News
‘Nigeria Descending Into Tyranny, Fascism’
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretaries, Tourism, Mrs Philip Kandie; Transport, Mr Kamau Michael; Nigeria’s Minister of Tourism, Chief Edem Duke and Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr Samuel Ortom, inaugurating the maiden Kenya Airways flight in Abuja, recently
The Rivers State Government says, the on-going restriction of movement and clampdown on media houses across the country was an indication that the country is descending into tyranny.
The state government has also described the clampdown on media houses as a breach on freedom of the press against the background that the Federal Government led by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 signed the Freedom of Information Act into law.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, who said this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt while reacting to the grounding of Rivers state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi’s chartered flight in Kano by the Nigerian Aviation Management Agency (NAMA), also denied insinuations that the governor was in kano to influence the emergence of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano.
Semenitari said that Governor Amaechi did not breach any security protocol as the plane, which conveyed him along with Senator Danjuma Goje and Alhaji Kwawu Baraje was cleared for the trip.
According to the Commissioner, the governor was in Kano to condole the government and people of kano on the death of their Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
Meanwhile, the state government says Governor Amaechi was not in Kano to influence the emergence of Mallam Sanusi as new Emir of Kano.
Semenitari said that as a Sourthern Christian, Amaechi never went close to where king makers were deciding who the next Emir of Kano would be.
While condemning the killing of a supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, the Commissioner said that the situation was that some persons wanted to use intimidation to stop Nigerians from deciding who governs them in 2015.
She also confirmed the release of the chartered aircraft as well as the Rivers Bombadier jet grounded by the aviation authorities last year.
In a related development,the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has castigated President Goodluck Jonathan for his alleged brazen abridgement of the rights of Nigerian citizens, accusing him of fast descending towards fascist rule.
The party particularly berated the Jonathan administration for the on-going crackdown on some of the country’s leading newspapers and the grounding of the Rivers State Government-chartered flight to Kano to commiserate with the government and good people of Kano State over the demise of their Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero on Friday.
The party said in a statement issued by its state Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya in Port Harcourt yesterday: We have observed with sheer horror the determination of President Goodluck Jonathan to trample on the fundamental rights of Nigerians as it suits his whims and caprices. We strongly condemn this tendency which, if not checked, is capable of truncating the country’s nascent democracy.
“Since Friday last week, soldiers and other security personnel have waged a senseless war against the supposedly critical press, laying ambush for vendors and distribution vans, impounding vans and newspaper copies and beating up vendors and drivers of newspaper houses.
“Instructively, this unparalleled censorship gamble, the type of which was not witnessed even during the infamous Abacha days, started less than 24 hours after President Jonathan, through Information Minister, Labaran Maku, publicly complained that the newspapers were giving Boko Haram undue publicity. We, therefore, do not need to look far to know the source of the directive to muzzle the Nigerian press.”
Rivers APC equally condemned “the shameful incident in Kano, in which the aviation authorities, acting at the behest of the Presidency, impounded the Rivers State Government-chartered aircraft for no good reason, thus forcing Governor Chibuike Amaechi and his delegation to make a long journey back to Port Harcourt by road.
“This is the same aircraft which was recently released after being grounded for a year on flimsy excuses. It was suddenly grounded again on Sunday, just to humiliate Governor Amaechi and the people of Rivers State on the mere suspicion that Amaechi was behind the emergence of the Presidency’s nightmare, former CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the new Emir of Kano. Is Governor Amaechi a member of Kano Emirate Council? This is just mere looking for flimsy excuses to let Nigerians know how undemocratic he can be,” the party said.
Rivers APC described the action of the Federal Government as a descent into the lowest depths of decency.
“We tend to agree with one perceptive analyst who rightly pointed out that what Jonathan is manifesting are the symptoms of a dying regime,” the party said.
“From wrestling with newspapers on the streets to sponsoring police violence and attack in Ekiti, further down to childishly grounding aircraft, the signs are that embattled President Jonathan is exasperated and frustrated with signs of impending electoral doom flashing. It promises to get worse with the approaching days. The man is foretold tragedy personified.”
Rivers APC appealed to Nigerians to completely reject President Jonathan and his deceptive PDP at the polls in 2015 as the country cannot afford four more years of disastrous rule under Jonathan and the PDP.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi