Connect with us

Politics

Fubara Exonerates Self From Pipeline Vandalism, Blames Wike For Crisis In Rivers

Published

on

The suspended Rivers state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has absolved himself of any blame for the explosion of oil pipelines in the state, which prompted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on Tuesday.

Tinubu openly blamed Fubara for doing nothing to dissuade criminal groups and militants from making good their threats to attack oil installations in the State.

Advertisement

The President also claimed that after demolishing the Hallowed Chambers of the State House of Assembly on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, the Governor did nothing to rebuild the facility.

Responding to these allegations, the Governor through his press secretary, Nelson Chukwudi in a statement on thursday in Port Harcourt said lack of adequate information to the Presidency by those tasked with the responsibility of providing same to guide decision-making, was why the President acted the way he did.

“It is important to clarify that Governor Fubara has nothing to do with the threats by militants and also did not in any way “telegraph” the reported attacks on any oil facility in the State.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: ‘Fubara, Others’ Suspension Unconstitutional,’ Lawyers Fault Tinubu

“It is on record that the reaction of stakeholders in the Niger Delta, especially elders, chiefs, women, Ijaw National Congress, its youth wing, IYC, as well as militants, among others, was triggered by remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, in a live media chat, during which he dismissed Ijaws as a minority of the minorities and powerless in the Nigerian polity, saying that Ijaws are not the only ones that are militants and can blow up pipelines; that Ogonis, Ikwerres, and others are also militants and can as well blow up pipelines”.

Fubara said that most of the Ijaw groups and leaders even demanded an apology from the FCT Minister, which he rebuffed.

Advertisement

The stayement said that available public records show that Governor Fubara, on several occasions and at every forum, including all the project commissioning events as well as the handover of the AW139 Helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force, between March 3 and 13, 2025, made it clear that his administration was committed to the peace, security, and safety of oil facilities in the State.

“He often recalled his pivotal role as a member of the Presidential Committee on the Protection of Oil Installations in the Region, and repeatedly emphasized the need to protect oil pipelines and other facilities in the State, urging his supporters and the people of the State to avoid acts capable of destabilizing the State or sabotaging the nation’s economy”.

It said Governor Fubara has prioritized investment in upscaling the welfare and operational equipment of all personnel and arms of the Armed Forces and security agencies in the State by building livable office and residential accommodation for officers and men and donating vehicles, gunboats, helicopters, and other critical needs of the formations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the performance of their duties.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Suspension Of Fubara, Others: Amaechi Knocks Tinubu, Says This Illegality Cannot Stand

His commitment to total peace and good governance in the State has contributed significantly to increased oil production and revenues for the country since May 29, 2023, as the continuous rise in the accruable revenue from the State into the Federation Account has shown over the months.

“On the claim that the Governor acted with impunity to demolish the Hallowed Chambers of the State House of Assembly and did nothing to rebuild the Chambers 14 months after, it is on record that Governor Fubara acted based on professional advice and guidance.

Advertisement

“Let it be clarified that the former Governor and now FCT Minister repeatedly criticized the dilapidated and leaking Assembly Complex, and during the commissioning of the Assembly Quarters in August 2022, challenged the lawmakers to take responsibility for the poor state of the edifice, rejecting requests to rebuild it to ensure a conducive legislative environment for the lawmakers”.

The statement noted that immediately after the incident of October 29, 2023, and experts’ reports, the Government decided to heed the age-old demands of the lawmakers to rebuild the facility and promptly demolished the dilapidated structure to give way to a state-of-the-art Assembly Complex, which is now nearly 80 percent completed.

READ ALSO: ‘It’s An Assault On Democracy ‘ – CSO Knocks Tinubu, Rejects Rivers Emergency Rule

Advertisement

It would be recalled that in the wake of the most peaceful and violence-free Local Government election in the State on the 5th October, 2024, the supporters of the FCT Minister violently attacked and razed facilities in some local government council secretariats without any reprisals from Governor Fubara’s supporters.

“It is also pertinent to draw the attention of security agencies to the fact that LGAs where those attacks were unleashed are the same places that have repeatedly witnessed violence perpetrated by detractors of the Governor Fubara-led administration.

“This is why it is important for the security agencies to focus on the real purveyors of violence, critically evaluate these incidents, and diligently undertake investigations to unravel the elements behind the crimes and bring them to justice without let or hindrance”.

