*After the fall… The sun shone brightly, in sync with the nation’s celebration mood. It was a day to remember. A day destined for the annals of history, to honour Nigeria's hard-won democracy. Twenty-five unbroken years! The air was electric. The stage was set, the crowd buzzing. All eyes were on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he took to the podium to deliver his speech. Done, he proceeded to mount the motorcade to inspect the presidential parade. Then, it happened in a flash! One moment, President Tinubu was walking sure-footedly between his security aides towards the ride. A few ginger steps and he would be there. The military parade would start as soon as he was in place, waving at his people. But, as he lifted a foot to step onto the back of the truck, gravity had a different plan. *The security aides rushed support him up. Suddenly, as the president ascended the steps of the car, the unthinkable happened – he lost footing and - “Hu...
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| Gov Fubara |
The confusion between the people of Rivers State and the Rivers State people is causing diarrhea to many Nigerians.
In fact, many worry that the intractable back and forth between the warring factions may lead to flood, from a deluge of tears, in a state that boasts of more water than land.
The people of Rivers State are led by Governor Simi Fubara, while the Rivers State people are led by former governor and current minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.
While the elders belong to the former team and insist on allowing the governor to run the show, the APC seems to rely on federal might to fan the embers. Indeed, some have accused Tinubu’s party of flexing muscles against the PDP governor, using the state lawmakers as pawns in the chess game.
Several litigations in courts have not helped to douse tension. In fact, a new factional Speaker in the person of Victor Jumbo emerged on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, throwing more spanners into the mix. Jumbo is one of the four lawmakers supporting Fubara. He replaced the former factional Speaker,
Edison Ehie, who was the leader of the pro-Fubara lawmakers, but was recently appointed Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Government.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the APC has ordered its members in the state House of Assembly to commence impeachment process against Fubara. A majority of the members are led by Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule, the factional speaker not recognised by law, according to Fubara.
APC accuses Fubara of illegally withholding public funds, blatant refusal to honour the peace agreement initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, some months ago, and declaring of the lawmakers’ seats vacant.
But the Amaewhule-led faction of lawmakers recently overrode Fubara’s assent and passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024 into Law.
The House had passed the Bill on the March 26, 2024 and transmitted same to the governor but he withheld assent.
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