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Video: ‘Dey Your Dey, Make I Dey My Dey’ – Reactions As Gov Fubara’s Live Band Sings Amidst Rivers State Power Tussle
AdminThe live band of Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, has sparked reactions online amidst the escalation of political tension in the state.
Naija News reports that several members of the State House of Assembly and Commissioners have resigned in the last two days, a development linked to Fubara’s face-off with his predecessor and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The Rivers State Government also ordered the demolition of the Assembly Complex, citing the need to build a suitable structure after an arson attack that occurred at the Assembly Complex on October 29.
While many political elites have condemned Wike’s interference in state politics, the Minister has remained silent.
However, a video making the rounds online shows Fubara’s live band singing a controversial song at the flag-off construction of the 20,000 Housing unit, which some netizens considered a shade.
@crownby wrote: “Fubara really learnt from Wike: the good, the bad and the ugly. Entertaining days are up ahead.”
@uggbyy wrote: “No be small fight Fubara and wike dey fight????????, even their bands follow join the fight”
@prettygift wrote: “Wike don meet his match”
@officialbecks: “Wike oya catch your sub, you thought the guy well”
@ebido wrote: “But this Wike sef. When he became governor it was him and Amechi. He vacated now dragging with current governor.”
@bryzam wrote: “sometimes my Nigerian experience feels like I’m in a skit. What kind of country is this?”
@iam_pintch wrote: “His band group is doing everything possible to restore peace”
@kacey wrote: “Like father like son trying to confuse us. Lol ???????????????? I love strategical people”
[NaijaNews]
Media
Former Big Brother Naija housemate Chichi has mocked her colleague, Phyna, over her wig-renting accusation.
A vendor, DBeauty Mogul, had earlier called out Phyna, for refusing to return a “rented” wig after the rental period.
Reacting to the allegation in a post on her official page, Phyna categorically denied knowing the vendor, tagging her clout chasers.
In light of this, Chichi took to X and posted a shady message.
She wrote: “Hi loves, wigsbyella sells luxury hair at affordable rates, and we are still on sale. Patronise my hair brand and stop doing borrow pose. I love you all.”
Taking to the comments section, a user, @mhiz_bonita, wrote, “Now I believe you are so obsessed with Phyna.”
Chichi replied: “How will I be obsessed with someone that rents hair? Make it make sense, hun. She even price the rent rate.”
[NaijaTimes]
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has completed its series 10 commercial paper issuance under its upsized N250 billion commercial paper issuance programme.
This was contained in the company’s notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public seen by Nairametrics.
According to the statement signed by Uto Ukpanah, the Company Secretary, the telecom giant said it sought to raise N72.1 billion and the offer recorded 149% subscription with N721.1 billion issued. The 266-day commercial paper was issued on 29 November 2023 at a yield of 16%.
Short-term working: capital The CP issuance aligns with MTN Nigeria’s strategy to continue diversifying its funding sources and reducing its average cost of debt. The proceeds will be applied towards short-term working capital requirements.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola said:
- “We are pleased with the support received from the investor community, having recorded a 149% subscription from a broad range of investors. This reflects NTN Nigeria’s robust financial capacity, brand strength, and market leadership amidst the upward pressure on interest rates”
Arranger and dealers: Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited played the role of Arranger and Dealer with ARM Securities Limited. Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited, Coronations Marchant Bank Limited, FCMB Capital Markets Limited, Quantum Zenith Capital &Investments Limited, Rand Marchant Bank Limited, and Vetiva Capital Management Limited played the role of Joint Dealers on the transaction.
The communication firm had recently proposed the issuance of up to N72.1 billion series 10 commercial paper notes under its N250 billion commercial paper issuance programme.
According to the statement signed by Uto Ukpanah, Company Secretary, the issuance is part of the company’s strategy to diversify its funding sources with the funds being deployed towards short-term working capital requirements.
What you should know
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc recorded a year-on-year decline of 75.7% in its profit before tax to N32.08 billion in Q3 2023, as compared to N132.04 billion in Q3 2022.
According to the group’s financial statement for the period ending September 30, 2023, the group recorded a revenue of N614.2 billion in Q3 2023, a 21.4% year-on-year increase from the corresponding period in 2022.
The figure modified the group’s nine-month revenue to N1.78 trillion, an increase of 21.76% year-on-year from the corresponding quarter in 2022.
[Nairametrics]
Toyin Lawani, a renowned fashion entrepreneur from Nigeria, shared a distressing encounter she had while undergoing surgery. Lawani recounted a chilling incident where her lungs collapsed, leading to a terrifying 10-minute brush with death.
