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Ijaw groups threaten violence against plot to impeach Fubara

Ijaw groups threaten violence against plot to impeach Fubara
Tensions in Rivers State have risen when Ijaw groups, notably the Ijaw National Congress and the Ijaw Youths Council, issued a strong warning against impeaching Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The parties expressed their willingness to defend Fubara’s authority, warning that any attempt to remove him would destabilize the Niger Delta and hinder oil production in the region.
The warning came after the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, gave a 48-hour deadline for Fubara to resubmit the 2025 budget for approval.
The Assembly’s attitude follows a Supreme Court decision on Friday, February 28, 2025, that reaffirmed its validity, escalating the current political conflict between the governor and parliamentarians loyal to his predecessor and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission’s October 5, 2024, local government election was invalid.
The Assembly asked Fubara to present the budget within 48 hours, as it would begin its 12-week recess on Friday, March 7, 2025. The deadline is March 5, 2025.
The Assembly also criticized the governor for directing the heads of local government administration to take over the business of the state’s 23 council offices.
In advance of the Assembly’s announcement in plenary today, the INC, IYC, and other state groups warned that removing Fubara would result in a crisis.
Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President of the INC, issued a statement condemning the impeachment threats, stating that the Ijaw people would not stand by while their first riverine governor in decades was undermined.
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He also criticized the Supreme Court verdict on the Rivers political issue, claiming that it failed to recognize the historical and political sacrifices made by the Ijaw people in the government of Rivers State.
He threatened that any attempt to undermine Fubara would have dire consequences for national peace and economic stability, especially in the crude oil and gas-rich region.
“If Governor Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly or anybody else, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production,” Prof. Okaba said.
Speaking on the contributions of the Ijaw people in the governance of Rivers State, he said, “In 1999, an Ijaw leader, Chief Marshal Harry, was instrumental in securing the Peoples Democratic Party ticket for Dr. Peter Odili, despite a formidable challenge from Sergeant Awuse.
“Harry further ensured Odili’s victory against a Kalabari opponent, Chief Ebenezer Isokariari of the All Peoples Party.
“In 2003, the INC recalled that when Marshal Harry backed Sergeant Awuse’s governorship ambition, it was not Awuse but Harry himself who was assassinated, marking a painful loss for the Ijaw people.
“By 2007, Ijaw leaders such as Soboma George and Farrah Dagogo played a decisive role in securing victory for Sir Celestine Omehia, while Prince Igodo, a Kalabari-Ijaw warlord, was killed during Omehia’s swearing-in to prevent security breaches.”
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In 2011, Rotimi Amaechi attempted to nominate Pastor Tonye Cole as a minister, but Mrs. Patience Jonathan, wife of the then President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, blocked the nomination. Despite the Ijaw people’s sacrifices, a political elite from the Ikwerre ethnic group attempted to sabotage the first riverine governor in decades. The Ijaw nation vowed to defend Fubara “with every pint of beer.”
He also stated, “In 2011, when Rotimi Amaechi sought to nominate Pastor Tonye Cole as a minister, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, wife of the then President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, ensured that Nyesom Wike took the slot instead.”
He regretted that, despite the Ijaw people’s sacrifices, a political elite from the Ikwerre ethnic group attempted to undermine the first riverine governor in decades.
Okaba vowed that the Ijaw nation would defend Fubara “with every pint of blood in their veins.”
Despite the INC’s efforts to maintain peace in the Niger Delta, which increased oil production and revenue, the same resources were being used to marginalize the people.
He noted that the pattern went beyond Rivers State to Ondo, Edo, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states, where the Ijaw remained politically excluded.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to rise to the occasion, emphasizing that the current political situation in Rivers State should not be dismissed as ordinary politics.
He stated that the Ijaw people, who number more than 40 million worldwide, will not tolerate any attempt to undermine their position in Nigerian politics.
Ijaw groups threaten violence against plot to impeach Fubara
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Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him

Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him
Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has credited President Bola Tinubu with playing a key role in the victory of the late Chief MKO Abiola during the annulled 1993 presidential election.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Omokri argued that Tinubu’s influence and political acumen stretch far beyond recent elections, noting that opposition figures such as former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi lack the momentum to challenge Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.
“The recent seismic political realignments in Nigeria in favour of President Bola Tinubu should not surprise students of history,” Omokri wrote.
“Historical context is required to understand President Bola Tinubu. He did not start winning almost impossible-to-win elections in 2023. He is a veteran of such odds stacked against you elections.”
Omokri emphasized Tinubu’s pivotal role in Abiola’s 1993 campaign:”Many people forget or do not even know that then-Senator Bola Tinubu was Chief MKO Abiola’s right-hand man, helping him strategise and win the famed June 12, 1993 election upset.”
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He continued, “For roles requiring trust, with perhaps the exception of his son, Kola, and his late wife, Kudirat, there was nobody Chief Abiola looked to politically above then-Senator Tinubu. Even his political foe, Alhaji Sule Lamido, recently and grudgingly admitted it during an interview.”
Omokri described Tinubu as a uniquely skilled politician:”Hate him or love him, President Bola Tinubu is the best politician in Nigeria. He understands human nature, anticipates betrayal before it happens, and plans ahead for it.
“He also forgives easily, where there is repentance, and is able to work on the basis of no permanent enemy or friend but permanent interests.”
According to Omokri, Tinubu’s strength lies in his personal approach to politics:”But perhaps his biggest selling point is his relationship building abilities. The man knows how to reach out and touch people at the point of their need instead of waiting to get them by appealing to their greed, like his opponents.”
Looking ahead to the next general election, Omokri expressed confidence in Tinubu’s political future:”As long as God spares his life, I do not see anyone who can stop his reelection in 2027. Certainly not Nasir el-Rufai, who could not deliver his state to the APC when he was in office, how much more now that he is an out of office has been.”
He concluded with sharp criticism of Obi’s political approach:”And neither can Peter Obi, who has been exposed as an Islam-hating ‘Yes Daddy’ opportunistic politician.”
Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him
metro
US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship

US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship
Oladapo Fadugba, a Nigerian-born United States citizen, faces 27 years in jail for his alleged involvement in a $690,000 wire fraud operation and making false representations to earn US citizenship.
Chronicle NG gathered this in a statement by the US Attorney for the District of Florida, Gregory Kehoe, obtained on Wednesday.
According to Kehoe, Fadugba was charged with various counts, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false claims throughout his naturalisation process.
According to Kehoe, between October 2020 and July 2023, the suspect allegedly stole $690,000 in money from the US Department of Veterans Affairs that was intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider.
It was also stated that Fadugba utilised another person’s identity to arrange transfers to various bank accounts under his control.
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The statement read, “According to the indictment, beginning on October 30, 2020, and ending no later than July 11, 2023, Fadugba had more than $690,000 of Department of Veterans Affairs funds, intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider, transferred to his personal bank accounts.
“Fadugba then wrote cheques to himself or to businesses associated with him, which were subsequently transferred to other bank accounts under his control. It is alleged that he used the identification of another individual to carry out these transfers.”
In addition, Fadugba is accused of lying under oath during his US naturalisation proceedings by falsely claiming that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested.
According to Kehoe, if the defendant is convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum term of 27 years in federal prison and a forfeiture of $400,000, which represents proceeds from the alleged offences.
“The indictment further alleges that Fadugba, a naturalised US citizen from Nigeria, made a false statement under oath during his naturalisation proceedings by claiming he had not committed any offence or crime for which he had not been arrested.
“If convicted on all charges, Fadugba faces up to 27 years in federal prison. The indictment also includes a notice that the United States is seeking a forfeiture order of $400,000, which reflects the approximate proceeds of the criminal conduct charged,” the statement added.
Kehoe concluded by mentioning that “an indictment is merely a formal accusation of criminal conduct, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship
metro
Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue

Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue
The solemnisation of holy matrimony between a groom, Henry James, and Miss Afiniki Ibrahim was reportedly called off few days to the occasion.
The wedding scheduled to have been held on the 12th of April, 2025, in Saminaka, Lere Local Government of Kaduna State, was called off after the bride was discovered to be pregnant.
Our correspondent gathered that the bride was discovered pregnant after a series of tests were conducted by the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA).
It was gathered that the doctrine of the church stipulates that every couple is mandated to carry out several tests by the church medical team in a bid to ascertain their compatibility and to ascertain if the ”bed has been defiled”.
A source who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity revealed that Miss Afiniki was discovered pregnant after the tests were carried out.
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However, the groom-to-be distanced himself from the pregnancy, saying he did not have any knowledge of her throughout their courtship.
The discovery prompted Henry to call off the wedding.
In a dramatic twist, it was gathered that the secretary asked the disgruntled groom to marry Miss Godiya, a member of the church who had once rejected his love advances.
The secretary it was gathered, spoke to Godiya, who, in turn, expressed her readiness to marry Henry.
With her acceptance, Henry and Godiya tied the nuptials on the same date, same venue he was to marry his pregnant ex-fiancée.
Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue
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