubu’s leadership, further worsened the mood in the hall.

Angry APC members began to boo and jeer him, with some seen dragging at his blue Agbada.Security operatives quickly surrounded Ganduje and helped him out of the meeting before the crowd could get violent.

Attempts by other party leaders to calm the situation did little to stop the chaos.

The event, which was meant to project unity ahead of the 2027 elections, ended abruptly as tempers could not be brought under control.

The incident has added fuel to growing rumours that the APC might replace Vice President Shettima with a Christian Northerner in 2027 to balance religious representation on the ticket.

Former House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, is reportedly being considered, although no official announcement has been made.

The party now faces the task of managing internal divisions as it prepares for another round of national elections.

News

Amuka, Osoba, Ugochukwu, Obaigbena, Momoh Lead Editors to Enugu for NGE biennial convention

The three-day convention will also witness the election of new executives who will pilot the affairs of the professional body for the next two years.

Published

5 hours ago

June 15, 2025

OCHEFA

9 Views

* Ribadu, DG SSS speak on security challenges, media’s role

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) is set to hold its Biennial National Convention in Enugu from June 26 to 29, 2025, with a theme ‘’Building A Secure And Cohesive Nigeria: The Role of Dialogue, Inclusion And The Media.”

In a statement signed by its President, Mr Eze Anaba and the General Secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the NGE said that the convention will bring together over 400 editors, including prominent figures such as Prince Sam Amuka-Pemu, Publisher of Vanguard; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former Presidential Spokesman; Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY/Arise News Channel, and Dr. John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Television.

The convention will be declared open by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi.

The Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, will serve as the Chief Host, while Dr. Momoh will chair the convention.

Prince Amuka-Pemu, Chief Osoba, and Chief Ugochukwu have been assigned roles as Fathers of the Day.

The Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, will deliver the keynote address, titled ‘’Nation’s Security Future: Harnessing Diversity for Peace/Stability and the Media’s Role.’’

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, will also be at the national convention as Special Guest.

On the importance of the theme, the NGE emphasized that a nation’s security and stability can be enhanced by leveraging its diversity, and that the media plays a crucial role in promoting this goal.

The Guild noted that diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation, and that inclusive governance ensures that all segments of society are represented and included in decision-making processes.

The NGE highlighted the media’s social responsibility in promoting diversity, tolerance, and understanding, while also highlighting the importance of national security and stability.

‘’The media can achieve this by highlighting diverse perspectives and experiences, combating hate speech, misinformation, and stereotypes, and fostering dialogue and understanding among different groups’’, the statement added.

The three-day convention will also witness the election of new executives who will pilot the affairs of the professional body for the next two years.

Health

Father’s Day: LAAF Acknowledges Men’s Daily Challenges, holds Conference in Lagos (Photos)

Published

9 hours ago

June 15, 2025

Charles Flames

23 Views

A globally recognized women-led non-profit organization, the Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), has organised a conference for men, with the theme: “The Dear Men”,which focuses on the struggles and silence of men after facing some sort of emotional bullying/trauma.

The event was held on the 14th of June, 2025 in Lagos State.

According to the convener, Halima Layeni, Founder & Executive Director, the group aims to create a more inclusive and supportive global community where the well-being of men is prioritized and supported.

First speaker: Paul Oyewusi (Founder of Circle Men)

He spoke on “Understanding Trauma in Men”.

He said, “though the society has made the men not to speak up about their daily trauma and emotional stress, but it is imminent for such men to start speaking up and stop being shy. He said, no man planned the trauma they pass through while growing up, which has made most men to live the way are currently living.

He however urged such men to man-up, speak up and change the narrative, instead of bottling up the anger, the hatred and the negative character which was born out of their life experience.

Second speaker: Samuel Joseph

He spoke on how Drug and substance abuse affects mental health.

He said “the use of hard drugs and other substances are a major reason why most men are subjected to suicide. He said such drugs affects their mental health and drain them to the state of being unwanted. He also urged the men to speak up whenever they are in such state.

Third Speaker: Shola Adigun (Founder of Father Figure Initiative)

He spoke on Healing the father wound, understanding the impact of an absent father.

He urged the men to fix the issues fathers face in life. Issues which includes backlash from their father, mother or step-father and step-mother which has gravely affected their life as they advance in life.

He also joined other speakers to urge such men to man-up, speak up and change the narrative, instead of bottling up anger, hatred and negative character.

Fourth Speaker: Mustalpha Adeyemi (President KB Club)

He spoke on Emotional Vulnerability in Men.

He stressed that men should open up, engage with someone, explaining what they are going through. According to him, the men are seen as super humans who hardly show their feelings, which makes the society feel they are less vulnerable.

Mustalpha also said, at least 40 percent of men face series of maltreatments but are shy to speak up due to condemnations or being seen as a weakling.

Fifth Speaker: Barr. Dare Asobele, Founder and coordinator of Anti Suicide prevention squad.

He addressed the men on Toxic Masculinity and Healthy Masculinity.

He encouraged the men not to allow trauma take the best part of them. In his words, he said: “do not bottle your emotions”, Find a safe space to take, get help, do regular exercise, find an enabling environment, seek a therapist, do not allow trauma to define who you are, let go of the past, forgive yourself, forgive your parent or whomever that have caused you trauma, and see how you can become a better man in the society.

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