In a recent social media update, Lawani bravely opened up about her personal struggles. Taking to her Instagram page last Friday, the renowned personality disclosed a distressing medical diagnosis.
According to Lawani, she has been diagnosed with a degenerative spine and a cyst, shedding light on the challenges she is currently facing.
In a compelling video clip chronicling her transformative journey, she provides a firsthand account of the various stages leading up to the surgery and the obstacles encountered along the way. With remarkable clarity, she elucidates the intricacies of the procedure, which entailed the insertion of a spinal implant specifically targeting the C5 and C6 vertebrae.
She shared a chilling account of her near-death experience, stating, "I was clinically dead for a duration of 10 minutes." During her pregnancy, @kingtinukeleora experienced a series of significant discomforts, including neck, back, and leg pains.
In a harrowing turn of events, the individual in question found themselves in a distressing situation where their body became immobilised on the left side. This sudden paralysis rendered them completely unable to move.
During the interview, the Lawani revealed that they had been administered painkiller injections consistently.
She opened up about the true extent of her medical condition. With unwavering honesty, she disclosed that she has been diagnosed with a degenerative spine and a cyst in her brain. These revelations shed light on the seriousness of her health challenges.
In a remarkable turn of events, she experienced a death-defying ordeal, enduring a complete cessation of vital signs for an astonishing duration of 10 minutes.
However, thanks to the swift and skillful intervention of medical professionals, she was successfully resuscitated and brought back to life.
In a startling turn of events, it has been reported that her lungs have collapsed. This distressing medical condition, known for its severe impact on respiratory function, has left the affected a recent development, she in question has reported experiencing oedema, a condition characterised by the accumulation of fluid in the body.
This unfortunate circumstance arose subsequent to their pursuit of a medical intervention involving the installation of artificial implants in their spinal region, with the aim of restoring their ability to walk with ease.
However, it appears that this course of action has led to unforeseen complications, necessitating the utilisation of a tracheostomy tube for a duration of three months.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, yesterday, explained how he was diagnosed of malaria and stress by his doctor after the colloquium to celebrate his birthday in Abuja.
Akpabio who spoke to the Senate Press Corps in his office said his doctor told him that he had malaria mingled with stress after he got home from the colloquium.
In his reaction to reports of his being rushed to the hospital, Akpabio said: “I have been reading through the social media but I’m happy the Press Corps did not join the show of propaganda.
“What eventually happened after the event was a show of humanity.
“I went home and I called my doctors and I was assured that I have malaria, mingled with stress, which could also be described in another way as exhaustion.
“In fact, anybody could be exhausted. Please, drink water daily so that you don’t get exhausted.
“This is to say that the work goes on. I want to assure Nigerians that the National Assembly is intact and we are still going on with our duty, our appropriation.
“We will resume on 20th December. But before then, the various committees must have finished their work to enable us meet the target to pass the budget before the end of the year for the President to append his signature.”
[TheNation]
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said that Jesus Christ may return to the world on October 1st, a year that has yet to be known.
Adeboye disclosed this in a video played on Thursday during the homecoming reception ceremony organised for the immediate past Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sharafa Tunji-Ishola, in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun state.
The video was said to have been recorded when the General Overseer visited Tunji-Ishola during his tenure as the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Ishola, who was a former Nigeria minister of Mines and Steel, was made an ambassador by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021 and was recalled on 31st August 2023 by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during the visit, Adeboye in the recorded video eulogised the ambassador for being the first ambassador to invite him to the Nigeria house in the UK.
While explaining God’s special love for Nigeria and Nigerians, the cleric said, God was behind the scene when 1st October was chosen as Independence Day by Nigeria’s fathers of democracy.
Pastor Adeboye said, “Nigeria is a very special country. It will amaze you to know that the most amazing date in the Biblical calendar is 1st October. That is the day that is called – the feast of trumpets – and many Bible scholars believe that the most likely date that Jesus will come back again to earth will be October 1, but the year we don’t know.
“The Bible says when Jesus will come back, it will be with the sound of the trumpet and the day for the feast of trumpet is to start on October 1st.
“Now when you consider that, you will know that God was behind the scene when our fathers (some of whom are now gone) were choosing 1st October as the day for our independence and this could explain why Nigeria has gone through so much turbulence.
“Sometimes when you think by tomorrow, there will be no more Nigeria, you will wake up the next day and still find out that Nigeria is still standing.
“No matter what is happening in Nigeria today, I firmly believe that we have a glorious future. God has a very special interest in our nation Nigeria and I want you to be encouraged.”
[Punch]
Comic actor John Okafor popularly known as Mr. Ibu is not leaving his sickbed any time soon after one of his legs was amputated a month ago.
