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Eight Years Tenure For Fubara Not Negotiable, IYC Declares …Urges Akpabio, Wike To Mind Utterances …Warns Against Heating Up Rivers Polity
Going by the statement credited to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, urging Ogoni people to work together to produce the next governor for Rivers State in 2027, the apex Ijaw socio–cultural group, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Opobo-Ibani Clan, has vowed to stand by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and protect his interest with its last blood to ensure that in 2027 Governorship election, he would be re-elected to complete his eight years tenure, which is not negotiable.
This is contained in a statement by the group in Port Harcourt and signed by its Chairman, Clinton Ogolo; Coordinator, Ibitamuno Cookey-Gam; and Secretary, Emmanuel Diri; shortly after IYC enlarged National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
The group, which is a crusader of quality service delivery, noted that the Ijaws in the state had been neglected and relegated over the years by successive administrations.
According to the group, “Our support to the governor for the soul of Rivers Brick House in 2027 is not negotiable as there is no vacancy until after 2031, when Fubara might have completed his government’s eight years of productive leadership, same way we supported former governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike for eight years.
“Today, we stand our ground to back Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Even if it happens to any other person, we in Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) will show the same support. IYC will continuously support the person the same way we stood with Wike, where many of our members lost their lives,” it stated.
The group used the opportunity to admonish Governor Siminalayi Fubara to keep all distractions at bay and continue in his people-oriented development programmes in the state.
It appealed to the governor to consider the involvement of IYC in the scheme of things in the state, expressing happiness that their agitation for an Ijaw Governor has come to stay, adding that at the end of the day, the wish of the people, particularly Rivers-Ijaw will finally prevail.
IYC lamented that it has been subjected to all manner of threats on the allegations that it was vehemently supporting the State Chief Executive in the political crisis rocking the state.
“No amount of the threats, intimidating statements will make us in IYC to turn our back in supporting the present dispensation under the watch of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“We are assuring that the same support we gave to Wike during his reign as governor remains the same support we are giving the incumbent Governor Fubara.
“Siminalayi Fubara remains a River-Ijaw indigene. He is eminently qualified to be the governor, and we will stand by him and protect his interest with our last blood,” IYC declared.
The group charged Rivers people to shun the ranting of Godswill Akpabio, Nyesom Wike and their cohorts during a thanksgiving service in honour of Dr. Barinada Mpigi re-election victory at the Supreme Court in Tai LGA recently, and redouble their support for Governor Fubara, stating that he has the excess capacity to deliver on his administration’s mandate in providing the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
The group called on Fubara to carry all and sundry along in his government policies and programmes, while urging opposition in the state to sheathe their warring swords, and give the governor all the needed support as was accorded former governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for eight years.
“We stand to declare that the IYC will ensure that Governor Fubara governs the state for two tenures of eight years,” adding that their stance remains non-negotiable.
“This is something we cannot negotiate. Governor Siminalayi Fubara is going to run Rivers State for eight years. It is sacrosanct, it is certain. It is not negotiable. After his eight years, he will bow out and another person will take over,” it declared.
Meanwhile, the group has cautioned Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike and others of their cohorts who don’t mean well for the progress of the state to distant themselves from the administration of Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who has come to right the wrongs of the past administrations as headed by Chief Nyesom Wike or be ready to face the wrath of Rivers youths.
The IYC warned Akpabio, Wike and their cronies to shun negative political propaganda, stressing that “further negative utterances and attempt to heat up the polity in the state will be resisted by IYC, no matter whose ox is gored.”
It added that, “only Rivers electorate after God Almighty remain the provider for the governor in the state, and not the business of either Wike, Akpabio or their faceless and shameless cronies”, IYC submitted.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has demanded quick and full resolution to the challenges arising from the gas leakage that occurred in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of the State.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
President Bola Tinubu has announced the launch of a training programme for 5,000 young Nigerians as meter installers and technicians under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.
The Federal Government has announced that the third evacuation flight for Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will arrive Lagos today having departed Johannesburg at midnight yesterday with 271 returnees on board.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.
It said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.
The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.
