News

Rivers APC directs lawmakers to impeach Fubara

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2024

Charles Flames

350 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

A Review of Akwa Ibom State Government’s July Delivery Meeting

Stakeholders at the meeting delivered goodwill messages, commending Governor Umo Eno for institutionalising the Delivery Meeting as a platform for transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

Published

8 hours ago

July 4, 2026

OCHEFA

18 Views

Image: Governor Umo Eno

The Akwa Ibom State Government’s Monthly Delivery Meeting concluded its two-day July session, with Governor Umo Eno presiding over an extensive review of the administration’s strategic projects across key sectors.
Hon. Aniekan UmanahCommissioner for Information, reported that the meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to monitor implementation, evaluate progress, and ensure the timely delivery of projects under the ARISE Agenda.
In his opening remarks on Day Two, Governor Eno reiterated that the Delivery Meeting has become a vital accountability mechanism for tracking the performance of government projects and ensuring that every initiative delivers measurable value to the people of the State.
He stressed that the sessions provide an opportunity for honest appraisal, collective problem-solving, and improved coordination among implementing agencies as the administration continues to deliver on its commitments under the ARISE Agenda. Quoting the Greek philosopher Socrates, the Governor said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.”
Before the commencement of the Day Two session, Governor Eno paid an unscheduled visit to the ARISE Palm Resort, an audacious tourism project built on a 73-hectare gully reclamation site, to verify claims made during the previous day’s presentations and assess firsthand the level of progress on the facility, which is scheduled for commissioning later in the year.
The meeting received comprehensive presentations on key projects across multiple sectors of the state’s development programme, including agriculture, trade and investment, maritime and transportation, health, internal security, housing, tourism, local government administration, direct labour projects, and other flagship initiatives.
Under the agricultural sector, presentations were made on the Ibom Model Farm, Agric Equipment Leasing Company, Distribution of Oil Palm Seedlings Programme, Dakkada Global Oil Palm Project, and the Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP), with emphasis on mechanised farming, food security, and job creation.
The Ministry of Trade and Investment presented updates on the International Market, Ikot Ekpene, highlighting its role in boosting commerce, attracting investment, and strengthening regional trade.
The meeting noted the significant progress recorded on the project and urged the contractors to sustain the pace of work.
In the maritime and transport sector, updates were presented on the Oron Maritime Infrastructure Project, which is aimed at improving maritime transportation, boosting commerce, and stimulating economic growth as part of the administration’s broader Blue Economy development initiatives.
The health sector presentation covered the Ibom International Hospital, General Hospitals in Ukanafun, Ibiono Ibom, Ikot Ekpene, Iquita-Oron, Ikot Ekpene Udo, and other State of Emergency Health Projects, reinforcing the government’s commitment to providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services.
The Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways presented progress on the Counter Terrorism Unit Base, aimed at strengthening security infrastructure and enhancing public safety across the state.
The Ministry of Housing provided updates on the Doctors’ Residence and the Executive and Legislative Quarters, projects aimed at providing decent accommodation while supporting urban renewal and improving living standards.
In the tourism sector, progress on the Ibom International Hotel at the Convention Arena was reviewed, with emphasis on repositioning the facility to boost tourism, hospitality, and investment opportunities.
Updates from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs covered the Chairmen’s Lodges, with an assurance that all 31 lodges will be completed by December 2026 to strengthen administrative efficiency at the grassroots level.
The Direct Labour Committee reported progress on the Youth Development Centres, the One Project Per Local Government Area (Phase II), the Judiciary Village, and the House of Assembly Complex, all aimed at strengthening governance infrastructure and promoting youth development.
Other strategic projects reviewed included the ARISE Shopping City, ARISE Park Beach Villas, AKBC Project, Model Secondary School, Senior Citizens Centre, and the Nigeria Formr Women Project, reflecting the administration’s broad development agenda across multiple sectors.
Stakeholders at the meeting delivered goodwill messages, commending Governor Umo Eno for institutionalising the Delivery Meeting as a platform for transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
Senator Effiong Bob commended the Governor for consistently engaging stakeholders in the governance process, noting that the ARISE Agenda is making measurable progress while praising the administration’s openness and transparency. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Assam Assam, described the meeting as the most impactful yet, citing visible progress across sectors, particularly in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, lauded the Governor’s leadership and assured him of the continued support and collaboration of the State House of Assembly.
The Oku Ibom Ibibio and President-General of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin Dr. Solomon Etuk, JP, expressed pride in the administration’s developmental strides and commended Governor Eno’s inclusive approach to governance.
In his closing remarks, Governor Umo Eno appreciated all participants, Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Delivery Advisors, stakeholders, and contractors for their contributions to the two-day review exercise, noting that the sessions were rigorous but necessary in strengthening governance and ensuring accountability.
The Governor stated that the administration is entering its “harvest season” as it gradually winds down its first term, adding that observations from the meeting would be used to further improve service delivery and implementation efficiency.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing all ongoing projects within set timelines and urged implementing agencies to sustain the momentum and maintain high standards in project execution for the benefit of the people of Akwa Ibom State.
At the conclusion of the Delivery Meeting, Governor Eno led stakeholders on an inspection visit to the Ibom Convention Arena to assess ongoing work on the 200-bed Ibom International Hotel project, which is billed for commissioning later in the year.

News

Explosion rocks Apapa tank farm; NPA, NIMASA move to curtail spread

Following the outbreak the fire service departments of both the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) moved in to curtail the spread of the inferno.

Published

15 hours ago

July 3, 2026

OCHEFA

23 Views

Panic erupted at the Lagos tank farm cluster at Ibafon, Apapa, on Friday morning after a fire broke out at the Bono Tank Farm, located within the Best Energy Tank Farm complex.

The inferno sent residents and workers in the area fleeing for safety as emergency responders moved in to contain the blaze.

Efforts to obtain comments from the management of Bono Tank Farm and Best Energy Tank Farm were unsuccessful, as phone calls and text messages sent to their representatives were neither answered nor acknowledged.

News

FG slams 8-count charges on Adeyemi over fake agency ” I’m not a criminal”, he defends

It was learned that the alleged ‘‘fake’’ Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was allocated N1.302 billion in the 2026 Budget of the Federal Government.

Published

21 hours ago

July 3, 2026

OCHEFA

34 Views

Photo: Gbajabiamila, and Adeyemi

The Federal Government has filed an 8-count charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, convener of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, over the controversy trailing the agency.

Adeyemi, however, fought back claiming that he was given an appointment letter.

Adeyemi, during an appearance on Channels Television claimed that the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila gave him an appointment letter, insisting that he is not a criminal.

However, it was learned that the alleged ‘‘fake’’ Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was allocated N1.302 billion in the 2026 Budget of the Federal Government.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the charges were filed by the Police on November 27, 2025, against Adeyemi and two accomplices at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Onanuga said Adeyemi is expected to appear in court on July 27, 2026.