The actor’s condition is said to have degenerated to a point that he hardly talks again. He’s also said to have undergone another surgery, cutting off part of the same leg that was initially amputated last month.
This is even as fear also has heightened following the deteriorating health of another veteran actor, Amaechi Muonagor, who’s currently hospitalized at Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State, for over two months.
The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria,AGN, Dr. Emeka Rollas, who gave an update on the health of the ailing actors in a telephone chat with our reporter, said “we are resigning to fate concerning the two actors.
“As I speak with you, Mr Ibu hardly talks again and he has undergone another leg amputation,” Rollas added.
The conditions of the ailing actors are said to have continued to deteriorate with each passing day.
According to Rollas, who recently visited Muonagor alongside some of his colleagues at the Intensive Care Unit of Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, the actor’s state of health is pitiable, as he’s currently a shadow of his old self.
“You will shed tears if you see Amaechi Muonagor now, his legs are completely paralyzed. I’m calling on all fans and well wishers of the actor to join hands with other philanthropic Nigerians to support him in this dire time,” Rollas said.
He revealed that he has approved the sum of N250,000 to be sent to the ailing actor’s account from the AGN Trust Fund, which, according to him, may not be enough, following Muonagor’s records with the Guild HMO and Insurance policy.
Rollas, however, urged young actors to endeavour to sign up for the AGN HMO and Insurance programmes.
Recall that weeks back, Amaechi Monagor’s cousin, Tony shared the actor’s health update on Facebook, when he revealed he was battling for his life after he was diagnosed with kidney disease, diabetes, and stroke during his three-week hospital admission.
In his post, Tony wrote, “This picture was taken two weeks ago when I visited my cousin Amaechi Monagor (Aguiyi) at the Nnewi Teaching Hospital. I initially had wanted to quietly assist as much as I could but later decided to make this post to clarify some things so that my friends, fans, and Amaechi’s fans, and indeed the online community can be better informed.
“Amaechi is currently down with kidney disease, diabetes, and stroke. He had been managing his diabetes over the years and living his life. He is at present undergoing weekly dialysis and other treatments at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi,” Tony wrote.
Nigeria, despite being the largest economy in Africa — with over 200 million population, is lately facing a mass exodus of multinational companies.
From January 2023 till date, no fewer than seven multinationals have either left or announced their decision to exit the country by December.
Many of these companies have spent decades doing business in Nigeria while others are folding up operations barely 3 years after announcing their arrivals.
Before 2023, some of the challenges faced by local and multinational manufacturers in Nigeria have been power crisis, constant devaluation of Naira, Forex availability coupled with other stringent policies of the government.
But following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, 2023, many things changed, including inflation on all fronts. The President, in his inaugural speech, had announced fuel subsidy removal — which has now affected Nigerians of all social strata — and directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to begin monetary policy reforms.
Subsequently, the CBN’s director in charge of financial markets, Angela Sere-Ejembi, in a press statement, said the apex bank announced immediate changes to operations in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) market.
The central bank abolished its hitherto multiple exchange rate windows and collapsed them into the business-based Investors and Exporters (I&E) window. But with the CBN’s devaluation and Foreign exchange unification, the paucity of Forex still persists.
This, arguably, affected multinationals whose business largely depended on Forex availability and purchasing power of Nigerians greatly eroded by rising inflation.
However, one of the companies to be mentioned in this article had announced their exit before May.
While the President, on many occasions, continued to urge investors to consider the many economic potentials of the country, the exodus or divestment of multinational companies in Nigeria keep sending contrasting signals to prospective investors.
Multinational companies leaving Nigeria in 2023:
Unilever
In March, Unilever announced the exit of its home care and skin cleansing from Nigeria.
According to the manufacturer of the famous brands such as Omo, Sunlight and Lux; the changes in its business led to the decision to fold up operations in the country.
GSK Plc
Barely four months after — precisely July 2023, Nigeria’s second-biggest drug producer and British pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc, announced an end to manufacturing operations in Nigeria.
While no reason was given for the company’s exit from Nigeria, GSK Plc — with headquarters in the UK — said its prescription medicines and vaccines will be sold in the country through third-party distributors.
Sanofi-Aventi Nigeria
Like GSK Plc, this French pharmaceutical multinational, Sanofi, announced its decision to quit Nigeria.
This company, in his November announcement, disclosed its resolve to appoint a third-party distributor for its commercial portfolio of medicines from February, 2024.
Bolt Food
Bolt Food, the online food-ordering arm of ride-hailing company Bolt, offers food delivery in 16 countries and 33 cities globally. But two years after launching Bolt Food in Nigeria, the company declared a difficult decision to discontinue food delivery operations in the country’s market.
