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Fubara Resumes as Rivers Governor, as Ijaw Youths Demand EFCC Arrest of Ikenga Ugochinyere

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3 months ago

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By Benjamin Okala, Port Harcourt

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has formally resumed duties at the Government House, Port Harcourt, today following the expiration of the six-month emergency rule imposed on Rivers State. The return of the governor marks a significant moment in the state’s political trajectory, but it has also been greeted with stern warnings from his Ijaw ethnic nationality.

Ijaw youth associations, under different umbrellas, declared in strong terms that they would no longer tolerate Governor Fubara being misled into political crises by external actors whom they described as mercenaries. They alleged that certain figures had deliberately misinformed and manipulated the governor, pushing him into needless conflicts that serve only selfish interests.

At the center of their grievances is Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a serving lawmaker in Abuja who hails from Imo State. The youths accused him of defrauding Rivers State to the tune of N63 billion within a period of three months. According to them, Ugochinyere allegedly deceived the governor into releasing the funds under the pretext of managing political crises, influencing judicial outcomes, and maintaining the structure of a party they described as nebulous the Action People’s Party (APP).

Speaking in Port Harcourt on behalf of the leaders of the various Ijaw youth groups, Comrade Pere Azazi said the time had come to draw the line. He emphasized that the governor must focus on the real task of governance which is delivering infrastructure, jobs, and security rather than allow himself to be dragged into the schemes of individuals who neither represent the interest of Rivers State nor that of the Ijaw nation.

The youths further announced that they had banned Ikenga Ugochinyere from ever stepping foot into Rivers State. They stressed that any attempt by him to breach this directive would be resisted. Their warning underscores the rising ethnic and political tensions in the state, especially in the aftermath of the emergency rule.

They also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to swing into action immediately. The demand was for the anti-graft body to investigate and arrest Ugochinyere over the alleged embezzlement, insisting that Rivers people deserved to know how such a colossal sum of money was handled.

The groups argued that unless decisive action was taken, Rivers State risked sliding back into political instability. They maintained that accountability and transparency must remain the watchwords of Fubara’s administration if he was to enjoy the confidence of the people.

As the governor settles back into office, the mood in Rivers State remains tense but expectant. While many citizens welcomed the end of emergency rule as an opportunity for peace and development, the fiery declaration by Ijaw youths has placed the spotlight squarely on the relationship between Fubara and his alleged advisers. Whether the administration can navigate this storm without fresh upheavals may well determine the future stability of the state.

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Politics

Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Assembly Members Dump PDP For APC

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6 hours ago

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December 6, 2025

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Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tori News reports Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Amaewhule said the defection is due to clear division in the PDP.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state earlier this year in March, suspending the Governor, Sim Fubara and his Deputy alongside members of the State Assembly.

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Politics

Insecurity: Bode George intensifies call for state police

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7 hours ago

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December 6, 2025

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has intensified his call for the establishment of state police to contain the wave of insecurity in Nigeria.

George made this call on Friday when he appeared during an interview on Arise Television monitored by Ekwutosblog.

He was reacting to the worsening insecurity situation in the country where innocent Nigerians, including women and schoolchildren are kidnapped and others killed in the process.

“First of all, what is wrong with establishing state police? We have seen nobody is going to cancel the Federal Police, but policing is local.

“When you now turn the boys who live in the same area and legalize their existence to put smiles on the faces of the people, it will be better to manage because they will understand the language of the locals. They know the do’s and don’ts in their own area. So why are we wasting time?

“I am happy I read something last week after the Arewa Consultative meeting in the North. They met and took a decision that they have agreed to a state police.

“Then the Southwest met with their governors, and the governors’ statement made after that conference is that they also accept having state police.

“What are we wasting time for? Because the way it is, you don’t even know who is telling the truth or who is telling the lie,” he said.

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Politics

I’m still in PDP – Wike replies Turaki, dismisses expulsion

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23 hours ago

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December 5, 2025

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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.”

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