Politics

Tension As Pro-Fubara, Wike Lawmakers Hold Parallel Sittings

Published

1 year ago

July 8, 2024

Tension is currently mounting in Rivers State as the two factions of the State House of Assembly are locked up in parallel sittings this morning.

Lawmakers were already arriving at the House of Assembly Quarters amidst heavy security presence as this report was filed.

While Speaker, Martin Amaewhule was seen walking into the chamber, the Victor Oko-Jumbo section will also sit to screen a commissioner nominee. Oko-Jumbo will be presiding over the other House sitting.

On Sunday night, the Oko-Jumbo-led House loyal to the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara had in a letter by the Clerk, Dr G. M Gillis-West, invited a new commissioner-nominee, Emmanuel Frank-Fubara, to appear before it on Monday for screening and confirmation as a member box the State Executive Council.

While the pro-Fubara lawmakers hold their sitting in an improvised Hallowed Chamber in the Government House, Port Harcourt, the pro-Wike legislators sit at the State Assembly official quarters along Aba Road, also in the metropolis.

It is unclear what the Amaewhule-led lawmakers will deliberate on, although it will be their first sitting since the Court of Appeal judgement recognised the pro-Wike lawmakers as members of the House.

Their sittings follow the bombing of the State House of Assembly Complex located along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt in October 2023.

There was also an attempt by the 27 lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister to impeach Fubara.

The pro-Wike lawmakers later during plenary announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress as the political crisis in the state deepened following the feud between Fubara and Wike.

The crisis soon landed the 27 lawmakers in court, as they battle to save their status.

Former Rivers Lawmakers Meet With Fubara, Call For Peace
On Saturday, members of the National Assembly from Rivers State urged the political leaders in the state to uphold the rule of law and prioritize peace over personal interests.

The ex-lawmakers, who served in both the Senate and the House of Representatives at different times including the 3rd Republic, appealed during a media briefing after meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Port Harcourt.

A former House of Representatives member for Khana/Gokana, Bernard Mikko read the group’s communique.

He also rejected calls for a state of emergency and the attempt to disrespect the constitutional terms of elected council chairmen.

“Regardless of our political affiliations, we stand united in our unwavering belief and conviction that the unity, peace, and progress of Rivers State are paramount and non-negotiable,” Mikko stated.

“We reaffirm our absolute commitment to the rule of law, a cornerstone of democracy that ensures no one, including the government, is above the law. We uphold this fundamental principle, which safeguards justice, equality, and accountability for all.”

Politics

Go To Hell, You Didn’t Pay My School Fees – Wike Hits Seyi Makinde

Published

11 minutes ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has berated Seyi Makinde of Oyo state for calling him by his first name “Wike”.

The FCT Minister said it’s a mark of disrespect for the Oyo Governor to have addressed him by his father’s name.

Wike stated this on Monday while fielding questions during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike’s outburst followed claim by Makinde that Wike had promised to hold the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for President Bola Tinubu in 2027, a claim Wike denied.

Wike claimed that Makinde was not being truthful about what transpired during the alleged meeting and as well persons who were in attendance.

Wike said: “He didn’t mention former governor of Benue was in the meeting. He didn’t mention former governor of Abia. He didn’t mention former governor of Enugu.

“What was the purpose of that meeting? Who called for the meeting? Did the President call you for the meeting?

RES ALSO:Wike Bloc Asks Court To Nullify PDP Convention

“We went and said, look, we want to see President. And the President said, okay, come to the house. We went to the house as usual. And we said, Sir, we are still available. We still work together.

“So what is the issue of saying that we had a meeting?

“To start with, Seyi you cannot, he does not have what it takes to tell me that. He does not. He knows.

“He has never called me Wike. And to hell with him. You heard him say $1 million. Did he pay my school fees? That’s a disrespect.

“That is my father’s name. He can’t do that. He has never done that. He doesn’t have what it takes. Forget he’s a governor.”

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

6 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

6 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.