The company, in a statement, blamed the decision on the need to “streamline its resources and maximise overall efficiency.”
Aside from the company’s excuse, Bolt Food exiting may not be unconnected to its operating losses recorded lately, owing to a series of factors which are not strange to the Nigerian market.
In 2022, about 80 percent of Bolt’s sales revenue came from driving services, followed by 10 per cent from rentals, with just nine per cent coming from food delivery.
Jumia Food
Like Bolt Food, another food-ordering platform has announced shutting down its food delivery operations, leaving other competitors in the Nigerian market.
According to TechPoint, the company — Jumia Food — will now focus on its core physical goods business and the Jumia Pay platform across its 11 countries of operations.
“The more we focus on our physical goods business, the more we realise that there is huge potential for Jumia to grow, with a path to profitability. We must take the right decision and fully focus our management, our teams and our capital resources to go after this opportunity. In the current context, it means leaving a business line, which we believe does not offer the same upside potential – food delivery,” said Francis Dufay, Chief Executive Officer of Jumia.
Equinor
In November, Equinor Nigeria Energy Company (ENEC), a Norwegian energy corporation, — which holds a 53.85 percent ownership in oil mining lease (OML) 128, including a 20.21 percent stake in the Agbami field, operated by Chevron — has announced the sale of its Nigerian operations
This includes the company’s stake in Agbami oil field and were all sold to a Nigerian-owned firm, Chappal Energies.
With this transaction, Equinor’s three-decade presence in the Nigerian energy market comes to an end.
Procter & Gamble (P&G)
The US consumer goods powerhouse Procter & Gamble (P&G), last Tuesday, announced its decision to shut down manufacturing in Nigeria.
The maker of iconic brands including Pampers, Gillette, Ariel, Always and Oral-B, which has been operating in the country for 30 years and ran two manufacturing plants in Ibadan, Oyo State and Agbara, Ogun State, disclosed readiness to pivot to import-only activity, describing Nigeria and Argentina markets as problematic for the corporation.
“So when you think about places like Nigeria, when you think about places like Argentina, it’s very difficult for us as a U.S. dollar-denominated company to create value,” Andre Schulten, the chief financial officer, said at Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference in New York.
However, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the director-general of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in his reaction to P&G’s and the mass exodus of multinational companies, said more may leave because the manufacturers operate in a challenging environment.
“Obviously, we received it (P&G exit) with sadness but it is not totally unexpected and more may happen because there is no doubt that we operate in an environment that is challenged,” Ajayi-Kadir said this while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
According to him, the exit of multinationals should teach the government a lesson on giving priority to local manufacturers, saying “So, what this means is that if you have a challenged local manufacturer, he is not likely to go anywhere.”
Veteran Nigerian entertainer Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has narrated how he cheated death in 2023.
Charly Boy stated this in a post on his official Instagram page.
Recounting the near-death experience to his fans on Friday, the entertainer stated that he survived prostate cancer.
While appreciating God for being alive after battling the deadly illness, he noted that many have lost their lives to it.
Sharing the video of him after surgery, Charly Boy wrote: “Many things bin happen this year 2023. The good, the bad, and the ugly. But most importantly, I cheated death for something wey no suppose kill us but has killed many.
“I’m a prostate cancer survivor. God, I’m grateful. I know this year remains small but still, by His Grace, me and everybody reading dis, shall see 2024. Iseee!!”
Video link
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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has said the country needs legislation to tackle the menace of unexplained wealth in the country.
Speaking on Thursday, at a two-day International Law Conference titled: Unexplained Wealth in the Global South: Examining the Asset Recovery and Return Trajectory organised by Christopher University, Mowe Ogun State, the EFCC Chairman who was represented by the Abuja Zonal Command, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Adebayo Adeniyi, said Nigeria has not legislated in the penance to criminalise and tackle it like some countries.
He stated that treasury looters would have little cover if the issue of unexplained wealth is given cognisance globally.
Olukoyede said several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Mauritius, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Trinidad and Tobago, had embraced the Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs) since 2018.
He said the Commission which is Nigeria’s leading anti-graft agency, is relying on the provisions of Section 7 of its Establishment Act to check the menace.
The EFCC Boss said: “The issue of unexplained wealth is not a local issue. There are jurisdictional legislations across the world to tackle it.
“Till date, countries of the world are faced with criminalities emanating from money laundering practices and illicit funds.”
This circumstance he noted, led to the promulgation of Unexplained Wealth Orders, UWOs that came into force in 2018 adding that Nigeria is yet to come up with a national legislation on it.
According to him: “In Nigeria today, unexplained wealth has become practical means of tracing, identifying, investigating and prosecuting corruption cases.
