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Wike, Fubara To Begin Dialogue After Osoba’s Mediation

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The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike, have initiated peace talks to resolve their longstanding feud.

Sources close to both politicians confirmed to The PUNCH that the two recently met at Wike’s residence in Abuja.

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The mediation, facilitated by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba and the current Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, marked the first step towards reconciling the political divide that has dominated Rivers State.

Fubara and Wike are expected to meet again soon to finalise the reconciliation process.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Gunshots Rock Venue Of Pro-Wike Rally In Bayelsa

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According to a reliable source present at the meeting, who requested anonymity, the two governors engaged in a lengthy discussion during which Fubara apologised for past actions.

The source disclosed that Fubara, accompanied by the Ogun governors, “prostrated and begged the FCT Minister for forgiveness.”

The political crisis in Rivers State has caused turmoil for nearly two years, primarily driven by the strained relationship between Wike and Fubara.

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This deadlock prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state on March 18, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator.

This declaration was approved by the National Assembly on March 20, despite significant public backlash.

READ ALSO: [BREAKING] Rivers: Pro-Fubara Supporters Protest, Demand Gov’s Reinstatement

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In response to the state of emergency, 11 PDP governors filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of the move.

However, Deputy National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Timothy Osadolor, urged Fubara not to compromise the interests of Rivers State for personal gain.

Speaking to The PUNCH, Osadolor acknowledged the importance of peace efforts but warned that the integrity of the state should not be undermined for political reasons.

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The issue began as a personal dispute but escalated into a national matter, involving constitutional overreach,” Osadolor said. “If Fubara’s apology was out of respect for African tradition, that’s fine. But he must not sacrifice the interests of Rivers State for his own position.”

READ ALSO: Impeachment: Full Lists Of Allegations Against Gov Fubara, Deputy

Osadolor also criticised President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency, calling it unjustified and constitutionally flawed.

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He argued that Rivers State, which has experienced relative peace, was unfairly singled out for an emergency declaration when other states with more significant security concerns did not face similar measures.

On the other hand, the All Progressives Congress commended its leaders for playing a crucial role in mediating the dispute.

APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, expressed pride in the party’s leadership, emphasising that the peace effort was not about politics but about ensuring stability for Rivers State.

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For APC leaders to broker peace, it shows our commitment to unity and good governance,” Ibrahim stated. “Our party understands the importance of peace in governance and aims to promote peaceful coexistence, regardless of the individuals involved.”

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Former Vice Governor Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Bribery

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A Chinese court on Thursday sentenced Zhang Zulin, former vice governor of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, to life imprisonment for accepting bribes.

According to the verdict of the Intermediate People’s Court of Chongqing Municipality, Zhang will deprived of his political rights for life; his personal property will be confiscated, and his illegal gains from bribery will be recovered and turned over to the state treasury.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: Gospel Singer Sentenced To Death For Killing Girlfriend

The court found that Zhang had taken advantage of his positions in Yunnan between 2001 and 2023 to assist individuals and organisations in matters related to real estate development, project contracting, project approval, and obtaining loans.

The court stated that he accepted money and valuables worth more than 122 million yuan (approximately $ 17.03 million) in return.

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Zhang’s case was presented to the court in an open trial on April 10.

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Strike: NLC To Shutdown FCT After Tinubu’s Project Inaugurations Labour

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The Federal Capital Territory Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) says it is mobilising to shut down the territory after President Bola Tinubu concludes his projects’ inauguration on July 3.

The Chairman, Dr Stephen Knabayi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

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Knabayi explained that the move was to draw the attention of the FCT Administration to address the area council workers’ lingering strike.

NAN reports that primary health care centres were under lock and key, primary school teachers had been at home while the six area councils’ secretariat were abandoned by the workers for months.

Primary school teachers and other area council workers embarked on a series of strikes over non-payment of minimum wage and 40 per cent peculiar allowance.

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READ ALSO:Sealing Spree: FCTA Sledge Hammer Hits FIRS Office, Bank, Fuel Station, Others

Other unresolved issues included the non-implementation of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases, and the N35,000 wage award, among other benefits.

The NLC chair, who described the development as “very unfortunate”, said that the area council chairmen left the union with no option but to shut down the FCT.

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He recalled that the union had on June 13, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FCT Administration to address the demands of the teachers, health workers and other area council workers.

He explained that the ultimatum followed the resolution of the executives of the joint unions of the NUT, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees and the National Association of Health Workers Union.

He noted that the ultimatum had expired on June 20 and the NLC was yet to take any action.

