Politics
I have successfully defended my right to govern Rivers -Fubara
Fubara also disclosed that under his watch, the state government awarded nine new road projects, valued at N534.332bn.
This is even as he described as vicious and existential, the political crisis that was waged against his administration, barely three months after take-off on May 29, 2023.
The governor assured all that the worst was over because his administration had successfully defended the rights and privileges to govern the state and advance its progress in liberty and freedom without compromise.
Fubara said these while presenting an account of stewardship and scorecard to mark the first anniversary of his administration in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Wednesday.
The governor said, “We started this journey with a bang. We were focused. We were determined to make the change we promised with a sense of urgency.
“But then, somehow, we suddenly found ourselves in the cesspit of crisis barely three months into our tenure. It was not just an ordinary political crisis. It was a vicious existential crisis.
“But thank goodness, the worst is over. We have successfully defended our rights and opportunity to govern our state and advance its progress in freedom, and we will continue to prevail.”
Fubara stated that since then, a lot has changed in the political landscape, adding that he remains committed to the covenant taken a year ago to put Rivers State first, defend her interest, and ensure that the people get the dividends of democracy and good governance.
He added, “For us, any government worth its name must be accountable, responsive, and responsible for the security and well-being of the people.
“Having managed the affairs of our state for one year, including dispensing public resources, it is only proper that we render account with a public presentation of our performance record.
“I am, therefore, pleased to stand before you to present our scorecard for the first year we have been in office as the Executive arm of the Government of Rivers State.”
He reflected on his promise to deliver on the core priorities of economic growth, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture, as contained in his blueprint as a resolve to build a virile, resilient, and progressive State that caters to the needs of the people.
The governor said he was proud to report that, despite the unprecedented challenges, his first year in office witnessed significant achievements visible to everybody.
Fubara said that he inherited a state whose economy was on a declining trajectory despite its growth potential but within one year of his administration, the negative narrative had changed for the better.
The governor revealed that he set up an Internally Generated Revenue Investment Advisory Committee that he chairs to coordinate activities in the sector that has increased the inflow of economic investments to the State.
He added, “We also needed to attract investments into the state and increase our internally generated revenue base as too much reliance on federal allocations was a challenge to the realisation of our development goals.
“We, therefore, set up an IGR/Investment Advisory Committee, which is helping us to navigate our course for increased economic investments and internally generated revenue to accelerate economic growth, create jobs and advance the welfare and well-being of our people.”
Fubara emphasised, “Our liberalised business-friendly economic policies and programmes are boosting confidence and attracting local and international investors and investments into the State, judging by the expression of interest offers we receive every month.
“We have kept our taxes low, frozen the imposing of taxes on small businesses across the state, and increased the ease of doing business in the state by eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks. No request for the signing of a certificate of occupancy remains in my office beyond two days, except if I am otherwise engaged beyond two days or out of town.
“One year down the line, and we believe we are succeeding. Our internally generated revenue witnessed an astronomical increase from N12 billion to between N17 billion in off-peak periods and N28 billion during the peak months.”
Continuing, he said, “We have established a N4 billion matching fund with the Bank of Industry to support existing and new micro, small, and medium-sized businesses to grow their businesses to drive economic growth and create jobs and wealth for citizens. Over 3,000 citizens and residents have applied to access this loan to fund their businesses at a single-digit interest rate, and a repayment period of up to five years.”
He expressed his belief in using infrastructure as key to sustainable development, which was why, he explained, he did not abandon “the 34 uncompleted projects that he inherited, valued at over N225.279 billion spread across 13 local government areas of the state”.
The governor also said that 12 of those projects have been completed and put to use while construction work is ongoing on the others, with nine new road projects initiated by his administration valued at N534.332 billion.
Fubara stated that except for the Port Harcourt Ring Road project which is funded with the loan, other ambitious projects of his administration such as the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road, Okania-Ogbogoro Road and the Trans-Kalabari Road are funded from accumulated IGR and federal allocations savings.