“As an anti-graft agency, suspects of any economic and financial crimes are usually required to declare their assets in the course of investigation.
“The basis for this is to properly establish their true asset base and their linkage or otherwise to any act of corruption.”
He emphasised that treasury looters would have little cover if the issue of unexplained wealth was tackled more seriously across the world.
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The Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Magaji, has explained why many businesses fail in the country.
Speaking during the 2023 CAC Management Retreat in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Magaji, represented by the CAC’s Director of Compliance, Justine Nidia, said most businesses fail due to poor planning and management.
The event had the theme ‘The Role of Corporate Affairs Commission in Promoting Investment and Economic Development’.
Magaji stated, “Available statistics however indicate that 20 per cent of new businesses fail in the first two years, 45 per cent in the first five years and 65 per cent in the first ten years.
“Only 25 per cent of new businesses survive for 15 years and above. This is usually due to poor planning and management. Going forward, therefore, it is expected that the commission will ensure proper management of businesses to avoid mortality rates.”
Magaji said the CAC would ensure seamless registration of new businesses and support new businesses to become multinational corporations.
He said the vision of the CAC was to be a world-class registry, adding, “We have witnessed registry operations move from manual to semi-automation, full automation and now to online operations.
“Future operations of the registry is expected to be cloud and artificial intelligence-based. We should therefore strive hard to invent and reinvent ourselves as individuals and organisations to avoid becoming obsolete.”
The UK government is considering stricter regulations for international students hoping to stay on two-year graduate visas.
According to The Telegraph, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), commissioned by Home Secretary James Cleverly, will scrutinize the current program as part of a broader effort to reduce net migration by 300,000.
The Committee may bar foreign students on two-year graduate visas who fail to achieve high grades from staying in the UK.
The graduate visa scheme has seen a dramatic surge in recent years, with over 98,000 students granted extensions in the year to June 2023, a 74% increase from the previous year.
However, concerns have emerged about its potential misuse as a backdoor route to low-skilled jobs or simply a two-year stay in the UK, given the current lack of employment requirements.
“There are fears that it is being used as a backdoor route to work in the UK, often in low-skilled jobs, or simply to stay for two years as there is no requirement to take up employment,” it said.
The Chairman of the MAC, Professor Brian Bell, highlighted the absence of academic performance benchmarks in the existing visa criteria.
He stated, “There’s no requirement to get particular grades in your university course… That’s the question we want to review.”
Bell said the committee will explore introducing minimum grade thresholds or specific course achievements as potential eligibility factors.
He added that further restrictions potentially under consideration include limiting the visa to graduates of certain universities or specific courses and restricting visa holders to specific job types or activities. Currently, visa holders have no limitations on their activities within the UK.
- Ex-gov imposed commissioners, advisers, others on successor
- Federal lawmakers protest, ask Tinubu to intervene, why N’Assembly can’t act yet – Reps spokesman
The list of commissioners, special advisers and other key aides as well as their portfolios was handed over to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Saturday PUNCH gathered.
A close aide of the governor, who disclosed this exclusively to Saturday PUNCH, said Fubara had no input into the appointments as his predecessor was solely responsible for their selection and appointment.
The source said the resignation of some of the commissioners was a confirmation that they were not the governor’s choices, but were rather imposed by Wike, who installed Fubara as his successor.
The aide stated, “Yes, the resignation of the commissioners has shown that they were not appointed by the governor. They were never his nominees. The list of the commissioners and advisers was handed over to the governor by the former governor with instructions on portfolios and offices to occupy. Even security agents were handed over to the governor with clear instructions on where to post them.
“Is there a way the governor can appoint commissioners, advisers and others and they will be resigning this way? It is not possible. Don’t forget that we are just about seven months in office. Commissioners appointed by the governor won’t leave.”
Responding to the claim by the FCT minister that the governor and all elected officials in Rivers State did not buy nomination forms from their pockets, the source said, “Yes, the former governor was correct to say he bought the forms for everyone. But pray, with which money? You know the salary of a governor and you know the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for the Peoples Democratic Party.
“Let those who want to go leave and the governor will assemble members of his team, and not moles planted to spy on the administration.”
More commissioners resign
The gale of resignation from the Rivers State Executive Council continued on Friday with three more commissioners joining the fray.
They are the commissioners for Transport, Dr Jacobson Nbina; Housing, Dr Gift Worlu; and Environment, Austen Ben-Chioma.
Their resignations were contained in separate letters cited by one of our correspondents and addressed to the governor through the Secretary to the State Government.
Both Nbina and Austen-Ben Chioma were also commissioners under Wike.
This brings to nine the commissioners who have so far resigned their appointments.