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READ ALSO:Tinubu Orders 14-day Grace Period For FCT Ground Rent Defaulters

Knabayi explained that the union backpedalled to allow President Bola Tinubu to complete the inauguration of projects executed by the FCT Administration, as part of activities to celebrate his second year in office.

“We had to extend the ultimatum because of Tinubu’s movements to inaugurate the FCT executed project.

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“Members of the union will take over the streets of Abuja as soon as Tinubu concludes the inaugurations, hopefully on July 3.

“We are waiting for it to end and we will come together to step up our planned action,” he said.

He added that the NLC had already informed the FCT Administration and security agencies of the planned protest to shut down the territory as the last resort to press home their demands.

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He said it was very unfortunate that up to this moment nothing has been done to address the lingering welfare cities in the area councils.

READ ALSO:FCT Doctors Begin Warning Strike Over Sack Of Health Workers

He noted that although the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage began across the six area councils in May, it was stopped the following month with no explanation to the workers.

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“Like you know, strike or protest is always the last option, but we were left with no other opinion.

“We are not happy and it is not going to be a small thing if they don’t do the needful,” he said.

Knabayi alleged that the area council chairmen were spending huge resources in preparations for the 2016 February FCT Area Councils’ Election.

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According to him, the funds being expended will be enough to settle all the workers’ outstanding entitlements.

He called on the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to take a more decisive action to compel the area council chairmen to settle the council workers welfare concerns.

READ ALSO:FCT Unveils Committee To Monitor Influx Of Almajiri, Others

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Recall that Wike had made several efforts to resolve the crisis, including the recent release of N4.1 billion to the area councils to support the payment of minimum wage to the workers.

The minister had explained several times that primary school teachers and primary health care workers were under the purview of the area councils and not FCT Administration.

The NUT Chairman in FCT, Mr Abdullahi Shafa, during a protest on April 24, acknowledged Wike’s intervention to resolve the lingering strike, including the release of the N4.1 billion to the area councils to pay the striking teachers.

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On their part, the chairmen of the area councils had in a press conference on May 13, urged the primary school teachers and other council workers to call off their ongoing strike.

Mr John Gabaya, Secretary of the FCT Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, who addressed the journalists, particularly appealed to the primary school teachers to return to the classrooms.

Gabaya said that the appeal became necessary for the interest of the pupils while negotiation continues.
(NAN)

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Senate Confirms Chairman, MD Of South-South Development Commission, Others

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Akpabio named Managing Director, 15 others confirmed; Kaura not cleared over screening no-show

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, as Chairman of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC).

Also confirmed was Usoro Offiong Akpabio from Akwa Ibom State as the Managing Director of the commission.

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However, Tijani Yahaya Kaura, the nominee representing the North-West, was not cleared after failing to submit necessary documents and refusing to appear before the screening committee. The committee noted that the window remains open should he eventually present himself for the process.

The Senate also confirmed the following nominees as members of the SSDC board:

READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Olubunmi Adetunmbi Chairman Of South-West Development Commission, MD, Others

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Rt. Hon. Larry Odey – Member, Cross River

Charles Zuofa – Member, Bayelsa

Dr. Nkereuwem Ebong – Member, Akwa Ibom

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Engr. Chika Chinedu – Member, Rivers

Barr. Femi Oise – Member, Edo

Dr. Charles Sylvester Enukhowhate – Member, Delta

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Tabitha Iliya Sallah – Member, North-East

Alh. Yusuf Rasaq Amao – Member, North-Central

Joseph Mmamal – Member, South-East

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Hon. Bukonola Braimoh – Member, South-West

Confirmed executive directors include:

Hon. Marcus Nie Eji – Executive Director, Projects (Rivers)

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Engr. Aganaba Preye Steven – Executive Director, Social and Human Capital Development (Bayelsa)

Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye – Executive Director, Corporate Services (Delta)

Hon. Joseph Ugheoke – Executive Director, Commercial and Environmental Development (Edo)

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READ ALSO: Uproar As Senate Okays Non-indigene As Rivers Electoral Commission Chairman

Amb. Sony Abang – Executive Director, Finance (Cross River)

The confirmations followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on South-South Development Commission, chaired by Senator Benson Konbowei (PDP, Bayelsa Central).

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Presenting the report, Senator Konbowei stated: “That the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on South-South Development Commission on the confirmation of the nomination for appointment as Chairman, Managing Director, and Members of the Board of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC).”

It will be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, last month, submitted the list of nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s request during plenary and referred it to the appropriate committee, which was tasked to report back within one week.

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