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Impasse Brews In Senate …As APC Maintains Boycott Of Ekweremadu’s Session

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10 years ago

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Even as the Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Aliyu has continued to paint the Senate in colours of peace, the indications that the power tussle between the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) and the opposition, People’s Democratic Party (PDP)  may continue to cripple activities in the Senate is becoming stronger now as more facts have emerged that the APC’s vow to boycott every session handed over to Deputy Senate President, Ekweremmadu to preside over remains solid even after their caucus meeting, yesterday..
Facts behind Senate’s inability to sit whenever the Senate President, Bukola Saraki was not on ground have also shown that it was not just on solidarity course as assumed but because the APC majority has vowed never to sit in a session presided over by the PDP’s  Deputy Senate President , Ike Ekweremmadu.
The PDP’s caucus , The Tide gathered, in reaction to this development,  are not ready to take the issue lying low but are considering various options aimed at getting them due or undue advantage through situation.
According to a PDP Senator who spoke under anonymity, “If APC continues to leave the chambers for PDP,  whenever Ekweremmadu Presides, we shall have an ultimate option of turning our supposed loss to gain. Once quorum has been ascertained at the beginning in of a session, leaving the chambers or not changes nothing.
Recall that all these days the Senate President, Bukola Saraki went for CCT or court sessions, the Senate chambers remained closed, with many believing it was all in solidarity with one of their own
However the events of last Wednesday where members of the APC lawmakers in the Senate, including some principal officers like the Chief Whip of the Senate, Shola Adeyeye, former Deputy Minority Whip, Abu Ibrahim, among others, walked out on the Deputy Senate President when he was called upon to preside over the Senate, to enable the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, attend the swearing in and inauguration of the new Federal Executive Council (FEC) by President Mohammadu Buhari.
The aggrieved Senators accused the Senate President of a plot to handover the Senate to the minority party in the chamber.    .
Though the plenary session continued because many of the APC senators, including the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, Kabiru Gaya, Ibin N’ala, among others, as well as majority of the PDP senators were present, the Senate President apparently, was forced to return to the Chambers to preside over the remaining part of plenary session.
In furtherance of their threat, one of the staunch anti Saraki Senators, Sen. Sulaiman Hunkwui, issued a statement saying that the APC senators will reject any attempt to hand over the Senate to the opposition PDP.
The statement read in parts “In equal stance, we notice with grave sadness, the handover of the hallowed chamber of the Senate today to the opposition party the PDP, by the Senate President to Ike Ekweremadu as the PDP helmsman to preside over the majority membership of the APC led chamber.
“It is very sad development that must be denounced by all well meaning APC members and leaders alike. With this, to show our protest as APC senators of the 8th Senate, wish to announce that we shall seize to attend any seating presided over by the PDP in an APC majority chamber of the 8th Senate.”, the statement concluded.
The Senate immediately after reacted to the allegation that there was a plot to handover the Senate to the PDP, saying there was no such conspiracy in the Senate.
In a statement issued by the Senate spokesman, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate said the alleged conspiracy is a figment of imagination of those who claim that there was such conspiracy.
While urging Nigerians to disregard the allegation, the Senate reiterated its “commitment to providing robust legislative actions to support the change agenda of the President Mohammadu Buhari government”. Bi partisan stand of the Senate has not and will not be an impediment”.

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By John Bibor
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.
On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.
Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.
The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.
Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.
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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.
The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.
The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.
The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.
Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.
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