Nbina, who confirmed his resignation to Saturday PUNCH on Friday via the telephone said, “Yes, I resigned yesterday (Thursday).”
Asked the reason for his action, he stated, “The reason is personal to me and my family commitments. I don’t have any issue with the governor. It is very personal.”
There were reports that their action was preparing the ground for them to officially defect to the APC, though this had yet to be confirmed.
Earlier, Prof Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice); Dr Des George-Kelly ((Works); Emeka Woke (Special Duties); Mrs Inime Aguma (Social Welfare and Rehabilitation); Isaac Kamalu (Finance); and Prof Chinedu Mmom (Education), had resigned from Fubara’s cabinet
Mmom, Adangor, Aguma, George-Kelly, Nbina and Kamalu all served as commissioners under the immediate past administration of Wike and before being reappointed by Fubara.
On his part, Emeka Woke, who also resigned from Fubara’s cabinet as special duties commissioner, was Wike’s chief of staff for eight years.
Speaking to our correspondent on Wednesday, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, said a formal launch of the new APC in the state was scheduled for this weekend, adding, “You will see the tsunami that will happen that day.”
Assembly demolition continues
Meanwhile, the demolition of the state House of Assembly complex continued on Friday with the hallowed chambers completely pulled down.
One of our correspondents, who visited the complex around 10am, reported that there were four bulldozers inside the complex pulling down other adjoining buildings.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joe Johnson, had told journalists that the decision of the state government to demolish the complex built during the administration of Dr Peter Odili was because, after the visit of the governor to assess the damage caused by the October 29, 2023 explosion, he contacted a firm that reported that the building had integrity issues and was unfit for legislative business.
“So, the government will rebuild the complex. But for the meantime, the state has provided a place for the lawmakers to be sitting pending when the building is completed,” Johnson had stated.
A team of policemen in a patrol van was stationed at the Assembly entrance, while both ends of the Moscow Road leading into the complex had security blockades though human and vehicular restrictions had been relaxed.
‘Why NASS can’t intervene’
The House of Representatives has given reasons why it will not take up the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is currently embroiled in a crisis owing to the feud between Fubara and Wike.
Fubara, the political godson of the Federal Capital Territory minister, has literally parted ways with the former governor in what has been described as the battle for the soul of the oil-rich state.
Earlier in the week, 27 lawmakers believed to be loyalists of Wike defected to the All Progressives Congress, and Fubara, who appears ready to damn the consequences, wasted no time in demolishing the state House of Assembly complex, a move seen as a masterstroke to nullify whatever decisions the lawmakers are likely to take against him.
Things have since moved very fast with a couple of top government functionaries resigning their positions in a replay of the Godwin Obaseki/Adams Oshiomhole feud a few years ago.
The tension in Rivers State has led to suggestions of possible intervention by the National Assembly to restore order by taking over the role of the state lawmakers until the return of normalcy in line with the provision of Section 11 (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Subsection (4) provides, “At any time when any House of Assembly of a state is unable to perform its functions because of the situation prevailing in that state, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that state concerning matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear.”
Subsection (5) reads, “For the purposes of subsection (4) of this section, a House of Assembly shall not be deemed to be unable to perform its functions as long as the House of Assembly can hold a meeting and transact business.”
In an exclusive conversation with Saturday PUNCH, the deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Phillip Agbese, said the ongoing political turbulence in Rivers State had yet to be tabled before the Green Chamber, noting that until that was done, there could be little or no intervention in the interim.
Agbese stated, “It is true that there is a constitutional backing for the National Assembly to intervene where there are established instances of crisis in a state House of Assembly that is unable to perform its functions.
“The 10th House has not been notified of any crisis. If it is not formally aware, there is nothing much we can do by way of intervention in the crisis, but it is our wish that the matter will be resolved amicably so that Rivers lawmakers can go about the business they were elected to do by their people. This is all I can say for now.”
Protests against crisis
The political crisis in the state took a new twist on Friday as two members of the National Assembly from Rivers State and the National President of the Ijaw National Congress led separate groups to Port Harcourt to protest against the happenings in the state and registered their solidarity with the governor.
The two National Assembly members are Awaji-Inombek Abiante, who represents the Andoni/Opopo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, and Boma Goodhead, the representative of the Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency, both in the House of Representatives.
In a solidarity rally, the lawmakers led hundreds of youths who sang and marched from the popular UTC junction through Azikiwe Road, passed in front of the Government House and terminated at the entrance to the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.
Addressing the crowd, Abiante said the Rivers people were not slaves and the state was not a conquered territory.