He explained, “I wish to emphasize that with a combined cost of N528.6billion, the 50.15 kilometres Port Harcourt dual-carriage Ring Road, the dualisation of Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road and the Trans-Kalabari Road projects are three most ambitious road projects ever carried out by any Governor in Rivers State.
“The 50.15 kilometres Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Ring Road, with six flyovers, one river crossing, walkways, drains, streetlights, and spanning six local government areas, was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at a total cost of N195.3billion for a 36-month completion period.
“The 33.5-kilometre Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road was awarded on the 26th of March, 2024 at a total cost of N80.886billion to Craneburge Construction Company with a down payment of 50 per cent of the contract sum and 24-month completion timeline. The contractor has since commenced work on this project, ” Fubara said
The governor said so much has been achieved in the health sector with Rivers State Emergency Ambulance Service resuscitated, facilities upgraded at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, 1,000 medical personnel employed, and 35 primary healthcare centres empowered to function maximally.
He assured all that his administration was committed to economic diversification through agriculture, stressing that efforts are at top gear to attract serious investors to take over and revive all state-owned farms and agricultural assets.
The purpose, he emphasised, is to harness the huge agricultural potential of the State to enhance food security, grow the economy, create jobs and generate revenue for the government and stakeholders.
He said, “In addition, we have concluded plans to engage our youths in profitable agriculture, and applied to participate in the second phase of the Special Agro-processing Zones project of the African Development Bank, and all other agriculture development schemes of the Federal Government.”
In the education sector, Fubara explained that he inherited several uncompleted secondary schools’ reconstruction and other projects.
Among other efforts made, Governor Fubara said: “On assumption of office, we quickly released funds to complete these schools and deliver them for public use.
“To this end, we made final payments of N701,943,233,05 for the completion and delivery of Community Secondary School, Rumuepirikom; N355,682,471.99 for Kalabari National College; N329,330,552.25 for Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; N379,793,277.60 for Government Secondary School, Eneka; N461,973,829.38 for Government Secondary School, Emohua; N134,600,000.00 for Comprehensive Secondary School, Alesa–Eleme; N1,142,279,618.17 for Community Secondary School, Koroma, Tai; N1,863,213,093.13 for Government Comprehensive School, Okarki; N585,084,678.80 for Government Secondary School, Ataba; and N2,092,313,561.19 for Government Girls Secondary School, Ahoada.
“We also released N193,785,313.00 for the reconstruction of Community Secondary School, Kunusha, N1,500,000,000.00 for the reconstruction of Okrika Grammar School; N612,632,677.94 for the furnishing of the University of Port Harcourt Convocation Arena; and N700,000,000.00 for the twin hostel projects at the Yenagoa campus of the Nigerian Law School.
“We released N1,902,334,833.33 as matching funds for the Universal Basic Education Board for the provision of infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of basic education schools. It is noteworthy that the State’s Universal Basic Education Board has used funds released to rehabilitate over 50 basic education schools across the State,” he added.
He listed other projects and programmes undertaken by the administration across various sectors as well as the financial commitments made to ensure quality project delivery within specifications and timelines.
Fubara said the payment of salary to civil servants has been sustained, adding that an engineering firm has been engaged to do a structural assessment of what can be done to give the Rivers State Secretariat Complex a facelift.
Speaking at the event as the Chairman of the occasion, former representative of Rivers East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator John Azuta Mbata, said the essence of democracy and sovereignty is for leaders to serve the people, be responsible to them and work to improve their well-being.
Mbata stated that the governor has distinguished himself as a servant-leader whose one year in office is momentous, full of enormous accomplishments, and has such audacity to embark on an unusual phenomenon of reporting back to the people on how he has served them.
The chairman emphasised that Fubara, by conducting himself as answerable to the people, has set a record difficult to match for upholding accountability and democracy, sustaining public trust, and fostering good governance.
He said, “So, we are glad that such an occasion has presented itself in this State, where our servant-leader is before the people to give account and show his scorecard. I congratulate you most heartily for this great achievement.
“Popular sovereignty principle connotes the fact that power belongs to the people. It is the people that leaders are called upon to serve. The people play the role of choosing their leaders through regular and periodic elections, and also the people have the mandate to renew or refuse to renew the mandate periodically.
“It is accountability that ensures responsibility and transparent exercise of power in the public interest. Accountability provides the opportunity for the players to explain and account for their performance in office. I am proud that His Excellency has chosen the path of transparency and accountability as Governor of Rivers State,” he said.
In his welcome address, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, described Governor Fubara as an eagle leader.
Such a leader, Danagogo explained, flies higher and touches the sky with speed and accuracy at hitting his target without any noise making in solving many societal and human problems that offer succour to the people.
He said over the past year, Governor Fubara has championed what he called, ‘a quiet and noiseless revolution’ wherein he had worked assiduously, performed excellently and achieved what seemed almost impossible.
On such a day, Dr Danagogo stated, “Governor Fubara, who is the people’s Governor, decided to present a vivid account of his stewardship to the people on how public funds have been deployed judiciously in delivering critical projects and social services.”
Wike and Fubara have been engaged in a prolonged feud, which necessitated the intervention of President Bola Tinub to diffuse the growing tension in the state.
A few weeks ago, five pro-Wike commissioners resigned for the second time last week, citing a hostile working environment.
These resignations came after four others had previously stepped down.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections, a mass protest voting movement may be building up in Anambra South Senatorial District, following reported moves by members of major political parties to support the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Ebuka Onunkwo.
The development is said to be linked to grievances among some members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the treatment allegedly meted out to Onunkwo during previous political contests.
Onunkwo, who had previously contested the Anambra South senatorial seat under APGA, later emerged as the NDC candidate for the 2027 election.
Although the ADC is currently embroiled in legal disputes over the authentic candidates and the conduct of its primary elections, some members of the APC and APGA are also reportedly dissatisfied with developments within their respective parties.
It was gathered that a section of APGA members, in particular, are backing Onunkwo as a form of protest over the conduct of the party’s senatorial primary, while some members of other parties are also believed to be considering voting for him irrespective of their party affiliations.
Confirming the growing support for Onunkwo, the Chief Executive Officer of NOWAS Oil and Gas Limited and a major stakeholder in Anambra South politics, Chief Ignesus Ikechukwudere Nnubia, said the NDC candidate currently enjoys widespread acceptability across party lines.
Nnubia said the growing support for Onunkwo had made his party affiliation less significant, arguing that voters would ultimately vote according to their conscience and assessment of the candidates.
He said, “At the moment, the number of APGA members with him and supporting him makes one wonder what is left of that party. Even the remnants of the PDP have pitched their tents with him, while members of the ruling APC at the national level are also behind him.
“So, the party that he belongs to is not a factor at all. You know that it is a game of numbers, and people are going to vote according to their conscience and not necessarily because of the political party they belong to.
“People are not bound to vote for their party, and some of them are ready and willing to vote for him.
“We are not talking about the party because he will surely get votes from the NDC, APGA, APC and even other political parties that are already closing ranks to support him as their candidate.”
Nnubia further described Onunkwo as the candidate currently standing tall among the contenders for the Anambra South senatorial seat, expressing confidence that his emergence would usher in what he described as a “new dawn” for the district.
He said political parties should not be the major consideration for voters, stressing that what matters most is the ability of elected representatives to improve the lives of their constituents.
According to him, political parties exist because of the people, and therefore the influence of party structures and incumbency has its limits during elections.
Nnubia said those factors would ultimately be tested by the electorate in the 2027 election, which he described as a contest in which voters’ choices would determine the outcome.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Ebonyi State election, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has pledged to attract more than ₦2 trillion in private-sector investment to the state within six months of assuming office if elected.
