Godbless Chukwu Bams

DISCLAIMER ON THE LETTER PURPORTEDLY WRITTEN BY RT. HON. EDISON EHIE DSSRS- MEMBER REPRESENTING AHOADA EAST CONSTITUENCY I

The attention of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been drawn to a letter dated 29 December, 2023, addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and circulating in the media. It was purportedly written and signed by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie DSSRS - member representing Ahoada East Constituency II in the Rivers State of Assembly wherein he claimed to have resigned from the position of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, an office he never occupied.

2. I am therefore directed to call on the good people of Rivers State to disregard the false claim in this letter that is intended to mislead the unsuspecting public. Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie DSSRS was never at any time in the life of the Rivers State House of Assembly elected a Speaker. The Office of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly is a creation of the 1999 Constitution (As altered) and should not be ridiculed by any member who swore to preserve it and abide by the Constitution.

3. As a matter of fact, on Monday, the 5° day of June, 2023, after the proclamation of the
10° Rivers State House of Assembly by the Governor, and in line with Section 92 (1) of the
1999 Constitution (As altered), I, as the then Acting Clerk of the House, conducted the election that produced Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, DSSRS, as the Speaker of the
10 Rivers State House of Assembly by the unanimous votes of all other thirty-one (31) members sitting and present. It is also imperative to state that, from the 5* day of June, 2023, when he was elected till today, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule DSSRS, has been performing his duties as the Speaker.

4. I am further directed to use this medium to advise and warn all purveyors of misleading information against the House to desist forthwith and also call on security agencies to act accordingly in order to ensure the rule of law.

5. This disclaimer is therefore intended to set the records straight and for the avoidance of doubt from the public that the House is empowered to legislate for.

6. The Public is implored to take note accordingly.

Signed..
Mr. Emeka Amadi PhD
Clerk
Rivers State House of Assembly.

RIVERS POLITICS: Rivers State Government recognizes Hon. Martin Chike Amaehwule as the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly. This is in line with Presidential Resolution.

RIVERS POLITICS: Magnus Abe ‘Dumps’ SDP, Set To Return To APC

The 2023 governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State, Magnus Abe, has declared his intention to leave the party and join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

BREAKING: The Honourable Minister Of Interior, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo Has Revealed That Automation Of Passport Application Process Will Begin From 8th January 2024.

JUST IN: NSCDC Uncovers Illegal Refinery In Gombe State.

BREAKING: President Tinubu Signs N28.7trillion Nigerian Budget Into Law

Heavy Rain Hits Some Parts Of Port Harcourt City On January 1st, 2024.

It's A Welcome Development!

Ehie Edison To Rebounce Soon... To Be Appointed Next Chief Of Staff, RSGH — Source

PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU’S NEW YEAR ADDRESS TO THE NATION

Dear Compatriots,

It gives me immense joy to welcome each and everyone of you – young and old- to this brand new year 2024. We must lift up our hands to Almighty God, in gratitude, for his grace and benevolence to our country and our lives in the year 2023 that has just gone by.

Though the past year was a very challenging one, it was eventful in so many ways. For our country, it was a transition year that saw a peaceful, orderly and successful transfer of power from one administration to another, marking yet another remarkable step in our 24 years of unbroken democracy.

It was a year, you the gracious people of this blessed nation, entrusted your faith in me with a clear mandate to make our country better, to revamp our economy, restore security within our borders, revitalise our floundering industrial sector, boost agricultural production, increase national productivity and set our country on an irreversible path towards national greatness that we and future generations will forever be proud of.

The task of building a better nation and making sure we have a Nigeria society that cares for all her citizens is the reason I ran to become your President. It was the core of my Renewed Hope campaign message on the basis of which you voted me as President.

Everything I have done in office, every decision I have taken and every trip I have undertaken outside the shores of our land, since I assumed office on 29 May 2023, have been done in the best interest of our country.

Over the past seven months of our administration, I have taken some difficult and yet necessary decisions to save our country from fiscal catastrophe. One of those decisions was the removal of fuel subsidy which had become an unsustainable financial burden on our country for more than four decades. Another was the removal of the chokehold of few people on our foreign exchange system that benefited only the rich and the most powerful among us. Without doubt, these two decisions brought some discomfort to individuals, families and businesses.

I am well aware that for some time now the conversations and debates have centred on the rising cost of living, high inflation which is now above 28% and the unacceptable high under-employment rate.

From the boardrooms at Broad Street in Lagos to the main-streets of Kano and Nembe Creeks in Bayelsa, I hear the groans of Nigerians who work hard every day to provide for themselves and their families.

I am not oblivious to the expressed and sometimes unexpressed frustrations of my fellow citizens. I know for a fact that some of our compatriots are even asking if this is how our administration wants to renew their h ope.

Dear Compatriots, take this from me: the time may be rough and tough, however, our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last. We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter. The socio-economic challenges of today should energize and rekindle our love and faith in the promise of Nigeria. Our current circumstances should make us resolve to work better for the good of our beloved nation. Our situation should make us resolve that this new year 2024, each and everyone of us will commit to be better citizens.

Silently, we have worked to free captives from abductors. While we can’t beat our chest yet that we had solved all the security problems, we are working hard to ensure that we all have peace of mind in our homes, places of work and on the roads.

Having laid the groundwork of our economic recovery plans within the last seven months of 2023, we are now poised to accelerate the pace of our service delivery across sectors.

Just this past December during COP28 in Dubai, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and I agreed and committed to a new deal to speed up the delivery of the Siemens Energy power project that will ultimately deliver reliable supply of electricity to our homes and businesses under the Presidential Power Initiative which began in 2018.

Other power installation projects to strengthen the reliability of our transmission lines and optimise the integrity of our National grid are ongoing across the country.

My administration recognises that no meaningful economic transformation can happen without steady electricity supply. In 2024, we are moving a step further in our quest to restart local refining of petroleum products with Port Harcourt Refinery, and the Dangote Refinery which shall fully come on stream.

To ensure constant food supply, security and affordability, we will step up our plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet and other staple crops. We launched the dry season farming with 120,000 hectares of land in Jigawa State last November under our National Wheat Development Programme.

In this new year, we will race against time to ensure all the fiscal and tax policies reforms we need to put in place are codified and simplified to ensure the business environment does not destroy value. On every foreign trip I have embarked on, my message to investors and other business people has been the same. Nigeria is ready and open for business.

I will fight every obstacle that impedes business competitiveness in Nigeria and I will not hesitate to remove any clog hindering our path to making Nigeria a destination of choice for local and foreign investments.

In my 2024 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, I listed my administration’s 8 priority areas to include national defence and internal security, job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction and social security. Because we take our development agenda very seriously, our 2024 budget reflects the premium we placed on achieving our governance objectives.

We will work diligently to make sure every Nigerian feels the impact of their government. The economic aspirations and the material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected. It is in this spirit that we are going to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers this new year. It is not only good economics to do this, it is also a morally and politically correct thing to do.

I took an oath to serve this country and give my best at all times. Like I said in the past, no excuse for poor performance from any of my appointees will be good enough.

It is the reason I put in place a Policy Coordination, Evaluation, Monitoring and Delivery Unit in the Presidency to make sure that governance output improves the living condition of our people.

We have set the parameters for evaluation. Within the first quarter of this new year, Ministers and Heads of Agencies with a future in this administration that I lead will continue to show themselves.

Fellow Nigerians, my major ambition in government as a Senator in the aborted Third Republic, as Governor of Lagos State for eight years and now as the President of this blessed country is to build a fair and equitable society and close the widening inequality. While I believe the rich should enjoy their legitimately-earned wealth, our minimum bargain must be that, any Nigerian that works hard and diligent enough will have a chance to get ahead in life. I must add that because God didn’t create us with equal talents and strengths, I can not guarantee that we will have equal outcomes when we work hard. But my government, in this new year 2024 and beyond, will work to give every Nigerian equal opportunity to strive and to thrive.

For the new year to yield all its good benefits to us as individuals and collectively as a people we must be prepared to play our part. The job of building a prosperous nation is not the job of the President, Governors, Ministers, Lawmakers and government officials alone. Our destinies are connected as members of this household of Nigeria. Our language, creed, ethnicity and religious beliefs even when they are not same should never make us work at cross purposes.

In this new year, let us resolve that as joint-heirs to the Nigerian Commonwealth, we will work for the peace, progress and stability of our country. I extend this call to my political opponents in the last election. Election is over. It’s time for all of us to work together for the sake of our country.