In a veiled reference to the FCT minister, he said his local government area of Andoni did not witness any development while Wike held sway in the state despite his claims of touching every council area, and slammed him for orchestrating the planned impeachment of Fubara.
He also urged President Bola Tinubu to practice what he preaches by ensuring that good governance prevailed in Rivers State, pointing out that good governance was synonymous with respect for the rule of law.
The federal lawmaker said, “There are slaves who are always happy in chains. But if you go through the history of Rivers State, if you go through the evolution and the abolition of slavery worldwide, you will hear names from Rivers State.
“We are not slaves. We are not part of those slaves who are happy in their chains. I want to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for telling the entire world and affirming that indeed one ingredient that can stop a violent takeover of government and that can stop the violence of humans is good governance.
“He preached it and is the chair of the Heads of Government of the West African nations. We implore him to preach the same in his country. You cannot sell what you don’t have. We cannot become a laughing stock in the comity of nations in the West African sub-region.
“I’m a member of the ECOWAS Parliament and I know that we deserve to have that respect, and he (Tinubu) has preached it. If there has to be good governance, Rivers State is a test case.
“Good governance hinges on respect for the rule of law. Some people, who we elected, have offered to vacate their seats. That is what the law says. A lawmaker should not be seen to be breaking the law.”
While taking a swipe at the members of the state House of Assembly who defected to the APC for their action, Abiante said the law stipulated that they would lose their privileges.
He added, “They should be courageous enough to park their things out of the official quarters allocated to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. They are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“They should also stop being in contempt of court as the court has declared. And on their own volition, they have abandoned the responsibility given to them.
“As you leave here, go back home and begin to select those who will represent you in the House of Assembly. I have somebody who is supposed to be representing me and I saw him shamelessly saying he signed for the impeachment of the governor given to us by God.
“What does he want to impeach Fubara for? Is it the fact that for eight good years, not even a toilet was inaugurated in the life of the immediate past administration of Rivers State in Andoni?
“Not even a toilet was inaugurated and the pride is I have done everything in all the local government areas. I challenge anyone to come and tell me what was done in Andoni. Less than six months, we now have a good road to the headquarters of Andoni LGA and somebody that we elected to represent us is telling us that he wants to impeach that governor. Can that ever work?
“So, we have just sent a message to Mr President to entrench good governance and begin from Rivers State. I want to tell the Inspector-General of Police again. I stood on the floor of the House and condemned the attempted assassination of the Rivers State governor and the IG told me that it was fake news.
“How can he tell me it was fake news, something that was watched all over the world? We will forgive him. Otherwise, we would have said that a character like that is not qualified for the position. But we have forgiven him. It should not happen again.
“Governance led by Sim Fubara is for Rivers people. Any of the person or group of persons parading whatever, they are not sent by us.”
On his part, the INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba, led many Ijaw youths to the Government House in solidarity with Fubara, whom he described as a true Ijaw son.
Amid singing and dancing, the youth displayed placards with several inscriptions to drive home their message.
Some of the inscriptions read, ‘Rivers must be from impunity and tyranny’, ‘Rivers and Ijaw people are in support of Governor Fubara’, ‘The governor must be allowed to govern’, and ‘Let’s end godfatherism’ among others.
Addressing journalists on the sidelines, Okaba stated, “These are Ijaw people gathered here on this fateful day. We are from seven states of the South-South. As we speak, over two million Ijaw youths are in Port Harcourt.
“We have decided to embark on this symbolic solidarity march to the Government House, Port Harcourt. Ijaw men and women are coming from Bayelsa, Edo State, Ondo State, from Lagos and Akwa Ibom states. If need be, we shall bring Ijaw people from all the coastal regions to show our solidarity for our son, the legitimately elected governor of Rivers State.
“The purpose of this rally is to call on President Tinubu to advise his minister to take his knees off the neck of the governor of Rivers State.”
He expressed dismay that even after the intervention of the President, the PDP governors, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, elders and many democrats across the country, “Wike is still hell bent on cutting short the tenure of Fubara. We are here to resist any attempt to scuttle the process.
“We are here as Ijaw people to say that Wike has won a lot of battles, but this is a war against the Ijaw people. Let him go to the history of the Ijaw nation. The Ijaw nation has never been conquered since pre-colonial times. And we shall never be conquered.
“Wike has dared the Ijaw people. Wike has declared war against the Ijaw people and we are ready for him.”
The INC boss emphasized that Tinubu’s refusal to call caution the minister showed that he was supporting him to cause a crisis in Rivers State.
Okaba added that the Ijaw nation had suffered marginalisation for too long despite hosting oil resources and installations that sustain the country, noting that the people of the Niger Delta could no longer guarantee the safety of oil facilities in the region.
