Category Nigeria News

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has declared that the state’s governance has been fully restored.

He claimed that significant local government area projects that had been stalled had been restarted, confirming his administration’s commitment to peace and development.

Governor Fubara made this known on Thursday at a meeting with traditional rulers in Port Harcourt’s Banquet Hall.

He explained that the meeting was holding a meeting to inform the state’s royal fathers about the “return of governance” following what he termed a state emergency.

Fubara informed the monarchs that most of the projects that had been suspended, including those involving the Port Harcourt Ring Road, hospitals, and road networks, had resumed.

“I’m going to tell you that we’re back today,” I said. It’s all of us, not just me. The government has resurrected. The majority of the project sites have reopened.

The Ring Road has reopened. The hospitals return to their original locations. He said that as of right now, we have met with contractors and they have returned to their sites on the roads.

READ MORE: Rivers Government Cancels Ibas’ 134 billion contract

The Governor promised to revisit all shortened development projects.

In the end, it has to do with the people, of course. Whatever we do, we must ensure that our people’s interests are foremost. He claimed that every system component has been activated.

Call for Peace

Governor Fubara credited the traditional rulers with being the people’s most enamored leaders and cultural custodians.

He urged them to support the government’s programs for sustainable development and maintain peace in their respective domains.

You have no control over what happens in Kula’s most intimate location from Port Harcourt, residing in Government House.

Who would be the closest to you, a local government official or a councillor? You have complete control over the large kingdoms’ families and communities. I should always pay attention to you, he said if we need to pray for peace and pursue development.

The Governor urged the monarchs to work together to maintain peace in their communities.

You want our success, do you? Assure that you support government initiatives and maintain peace in your communities. I’ll treat you with the respect that you deserve, he continued.

Fubara also promised to fulfill any obligations he had set up with the traditional rulers by November’s end.

He claimed that soon the benefits, including the provision of cars and other entitlements, would be made available.

The Governor emphasized the value of quarterly council meetings, calling on the governor to prioritize the interests of Rivers State over the individual’s.

Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Oha Apara IV, and Paramount Ruler of the Apara Kingdom, the Governor’s head of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, expressed gratitude to God for his quick return after the crisis.

He praised Fubara for his bravery and maturity in the state’s trying times.

Other monarchs made speeches, including King Onyekachi Amaonwo, King Onyekachi Amaonwo, King Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, King Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, King Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, King Disreal Gbobo Bob-Manuel, and the Oba, Eze Ogba of Omuma Kingdom, Eze Nwachukwu Nnam Obi III.

They praised the Governor’s development efforts and praised his return as an answer to the people’s requests.

He was urged to continue focusing on community development, job creation, and youth empowerment by the royal fathers.

The Rivers State Executive Council has taken a major decision at its first meeting since the suspension of the six-month state of emergency.

The meeting, held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, reviewed key contracts and policies implemented during the emergency rule.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara presided over the session attended by the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, eight retained commissioners, and the Permanent Secretaries of Works and Education.

After extensive deliberations, the Council cancelled the ₦134 billion contract for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat Complex earlier awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) during the emergency rule.

The Council also directed the company to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee it received.

It further ordered a fresh bidding process for other revoked projects in Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Areas, previously advertised in February.

READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Amupitan As INEC Chairman

The Council approved a six-man committee chaired by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, to evaluate and recommend sites for Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state.

The centres will facilitate external examinations and improve digital learning infrastructure.

The flood committee, also led by the Deputy Governor, was directed to take immediate action to curb flash floods across affected communities.

The Council further warned residents against blocking drainage channels and called for public cooperation to prevent flooding.

The Chairman-designate of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, has pushed for electoral reforms, saying that Nigeria deserves elections where the loser will congratulate the winner.

READ ALSO: I Never Represented Tinubu At 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court — Amupitan

Amupitan, who stated this on Thursday during his screening by the Senate, shortly before his confirmation, said he would examine the Electoral Act to strengthen the credibility of Nigerian elections.

According to him, there are inconsistencies in the timeline of elections in Nigeria, a situation he says can be improved.

He stated that credible elections would restore voters’ confidence.

“So, we’re going to see how an election is credible, so that the loser will come and congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly and well’.

“So if we can do that, it’s just like a judge convicting a person, sentencing him to death, and he (convict) says, ‘Well done, because I believe I’ve gotten justice,’” the professor said.

On whether INEC should take over the conduct of council elections, he said it was an issue the commission would look at.

Amupitan said voter education could be introduced at the primary school level to promote patriotism.

On the challenges associated with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the chairman-designate said he would audit the system to identify the problem and give Nigerians a technology everybody will be proud of.