Odii made the pledge while addressing supporters in Lagos ahead of the formal commencement of his campaign.
He said his investment strategy would cover key sectors of the Ebonyi economy, including mining, hospitality, real estate and manufacturing.
According to the PDP candidate, he has identified more than 2,000 prospective investors, each capable of investing about ₦1 billion in the state.
“I have over 2,000 people who can invest ₦1 billion each. When you multiply it, you will get over ₦2 trillion. This has been structured in such a way that all aspects of the economy will be involved,” Odii said.
He said the proposed investment drive was designed not only to inject capital into the state but also to create jobs, expand the productive base of the economy and provide opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs.
Odii said Ebonyi’s natural resources and strategic location placed it in a strong position to attract large-scale investments if its economic potential was properly harnessed.
He promised that his administration would prioritise private-sector participation, industrialisation and job creation while creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investors.
The candidate also said existing businesses in the state would be supported to expand, while new investors would be encouraged to establish operations across various sectors.
His pledge comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with economic development, employment generation and wealth creation featuring prominently in his campaign message.
The proposed ₦2 trillion investment target within six months, if achieved, would represent a significant boost to Ebonyi’s economy and rank among the most ambitious private-sector investment mobilisation plans proposed in the state.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The planned visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Anambra State has sparked controversy following a protest by the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Emma Anosike, that the party was not informed about the visit.
Anosike said the APC in Anambra was never consulted or briefed about the proposed visit, adding that the party was taken aback by reports that the wife of the party’s national leader and presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would be visiting the state without recourse to the state chapter.
He said, “It is indeed strange that the First Lady of our presidential candidate is visiting Anambra State without recourse to the party in the state.
“The party wishes to state categorically that we are not part of the arrangements for the reception of our First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, because the party was never put in the picture.”
Anosike also dismissed the mantra that “The Progressives Are Working Together”, being canvassed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), describing it as a smokescreen by the ruling party in Anambra to hijack President Tinubu’s re-election from the APC.
He said, “For instance, the APGA-led government in Anambra State did not interface with us on the organisation of the visit, and the party wonders if the progressives are indeed working together.”
The APC chairman, however, said the development would not compromise the First Lady’s visit, urging all APC members and supporters in the state to turn out and give Senator Oluremi Tinubu a warm welcome.
He stressed that despite the party’s reservations over the arrangements, APC members remained committed to welcoming the First Lady to Anambra State.
Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Sagir Saleh, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saleh, who served as deputy governor under former Governor Isa Yuguda, announced his resignation in a letter submitted to the party leadership in Katagum Local Government Area.
He cited personal reasons for his decision but did not provide further details.
His exit comes amid growing disagreements within the Bauchi APC following the party’s 2027 governorship primary. Other prominent members, including former governorship aspirant Bala Jibrin and Sunusi Kunde, an associate of Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, have also reportedly left the party.
Jibrin, a former National Auditor of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), resigned on August 31, 2026, following his opposition to the emergence of former Bauchi Governor Muhammad Abubakar as the APC’s 2027 governorship candidate.
He had criticised the primary process and questioned how the candidate emerged.
Kunde also resigned from the APC in August, submitting his resignation to the party chairman of Beti Ward in Misau Local Government Area.
The latest departures are coming as efforts continue to resolve internal disputes and disagreements among APC members in the state.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to assassinate former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ayodele issued the warning in a video shared on his verified X account on Sunday, urging both opposition figures to strengthen their security and remain vigilant.
The cleric did not identify those allegedly behind the purported plot but claimed that attempts were being made to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
According to him, divine intervention would prevent the alleged plan from succeeding.
“Obi and Atiku, be very conscious of your security. They are looking for any means to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
“But God will never allow it to happen. Watch out and be cautious about your security,” he said.
Ayodele also urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider travelling to the United States, alleging that there were forces in America working against his political fortunes.
The claims come as political activities and realignments intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
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