We must let the light each of us carries – men and women, young and old- shine bright and brighter to illuminate our path to a glorious dawn.

I wish all of us a happy and prosperous year 2024.

May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
1 January 2024

JUST IN: I Took Difficult Decisions To Avert Economic Disaster – Tinubu

The president made this disclosure In his maiden New Year address to the nation.

BREAKING: Fubara's Ally, Ehie Edison Resigns As Speaker And Member Of The Rivers State 10th Assembly.

JUST IN: President Tinubu Set To Address Nation On Monday

President Bola Tinubu will make a New Year’s Day broadcast to Nigerians on Monday, January 1, 2024, at 7 am.

This was made known in a press release by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale.

“Television, radio stations, and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigeria Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for the broadcast,” the statement said.

BREAKING: National Assembly Approves 2024 Budget

The Senate has approved the 2024 Budget Of 28.7 Trillion Naira.

The breakdown of the budget is as follows:

Capital
9.9 Trillion Naira

Recurrent
8.7 Trillion Naira

Debt Service
8.2 Trillion Naira

Statutory Transfers
1.7 Trillion Naira

Gdp
3.88 Percent

Wike Vs SIM 😁😁

RIVERS POLITICS: Darlington Orji And PDP Chairman Kelga Hon Dennis Amadi Led A Couresty Visit To The Speaker Rivers State House Of Assembly Rt Hon Ehie Edison

JUST IN: Special Adviser on Union matters to late Governor Akeredolu, Dare Aragbaiye resigns, says he's loyal to Akeredolu even in death.

BREAKING: Aiyedatiwa Sworn In As Ondo Governor Hours After Akeredolu’s Death

The Acting Governor Of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Has Officially Been Sworn In As The New Governor Of The State

Aiyedatiwa was sworn in at the governor’s office barely 24-hours after the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.

JUST IN: Swearing In Ceremony Of Lucky Aiyedatiwa As Governor Of Ondo State Ongoing

Details Shortly!

BREAKING: President Tinubu Mourn Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Sends Condolence To His Family And Ondo State.

BREAKING: Akeredolu’s Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa To Be Sworn-In As Ondo Governor Today By 4pm

BREAKING: National Assembly Set To Pass The 2024 Appropriation Bill On December 30th 2023 To Sustain The January-December Budget Cycle.

NEWS: Details Into Ondo State Governor Akeredolu’s Death Emerges

Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday at a German hospital, fresh details reveal.

The governor was suffering from leukaemia and prostate cancer. He died aged 67 at a hospital in Germany.

Akeredolu’s health had been a subject of concern for months, with concerns about his condition escalating in early December when he handed over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Recall that the governor wrote a letter transmitting power to his deputy to allow him to proceed on a medical vacation.

Sources within the Ondo State government confirmed that arrangements were underway to swear in Aiyedatiwa as the new governor in accordance with the constitution.

JUST IN: Vice President Kashim Shettima Visits President Bola Tinubu At His Residence In Lagos State.

BREAKING: The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured depositors and customers of Nigerian banks of the safety of their funds in the banks.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, Hakama Sidi-Ali, gave the assurance in a statement on Wednesday.

According to Mrs Sidi-Ali, the assurance was informed by reports about a recommendation for the federal government to take over some CBN-supervised financial institutions.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerian banks remain safe and sound.

“The CBN encourages the public to continue their regular activities without being alarmed by reports that have not
emanated from the CBN about the health status of Nigerian banks.

“The CBN is fully equipped to carry out its statutory duty of upholding a stable financial system in Nigeria.

“We assure the general public and depositors about the safety of their funds in Nigerian financial institutions,” she said.

She advised bank customers to proceed with their banking transactions as usual, as there was no cause for concern.

BREAKING: Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu Is Dead.

A family source confirmed that Akeredolu died in Lagos State where he was being managed by State House doctors up to his death because they could not fly him abroad..

RIVERS CRISIS: PDP NWC Warns Governor SIM Against Enforcing Tinubu’s Peace Deal In Rivers

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ’s National Working Committee (NWC) has raised concerns over Governor Fubara’s intention to implement the peace agreement brokered by President Tinubu, expressing doubts about its feasibility.

