News
Court Rejects Demand to Compel Governor Fubara to Re-Present 2024 Budget to Dissatisfied Lawmakers
By Favour Bibaikefie
A High Court in Rivers State, sitting in Port Harcourt, has dismissed a case filed to compel Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-submit the N800 billion 2024 budget to 27 discontented lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule.
The suit, filed by the Registered Trustees of Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, named the Rivers State Government, Governor, and Attorney General as defendants. The group sought an order from Justice Sika Aprioku for the re-presentation of the budget to the lawmakers in question.
The case, referenced as Suit No. PHC/3552/CS/2024, was initiated on October 27, 2024, through an originating summons. The claimants challenged the state government’s decision not to re-present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the Assembly faction led by Amaewhule for legislative approval.
During proceedings on November 12, 2024, defense counsel Lawrence Oko-Jaja (SAN) presented documents recalling that between December 2015 and February 2017, only six members of the Rivers State House of Assembly conducted legislative business under Speaker Adams Dabotorudima. This arrangement included the passage of the 2017 Appropriation Bill and the confirmation of appointments during Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration, despite not meeting the required quorum of 24 members.
Oko-Jaja noted that on December 23, 2015, six Assembly members confirmed the appointment of Hon. Daisy Wotube Okocha as the state’s Chief Judge, with Speaker Dabotorudima notifying Governor Wike of the decision. Okocha was subsequently sworn in on January 4, 2016.
He further stated, “On March 3, 2016, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, under a letter, REF: RVSG/GH/RVHA/VOL/1/030, requested the House of six members to confirm the appointment of Hon. Justice Adama Iyayi-Laminkara as Substantive Chief Judge. The confirmation was given on March 7, 2016, and communicated to Governor Wike via a letter, RVHA/ADM/36/VOL.1/32, on the same date.”
Delivering judgment on December 20, 2024, Justice Aprioku ruled that Governor Fubara could only engage with Assembly members who had not vacated their seats.
“The governor cannot transact business with lawmakers who defected and, by doing so, lost their seats. As Governor Nyesom Wike conducted legislative business with only six members in the past, Governor Siminalayi Fubara is constitutionally allowed to engage the current House led by Rt. Hon. Oko-Jumbo. This arrangement will remain until the 27 defected lawmakers either seek legal redress or new elections are held to fill their vacant seats,” Justice Aprioku stated.
He continued, “Until the Supreme Court resolves the jurisdictional issues affecting the status of these 27 lawmakers, the governor can only present budgets, appoint Chief Judges, and carry out other legislative duties with the remaining members. Any attempt to engage the defected lawmakers would be unconstitutional.”
Justice Aprioku concluded by dismissing the claimant’s request for declaratory and injunctive reliefs, describing it as lacking merit. He also awarded a cost of N500,000 against the claimant in favor of the defendants.
“This suit is hereby dismissed with N500,000 awarded in costs to the defendants,” the judge ruled.
News
GOV OBOREWORI BOOSTS TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITH 65 LAND CRUISERS TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS PEACE
By: Divine Perezide
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, has handed over 65 brand new Toyota Land Cruisers to traditional rulers across the state in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, peacebuilding, and rural security coordination.
Presenting the vehicles in Asaba, the state government said the gesture reflects the administration’s recognition of the strategic role traditional institutions play in maintaining social stability, mediating communal disputes, and fostering collaboration between communities and government agencies.
The governor described traditional rulers as indispensable partners in sustaining harmony in rural areas, noting that enhanced mobility would enable quicker engagement with communities, faster response to emerging tensions, and closer cooperation with security operatives.
“This intervention is part of our people-centered leadership approach. It is a deliberate effort to build lasting peace and sustain the achievements of our MORE Agenda,” Governor Oborevwori stated, emphasizing that development thrives only in an atmosphere of peace.
