News

PDP Lawmakers Differ On Reps Plan To Summon Jonathan

Published

9 years ago

April 17, 2017

Some opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have reacted to the plans by an ad-hoc committee investigating the $1.3 billion Malabu Oil deal to summon former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, over his role in the controversial award of OPL 245 licence.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, who also chairs the ad-hoc panel investigating the scandal, Razak Atunwa, had told newsmen, yesterday, that his committee would invite the former president for questioning.
Atunwa later released a statement to the media restating his position, with sources saying that the committee has the approval of the Speaker to summon the former president.
Although Jonathan has denied receiving anything from the over $800million transferred into the private account of ex-petroleum minister, Dan Etete, by his administration, from the money paid by oil giants, Shell and ENI; investigations in Nigeria, United States and Italy, indicate that the former president may have benefitted from the deal.
Apart from Jonathan, other officials believed to have benefitted from the Malabu funds, include his former justice minister, Mohammed Adoke, and then petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
It is based on recent revelations suggesting Jonathan’s involvement that the committee decided to invite the former president.
However, some lawmakers from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have, however, expressed reservations with the decision.
Atunwa, like House Speaker, Hon Yakubu Dogara, is of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but his committee, like the House of Representatives, also has PDP members.
In an interview, yesterday, the House Minority Leader, Hon Leo Ogor, said there are modalities in summoning an ex-president.
“If it is the resolution of the House, we’ll follow it logically,” he said, adding that, “This isn’t the first time a former president will be summoned by the House”
The PDP House leader said rather than summon the former president; the two oil firms (Shell and ENI) who paid the money into the Federal Government account should be investigated.
“The ex-president said he doesn’t have a foreign account,” he said.
“I think the committee should rather investigate the oil firms, the minister of petroleum and attorney general since they participated in signing the MoU.”
He, however, expressed optimism that Jonathan will be exonerated at the end of the investigation.
“I chaired that committee in the 7th Assembly, we did our investigations, and I’m sure Jonathan will be exonerated”.
Also commenting on the potential summon, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, a PDP lawmaker from Edo State, said he was not aware of such plans but believes the ex-president will appear if summoned.
“I know Jonathan is a man who believes in the rule of law, he will definitely appear if he is invited.
“We shouldn’t be talking about that now since he has not been invited”, Agbonayinma said.
He said the allegations against the former president, who is spearheading moves to unite a factionalised PDP, had not been proven in court.
Also speaking on the matter, Nicholas Ossai, from Delta State, said any plan to invite the former president must be discussed at plenary.
“Former presidents, irrespective of their political parties are senior citizens, and there are certain levels of respect accorded to them”, he said.
“If there is any plan to summon him, it has to be deliberated on the floor of the House”.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

21 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

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

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

22 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

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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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

22 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

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.