WAFFI TV | Politics

Rivers Crisis: Militants Issue Evacuation Warning, Threaten Oil Attacks

A militant group, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, has threatened to attack oil installations in the Niger Delta over the withholding of funds allocated to Rivers State. The group also urged non-indigenes in Rivers State to leave for their safety, warning that hostilities were imminent. A viral social media video, which surfaced on Thursday, showed about eight armed militants in an undisclosed forest wielding AK-47s and other rifles while chanting and singing war songs. They were heard chanting “asawana, asawana,” a popular slogan among the Ijaw people of the Niger Delta, as they brandished their weapons. They said the action of the Martin Amaewhile led 27 lawmakers is to cause anarchy in the state and pave the way for the declaration of a state of emergency. One of them who spoke said, “We the Niger Delta Rescue Movement wish to express our deep concern regarding the recent development in Rivers state threatening the smooth governance of our beloved state under the leadership of Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.” A supposed leader of the group declared in a letter he read. “It has come to our attention that certain individuals proclaim as lawmakers have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state governor to present the 2025 state budget. “This blatant attempt to destabilise the state is not only alarming but also a clear attempt to a coordinated effort to incite hell potentially to lead to a state of emergency or even an impeachment. “We call on President Bola Tinubu to intervene immediately and put a stop to the action of the Minister, Nyesom Wike, and his associate whose intent is to drag Rivers state to avoidable crisis. “The people of Rivers state like stability, progress and a conducive environment for governance.” He continued, “Furthermore, we must make it abundantly clear that the youths of Rivers state will not sit idly while our state is dragged into tumult. If the federal allocation due to Rivers state cannot be released promptly, we will have no choice but to take a decisive action, including hitting oil production. ” The video, which lasted for slightly over three minutes, also showed the militants saying, “We can’t generate money into the federation account and not have our own share. “Our workers deserve their salaries, our government needs the necessary resources to carry out essential development projects. “We urge all non-indigenes in Rivers state to consider their safety and leave the state promptly as the situation may escalate. “We cherish the safety of all residents and urge for a peaceful resolution to this crisis. Enough is enough! We stand united for the rest and future of Rivers state. We demand respect from our leaders and focus on the development of our region.”

3/6/2025, 1:34:24 PM

I Won’t Engage With My Critics~ Oborevwori

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has stated that he has no interest in engaging with his critics. He urged the opposition to accompany him on a tour of ongoing projects to witness how state funds are being utilized. Oborevwori made this remark on Wednesday after inspecting the completed twin bridges over the Ubu River along the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway. Addressing criticisms from former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, he described them as stemming from a lack of understanding of governmental operations. Oborevwori said: “I don’t want to join issues with my critics; some say we have gotten so much money and we are doing flyover for over N70 billion. How can flyover be N77 billion? “Let him come and see what we are doing with money; as a government, we have operated for almost 21 months and we have not borrowed a dime and there is no contractor in the state that will say we are owing him yet our motiple projects are moving smoothly. “ “Let him come and see what we are doing with our money; let him come and pass through this road and see the difference from when I took over and now. “It takes only one hour twenty minutes to get to Ughelli, his local government. The road is good”. On the completion of the twin bridges, Oborevwori said: “a few months ago, when I passed through this place, I came here for an inspection, and what I saw that time and coming today is a different story entirely.

