Politics
Amaewhule-led Assembly snubs Fubara, passes another bill .
In a bold move showcasing its legislative autonomy, the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly defied Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s veto and signed into law the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on Monday.
Originally passed by the Amaewhule-led Assembly on March 26, 2024, the bill was ignored by Governor Fubara, who refused to sign it into law.
However, emphasising the importance of securing taxpayers’ money and preventing its misuse, the Amaewhule-led Assembly rallied behind the bill’s objectives during debates led by Majority Leader, Major Jack and Amaewhule.
Amaewhule criticised the governor’s reluctance to adhere to due process and warned of potential repercussions if such behaviour persists.
In a statement made available to journalists and signed by the senior adviser to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, the Assembly’s decision to enact the bill into law, backed by a two-thirds majority vote as mandated by the constitution, signals a resolute stance against executive overreach and a commitment to legislative oversight.
According to the statement: “Thereafter, the House, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100 (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered, voted, and with a two-thirds majority vote, passed the bill into law.”
In addition to the passage of the Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, the Amaewhule-led Assembly addressed pressing issues within the state’s local government system, with Hon. Ignatius Onwuka highlighting the plight of Emohua Local Government Council staff, who have endured months without pay due to administrative irregularities sanctioned by the governor.
The lawmakers also introduced key bills aimed at enhancing the state’s energy sector and streamlining local governance.
The statement said: “Also on Monday, the House gave First Reading to the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill, 2024, sponsored by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule.
“It is a bill for a law to repeal the Rivers State Electricity and Gas Board Law CAP 50, Laws of Rivers State, 1999 and to enact the Rivers State Electricity Market Law to provide for electricity supply, its power generation, transmission and distribution within Rivers State, to establish the Rivers State Electricity Commission for the enforcement of consumers’ rights and obligations, and for connected purposes.
“Similarly, the Rivers State Local Government (Consolidation) Bill, 2024, was presented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol, and read for the first time. The bill seeks to consolidate all the local government laws in the state for ease of reference.”
Amaewhule-led Assembly snubs Fubara, passes another bill
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
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