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The Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Bayelsa State chapter, David West, has said that recent defections in the state are driven by personal interest and “stomach infrastructure,” not genuine political ideology.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, on Thursday, West said the claim that Bayelsa must align with the centre to develop is “a lazy excuse,” insisting that true development depends on the character of the state’s leadership, not political affiliation.

“From 1999 to date, Bayelsa has been a PDP state. Even when the APC came into power, what significant change has Bayelsa State gotten? So it’s immaterial whether you align with the centre or you’re in the opposition makes no meaning at all. The development of your state is purely on the character of the individual, the leader. If he is interested in developing the state, the state will be developed,” he said.

West described the ongoing political movement in the state as a reflection of “stomach infrastructure politics,” noting that politics remains the only thriving “industry” in Bayelsa.

“In Bayelsa State, with the kind of politics they play here, it’s purely stomach infrastructure politics. I’m emphatic about this, and I stand to be corrected, there is no other industry or any other business venture where the people of Bayelsa State will make money. Politics is the only industry, politics is the only business venture,” he stated.

According to him, the lack of economic alternatives has made political loyalty transactional.

He warned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may soon lose its relevance entirely.

“So, as a result of that, it’s all about stomach infrastructure. The PDP currently in Bayelsa State, I say this with all sense of humility and in all respect to the PDP, will go into extinction because virtually all the members of the PDP, both living and dead, will all move to the APC. They will all join the governor for the sake of stomach infrastructure,” West said.

The Bayelsa State Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Coronation Tokpo, has described Governor Douye Diri’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a commendable and strategic decision.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, on Wednesday, Tokpo said Diri’s decision did not come as a surprise, noting that “the PDP is a sinking ship, and no one wants to commit suicide by staying in a ship that is sinking.”

According to him, the first reason for the governor’s move is the declining state of the PDP, while the second is the need for Bayelsa to align with the federal government for greater developmental benefits.

“The state has to be in sync with the centre because Bayelsa State is already benefiting significantly from President Tinubu’s administration. In the thinking of ordinary Bayelsans, it will do the state better if we link with the centre under the same party,” he said.

Tokpo explained that while the federal government has continued to deliver projects in opposition states, aligning with the ruling party would further accelerate development.

“The federal government awarded the second phase of the Nembe–Brass Road, and over ₦30 billion has been released for the construction of the roads and bridges that lead to Brass Island.

“We have also seen significant improvement on the East–West Road under President Bola Tinubu. It is obvious to every Bayelsan that if we link with the centre under the same party platform, Bayelsa State will benefit much more,” he said.

READ ALSO: Bayelsa Gov Douye Diri Dumps PDP

He added that the APC in the state was yet to receive formal communication from Governor Diri but expressed optimism that his defection would be finalized soon.

“The leadership of the party in the state has not received communication from the governor to join us. We are expecting that in the next few days, the communication will come, and we are willing and ready to receive him. We are certain he will join our party,” Tokpo stated.

His comments come in the wake of Diri’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party. The governor announced his decision at the executive chamber of the Bayelsa State Government House on Wednesday.

“After extensive consultations, today, October 15, 2025, I wish to notify you that, in keeping with extant protocols, I, Governor Douye Diri, do hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he declared, without disclosing his next political move.

He said his decision was for an obvious reason, but did not state the reason or the political party to which he will be moving.

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has rewarded Miracle Usani, a member of Nigeria’s victorious Super Falcons team that clinched the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, with ₦50 million and a plot of land in Calabar.

He also offered her an appointment as the state’s sports ambassador.

READ ALSO: UPDATED: Tinubu Confers Super Falcons With National Honours, Awards $100,000 To Each Player

The governor announced the reward during a reception held in his office in Calabar, describing Usani’s feat as a source of pride for Cross River, Nigeria, and the African continent.

He commended her determination, talent, and the inspiration she represents for young women across the state.

“Your courage and performance have brought honour to our state,” Governor Otu said.

“You’ve shown that what a man can do, a woman can do—even better. You are a symbol of excellence and resilience,” he added.

Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reviving the state’s sports sector, noting that sports have evolved beyond recreation into a viable economic and developmental tool.

He urged other young people to draw inspiration from Usani’s success, adding that “stories like hers show that the future is bright”.

Presenting the gifts, the governor said, “We have approved ₦50 million and a plot of land in Calabar for you. You are now on our VVIP protocol list and will serve as Sports Ambassador of Cross River State.”

Humble Beginnings

Usani, who plays for Edo Queens FC, expressed gratitude to Governor Otu for the recognition, recalling her humble beginnings and the challenges she faced breaking into football.

“My journey wasn’t easy. I played football with boys because there were no female teams where I grew up.

“People discouraged me, but I remained focused. Today, I’m proud to represent Nigeria and Cross River on the world stage,” she said.