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Rivers Crisis: Clark Writes Strong Worded Letter To INEC, Demands By-election

Published

9 months ago

January 23, 2025

Editor

Elder statesman Edwin Clark has written to Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, demanding immediate by-elections to fill 27 vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA).

This situation stems from the defection of lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which Clark argues violates Section 109(1)(g) of Nigeria’s Constitution.

Clark stated, “The prolonged absence of representation deprives the people of their rightful voice in governance,” emphasising the need for INEC to fulfil its constitutional obligations.

He criticised the ongoing political strife, asserting that the actions of the defectors have undermined the integrity of governance in Rivers State.

The political landscape is further complicated by rival factions within the RSHA. The faction led by Martin Amaewhule claims that their seats remain valid, while the faction under Victor Oko-Jumbo insists that those who defected have lost their positions.

Oko-Jumbo expressed frustration over INEC’s delay in organising by-elections, stating, “The seats belonging to former Speaker Amaewhule and others are vacant following their switch from PDP to APC.”

Governor Siminialayi Fubara has also weighed in, declaring that “we have only one Rivers State House of Assembly,” and labelling those who defected as having embarked on a “Sinbad journey.”

Clark urged Yakubu to act swiftly, saying, “Your name will be etched in history if you take this step.”

The political crisis in Rivers State has deepened since Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration claimed legitimacy over the RSHA. Fubara has consistently asserted that only the faction led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo is recognised. “We have only one Rivers State House of Assembly, and that Assembly is headed by Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo,” Fubara declared during the signing of the N1.188 trillion 2025 budget.

In contrast, former Speaker Martin Amaewhule’s faction has declared several seats vacant, citing prolonged absences from legislative duties. Amaewhule stated, “We are acting within our constitutional rights to ensure accountability among lawmakers.”

However, Oko-Jumbo dismissed these declarations as “an exercise in futility,” arguing that Amaewhule and his colleagues had already lost their positions due to their defection.

The ongoing conflict reflects a broader struggle for power within Rivers State, exacerbated by tensions between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. As both factions vie for legitimacy, Clark’s plea underscores the importance of adhering to constitutional mandates and restoring proper representation for the people of Rivers State.

Clark said: “It is mandatory on INEC to conduct by-election to fill the vacant seats in the RSHA. Section 13 of the 1999 Constitution as Amended states:

“If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be voided”.

“Therefore, it is not enough for INEC to say that it is precluded from conducting by-election for the vacant seats in RSHA, because such stance portrays sectional loyalty which is against Section 14 (4) of the Constitution.

“In concluding this Open Letter, I plead with the Chairman of INEC, to without delay, conduct by-election to fill the vacant seats and give adequate representation to the people of the affected constituencies.

“What is really happening in Nigeria where the presidency, legislature and judiciary are committing a breach of the 1999 Constitution which has empowered them to occupy the offices they are today? “Nigerians are asking what is happening, particularly the defiance with the number one law of the country, the Constitution, which binds the nation together.

“This is no longer politics; it has nothing to do with politics. This is an obvious case of people who think that they are above the law, people who are entrusted with our patrimony, our natural assets, using these same resources to circumvent the laws of the land, dominate and oppress others.

“The President of Nigeria, his Ministers, members of the National Assembly, etc., who came into power by the provisions of the Constitution, seem no longer to be in a position to defend the Constitution.

“There cannot be a government in any country if the constitution that binds everyone together is being bastardised. Nigeria is no doubt heading to a failed state. God forbid. This will not happen because the Nigerian people will defend it.

“The supreme laws of the country must be obeyed if there must be a country called Nigeria.”

News

Why I Won’t Attend Gaza Summit In Egypt — Netanyahu

Published

7 minutes ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend Monday’s Gaza summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh because it coincides with a Jewish holiday, his office said.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu was invited by US President Donald Trump to attend a conference in Egypt today,” his office said in a statement.

“The prime minister thanked President Trump for the invitation but said he would be unable to attend due to the timing coinciding with the start of the holiday” of Simhat Torah, which begins Monday evening and continues until sunset Tuesday.

Earlier, Egypt’s presidency said Netanyahu had been invited to attend following a call between US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the Israeli premier.

AFP

News

Fubara Names New Rivers SSG

Published

13 minutes ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the appointment of Benibo Anabraba as the new Secretary to the State Government.

The appointment was confirmed on Monday in a statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the release, Anabraba is scheduled to be sworn in today, Monday, October 13, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The statement said, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Benibo Anabraba as Secretary to the Rivers State Government.

“The new SSG will be sworn in today, Monday, October 13, 2025, by 4:00 PM at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.”

The appointment follows Fubara’s recent reinstatement to office after a period of political and legal turbulence that led to his suspension under emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly. He cited the prolonged political crisis between Fubara and his predecessor and political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, as the reason.

In Fubara’s place, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator, with a mandate to restore political stability.

Recall that the immediate past administrator, upon assumption of office during the emergency rule imposed suspended all commissioners, special advisers, and assistants appointed by Fubara.

Ibas also dissolved boards and suspended heads of parastatals he met in office.

Since Ibas exited the state on September 18, the fate of Fubara’s appointees had remained uncertain. The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first sitting after the lifting of the emergency rule, had called on the governor to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees for screening, alongside the 2025 budget for passage.

His return to the governorship has coincided with a flurry of administrative changes as the governor consolidates his team.

News

FG To Disburse ₦6.3bn Interest-free Loans To 21,000 Flood Victims

Published

18 minutes ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government is set to disburse ₦6.3 billion in interest-free loans to 21,000 Nigerians affected by recent flood disasters across the country.

Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sununu, made this known on Monday in Abuja during a roundtable marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Sununu said the initiative aims to cushion the impact of flooding and enhance food security nationwide, Channels reports.

“In the next few weeks, 21,000 Nigerians will receive interest-free, collateral-free loans of ₦300,000 each.

“This intervention is designed to support farmers and strengthen communities affected by flooding,” he said.

The minister further revealed that the Federal Government, through the National Social Investment Programme, has reached over 8.1 million households with more than ₦300 billion in Conditional Cash Transfers.

“This support has improved the resilience, health, and education of many vulnerable households. The process will continue under the Hope Agenda of Mr. President,” Sununu added.

He also announced plans to empower internally displaced persons through a scheme that guarantees a market for their produce.

“Under our new collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, IDPs will retain 30% of their produce while the government will off-take 70%, providing direct cash payments to the participants,” he explained.

In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, highlighted the growing threat of climate-related disasters and called for stronger preventive measures.

Umar noted that Nigeria faces increasing risks from climate change, conflicts, pandemics, and technological hazards, stressing that disaster management must shift from reactive to proactive approaches.

She also announced the launch of two key policy frameworks — the NEMA Strategic Plan (2025–2029) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025–2030) to guide future disaster preparedness and resilience-building efforts.

“These frameworks promote innovation in financing, institutional collaboration, and risk-informed development,” she said, adding that NEMA is developing a National Risk Monitoring and Information Platform to enhance early warning and data-driven decision-making.

She further called for innovative financing options, including catastrophe bonds, climate funds, and blended finance models, to sustain disaster prevention and recovery initiatives.

The event, which focused on building resilience against climate-related disasters, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, lawmakers, and international partners.

The PUNCH reports that 238 persons have lost their lives, while 135,764 others have been displaced following floods that swept through parts of the country as of October 10, 2025, according to figures obtained from the National Emergency Management Agency’s 2025 Flood Dashboard on Saturday.

NEMA reports that at least 409,714 people have been affected so far, with 826 sustaining various degrees of injuries and 115 reported missing across the country.

Flood-related deaths were recorded in multiple states, bringing the nationwide death toll to 238.