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New SIM Support Group Inaugurates State Officials 

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A Political Pressure Group with a formidable support base for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, under the aegis of “ Supreme Council For Sim, (Worldwide) has been inaugurated in the state
The group has also appointed a former Commissioner in the state, Hon Lolo Ibieneye, as its Chairman; former Chairman, Eleme Local Government Area, ,Amb. Ngofa Oji, as its Co- Chairman while Dr. Steward Felicia was appointed at Administrative Officer.
Inaugurating the State officials of Supreme Council for Sim, last weekend in Port Harcourt, the convener, Mr Fubara Joshua, said the primary reason for the formation of the group was to canvas  support for Governor Fubara across the 23 LGAs of the state
Mr Joshua hinted that, as a result of the enormity of the task at hand, some eminent personalities where carefully selected across the state to man and navigate the affairs of the body to success, noting that officers of the group at the 23 LGAS of the state will also be constituted to galvanise support for Governor Fubara at the grassroots.
He said that the Supreme Council for Sim, under the leadership of Hon. Ibieneye, pioneer PDP member and Amb Ngofa, the group was set in the right direction, considering their wealth of experience
He said that the group would showcase the ideologies of Governor Fubara.
”We thank God that we have been able to inaugurate seasoned politicians and credible men and women who will run the affairs of the body .
“They now have the mandate to tell Rivers people about the good plans of the governor for his people across the 23 LGAs
“There’s the adage that ‘evil triumph when the good ones do nothing’. It is time good people speak up about genuine intention of the governor.
“Civil servants are promoted, arreas paid, 100 thousand Naira Christmas gift given, human capital development and infrastructure are some of the milestones of Governor Fubara within short period”, he said.
In his maiden speech, the Chairman, Supreme Council for Sim (Worldwide), Hon. Lolo Ibieneye, urged Rivers people to support Governor Fubara because he means well for everyone
Hon. Ibieneye said, one of the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, said love remains one of the cardinal principles of the group
The former Commissioner under Dr Peter Odili regime noted that the group had the mandate to galvanise support and stand for Governor Fubara
“Sim means well for Rivers State. There is need to show love to everyone. No need to fight, rather galvanise support for Sim. Don’t allow anyone make you angry. Make sure no one is left out in this movement. We need to work together, believing the movement will become successful as the siege is over”, he said.
Similarly, the Co- Chairman, Amb. Ngofa, said it was worthwhile seeing various groups springing up to support Governor Fubara in the face of distractions
Amb. Ngofa, former Nigeria’s ambassador to the Netherlands, stressed that various groups coming up to declare support for Governor Fubara demonstrates love and political consciousness of the people.
He described the governor as a liberator of his people who where in an atmosphere of dictatorship
Amb. Ngofa hinted that the vision of the governor to properly develop Rivers State through the instrumentality of human capital development naturally attracts support of well meaning people of Rivers State
He assured the people that governor Fubara would give everyone a sense of belonging, unite Rivers State, ensure a sense of inclusion and pursue collective development for the benefit of everyone.
Amb. Ngofa said the group will complement other groups to articulate and realign for the interest of Rivers people, stressing that Governor Fubara is a complete departure from former Governor Nyesom Wike’ s lack of imagination on governance and administration.
On her part, the Admin Officer, Dr Felicia Stewart, assured that women will give the group necessary support to achieve desired objectives.
Dr Stewart said women were ready to show support and solidarity, believing that the governor has good plans for them.
She urged Rivers women to pray and throw their weight behind Governor Fubara through some formidable groups like the Supreme Council for Sim.

By: Taneh Beemene

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Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

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The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.
The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.
The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.
Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.
“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.
He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.
According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.
He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.
“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.
Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.
He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”
He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.
Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.
“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.
He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.
“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.
He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.
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Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

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The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

 

King Onunwor

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Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

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The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.
The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.
The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

 

Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.

“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.

The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.

“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.

PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.

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