CHRISTMAS:

“Tinubu’s Administration Will Wipe Away Your Tears Soon
– Akpabio Assures Nigerians

RIVERS CRISIS: ”Act Like A Statesman In Your Interventions” — Former PDP Chairman, Secondus Tells Tinubu

Explicitly addressing the situation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Prince Uche Secondus emphasized that any intervention made by President Bola Tinubu must align with both the spirit and the letter of the constitution to ensure its legitimacy.

RIVERS POLITICS: President Tinubu should Be Appreciated For Intervening In Rivers State — Wike

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said President Tinubu should be appreciated for intervening in the political situation in Rivers State.

BREAKING: Ex-CBN Governor, Emefiele, Released From Kuje Prison After Fulfilling Bail Conditions

APC ASSEMBLY FORUM REJECTS MEMBERSHIP OF 27 RIVERS LAWMAKERS WHO DUMPED PDP

The membership of the 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not yet been recognized in the nation’s ruling party. According to the All Progressives Congress States Assembly Forum (ASAF), it decided not to admit the Rivers lawmakers into APC immediately due to the ongoing legal challenges against the former PDP members.

ASAF, which represents APC state assembly members, made this declaration after an emergency meeting in Abuja on Tuesday evening

Vanguard quoted the ASAF’s Director General, Ambassador Fubara Dagogo, to have expressed appreciation for the lawmakers’ decision to join the APC, but insisted that they will only be recognized in the party after the Court case against them are over next year.

Dagogo stated that the ASAF would be ready to accept the 27 lawmakers and other state defectors, but insisted that it must be done under a credible and transparent situation.

Speaking further, Dagogo, said that ASAF will deliberate later and probably admit the 27 Rivers lawmakers into its forum when it meets again on February 18, 2024, ahead of its planned Geneva retreat in Switzerland.

The organization, ASAF, also expressed its support and trust in the National chairman of the ruling All the Progressives Congress (APC), former Kano state Governor Abdullah Umar Ganduje, and the National Working Committee, NWC.

ASAF acknowledged that under his leadership, the popularity of the ruling party has grown, resulting in an increase in the number of defectors and new members joining the APC.

Naija News understands that there are contradictory reports and denials regarding the purported agreement that was supposedly reached and signed by the different factions in Rivers State.

The aforementioned agreement was reached at the conclusion of the meeting held on Monday, presided over by President Tinubu, between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The purpose of this agreement was to resolve the ongoing dispute that has caused a crisis in Rivers State.

As a result of this crisis, 27 members of the state House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, who are said to be loyal to Wike, announced their defection from the PDP to the APC.

In response, the governor’s faction, led by factional Speaker Edison Ehie, declared the seats of the defected lawmakers vacant, citing section 109 (1) of the Nigerian constitution.

The Speaker and his group have officially written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declaring the seats vacant. However, the 27 lawmakers have already challenged this action in court.

RIVERS CRISIS: Rivers Elders Drag Tinubu, INEC, 27 Assembly Members To Court

Some elders from Rivers State have dragged President Bola Tinubu to the Federal High Court in Abuja, for “compelling” Governor Siminilaya Fubara to enter into an “unconstitutional agreement” with over the ongoing political crisis in the state.

BREAKING:

Rivers State Elders Rejects Resolution By Sim Fubara And Wike's Faction.

BOOM: Federal Government Announces Free Train Ride From December 21 To January 4

Thanks Mr President!

BREAKING: 26 Rivers Assembly Lawmakers Commence Sitting, Move To Withdraw Impeachment Notice On SIM

Twenty-six lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike have assembled at the House of Assembly Complex on Wednesday to consider withdrawing the impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Wike Isn’t Above The Party, We’ll Show Him” — PDP Chairman

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that FCT minister, Nyesom Wike and other members who are found guilty of engaging in anti-party activities must face disciplinary actions.

RIVERS CRISIS: Fubara, Odili Refused To Sign Tinubu’s Resolution On Rivers Political Crisis

A peace meeting convened at A*o Rock Villa involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara, alongside former Governor Peter Odili, failed to culminate in signing eight crucial resolutions President Bola Tinubu proposed.

"We Will Never Allow Those We Help To Power To Destroy Our Structure. It Will Never Happen".

— FCT Minister Wike