Politics
One Year In Office: Gov Fubara Answering Critics With Projects Delivery (1)
Against the surging wave of high political brinkmanship almost immediately after assuming office on May 29, 2023, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has continued to prove his mettle as a committed and focused leader, dispensing quality governance to the State and its people.
This is evident in the harvest of projects delivered in the State as he celebrates one year in office as the Chief Executive of Rivers State in the face of unabating distraction and provocations.
Activities marking the anniversary celebration started on Monday, May 13, with the commissioning of the Ebubu, Ete-o- Aleto road, also known as old Bori Road, in Eleme Local Government Area.
Speaking during the project commissioning, Governor Fubara declared that his response to the provocations by his detractors will be to deliver good governance and execute quality projects that will have positive impact on the lives of the people.
Accompanied by his Abia State counterpart, Governor Alex Otti, who was the Special Guest of Honour, and other critical stakeholders at the event, the Rivers State Governor said he embarked on the project, which is a by pass, to lesson the burden on the East-West Road, and as such complement the efforts of the Federal Government.
He explained further that his administration has the full support of the Federal Government but was being sabotaged by self serving unpatriotic politicians, and faulted the insinuations by political dissidents in the State that his administration was not in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Against the claims of non-indebtedness by the previous administration on projects executed, Governor Fubara revealed that contractors who handled projects under the immediate past administration were still coming to demand balance of payment.
“I’ll continue to identify with good governance, I will continue to identify with those that want to better the lots of the people. We are aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda to complement the efforts of the Federal Government with good projects”, he said.
The Governor who started his early years of career development in Eleme, thanked the people for their support to his administration and cooperation with the contractors which led to the successful completion of the project, and assured that his administration will execute more projects in the area.
He pointed out that he invited the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, to commission the project because he is not a man of artificial integrity but a man of action who is embarking on transformational projects in his State in the face of daunting challenges as well.
In his remarks, Dr Otti said Governor Fubara came prepared to serve Rivers State as nothing would distract him from attending to the welfare needs of the citizenry and urged Rivers people to continue to support the administration of Governor Fubara.
On Thursday, May 16, Governor Fubara flagged off the 33km Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road at Egbeda Town in Ikwerre Local Government Area, with a commitment to continue to deliver quality projects across the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Fubara condemned the attack on his supporters at Eleme by some unscrupulous elements shortly after the commissioning of the Aleto, Ete-o Ebubu, (Old Bori Road ), stating that such actions intended to justify loyalty to a political overlord was totally unacceptable.
He cautioned local council chairmen across the State to guard their utterances and actions, reminding them that they were left with only a few days in office and would be made to pay for hurting anyone unlawfully.
Governor Fubara maintained that he had endured the verbal abuses of his person and attacks on his followers because he had opted to tow the path of peace based on the promise he made to President Bola Tinubu, warning that his peaceful disposition should not be taken for granted.
The Governor declared that his administration came prepared for governance and was ready to account for every money spent in projects delivery, stating that he invited Senator John Mbata as the Special Guest of Honour for the flag off because the Mbata dynasty is a repository of honour and integrity in Ikwerre in particular, and Rivers State in general.
He pointed out that the dualisation of the Elele-Egbeda- Omoku road project will be financed through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and 50per cent of the total cost of the contract had been paid to the contractors in advance in order to avoid variations as a result of fluctuation of prices while charging the contractors to deliver the project in record time.
“Our mission isn’t different from President Tinibu’s Renewed Hope to Nigerians; we’re here to give hope, we’re doing it genuinely for the service of the people. We’ve started our journey of showcasing what we’ve done in the state.
“We’re a government that’s ready to serve the people; we’re transparent and genuinely care about the people. When the road is completed, commercial activities will become easy, that’s caring for the people. We’re ready and prepared for the task of governance”, he stated.
In his remarks, Senator John Mbata congratulated Governor Fubara on his one year in office and expressed delight that Rivers State has a governor of his caliber at this period in time.
He commended the Governor for his “humanity, humility, propensity and preference for peace and tranquility”, and assured to join force with stakeholders to support the Governor to emancipate the people and bring development to Rivers State.
On Friday, May 17, the newly constructed Emuoha – Kalabari Road was commissioned by former governor of Bayelsa State and serving Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
In his speech at the commissioning ceremony, which held at Tema junction in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Governor Fubara stated that his administration will not misappropriate funds but judiciously use the resources of the state and tax payer’s money for the development of the state.
“ Out of the total cost of N22billion, the previous administration paid N6billion. I can boldly say that the balance of N16billion, which is 70per cent of the total cost, has been completely paid, therefore we can boldly say that this project was delivered by this administration”, he said.
The Governor further approved the extension of the Emuoha-Kalabari Road from Tema junction to Abonnema Town, assuring that the Ifoko extension will be completed before the end of his administration.
In his remarks, Senator Dickson commended the Rivers State Governor for prioritising peace as the necessary recipe for development and his taste for life changing projects in Rivers State, noting that the construction of roads in the Niger Delta region is difficult and only a governor that has the love for his people can embark on such ventures.
“As a lover of Niger Delta culture and tradition, I’ve taken this road several times to most of the communities in Kalabari Kingdom. I share in the joy of those who are directly impacted”, he said.
He described Governor Fubara as a man of discipline, focus and prudence, with the capacity to rise above the altitude of distraction to dispense good governance to the people, and urged Rivers people to give the governor their unrelenting support to succeed.
From there, Governor Fubara, on Saturday, May 18, commissioned the Andoni Section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road project, completed by his administration after 24 years, declaring that the achievements recorded by his administration within the past three months have surpassed those of the previous eight years.
At the commissioning ceremony at Ngo Town, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area, Governor Fubara commended the efforts of previous administrations on the project, stating that its completion and commissioning will positively impact the lives of the people of Andoni.
The governor thanked the people of Andoni for their support during his election and directed the award of contract for the extension of the road from Ngo to Oyorokoto, a coastal fishing community that is reputed to be the largest fishing settlement in West Africa.
Governor Fubara who promised to focus the attention of his administration on the development of the health, education and agriculture sectors, along other critical sectors of the state’s economy, decried a recent statistical report that scored Rivers State below benchmark in healthcare delivery, declared that his administration will carry out a total overhaul of the sector within the next six months.
By: Taneh Beemene
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
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