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Rivers APC directs lawmakers to impeach Fubara
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.”
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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.’’
..….Urges support for girl child
The wife of the President of Nigeria and Founder of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the “Flow with Confidence” Menstrual Hygiene Campaign Programme in Benue State, with a call for collective action towards empowering school girls through proper menstrual hygiene management and access to sanitary products.
The programme, held at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House Makurdi, was organised under the Renewed Hope Initiative with the theme, “Empowering School Girls through Menstrual Hygiene.”
In her address, delivered by the Benue State Coordinator, Office of the First Lady and Renewed Hope Initiative State Coordinator, Scholastica Ben-Sor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu said no girl should be forced to miss school because she cannot afford sanitary pads.
The First Lady described the situation where girls resort to unsafe alternatives or stay away from school during menstruation as unacceptable, especially in rural communities, stressing that the intervention was designed to restore dignity, confidence and educational continuity for young girls across the country.
She disclosed that the Renewed Hope Initiative would distribute one-year supplies of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 school girls in rural communities nationwide, with each state and the Federal Capital Territory receiving 10,000 packs for distribution through State First Ladies and RHI Coordinators.
According to her, the initiative is aimed at supporting girls who are unable to afford sanitary products, while also promoting proper reproductive health and hygiene.
Senator Tinubu revealed that the Renewed Hope Initiative expended over N2.5 billion in procuring the customised disposable sanitary pads from a local manufacturing company, Uniglory Nigeria Limited, Ikorodu, Lagos State, and appealed to corporate organisations, agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to support the programme.
She urged Local Government Chairmen and their wives to take ownership of the intervention and ensure that the sanitary pads reach deserving girls in rural communities, warning that the items must not be sold under any circumstance.
The First Lady also called on traditional, religious and community leaders to monitor the distribution process and support efforts aimed at helping girls grow into responsible and informed adults.
Addressing the beneficiaries, she encouraged the girls to remain focused on their education, support one another and never allow stigma associated with menstruation to diminish their confidence.
“I believe in you because you are the future of this nation,” she stated, as she formally flagged off the distribution of the “Flow with Confidence” Menstrual Hygiene Packs.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor welcomed participants to the programme and described the Renewed Hope Initiative as a people-oriented intervention covering health, education, agriculture, social investment and economic empowerment
She urged the participants, especially the wives of Local Government Chairmen, to pay close attention to the message of the First Lady and ensure the intervention reaches vulnerable girls at the grassroots.
Hon. Ben-Sor explained that her office had resolved to sustain the initiative annually in Benue State by complementing the sanitary pad distribution programme to reach more beneficiaries, including girls in government secondary schools, Internally Displaced Persons camps and rehabilitation centres for children with special needs.
In her remarks, wife of the Benue State Deputy Governor, Christy Sam Ode, represented by Hon. Mrs Patience Erube, described menstruation as a natural part of womanhood that should never attract shame or stigma.
She encouraged the girls to carry themselves with dignity and confidence, while paying attention to lessons on menstrual hygiene and self-care.
Different lectures and goodwill messages from health professionals and wives of chairmen of local government areas in Benue State were received at the occasion.
The event also featured an interactive session during which the school girls asked questions and sought clarifications on issues relating to menstrual hygiene, and personal safety, with the keynote speakers providing detailed responses and guidance.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, has announced plans to improve healthcare services and staff welfare through the renovation of existing clinic facilities and the acquisition of a larger healthcare centre for workers of the Commission.
Prof. Amupitan made this known during the grand finale of the 2026 International Nurses Week celebration held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the event themed “Our Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” the INEC Chairman disclosed that the decision followed reports on the poor state of the Commission’s clinic facilities.
According to him, due process for the renovation of the Kubwa Clinic has already commenced after an assessment report was submitted to management.
Prof. Amupitan also revealed that the Commission is making arrangements to acquire a bigger clinic facility in Area 10, Abuja, to further strengthen healthcare delivery for staff.
He stressed that the nature of INEC’s operations exposes employees to significant risks, making access to quality healthcare and welfare support essential for a productive workforce.
The INEC Chairman described nurses as the backbone of healthcare delivery and commended their dedication, professionalism, and compassion in caring for people across different sectors of society.
He assured nurses and staff of the Commission’s commitment to improving welfare despite existing challenges and urged medical personnel attached to INEC to continue monitoring the health of workers and management staff.
In her remarks, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee, Rhoda Gumus, described nursing as a valuable profession to humanity and praised nurses for their contributions to healthcare delivery, disease prevention, and community wellbeing.
Other goodwill messages delivered at the event also highlighted the critical role nurses play in sustaining effective healthcare services.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Ndagi Alhassan, said that the theme of the 2026
celebration reflects a major policy direction aimed at strengthening the nursing profession in Nigeria.
Highlights of the ceremony included tributes to Florence Nightingale, presentation of awards to top INEC officials, and recognition of retired nurses for their meritorious service to the Commission.
Former Military President of Nigeria, Ibrahim Babangida, has described the theme of the 2026 study tour by participants of Senior Course 48 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, “Community Engagement for Enhanced National Security and Prosperity”, as both timely and relevant to Nigeria’s current security realities.
Babangida made this known while receiving members of the delegation at his uphill residence in Minna, Niger State.
He emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration between local communities and security agencies in tackling emerging threats across the country.
The former Head of State, who hosted the delegation alongside former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, noted that study tours serve as vital platforms for expanding the knowledge and operational capacity of senior military officers, particularly in areas of national security and civil-military relations.
The leader of the delegation, Air Commodore Obasa highlighted Babangida’s enduring contributions to military education, especially his role in establishing the Department of Air Warfare at the college.
He recalled that Babangida laid the foundation for the department on July 3, 1986. He commissioned it a year later, describing the initiative as a significant milestone in strengthening military training and national development.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu Flags Off Menstrual Hygiene Campaign in Benue
INEC Moves to Upgrade Staff Healthcare Facilities, Welfare
National Security: Former President Babangida urges stronger community-security collaboration
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