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Rivers Crisis: INC Urges Ijaw To Rally Round Fubara …We’ll Mobilise Two million Nigerian Youths To Defend Fubara -Youth Coalition …Chastises Police For Attacking Gov
Following reports of political crisis in Rivers State, the ljaw National Congress (INC) has urged all Ijaw sons and daughters to rally round the State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara
The Congress also advised the former Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike, to concentrate on his responsibilities as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and stop interfering in the running of government in the State.
INC, in a statement by its National President, Prof. Benjamin Ogle Okaba, said, “The attention of the jaw National Congress has been drawn to a grand plot masterminded by the immediate past governor of River State, now the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike to unlawfully impeach the duly elected Governor of River State, His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara who is barely five months in office as Governor of River State.
“The INC considers this development very worrisome and capable of generating an unwarranted state of insecurity and instability that can throw the entire Niger Delta and the Nigerian economy into serious crises.
“From reports gathered, Governor Fubara has done nothing wrong to warrant his removal except for the fact that he has decided not to remain a stooge to the immediate past Governor.
“The INC, therefore, condemns in its entirety this barbaric, selfish, nepotistic and unconstitutional act capable of derailing the process of democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
“Wike should be advised to concentrate on his responsibilities as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and stop interfering and arm swinging the political machinery in River State to advance his personal and selfish desires.
“The INC is hereby calling on Mr. President and Commander in Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call his FCT Minister to order.
“The INC is calling on all jaw sons, daughters and friends to rally their support to the Governor of River State as an injustice to one jaw man is an injustice to over forty (40) million Ijaw people across the world.
“The ljaw Nation Is Watching Closely and will act decisively and appropriately at the right time”
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), the umbrella body of all Nigerian youths in South South, South East, South West, North East, North Central, and North West geopolitical zones has condemned in strongest terms the attack on Fubara by policemen and other security agents using life bullets, teargas and other weapons.
The coalition also condemned the plot to impeach the governor using the instrumentality of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The coalition , in a statement jointly signed by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem; Leader, South South Youth Coalition (SSYC), Comrade Iniobong Sampson, and Comrade Junaid Abubakar of the Arewa Youth Vanguard For Good Governance (AYVGG), condemned the attack on Fubara and promised to mobilise two million youths to defend him.
The statement read, “The attack on Governor Fubara by security agents with life bullets, teargas and other weapons is a confirmation that there were on a mission to assassinate the Governor. This is madness taken too far and we condemn it in its entirety.
“It is very clear to all that the Governor has done nothing wrong to warrant an impeachment but because he has refused to share the commonwealth of the good people of Rivers State to a few, some persons wants him impeached. But we the people say a capital “NO” to their evil plot on our democracy.
“It amounts to a coup against democracy for some persons to contemplate impeaching a governor that has barely stayed for 4 months in office who have not committed any impeachable offence whatsoever. These shows that some anti-democratic forces are at work and we warn them to stay clear from Rivers State.
“It is very unfortunate that some security agents and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly will allow themselves to be used by selfish individuals who do no mean well for the state to cause disaffection and uproar in the peaceful state of Rivers.
“Governor Fubara was elected by the good people of Rivers State to govern them and he should be allowed to do the job freely given to him by the good people of Rivers State without any form of interference from any quarters.
“Rivers State is too big for anyone or a few group of persons to think they can just wakeup and order the impeachment of the executive governor elected by the people. Nigerians have overgrown that era and stage.
“We will mobilize 2 million Nigerian youths in solidarity to Governor Fubara for effective delivery of democracy dividends to the people of Rivers State who freely gave him his mandate.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to immediately arrest and prosecute those security agents who attacked Governor Fubara with life bullets, teargas and other dangerous weapons. The law must take it’s full cause on those airing officers.
“We call on Governor Similanayi Fubara to stand firm and strong to defend the mandate freely given to him by the good people of Rivers State who defied the rain, sun and harsh weather to cast their votes for him during the elections. It is him that the people know and it is him that they people will hold accountable.
“We call on the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly not to allow themselves to be used by anyone to cause disaffection and uproar in the state.
“We call on all Nigerians to standup in defense of democracy in Rivers State that is under attack by a few selfish individuals.
“We urge good people of Rivers state to stand solidly behind Governor Fubara who mean well for the state and is fully prepared to move the state to another level of growth and development”.
In its reaction, the Rivers State Police Command, in a terse statement by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said it was on top of the security situations that occurred at the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex.
She said that a full-scale investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the situations and take immediate policing actions against anyone found wanting.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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