News

FG’ll Not Tolerate Subversion Of Democratic Government, Fagbemi Warns

Published

1 year ago

August 23, 2024

The Federal Government will not tolerate subversion of the democratically elected government under whatever guise.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, gave the warning at a valedictory court session in honour of the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice kayode Ariwoola.
Ariwoola retired on Thursday, having attained the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
The minister noted that the present administration has a clear mandate of the people, and can only be changed at the end of it’s tenure as prescribed by the constitution.
He said that any other mode or attempt to change a democratically elected government except by the constitution is nothing but a clear case of treason and subversion of democratic governance.
“The laws of the land have made copious provisions on how to deal with treasonable acts, therefore, the full wrath of the law will catch up with such treasonable felony.
“The government will promote and uphold the fundamental rights of all citizens, but no breach of same rights by any person or organization under any guise except as stipulated by the constitution would be accepted’’.
He reassured that the federal government is irrevocably committed to massively changing the course of narratives within the country’s justice sector.
“With the massive turn around being put in place by the present administration, the justice sector will be given a place of pride it deserves.
“The fg will eradicate all forms of obstacles militating against the modernisation, effectiveness and efficiency of the justice sector.
“Remember the recent 300 percent salary increment for judicial officers, these efforts of the government will enhance and promote the judiciary as the last hope of the common man’’.
Fagbemi thanked the Supreme Court for rescuing Local Governments in Nigeria from the claws of governors.
He called on Attorneys General of States to advise their various governors to obey the judgment of the apex court on the financial autonomy for local government areas in Nigeria.
Justice Ariwoola in his speech called for measures to be put in place to reduce the backlog of cases at the supreme court.
Ariwoola noted that there are too many cases before the apex court which ought to have terminated at the appellate court.
He said that the right to fair hearing can only be guaranteed when lawyers and litigants do not have to wait for so long to have their cases adjudicated upon.
He also stressed the need for the bench to have more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously.
“Access to justice has contributed largely to the delay in the hearing of cases as litigants and lawyers are forced to wait for several years to have their cases decided’’.
The Tide source reports that Ariwoola was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011.
He was a justice of the Court of Appeal between 2005 and 2011 after having been elevated from the State High Court of Oyo State.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

9 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

10 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

10 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.