Advertisement

The statement noted that it would be untrue that somebody who has all the while preached peace and non-violence, even in the face of extreme provocations, would be “telegraphing attacks on oil pipelines” and breaching the peace he has worked so hard to promote and sustain for the good of the people of the State.
(VANGUARD)

Advertisement

Politics

BREAKING: PDP National Caucus Holds Late-night Meeting In Abuja

Published

on

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently holding a late-night National Caucus meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

The closed-door session, which began at 9:00 p.m., is being chaired by the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum. It includes top party figures such as Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), as well as former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BoT).

Advertisement

READ ALSO: PDP Unveils Candidates For Edo N’Assembly Bye-elections

According to party insiders, key items on the agenda include the zoning arrangement for the 2027 presidential ticket, preparations for the forthcoming national convention, and issues around security.

The zoning of the presidential ticket is a sensitive matter that requires careful consideration,” a source told Vanguard.

Advertisement

Another top priority is party unity, especially in light of recent defections to other parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Security concerns are also being discussed following the recent assassination attempt on Mr Jude Ezenwafor, the PDP governorship candidate for Anambra State.

The safety of our members is paramount,” the source stressed.

Advertisement

This meeting is expected to shape deliberations at the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow (Thursday).

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Politics

Imansuangbon Formally Obtains ADC Card, Laments Hardship In Nigeria

Published

on

Edo businessman and politician, Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the only alternative political party to rescue Nigeria from its present ‘pitiable state.’

Imansuangbon spoke on Wednesday at the party secretariat in Benin when he was formally handed the party card by the chairman of the ADC in Edo State, Comrade Kennedy Odion.

Advertisement

Imansuangbon, who was a Labour Party governorship aspirant in the 2024 election in Edo State, said he saw the Labour Party as rescuer but unfortunately turned to be a sharm, stressing that ADC is in tandem with his belief as a person who has the common man in heart.

READ ALSO: Imansuangbon Backs Gen. Danjuma’s Call For Self-defence

He said: “Me, I have found an alternative. I have found a credible vehicle. An alternative that is genuinely for change. An alternative that wants to reduce the price of food. An alternative that loves the common man. An alternative that loves the Okada rider. An alternative that loves the widow. An alternative that loves the students. That alternative is ADC.

Advertisement

“Therefore, I call on all well meaning Nigerians to join the moving train. We have decided today to rescue our dear country. This is the vehicle. There is no other train.”

Imansuangbon, who lamented that due to the harsh economic in the country he can no longer distribute rice to Edo people particularly the less privileged as he used to do during Christmas, lamented further: “I’m tired, very tired that a bag of rice that was sold at ₦7,500 some years ago is now being sold for over a ₦100,000. Me, Riceman, I’m tired. I can no longer buy rice to share to the poor people of Edo State. I can no longer share rice to the widow of Edo State. I’m really tired.

READ ALSO: More Trouble At Benin GSM Village As Igbineweka Warns Ojiezele To Stop Parading Himself As Chairman

Advertisement

“I’m tired because I can no longer buy fuel. Some years ago, fuel was ₦65 per litre, today it’s ₦1000. Nigerians are tired.

“We are tired that our children will graduate, but no work.”

Earlier, the state party chairman, Comrade Kennedy Odion, while describing Imansuangbon as a man of the people, said the ADC, being a moving train, has provided a platform for every Nigerian with the aim of rescuing the country.

Advertisement

Odion, who said the road to rescue Nigeria may be rough but shall surely be a reality, asserted that Nigerians will soon experience a massive exodus to the party.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Politics

BREAKING: Two Senators Dump PDP For APC

Published

on

Two Senators from Akwa Ibom State have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Senators are Sampson Ekong, senator representing Akwa Ibom south, and Aniekan Bassey, the Akwa Ibom north-east.

Advertisement

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read their letters of defection during Wednesday’s plenary.

DAILY POST reports that there has been gale of defection from PDP to the ruling APC.

READ ALSO: Why Peter Obi Must Get Security Clearance Before Coming To Edo — APC Chair, Tenebe

Advertisement

While several political bigwigs dumped the party for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, others have found solace in the APC.

The two Akwa Ibom Senators, according to the letters read by Akpabio, cited the leadership crisis rocking the PDP as their reasons for rejecting the party.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending