Politics

Rivers Crisis: I Won’t Surrender To Blackmail, Intimidation – Fubara

Published

2 years ago

December 7, 2023

Editor

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has said that no level of sabotage deliberately staged in some quarters will make him abandon the mandate given to him to serve, protect, and advance the fortunes of the state.

Fubara made the assertion on Thursday while declaring open the 115 and 116 combined Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt.

He reaffirmed his commitment to serve with humility, sincerity of purpose, and accountability.

The governor stated, “Although these are trying times, let us not forget that Rivers State is our collective inheritance, presently under my watch, to protect, defend, and advance it as the governor.

“I assure you that I will not fail in this responsibility, nor will I surrender our mandate and progress to intimidation, blackmail, and deliberate sabotage.

“I reaffirm my earlier statement and recommit myself to the path of peace, as there is nothing to gain in a state of needless crisis.”

The governor added that drastic measures will be taken to strengthen education, healthcare, and social services across the state so that no part, including the rural areas, will be left behind.

In advancing these human capital development efforts, the governor emphasised that the 2024 budget of the state will prioritise and provide sufficient funding to create universal access to affordable and quality education and healthcare services in Rivers State.

He added, “We will also take deliberate steps to unlock the entrepreneurial spirit among our teeming unemployed youths through viable initiatives on skills development, entrepreneurship training, and targeted investments in commercial agriculture.”

Meanwhile, Fubara also urged traditional rulers to be upright and royal fathers of integrity who do not compromise their neutrality.

He also enjoined them to be courageous and speak the truth to power so that they do not lose their moral authority and legitimacy before their people.

“We must all be worried about the plight of our youths, especially those in rural communities, most of whom are poor, neglected, and almost forgotten in the government’s development plans, policies, and actions.

“As we all know, no human society can progress without peace and security.

“I will therefore urge you to continue to work tirelessly for the preservation of peace and security to attract sustainable development to your communities,” he advised.

The governor also harped on the need for everybody to have faith in the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration at the federal level.

He asserted that President Tinubu has shown determination in pulling the nation out of the prevailing economic nightmare and ushering in a new era of sustainable economic progress, which is very reassuring.

In his address, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, declared the firm support of the council to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was elected as the best and trusted to lead the state.

Awuse urged troublemakers who are fanning the ember of discord to cease the acts and allow the governor to concentrate on the work he was elected to do.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Charles Amadi, said his ministry has continued to maintain a harmonious relationship with the council and will continue to collaborate with them to ease the discharge of their roles as royal fathers in peacebuilding efforts in their domains.

Politics

PDP Reprimands Members Backing Tinubu, Threatens Sanctions

Published

3 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has issued a stern warning to members endorsing President Bola Tinubu for re-election, describing such actions as anti-party activities.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Friday, the party said it had reviewed what it described as “persistent public media outbursts” by some members who have openly declared support for the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The statement read, “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has reviewed the anti-party activities of certain members of the Party, particularly those endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027.

“Of serious concern is the persistent public media outbursts against our Party by some prominent members whose actions and utterances including their public declaration of support and willingness to work for the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 Presidential election in violation of the provision of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) constitute a serious threat to the stability and sustenance of our Party.”

The PDP noted that such actions violate Section 10(6) of its constitution, which prohibits members from aligning with other parties or groups to undermine the PDP or its elected officials.

“Specifically, Section 10 (6) of the PDP Constitution provides that “NO MEMBER of the Party SHALL align with other Parties or groups to undermine the Party or any of its elected government”.

“Such anti-party activities have continued to impact negatively on the PDP leading to division, disaffection and heavy hemorrhaging of members with the capacity to diminish our Party’s electoral fortune if not immediately checked,” the statement noted.

Citing Section 59(1) of its constitution, the NWC issued a strong reprimand to the members involved, warning that failure to retrace their steps would attract stiffer sanctions.

The party urged all members to remain loyal and focused as it prepares for its national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Politics

By-Election: Idahosa Assures Of More Infrastructural Development In Ovia

Published

5 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has assured the people of Ovia Federal Constituency of continual infrastructural development as part of effort to improve the economic well-being of the people.

Idahosa, however, urged the people of support ahead of the Ovia federal constituency bye-election scheduled for August 16.

The state’s deputy governor, gave the assurance during the party’s campaign at Oduna and Oghede Wards for the by-election.

Idahosa urged the people to keep faith with the APC, as the party never failed in its campaign promises in the state.

According to him, “unlike the other parties, especially the PDP, we have never failed to keep to our electoral promises in Edo state.

“Experience has taught you not to rely on the PDP that failed you for the past eight years in the areas of roads and Gele-gele Sea Port.

“We have always been different and be rest assured that this time, we don’t intend to deviate from the norm which we are known for; delivery of democratic dividends in Edo state.

“As a matter of fact, you all can attest to the fact that our people oriented governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo has started making the difference around you here just within six months in office.”

The deputy governor appealed to the people for support to enable the governor continue with the execution of more projects in the areas.

Speaking on Omosede Igbinedion choice as APC candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency, Idahosa said,
“the APC is a party that wants the best for the people.”

High point of the campaign was Igbinedion granting of scholarship to two girls that showed bravery by opening canvassing support for her.

Politics

Use Edo By-election As Template For APC’s Victory In 2027, Idahosa Urges Residents

Published

1 day ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

Deputy governor of Edo State Hon Dennis Idahosa, has urged the people to show their readiness to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 general elections by using the House of Representatives bye-election scheduled for August 16 as a template.

Idahosa hinged his call on the fact that Governor Monday Okpebholo had shown his readiness for governance within a year in office and deserved to be supported by the people.

The deputy governor stated this when the APC campaign team birthed at Uhiere, Okokhuo, and Isiuwa, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the Ovia Federal Constituency bye-election is for the people to show “capacity” and nothing more.

“The Executive Governor of our dear state, and my Principal, Monday Okpebholo, by the grace of God, through your support, has promised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2.5 million votes.

“The efficacy of that promise starts on August 16 with the Ovia Federal Constituency bye-election.

“This is not a normal election, it is an election to show capacity. The results you give to Omosede unlocks the key to accessing the dividends of democracy.

“The margin of winning is important. This is why we are all here to convince you to ensure that we get at least 70 percent votes from the registered voters in this area,” he stated.

The deputy governor who led the APC team for the campaign said the party’s candidate, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, had the capacity to entrench the dividends of democracy to the area.

At Isiuwa, NIFOR Community, Idahosa praised the people for making the area an APC stronghold.

He said he was not there for the campaign but to introduce their daughter to them and asked them for their support to the party’s candidate for the bye-election.

Similarly, Idahosa also appealed to the people of Okokhuo community for support.

Omosede who was full of praises in visited wards, said “this is the first time, in a long while, since 2015, I am here with a broom, a symbol of development and advancement.

“You know, the umbrella is tattered and scattered, and you know the PDP has fallen. I am grateful to you all who took the time to be here.”

She told the people to hold her accountable for every campaign promise she made.