Politics
Fubara Urges FG’s Action Against Crude Oil Theft
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged the Federal Government to ensure sanity and reduce economic sabotage to the barest minimum in the oil and gas sector by locating and clamping down on the cartel engaged in crude oil theft.
Governor Fubara gave the charge while addressing the Joint Presidential Committee on Crude Oil Theft on facility visit to the Niger Delta, who paid him a courtesy call in Government House, Port Harcourt, on Saturday.
Governor Fubara said the clamp down on this powerful cartel and their syndicates will address the depletion of national resources and huge revenue losses as a result of illegal bunkering activities and pipelines vandalism.
The Governor faulted the placement of surveillance roles and oil pipelines security in the hands of individuals, noting that the approach has remained counter-productive, while recommending a more wholesome approach in which all critical stakeholders, including host communities, will be involved in the security of oil and gas assets to achieve positive results.
He said, “We’re one of the first States that was able to break the rank of illegal bunkering. My predecessor had a special team; he funded them and he fought the cabal. We’ve sustained that committee; we’ve been giving the necessary support to security agencies and it has been yielding results. What brings all these is unemployment and poverty.
“The big people in this business aren’t from here, they are those in Abuja who have licence to operate. If they are not encouraging it, I don’t think it will thrive. We need to work, not just on the locals, but also see what we can do to really clamp down on those big ones that sit in Abuja that are also part of this.”
Governor Fubara who restated the commitment of the Rivers State Government to fighillegal bunkering activities in the State, called on relevant agencies and stakeholders to join the fight against economic sabotage.
He decried the neglect of critical infrastructure in Rivers State, citing the deplorable state of the East-West Road which is yet to receive any attention from the Federal Government despite its strategic importance to the economic development of the country.
In his remarks, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who led the delegation thanked the Governor for the audience, stating that the team was on a facility visit of the Niger Delta to ascertain the state of activities in the oil rich region.
He said beyond the resources in the region, the Niger Delta deserves peace and a better standard of living, and assured the commitment of the Federal Government towards the challenges of insecurity in the region.
Also speaking, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Bagudu said the team had the marching order of the President to visit facilities in the Niger Delta and work with the states to promote peace in the region and ensure that national assets are protected.
On Friday, Governor Fubara condemned the recent robbery attack and molestation of students at the Rivers State university, assuring that proper investigation will be done on the matter to bring the perpetrators to book.
Speaking to newsmen at Government Secondary School, Eneka, shortly after the inspection of ongoing projects in parts of the state ahead of the celebration of his 100 days in office, Governor Fubara frowned at the security lapses in the institution which paved way for the attack.
He said, “I heard what happened in the Rivers State University this morning, it’s not an issue that we should be talking about in this jet age, people invading campuses to molest students; we aren’t going to treat it with kid gloves, it’s something that I’ve to take seriously. I’ll be there to see what the school authority is doing about the security of the students.”
Addressing the students community during a solidarity visit and fact-finding on the unfortunate incident in the school, the Governor who empathised with the victims, assured them of proper medical attention, stating that the security of the students would not be compromised.
Governor Fubara, who inspected projects in four local government area of Eleme, Oyigbo,Tai and Obio Akpor in company of the Commissioner for Works, Dr Alabo George- Kelly, and the Commissioner for Education, Prof Chinedu Mmom expressed satisfaction over the pace of work done by the contractors handling the various projects.
He said the old Bori road connecting Ogoni, Andoni and Opobo will be flagged off for reconstruction during his 100 days in office celebration.
Projects inspected included Comprehensive Secondary School, Alesa Eleme in Eleme LGA; Botem, Gbeneue, Horo Road in Tai Local Governent Area; Government Secondary School, Koroma, also in Tai LGA; Okoloama-Afam Road in Oyigbo LGA and Government Secondary School, Eneka in Obio /Akpor LGA.
By: Beemene Taneh
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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