News

I’ve Not Withdrawn from Ogun Guber Race – Otunba Ashiru

Published

8 years ago

June 4, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Ogun East consensus candidate for the 2019 Ogun State Governorship election and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, has reacted to the rumours making the rounds that he has withdrawn from the race to Ogun government house in 2019.

Otunba Ashiru expressed his opinion in a statement signed by his Media Consultant, Mr. Tayo Mabeweje.

The statement noted that the rumours emanated from Ashiru’s absence from at the recently held congress, saying his absence was as a result of ‘circumstances beyond his control’. It also noted that the report was unfounded, callous and nothing but rumour from the pit of hell.

Full text of the press release:

Our attention has been drawn to a report in a section of the media that the APC consensus candidate for Ogun East, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru has withdrawn from the 2019 gubernatorial race. We hereby debunk such report as unfounded, callous and nothing but rumour from the pit of hell.

The absence of Otunba Ashiru at the recently held party congress was as a result of some circumstances beyond his control and this does not in any way suggest that he was persuaded not to attend the congress. Otunba Ashiru is a national delegate of the party and will, by the special grace of God, attend the forthcoming national convention of the party.

It is a report aimed at distracting the forward moving train of the Ijebu/Remo Agenda and the growing popularity and acceptance of its consensus candidate, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru who has been garnering overwhelming support since the process started.

In as much as we know those behind the wicked lies and their antecedents, we would therefore not join issues with disillusioned, lazy politicians whose stock-in-trade is peddling rumour and mudslinging. Instead of playing by the rules and accepting the reality of the times, they chose to sit in comfort of their room spinning tissues of lies all in a bid to score cheap political points.

Otunba Bimbo Ashiru has never at anytime discussed with anyone to have been persuaded to drop the mandate given to him the by the APC leadership from the senatorial district. He remains committed to run in the gubernatorial primaries and, with the support of good people or Ogun State, win the 2019 gubernatorial election on the platform of the party.

To this end, we urged the all the supporters of Otunba Ashiru to remain steadfast and work assiduously to the emergence of the people’s choice, as we appeal to antagonists to desist from their ways and tow the right path. Ogun State belongs to all of us and together we shall consolidate the gains of the present Administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, CON, FCA.and take it to the enviable pedestal of our dreams.

Tayo Mabeweje,

Media Consultant to OBA

News

Two Rivers Lawmakers Step Down from Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Sue for Peace

Published

22 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Eric

Two members of the Rivers House of Assembly, who are loyalists of former Governor Nyesom Wike, have withdrawn from the impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.

The Minority Leader of the assembly, Sylvanus Enyinna Nwankwo, and Peter Abbey, who represents Degema State Constituency, urged their colleagues to exercise restraint and allow for dialogue to maintain stability in the state

In a video widely circulated on Facebook and an excerpt published by Rivers State Television, the lawmakers urged their colleagues to prioritise the overall interest and stability of Rivers above partisan disagreements.

Call for ‘cooling-off period’

The legislators stressed that the prevailing political climate demands calm, dialogue and a “cooling-off period” within the assembly to allow, in their words, “wisdom and truth to prevail” in the legislative chambers.

Although they did not expressly mention the impeachment process during the briefing, their intervention is being interpreted by political observers as a withdrawal from the impeachment push against Mr Fubara, which has heightened tensions in the state.

Background to impeachment moves

The Rivers assembly parted ways with Mr Fubara because of the feud between the governor and Mr Wike, who is the FCT minister.

The current impeachment notice on Mr Fubara is the third attempt in less than three years to remove the governor. The previous efforts had split the legislature into two factions, causing President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the oil-rich state and suspend the governor, the deputy governor, and the lawmakers.

The lawmakers accused the governor of constitutional breaches and administrative misconduct, allegations his supporters have dismissed as politically motivated.

Source: Premium Times

News

I Won’t Surrender Rivers N700bn IGR to Anyone, Fubara Vows

Published

5 days ago

January 8, 2026

Eric

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has resisted alleged pressure to hand over N700 billion, representing 35% of the State’s internally generated revenue (IGR), to anyone, sparking a heated power struggle with former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister.

The dispute has raised concerns about the welfare of Rivers State residents, with 4.4 million people living in multidimensional poverty.

The feud between Fubara and Wike, who unilaterally chose Fubara as his successor, has escalated into violent confrontations, defections, and legal battles.

Wike has threatened to make Rivers State “ungovernable” if Fubara fails comply, while his supporters have vowed to “deal with” Fubara.

In response, Fubara has warned that he cannot be intimidated, saying: “Rivers State is not a playground” and that he’s prepared to defend the state’s interest.

His supporters have also threatened to mobilise protests against Wike and his allies.

The crisis had paralysed governance, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month emergency rule in the State last year.

The situation remains tense, with both sides maintaining their respective stance.

The outcome will have significant implications for Rivers State and Nigerian politics.

The dispute highlights concerns about godfatherism in Nigerian politics and its impact on governance.

Wike has accused Fubara of ingratitude, while Fubara sees the former’s demands as an attempt to undermine his authority.

News

Rivers Assembly Begins Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara

Published

5 days ago

January 8, 2026

Eric

The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The legislature kicked off the process at plenary on Thursday.

The lawmakers are accusing Fubara and his deputy of gross misconduct.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, is presiding over the session.

The day’s proceedings bear the imprimatur of renewed hostilities between Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

On December 5, 2025, a horde of the Rivers assembly lawmakers led by the speaker, announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Days later, Fubara formalised his own switch from the PDP to the APC.

However, the sabre-rattling and thinly veiled remarks between Wike and Fubara, which culminated in the declaration of emergency rule in the state in March 2025, have persisted.

Most of the Rivers lawmakers have stayed loyal to Wike.

TheCable