Government officials explained that the vehicles would improve accessibility across difficult terrains, enable traditional leaders to attend to community matters more efficiently, and reinforce the interface between grassroots institutions and the state.
Stakeholders have commended the initiative as timely, especially as many rural communities rely heavily on traditional institutions for conflict resolution, cultural administration, and early warning mechanisms in times of tension.
With the distribution of the Land Cruisers, the Oborevwori administration says it remains committed to deepening rural engagement, strengthening local leadership structures, and advancing its peace-building framework across Delta State.
IduwiniVoice
By: Derick Peretengboro
Port Harcourt, 12 January 2026 — A Reconciliation Committee appointed by the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has appealed to political actors in Rivers State to end the ongoing crisis that has deeply affected governance and public confidence in the oil-rich state.
Headed by Chief Godwin Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON, the Committee was inaugurated on 12th January 2026 to “explore ways of bringing the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end,” a crisis, the Committee noted, that “has persisted for too long.”
In a statement at the inauguration, Chief Agabi said the Committee was privileged to serve and expressed gratitude to God and PANDEF leadership, particularly Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, and His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Papapraye Diete Spiff, former Governor of Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass. The statement described Sir Diete Spiff as “a man whose commitment to the South-South and the nation as a whole has never been in doubt,” adding that “it is the sacrifices of men like him that bequeathed the States of the South-South to the people of that area.”
Highlighting the gravity of the state’s political stand-off, the Committee warned that continuing conflict could erode confidence in the political actors’ commitment to the “interest of the people of Rivers State and of the nation.”
Using a local proverb to caution against self-destructive disputes, the statement urged caution: “Let the parties involved not be as the Clam and the Oyster … The fisherman picked them up, took them home and made a nice fine meal of Clam and Oyster. May it not be with Rivers State as it was with the Clam and the Oyster.”
Chief Agabi expressed optimism that the crisis could be resolved without external intervention, arguing that “the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one” and urging humility: “If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found.”
The Committee called for goodwill and prayer, countering the often-held view that religion has no place in politics. The statement read: “The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation … Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators … it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions.”
On the key figures involved in the crisis, Chief Agabi spoke personally of both the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Governor Fubara, saying: “The Minister … is my friend. He is my benefactor.… The mighty hand of God is upon him. That great Hand demands that he should lead this reconciliation … I trust [Governor Fubara] to respect that bond.”
The Committee also extended respect to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, praying for “a change of heart on their part” and urging them that “in forgiving the Governor whatever wrongs he has committed … they will demonstrate … restraint, … public spirit and … maturity.”
Concluding its charge, the Committee emphasized that it was not a judicial body, but an appeal for unity: “This Committee is not appointed to sit in judgment … Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one another… We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation… Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace.”
By: Divine Perezide
Warri, Delta State — Residents of the Warri Federal Constituency and surrounding environment are set to witness the public presentation of a new book titled “Warri Federal Constituency Delineation: Itsekiri & the Challenge of Sustaining the Burden of Lies”, authored by M. Keme.
The event, being organized by Niger Delta Scholars on behalf of stakeholders in the constituency, is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Warri, with proceedings commencing at 11:00am.
According to the organizers, the book interrogates historical and contemporary issues surrounding the delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, with particular focus on the Itsekiri ethnic group and the socio-political narratives that have shaped representation over the years.
The public presentation will be chaired by Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), who is expected to lend scholarly insight into the relevance of the publication to ongoing debates in Niger Delta politics.
The book will be formally reviewed by noted academic Professor Benedict Binebai, providing an evaluative perspective on the text and its contributions to regional political discourse.
The organizers have issued an open invitation to scholars, political leaders, community stakeholders, and the general public to attend the presentation ceremony. Enquiries and confirmations can be directed to the official RSVP line: 08023865232.
The forthcoming launch is anticipated to spark renewed intellectual and civic engagement on constituency delineation, ethnic relations, and democratic representation in the Niger Delta.