The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan Branch, Mr Ibrahim Lawal, on Monday urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to retrace his steps, stating that the governor had committed several infractions.

The 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, on Monday, raised allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

Speaking on the development in a chat with The Guardian in Ibadan, Lawal said the governor could not manage people and relationships.

Decrying Fubara’s demolition of the House of Assembly complex, the legal luminary lamented that the governor’s high-handedness had adversely affected governance in the state.

“Governor Sim Fubara should retrace his steps. I am saying this because if you look at the decision of the Supreme Court and the way and manner he was described, it is evident that governance had collapsed in Rivers State due to the governor’s high-handedness.

“He has to retrace his steps. He caused this trouble for himself. What is the basis for fighting the legislature in the first place? The symbol of any democratic government is its legislature. Why did he have to fight the lawmakers? The governor engaged in unnecessary fights to the extent of destroying their chambers. It is not fair. He said.

He accused Fubara of poor management skills, while also blaming him of engaging in a rift with his mentor and the people who brought him to power.

“Why did he even have to fight his mentor in the first place? How long have you been in government and politics that you would begin to fight those who helped you become governor? What does he stand to gain from it? We have seen governors who have managed people effectively. The ability to manage people is lacking in Fubara.” He said.

The NBA chairman also urged the lawmakers to exhibit statesmanship in their conduct and prioritise the interests of the people.

“First and foremost, I congratulate the 27 lawmakers for escaping the hammer. They should also be statesmanlike in their thinking, and I do not think the House at this time should adjourn sine die—which means adjourning indefinitely,” he said.

A massy explosion has reportedy rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, sparking a raging fire along the critical oil infrastructure.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear, but authorities are investigating whether it was an accident or an act of sabotage, particularly in light of the threats by militant groups.

The threats had emerged following the Federal Government’s decision to withhold Rivers State’s allocation due to the ongoing political crisis in the state.

The explosion reportedly occurred on Monday night, affecting a key export pipeline that channels crude oil to the Bonny Terminal. The extent of the damage and possible casualties have yet to be confirmed.

Emergency responders and security agencies are expected to assess the situation as concerns mount over the potential impact on oil production and environmental safety in the region.

Details shortly…

A husband was rescued by residents of Oko-Filling, a neighborhood in Araromi, Ijoko, Sango Ota, after he was bound, gagged and left for de@d by his wife and children following a dispute over his retirement benefits.

The incident took place in the early hours of Thursday, March 13, at the family’s residence.

The husband had reportedly received his retirement payout and used a portion to open two shops for his wife in Abule after giving her N3 million, The Nation reports.

He also bought a N12 million car for himself while the family already owned a home in the area.

However, his wife and four sons, who are all university graduates, were not happy that he did not hand over the entire funds to them to use as they deemed fit so they attempted to pressure him for more money.

Shortly after acquiring the new vehicle for himself, he sold it, raising suspicions among neighbors.

A local landlord, who spoke to The Nation, revealed that the man was later discovered in his home with his mouth, hands, and feet bound.

“He was tied like an animal to be sl@ughtered. They (his wife and kids) got some Aboki men, about six of them to tie him up. It was the strange noise from their packing that alerted residents who gathered in front of the house to know what was happening.

“Landlords in the area who could not endure the noise at that hour, decided to go out and find out what was wrong. When they got to his compound, they saw a Korope (small bus) outside packing properties.

“His wife and sons were the ones packing and so, the residents asked after the man. When the response given was not satisfactory, they forced themselves inside the house and saw the man completely bound with the Aboki people still inside the house, as though they were waiting to k!ll him.

“The man was untied and rushed to the hospital. He’s still at the hospital receiving treatment. The suspects were all taken to the police station. One of the Aboki men confessed it was the man’s wife that contracted them to tie him up. They were all taken to the police station.”