Politics
Fubara: Rivers begins transition to democratic governance
Rivers State Government has announced the commencement of transition from emergency rule to democratic governance.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, invited all critical stakeholders to a church service as part of the transition process.
Ekwutosblog reports that the development comes nearly six months after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state.
Tinubu made the pronouncement in a nationwide broadcast on March 18, 2025.
The emergency rule was imposed at the height of the political crisis in the state, following a fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political godfather, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Ekwutosblog reported that the struggle for control of Rivers’ political resources led to an intense face-off between Wike and Fubara.
President Tinubu, in his broadcast, expressed deep concern over the political crisis in the state and accused Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly.
He subsequently announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months.
The President also suspended all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
However, Wike later reconciled with Fubara, and their reunion was made public during a visit to President Tinubu in June, after several months of hostilities between the two politicians.
Since then, Wike has taken control of the state’s political structure following the recently conducted Local Government Elections, in which his allies won all available seats.
However, with the emergency rule coming to its end, as part of the activities, an interdenominational church thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt.
The thanksgiving, scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Ecumenical Centre, will require all guests to be seated by 9:30 a.m.
According to the statement, those invited include permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of security and paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, chairmen and members of boards and governing councils, as well as captains of industry.
The statement also named the Rivers Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), as the Special Guest of Honour.
It read: “The Government of Rivers State is pleased to invite Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen, Heads of State Security and Para-Military Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Chairmen and Members of Boards and Governing Councils, Captains of Industry, Government Officials, and invited guests to the Inter-Denominational Church Thanksgiving Service, as part of the transition activities to usher in democratic governance in Rivers State.”
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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