The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has cautioned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, on the possibility of defecting to the party.

Okocha said Fubara can’t join the APC through the back door, and must go through the laid down procedures.

Speaking yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Okocha said Fubara must join the APC from the ward level.

He said, “Just like every other Nigerian, he is at liberty to join any political party. That is the law. But, I say anybody, not restricted to the governor, the suspended governor anyway, anybody who wants to join the APC should enter the party through the door, not through the window.

“You have to go to your ward to enroll because your name as a member of the party cannot be found at the national secretariat except it comes from your ward. That is the proper door, that is the proper process.”

Fubara is currently serving a six month suspension following a state of emergency declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu in March.

Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly due to the political crisis in the state.

The President appointed a Sole Administrator to preside over the state during the period of his suspension.

The crisis began shortly after Fubara became governor, following a disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the control of political resources in the state.

The crisis quickly degenerated into the bombing of the State House of Assembly and the sponsoring of the factionalization of the legislative arm in the state.

Despite Tinubu’s intervention for peace, the crisis persisted, and to prevent it from snowballing into a security outbreak, the President suspended the governor.

Since his suspension, Fubara has met with Tinubu and Wike in an effort to reconcile with all relevant stakeholders in the state.

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, on Saturday, presented the staff of office to Ishaku Tagwai Sambo as the 5th Chief of Moro’a, a First Class Chiefdom in the state.

The ceremony, which took place in Manchok, followed Sambo’s confirmation as the successor to his late father, Chief Tagwai Sambo, who reigned for 58 years until his death in 2021.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Sani urged the new monarch to lead with fairness and compassion, describing the appointment as a responsibility entrusted by the people and endorsed by the laws of the state.

“You are succeeding a colossus, the late Chief Tagwai Sambo, your father, who reigned for 58 remarkable years and was known for peace, patience, and purpose,” he said.

The governor called on residents of the Chiefdom to support their new traditional ruler, saying his administration recognises traditional institutions as key stakeholders in promoting peace, security, and development.

In his acceptance speech, Chief Ishaku Sambo expressed appreciation for the trust placed in him and pledged to sustain the legacy of his late father.

“Our Chiefdom enjoyed remarkable peace, prosperity, and development under his reign. I am committed to preserving that legacy and serving with humility and diligence,” he said.

Dignitaries at the event included Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, Deputy Speaker Henry Magaji, Senator Danjuma La’ah, Hon. Mathew Kuzalio, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), former Deputy Governor James Bawa Magaji, and the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, among others.

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown genuine love and commitment to the development of Northern Nigeria, particularly through his investments in the livestock sector.

The governor made this statement on Saturday during the ground-breaking ceremony of a 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone in Gombe State.

According to the Governor, no northern leader in nearly five decades had invested as much in the livestock value chain as President Tinubu has done within his first year in office.

He said, “If not for a President who loves his people and has the capacity and will, this transformation would not have happened. No northern leader in 47 years of power considered investing ₦120 billion to transform the livestock sector, despite it being a predominantly northern industry.”

Yahaya praised President Tinubu’s administration for initiating programmes that are already bringing positive changes across the country, especially in agriculture and livestock development.

He noted that the Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone being established in Gombe is part of the president’s broader plan to boost food security, create jobs, and grow the economy.

“The president approved ₦120 billion for the development of the livestock sector and has already released 50 per cent of the funds. This is a clear indication of his commitment to the economic well-being of our people,” the governor said.

He also assured President Tinubu of the full support of Gombe people ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I assure the President that for what he has done, is doing, and will do, Gombe people will follow him to the battlefield blindfolded. We will work for his success in 2027. By God’s grace, his re-election is assured.”

Gov. Yahaya urged Nigerians to remain patient, adding that although current reforms may come with temporary hardship, the long-term benefits under President Tinubu’s leadership will be worth the wait.