News

Minister Threatens To Expose APC Gov Over Chibok Girls Saga …As Fani Kayode Hails Minister’s Support For Atiku

Published

8 years ago

September 11, 2017

The embattled Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan has threatened to expose Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai on his role in Chibok girls kidnapping.
The minister said she was surprised that a dirty character like El-Rufai could even have the gut to comment against her preference for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for 2019 Presidential race.
She said, there are lots of things Nigerians need to know about the planning and execution of Chibok girls’ kidnapping because those behind it will be unmasked very soon. The intention was very obvious, to defame and blackmail the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Goodluck Jonathan out of power.
The minister’s outburst was triggered by the comment credited to El-Rufai where he was quoted as saying that President Muhammadu Buhari was severely warned not to appoint Alhassan.
It would be recalled that El-Rufai said last week that Alhassan had never been loyal to President Buhari from day one, noting that her loyalty lies with someone who was not even ready to support the party to success just because the person also wanted to become President.
In her response, Aisha Alhassan said those who know history well could tell about the treacherous nature of El-Rufai who can go to any length to stab anyone just to rise politically, adding that el-Rufai was nobody until Atiku brought him to political relevance.
According to her, “the same el-Rufai was among those who plotted against Jonathan by tactically supporting Boko Haram and kidnapping Chibok girls. He also lied that Jonathan wanted to kill him and other top members of APC by raising a false alarm about sniper list. No sane Nigerian will take El-Rufai seriously because he is an unrepentant liar.
“The same El-Rufai, who claimed to be loyal to the president, is sponsoring some bloggers and his errand boys in the media to keep attacking and defaming Buhari. At least, Nigerians and our party can see his deliberate action to blackmail the president when he released his memo to the media which was supposed to be a confidential memo to the president in his bid to tarnish and embarrass Buhari.
“I am not a coward; Buhari is my president and one of the fathers of my party, APC. If I can’t be real with my choice of Atiku, then, it would amount to eye service, I am not that kind of person.
“Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo through his book, “My Watch”, gave a valid description of who the midget, el-Rufai is, he thrives on stabbing the hands that fed him just to rise politically, he can lie and kill so far he will rise in his political career not minding the pain he is inflicting on others.
“I will personally meet with President Buhari and explain myself to him, I am not afraid of anybody in the party, after all I am a politician, for those who have gone ahead to plant corruption story about me in the media, you are just wasting your time,” she added.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has hailed Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan (Mama Taraba) for her declaration that she will Support former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar over President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
Fani-Kayode in a statement, yesterday, described her as a woman of immense courage.
“Mama Taraba is a courageous woman who has spoken the truth. Vice President Abubakar Atiku is a blessing to this nation whilst President Muhammadu Buhari is a curse. The APC’s sun is about to set “, he claimed.
“ Mama Taraba has a duty to tell us all what she knows about Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s alleged role in the Chibok girls scam and Boko Haram. I urge her to do so.
“ I said it before, during and after the 2015 presidential campaign that the truth about the Chibok girls and those behind Boko Haram was yet to be heard. Now, it is all coming out. Nothing is hidden under the sun.
“ Thank you Mama Taraba. Others will also come out to tell us what they know. Soon, the world will know who the real terrorists are,” he added.
However, Abubakar has backed the comments by Mama Taraba.
Atiku, who recently noted he was sidelined by the party after the 2015 general elections, said Alhassan’s declaration “couldn’t have been said any better”.
The former Vice President insisted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a coalition and that appointees have the right to keep their allegiance with whosoever they please.
Atiku, recently elevated to the Waziri of Adamawa disclosed that even other ministers in the cabinet have different views and opinions as regard the 2019 presidential election.
The Women Affairs Minister, Aisha Jummia Alhassan, yesterday, received further bashing over her open declaration of support for former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

4 days 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

5 days 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

5 days 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.