3/5/2025, 6:59:32 PM

Rivers Speaker Demands Sack Of All Fubara’s Commissioners

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has issued a directive to Governor Simi Fubara, demanding the dismissal of all state commissioners within 48 hours. According to a letter obtained by Waffi TV, the resolution was reached during a House meeting on Wednesday. Additionally, the Assembly called for the removal of other appointees who were not properly screened by lawmakers. As a result, the Amaewhule-led House ordered Governor Fubara to submit a fresh list of commissioner nominees within 48 hours. Earlier, the House had given Fubara an ultimatum to re-present the 2025 Rivers State budget. In response, the Rivers Government stated on Monday that it would comply with the House’s directive regarding the budget re-presentation. The letter reads in part: “That your attention should once again be drawn to your illegal appointments of persons to serve in various offices without first forwarding their names for screening and confirmation as required by the 1999 Constitution as amended and other extant laws. “That your attention should specifically be drawn to your failure to forward the name of a nominee for appointment as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation but chose to parade one Mr. Dagogo Iboroma as a member of the State Executive Council in this regard, thereby contravening Section 192(2) & (6) as well as Section 195(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. “That we should remind you of another infraction of the Constitution in which you illegally swore in several other persons who are parading themselves as Commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council on Tuesday 21st May 2024, namely- Prince Charles O. Beke; Collins Onunwo; Solomon Eke; Peter Medee; Elloka Tasie-Amadi; Basoene Joshua Benibo; Tambari Sydney Gbara and Ovy Orluideye Chinedum Chukwuma without screening and confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly in full compliance with Section 192(2) & (6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. “Others who were sworn in on Tuesday 13th August 2024 are Illamu Arug; Rowland Obed Whyte; Samuel Anyan; Stanley Eke and Austin Emeka Nnadozie while Israel Ngbelu; Evans Bipi; Otarinij Ngubo and Benibo Alabraba were sworn in on Monday 7th October 2024. Emmanuel Frank-Fubara was sworn in on 8th July 2024, amounting to a total number of 19 persons parading themselves and misleading Rivers people that they are Commissioners.”

3/5/2025, 6:54:51 PM

BREAKING: Rivers LG Elections Scheduled For August 9

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has set August 9, 2025, for fresh Local Government Council Elections in the state. RSIEC Chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, announced the date during a stakeholders’ meeting and the official unveiling of the 2025 Local Government Elections timetable and guidelines at the commission’s headquarters on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday. Speaking to stakeholders, Justice Enebeli reiterated RSIEC’s dedication to ensuring a free, fair, credible, and impartial election, urging political parties to comply with the established rules.

3/5/2025, 3:41:58 PM

Court Stops Senate From Probing Natasha

An Abuja Federal High Court has issued an interim order restraining the Senate Ethics Committee from proceeding with its planned investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, effectively putting the committee’s deliberations on hold. Presiding over the case, Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order on Tuesday following an ex parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team. The senator represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly. The ruling comes as the committee was preparing to convene and possibly impose an indefinite suspension on the senator. With this order, all proceedings on the matter are suspended pending further judicial review. Waffi TV recalls that on February 20, 2025, during a Senate session, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her seat had been reassigned without prior notice. Viewing this as an attempt to sideline her and limit her contributions, she refused to accept the new seat. Chief Whip Tahir Monguno defended the reassignment, citing Senate rules and arguing that changes were necessary due to shifts in party affiliations. Despite this, Akpoti-Uduaghan remained defiant, leading to a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who instructed the sergeant-at-arms to enforce the seating arrangement. Following the dispute, the Senate unanimously referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for a disciplinary review. The committee, led by Senator Neda Imaseun, was directed to submit its findings within two weeks. In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Akpabio and his aide, Mfon Patrick. The suit alleges that a Facebook post written by Patrick, reportedly at Akpabio’s direction, contained defamatory remarks about her legislative abilities and personal appearance. The lawsuit seeks damages and a public apology, arguing that the publication damaged her reputation and subjected her to public ridicule.

3/5/2025, 10:58:30 AM

We’re Yet To Receive Assembly’s Resolutions On Supreme Court Judgment~ Rivers Govt

The Rivers State Government has stated that it has not yet received the resolutions of the State House of Assembly regarding the Supreme Court’s judgment delivered on February 28, 2025. On Monday, the assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, demanding he present the 2025 state budget. In a letter to the Speaker of the House, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the government clarified that as of the close of work on March 4, neither the governor’s office, the deputy governor, nor the Accountant-General’s office had received the document. However, the letter did not mention any individual by name as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Referencing Governor Fubara’s state broadcast on March 2, Danagogo reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law. He stated that despite personal opinions on the Supreme Court’s ruling, the governor assured Rivers residents that his government would implement the judgment in the state’s best interest. The government also revealed that its legal team is still awaiting a certified true copy of the ruling and assured the public that the governor would act promptly once it is received. The letter read, “I hereby refer to you to a letter dated March 3, 2025, on the above subject matter, which we came across on social media and notify you that: “As of the close of work on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter. Neither the office of the Governor, the Deputy Governor’s office, nor the office of the Accountant-General of the state, has received the letter. “Please, recall that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, had in a broadcast on Sunday, March 2, 2025, stated clearly that notwithstanding his personal opinion on the Supreme Court judgements, he will, as a law-abiding Nigerian, obey and implement their decisions in accordance with the rule of law and the best interest of the people of the state.”

