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River Crisis: Jonathan intervenes asks Fubara, Wike to work together
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a truce in the Rivers State political crisis, asking Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike to work together.
Jonathan made the call on Monday during the flag-off of the Trans-Kalabari Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, describing the political tension in Rivers State as worrisome.
“Outgoing governors and incoming governors must know that they work together for the collective interest of the citizens of the state and that is critical,” he said.
“In the case of Rivers, Honourable Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Sim Fubara must work together to develop the land and people of Rivers State. The tension will not help us.”
“So, I urge political actors, you must work together if you love the Rivers people. I join the leaders of Rivers State and well-meaning Nigerians that have been calling for truce and ceasefire to also reemphasise that there is a need for a ceasefire,” Jonathan said. “Let us do things that would rather project the state.”
“We are calling on them [Wike and Fubara] to embrace themselves. One hand does not clap. It takes two hands to clap. So, we want them to work together for the collective interest,” Jonathan added.
‘Heart of the Niger Delta’
Rivers State has been embroiled in a political crisis since late last year following a fallout between Wike, now the FCT Minister, and Fubara. While President Bola Tinubu had waded into the conflict and the tussle seemed to have faded away, the drama took a new twist a few weeks back.
Some commissioners loyal to Wike have resigned – for the second time – while lawmakers faithful to the FCT minister have intensified their brawl with Fubara.
Worried by the unending conflict, Jonathan argued that the stability of the oil-rich state is crucial to the nation’s development.
“Rivers State is very critical in this country. Rivers State is the heart of the Niger Delta. If River State is destabilised, the whole Niger Delta will be destabilised,” Jonathan told the gathering.
“And it will not end within the Niger Delta alone because I am from this part of the country and I know how the system works and we don’t want any crisis in Rivers State,” he said.
Jonathan expressed worry over the incessant battles between governors and their predecessors, insisting that they do not augur well for Nigeria.
“Transition in Nigeria is becoming a problem. At the centre, presidents have taken over from presidents. They are always issues but at least it is better managed.
“But at the state level, it is becoming noisy in so many states and I feel that that is not the best,” he said.
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Tinubu expresses sadness over Ibadan stamped victims, demands probe
President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the victims of the tragic incident at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, which claimed innocent lives and left many others injured.
A day after the tragic incident, 35 minors have been confirmed dead in a stampede at a funfair held at Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, the state capital.
The President in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, extended his condolences to the government and people of Oyo State and, most importantly, to the grieving families who have lost their children in the unfortunate event.
President Tinubu has urgently directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of this tragedy thoroughly,” the statement read.
The President extends his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Oyo State, as well as to the grieving families who have lost their beloved children.
“In this moment of mourning, President Tinubu stands in solidarity with the affected families and offers prayers that the Almighty God will grant peace to the souls of those who have departed in this unfortunate event.”
Tinubu highlighted that it is imperative to determine whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to this painful incident, ensuring a transparent and accountable process.
He also urged the Oyo State Government to take every necessary measure to prevent such a tragedy from reoccurring.
Among the essential actions are a comprehensive review of all public events’ safety measures, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of event venues.
“Furthermore, President Tinubu calls on event organisers to prioritise the safety of all attendees, especially children. He stresses the importance of integrating professional security, protocol, and logistics at events to ensure the utmost safety of all participants,” the statement read.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the safety and well-being of children, arguing that no event should ever compromise their safety or take precedence over their lives.
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How soldiers damaged my house for doing my job – ECTDA Chair, Hon. Uche Anya
The Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, Rt. Hon. Uche Anya has narrated how soldiers from 82 Division of the Nigeria Army invaded his residence by 2.30am and destroyed his residence for carrying out a town planning regulation on an army property in Enugu.
According to Anya, the soldiers who some of them were on mufti, in the wee hours of Sunday morning, invaded his residence with armoured personnel carriers, forcefully jumped into his compound and destroyed most parts of his house and abducted him.
His offence, he explained, was that he demolished a fence that was being made round an army property at GRA area of the Coal City, which the army did not obtain approval plan and permit from his office before embarking on the construction.
“We pleaded with them that we are from the ECTDA and needed to see their approved plan and permit but they asked me to call the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu.
“We insisted on seeing their approval, which they did not provide, leading to our stopping them from working and marking the place with ‘Stop Work’ notice immediately.”
He said that he thereafter reached out to the GOC and informed him about what transpired, but that the army said that they were trying to secure their land.
“I told him that under our law, once a development is taking place in the capital territory, there must be permission. So, three days later, in the course of our routine work, we discovered that they had wiped out our stop work order and proceeded with the work. We rolled down our equipment and pulled down the fence because they reneged on our agreement,” Anya narrated.
The Capital Territory Chairman said that two hours later, he started noticing strange movement around his street, with some people taking photographs.
“So, around 2:30a.m, two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) arrived on my street. Some people in mufti with guns jumped into my compound and I was seeing them through my CCTV. They tried to break into the house but it took them almost 90 minutes to break in through the kitchen.”
When our correspondent visited Anya’s residence, there was a total smash of most properties in the house starting from the gate to the entrance door and windows, television sets, CCTV cameras and so many other things were in complete ruin.
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