News

June 12: Otunba Ashiru Sues for Peace, Unity

Published

8 years ago

June 12, 2018

Eric

Nigerians have been urged to use the occasion of June 12 celebration to pray for unity, peace and justice in the country as a true reflection of the lessons imbibed from the historic 1993 presidential election adjudged to be the most credible ever where electorate across all barriers voted overwhelmingly for the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) late Chief MKO Abiola.

Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and consensus aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru stated this in his message on the celebration of Democracy Day.

Observation of June 12 as the authentic Democracy Day in Nigeria, Otunba Ashiru said opened another glorious chapter in our political history as a nation as it further entrenched the ideals of democracy and underscored the commitment of the present Administration under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari to fast track the essence of democracy as people’s government.

“The nation was put on the brink some twenty five years ago when the election was annulled and five years after in 1998 when the symbol of the struggle, Chief MKO Abiola died in custody”.

“The incident occasioned by protests, destruction of property, arrests, imprisonment and assassination remained indelible in the psyche of Nigerians and the date became a recurring decimal remembered with bitter experience and unprecedented trauma which only God averted what could have resulted in another mayhem”.

Commending the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to revisit the election and recognise Chief MKO Abiola as the winner and confer on him the highest National honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Otunba Ashiru stated was unprecedented and described it as an act that will shoot up the country’s rating in the comity of nations as a country that is committed to the tenets of self government. Otunba Ashiru also commended the Governor of Ogun State for his steadfastness in the actualisation of the official recognition of June 12 through his incessant calls and advocacy that have always brought Chief Abiola’s contribution to the development of democracy on the front burner every year.

“The efforts of Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun must not go unsung considering his altruistic commitment to make Ogun indigenes and residents savour dividends of democracy by embarking on projects that will eradicate poverty and create wealth in abundance for the people. This was the main theme of the SDP campaign then and the best way to remember a fallen hero and martyr of democracy is to hold aloft his glowing attribute,” he concluded.

News

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

Published

23 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