3/5/2025, 10:44:34 AM

Rivers: Sacked LG Chairmen Vow To Take Over Councils

Former Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State, removed in 2015 under ex-Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration, have declared their intention to reclaim control of the 23 LG councils. Speaking on behalf of his colleagues in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Benson Imie, ex-Chairman of Andoni LGA, stated that they were duly elected in a May 23, 2015 election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) during the tenure of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi. However, Wike dismissed them upon assuming office. Imie noted that while a Federal High Court voided the 2015 election on July 9, 2015, the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt overturned the ruling on February 28, 2025, affirming the election’s validity. He emphasized that the latest judgment nullified the earlier decision due to a severe violation of the appellants’ right to fair hearing.

3/5/2025, 9:20:37 AM

Bayelsa Lifts Ban On Civil Service Employment

The Bayelsa State Government has lifted the employment ban on its civil service, as announced in a special statement on Tuesday. Signed by the Civil Service Commission’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Stanley Sokari, the announcement instructs applicants to submit their applications to the commission by March 21, 2025. Applicants must address their letters to the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission, stating the position sought, age, sex, hometown, local government area, qualifications, relevant professional certificates, and work experience. The hiring freeze was initially imposed after the previous administration of Seriake Dickson recruited 1,000 graduates. The decision stemmed from concerns over the state’s monthly wage bill, though reports suggested instances of covert employment during the embargo period. The announcement stated:“His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has graciously approved the employment of suitably qualified indigenes of Bayelsa State into the Bayelsa State Civil Service. Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit well-written letters of application to the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission for employment.”

3/5/2025, 9:06:00 AM

Bill To End HND, BSc Dichotomy Scales Second Reading

A bill seeking to eliminate the discrimination between Bachelor's Degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas stated that the proposed legislation aims to replace the HND with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech), enabling polytechnic graduates to compete on equal footing with university graduates. Sponsored by Lagos lawmaker Fuad Laguda, the bill also highlights the significance of technical education. Abbas noted that all polytechnic boards in Nigeria support the abolition of HND in favor of a B.Tech to ensure fair competition with university graduates. “At the same time, they are calling for hybrid supervision where the degree component of the polytechnic education will be handled by the NUC (National Universities Commission) while the national diploma will continue to be handled by the NBTE (National Board for Technical Education). “Because of the degree component of this amendment, they felt that the qualification for being rector should also be upgraded to a Ph.D holder at the minimum since you will now be talking about degree programmes, it is only proper for such kind of establishment to have a Ph.D holder as the head of the institution,” he said. Abbas subjected the bill to a voice vote and the lawmakers approved it to scale second reading.

3/5/2025, 7:18:12 AM

EFCC Grills Ex Akwa Ibom Gov Emmanuel for Alleged ₦700bn Fraud

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, over allegations of ₦700 billion fraud. Emmanuel was taken into custody on Tuesday after honoring an EFCC invitation to address accusations of money laundering and fund diversion raised by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking. The petition claims Emmanuel received ₦3 trillion from the Federation Account over eight years but left a ₦500 billion debt and unpaid projects worth ₦300 billion. He is also accused of failing to account for ₦700 billion. EFCC’s investigation is ongoing, with Emmanuel currently being interrogated. Efforts to reach EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale for comments were unsuccessful. Emmanuel, who governed Akwa Ibom from 2015 to 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is the latest in a series of ex-governors facing corruption charges. Last Friday, the EFCC arraigned former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, alongside his son, Chinedum Orji, and three others at the Abia State High Court over alleged misappropriation of ₦47 billion. They face a 16-count charge, including the alleged theft of ₦22.5 billion in security votes (2011-2015), ₦13 billion from a Diamond Bank loan, ₦12 billion from the Paris Club refund, ₦10.5 billion from a First Bank loan, and ₦2 billion in Central Bank funds meant for small businesses. All five defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted bail. The trial is set for June 18-19, 2025.

3/5/2025, 7:13:42 AM

Subscribe to our newsletter

advertisement