He stated that for the President to remain quiet while Wike was causing embarrassment in his own state showed that he was supporting the minister.
He added, “We are already angered that the government of President Bola Tinubu has marginalised the Ijaw people. In Delta State, where three persons were picked for federal appointments, none of them is from the Ijaw nation.
“Meanwhile, in that state, the Ijaws are the most economically viable. We are noting all of this. But for him to keep quiet and allow Wike to misbehave shows that there is some tacit support. And we shall not take that.
“As we speak our people are so angered; our people are so frustrated to the extent that we can no longer guarantee if things continue in this way the safety of the oil installations in Ijaw land and in our region.
“And if you (President) are taking us for granted; continue. A day shall tell whether the Ijaw people are still Ijaw people who will say a thing and make it come to pass.
“Since 1958, the Nigerian nation has been surviving on the oil that comes from Ijaw land. Till today, we are crying about marginalisation and we are crying over environmental degradation.
“When you talk of climate change and all that, the Ijaw nation is most affected. But daily, we are treated as if we are not humans. This must stop.
“Forty million Ijaw people are angered and aggrieved. And they are saying that a slap on Governor Fubara is a slap on the entire Ijaw nation. Any attempt to further close up the political space to remove Siminalayi Fubara from office is a call for fire.”
The Nigeria Immigration Service has said it is investigating the alleged extortion of a United States-based Nigerian Professor, Moyo Okediji, by men of the service.
Okediji had on Tuesday taken to his Facebook page to post about how he gave $40 to some immigration officers who accosted him at the Seme border and demanded to be “settled” after they conducted a search on him.
Okediji, a Professor of Arts and History at the University of Texas, United States, wrote that after he was released by the men of the Immigration, whom he said “were many”, he discovered that $500 had also gone missing from his luggage.
He further said his ordeal was compounded when suspected officers of the Nigeria Police in the FESTAC area of Lagos allegedly harassed him.
He wrote, “Without the intervention of a crowd of young Igbo men who saved me from the hands of the Nigeria Police attached to the FESTAC Mile Two station, I would be a dead man today (Tuesday).
“I arrived Lagos today (on Tuesday). I came in through Ghana and decided to enter Nigeria by road so I could see the lagoon landscape, riding a Jeep that I hired to drive me down. Everything went well in Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, until I stepped into Nigeria. The first immigration checkpoint that we encountered was at the Seme border, on the Nigeria side.
“One of the immigration officers took a look at me, and said, ‘Come down, oga.’ To cut a long story short, they robbed me of $500. There were many of them, and they invited me to their shed. They took my hand luggage, with all the money that I brought from the US.”
He said the official’s excuse was that they wanted to search his luggage to see if it contained contraband.
“They asked for my Nigeria passport. I told them it had expired and I was in Nigeria to renew it. They said it was an offence for me to enter the country with an expired passport. I apologised. But they wanted none of that. They said I had to ‘settle’ them. They had my wallet containing the money I brought to spend in Nigeria.
“They saw two twenty-dollar notes and said I needed to give them these notes, otherwise they would seize all the money in the wallet, and take me to their office to make a statement. I had heard stories of visitors to the country ending up dead when the police invited them to their offices to clear some issues. So, I eagerly gave them the forty dollars. They gave me back my things. But when I counted my money later, $500 was missing,” he said.
The don narrated that when he further got to the FESTAC Mile Two motor park, “three gun-toting police officers appeared.”
“They (the policemen) asked for identifications. I gave them my driving licence, the university-issued ID card, my US passport and my Nigeria passport. They took them from me. By that time, about 10 police officers had descended upon me.”
“Before you could say ‘Ki lo de?’ (what happened?), the police officers searched me thoroughly.
He said he was “rescued” by some Igbo boys at the park, numbering up to 100 before the policemen allowed him to go.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the NIS, Dotun Aridegbe, said on Thursday that “the situation is being investigated.”
On his part, the Divisional Police Officer, FESTAC, Balogun Gboyega, noted that the lecturer ought to come forward for a report so he could properly identify the suspected officers who allegedly harassed him.
Gboyega said, “The following day (of the incident), you (the lecturer) can take the pain to see the DPO or the Area Commander to make a case and identify these boys, for which we will do an identification parade of every one of them. Every one of them (officers) denied it because there was no complaint.”
Gboyega noted that policemen could search anyone but not to intimidate, harass, or embarrass such a person.
“The man feels that police officers harassed him, he can come and make a complaint,” the DPO added.
He disclosed that the police could not identify if the officers were men of the Area Command or the division because there was no evidence before the police yet.
“Only he (the lecturer) can identify those who did it,” he said, “if he can come, let’s do an identification parade for these people.”