Politics
Fubara vows to take decisive action against arsonists in Rivers
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has vowed to take decisive action against those responsible for setting ablaze three local government secretariats in the state on Monday.
He pledged that the incident, unlike previous cases, will not be ignored, as his administration will collaborate with security agencies to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable.
Governor Fubara stated this during the swearing-in ceremony of four new commissioners at the Executive Chambers of the government house in Port Harcourt.
He reminded the audience that he had previously warned the new council chairmen of possible attacks, and commended his supporters for maintaining calm during the violent confrontations.
Expressing regret that the recent political crisis has overshadowed his administration’s achievements, the governor announced plans to dedicate a day later this month to highlight these accomplishments.
In his address to the newly appointed commissioners, Governor Fubara urged them to work closely with him to advance the progress of the country amidst ongoing socio-economic challenges.
He stressed the need for increased oil production by tackling the issue of crude oil theft.
On the matter of appointing additional commissioners, Fubara explained that his selections were carefully made to ensure loyalty and dedication, while also maintaining political balance in various regions.
The newly appointed commissioners include Otamiri John-Ngubo, the immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman and APP Chairmanship candidate for Etche, who, unlike his counterparts in other LGAs, was unsuccessful in securing the seat.
Also appointed is Evans Bipi, the former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ogu/Bolo and a prominent figure in the 2013 brawl in the Rivers State House of Assembly during his time as a lawmaker.
Joining them are former State Lawmaker, Benibo Alabraba and Israel Lebura-Ngbuelu.
Fubara’s determination to bring the arsonists to book followed attacks on two local government secretariats on Monday.
Both Ikwere and Emohua Local Government Council secretariats were set ablaze yesterday following the withdrawal of the police officers securing the 23 council secretariats by the commissioner of police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The situation has since degenerated into an uproar, blame and counter-blame, with President Bola Tinubu later ordering the Nigerian Police Force to ensure security is provided for the 23 LG secretariats.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, says he is willing to step down his presidential ambition in the 2027 elections for a better politician to emerge as the flag bearer of his party.
The lawyer stated this on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
“Everybody knows that I have an aspiration. I’m working on it but God is the author of tomorrow; we don’t even know who is going to be around in 2027,” Adebayo said.
“It is my prayer to God that if there is a person who God thinks is better than me to fix the problem of Nigeria, my ambition should not stop that person because we want a country that works. That is the kind of thing we are working on at this time.”
Adebayo said the SDP would give Nigerians a candidate that all citizens would be proud of and be ready to give a chance to unseat President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
The politician said the SDP won’t divide Nigerians along the delicate lines of religion and ethnicity.
He said, “What used to be an easy discussion – with religion and ethnicity – has become explosive now. So, we will not use the SDP forum to try to bifurcate our people into different zones.
“What we are looking for now is a system where when we make a choice in the SDP, there will be resounding joy outside the SDP and Nigerians will say: ‘Okay, finally, this platform has given the country a chance’.”
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for publicly acknowledging his efforts and calling him “Mr Infrastructure.”
Speaking to State House correspondents after the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr homage at the Presidential Villa, Wike described the President’s praise as a strong vote of confidence and a motivation to keep delivering results for residents of the FCT.
“I feel very happy that my boss has confidence in me,” Wike said. “If your boss, in public, says you are doing well, that, of course, is an encouragement for you to continue doing the job you’ve been assigned.”
The Minister, who has spearheaded a series of infrastructure and service delivery reforms across Abuja, said he remains committed to meeting the expectations of both the President and the people of the territory.
“For us, we’re happy to be identified in this administration, and we’ll continue to do what Abuja people will be happy with,” he said. “So I’m happy each time Mr. President talks about us and tries to say the little we have done. That means he’s watching, and we will not disappoint him.”
When asked about the next wave of infrastructure projects expected as the Tinubu administration approaches its second anniversary, Wike confirmed that a fresh round of projects is already in the works.
“The committee is working,” he revealed. “You can be assured it can’t be less than what we did last time.”
The Senator who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, Shehu Sani has declared interest for re-election in the 2027 general elections.
Shehu Sani made the declaration on Sunday while delivering his Eid-el-Fitr message at his residence in Kaduna.
He said, “any politician who is going to contest election will be dependent on political equation which will determine what position is going to contest. I would say that if the conditions are rights and equations favourable, I will offer myself to contest but specifically on the central senatorial district”.
“If the people of Kaduna central want us to provide our own kind of leadership and representation at the NASS, you should expect me back to Senate in 2027”.
According to him, his ambition is secondary while that of re-electing governor Sani for second term is primary.
He reiterated that his priority is to see governor Uba Sani re-elected in 2027.
“For now, we want to see that incumbent governor, Uba Sani is re-elected. We are going to do it with all our mights and strengths, we know that they are going to be challenges and opposition but we are well prepared for all the forces”.
Shehu Sani however, urged Muslims to pray for peace and unity of Nigeria during the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.
Sani who also reacted to killing of hunters in Edo State condemned the act and urged security agencies to fish-out the perpetrators.
He said, “If any citizen of this country cannot move from one part of the country to another, then we are not a nation.
“If someone will use one reason or another to take laws into his/her hand then it means there is no government or authority”.
He added that Nigerians who desire good for the country should work for peace and unity for the preservation of our democracy in the phase of challenges that is being experienced by our people, he said.
Sani however, called on government to save Nigeria, saying that there should be respect for fundamental rights and most importantly is respect to right to life, he added.