Rivers
Democratic Rule Return Sparks Renewed Debate In Rivers
The Managing Director, Rigour Edge Limited, Mr. Zeismer Evans Osi, has said the end of emergency rule and subsequent return of democratic governance in Rivers State has sparked renewed debate about the state of political peace in the state.
Osi, who said this yesterday, when he spoke in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, stated that without a genuine reconciliation between the Governor, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and his members, any move towards the realization of total peace may suffer some set back.
According to him, the dynamics of political relationships in Rivers State are starkly different from those at the federal level or other states of the Federation.
“At the national level, you see the Senate President consistently welcoming the President at the airport, symbolizing a level of cooperation and respect”, he said.
He also noted that the inability of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and his members to receive the Governor at the airport as courtesy demands was an indication of unresolved political differences in the system.
Such, he noted, further raised questions about the depth of the speculated peace in the state.
“True peace and stability can only be achieved when there is mutual respect and cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government”, he said.
The Business tycoon further noted that the political tension between the Governor and the Assembly has been documented, thus the need to pursue genuine peace.
“As the Governor settles back to his duties, many are calling for a renewed effort to bridge the gap between the executive and legislative branches. Without such reconciliation, the prospects for genuine political peace in Rivers State remain uncertain”, he said.
Also, Evans-Osi queried the President General of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), Bright Amaewhule, over his criticism against Governor Fubara’s supporters when they went to receive him, and added that such was not in tune with modern ways of politicking.
Meanwhile, he called on all political actors in the state to consider the interest of the state for the betterment of all.
By: King Onunwor
Rivers
Rivers High Court Restrain Trustees, Knights of St. John International, Others From Conducting Election
The High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the registered trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, and four others from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920 CIWA, Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery elections, and Supreme Subordinate elections of the Knights of St John International, Nigeria, pending the determination of the substantive matters before them.
Justice G.C. Aguma and Justice V.C. Ugoji, in their separate interim orders of injunction issued in Suit No: PHC/4410/CS/2025 and Suit No: PHC/4359/CS/2025, respectively, restrained the defendants, whether by themselves, their privies, agents, servants, or any person or group of persons working under them, from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery, Port Harcourt Commandery, and Supreme Subordinate of Knights of St John International, Nigeria.
The claimants, Sir Njoku Chukwuemeka Andrew and Sir Chukwuemeka Martin Mba, in separate suits, through their legal representatives, dragged the defendants to court, seeking an order to restrain them from appointing or installing any interim caretaker executive or leadership to run or pilot the affairs of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The defendants in the matter are: Registered Trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Ufuoma Okene, the Grand President, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Knights of St John International; Noble Brother Viktor Benebo, the Chairman Investigation Committee set up by the 2nd Defendant to investigate the claimants; Sir Architect Prempeh Ebiware, the District 48 Commander, Knights of St John International, Port Harcourt; and Sir Harry Oruma, member of Knights of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The two judges, after listening to the counsels in the matter, granted the claimants’ request and adjourned the matter to 10/12/2025 and 16/12/2025, respectively, for hearing of the motion on notice.
