News

Eight Years Tenure For Fubara Not Negotiable, IYC Declares …Urges Akpabio, Wike To Mind Utterances …Warns Against Heating Up Rivers Polity

Published

2 years ago

February 28, 2024

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.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

13 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

14 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

14 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.