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APC Accuses Fmr Minister Amaechi Of Promoting Anarchy

October 11, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused a former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi of inciting Nigerian youths against the federal government.

The former Minister of Transport and Governor of Rivers state, in a recent interview, berated Nigerian youth for not protesting “high cost of living” in the country to his morbid satisfaction.

APC described the comment as “insensitive, god-awful and unpatriotic, coming from one of Nigeria’s longest serving and highest ranking political freeloaders – a two-term Speaker of the Rivers state House of Assembly, a two-term Governor, and a two-term Minister of Transport.

A statement on Friday by Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary

APC, stated that “For almost all of his adult life, Amaechi, has been a leechy dependant on state resources, a voracious beneficiary of official patronage, and a leading participant in the generational devastation of our country’s economy.

“Attempting to hoodwink Nigerians into his web of false empathy and incitement to violence is hypocritical, provocative and dangerous.

“If those in power ‘steal money’ as Amaechi mischievously alleged, how come he can’t afford ‘to buy diesel’ barely two years after ‘stealing’ for over 24 years in power as Speaker, Governor and Minister?

“The only real anger that Amaechi and his fellow tribesmen of naysayers of the likes of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, must feel is that they are not in the saddle of government today. But that was a decision made by Nigeria’s ultimate political authority – the electorate.

“Nigerians are highly perceptive, discerning, demure, and mindful that economic discomforts associated with the administration’s inevitable reforms are transient and will pale into insignificance in comparison to the enduring transformative dividends which are already beginning to manifest.

“Nigerians will not be cajoled into taking back through street violence what they handed to the administration through the ballot, as Amaechi and his partisan tribesmen would wish.

“It is nauseating to think that these naysayer tribesmen who did absolutely nothing to improve the economy or living conditions for Nigerians while they were in office, now pontificate, endlessly, about what and how things should be done but didn’t and couldn’t do while in power.

“It’s as though they only regain their senses and discover their talents for governance when they are out of power.

“A tribe of naysayers, is what they are, who never see any good, only gloom, filled with bile and disdain for the determined strides of APC-administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to transform our country’s economy for the benefit of present and future generations of Nigerians.

“One would expect Amaechi to keep busy trying to solve the crippling crisis in Rivers state that he once governed.

“Instead, he has chosen to stoke anarchy on a national scale. Weaponizing protest and exploiting citizen’s economic discomfort for selfish political objective, as these partisan tribesmen are doing, is irresponsible and decidedly unpatriotic.

“We urge Nigerians to dismiss the call to anarchy by Amaechi and his partisan tribesmen and to remain patient and continue to support President Tinubu’s bold effort to transform our country’s economy once and for all.”

APC Suspends Petroleum Minister, Lokpobiri, Alleges Anti Party Activities

Akinwale Kasali

October 11, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Bayelsa State Chapter has announced the suspension of Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum.

The Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw Local Government Chapter of APC in the State suspended Lokpobiri, alongside the 2019 APC Governorship Candidate of the State, David Lyon, over alleged anti-party.

Also suspended by the party are two serving Commissioners in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led Bayelsa State Government who cross carpeted to the APC.

Another allegation leveled against the Minister and other party members was factionalisation of the party at the state level.

The Chairman of APC in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mitin Eniekenemi, confirmed the suspension of Senator Lokpobiri and the Commissioner for Power, Engr. Karin Kumoko.

Addressing journalists on Friday, Eniekenemi said the action was based on the findings of an internal disciplinary committee set up under Article 21.3(1) of the APC Constitution.

In a related development, the APC executives in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area also announced the suspension of Lyon and the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Peres Biewari, along with six other members for alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct.

The suspended members were accused of undermining the party’s interests, particularly during the 2020 Bayelsa State bye-election.

According to the APC leadership, investigations are ongoing, and additional findings regarding other members involved in anti-party activities will be made public once the inquiries are concluded.

Dangote Refinery Would Propel Africa Out Of Poverty – AU’s Ibn Chambas

The Source

October 11, 2024

“It is a testament to Dangote’s foresight, African entrepreneurship”

Celebrated diplomat and African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has described the 650,000bpd Dangote Refinery, as a transformational project that would propel Africa out of poverty. The Chairman of the African Union High-Level Panel on Sudan made this statement during his visit to the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, over the weekend.

Noting that the world-class refinery is a testament to Aliko Dangote’s foresight, Nigeria’s ingenuity, and African entrepreneurship, Chambas emphasised that the Dangote Group is leading the way for the private sector in Africa.

“I believe these are the types of transformational projects that would propel Africa out of poverty. Projects like the Dangote Refinery create jobs, have multiplier effect on the national and regional economies, provide cheaper and reliable fuel for transportation, agriculture, and industries. In short, they lubricate the real economy. The Dangote Group is leading the way for the private sector in Africa which has a pivotal role to play in the fight against poverty and in creating opportunities for the youth. This is a veritable pathway to silencing the Guns,” he said.

The former president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote for his “business acumen, courage, tenacity, and vision matched with action” in successfully driving such a mega project to completion. He noted that Dangote had cemented his status as a true leader of the African private sector.

Ibn Chambas also praised President Bola Tinubu for ensuring a consistent supply of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery. “I would also like to take this opportunity to salute President Bola Tinubu for his bold and forthright decision to ensure provision of regular and dependable supplies of Nigeria crude oil to the Dangote Refinery.

“As a successful entrepreneur in his own right with a proud record of success in the private sector in the past, Tinubu understands the challenges. He has demonstrated commitment to creating an enabling business environment in Nigeria in general, and the smooth operation of the refinery in particular. I encourage all Africans across the continent and in the diaspora to visit the Dangote Refinery for inspection.

“A visit to the refinery provides an insight into the tremendous potential and hope there is, not only for Nigeria but, indeed, for the entire African continent”, he said.

Abuja Court Rules: Damagum Remains PDP Ag Chairman, As NWC Names Mohammed As New Helmsman

Ayodele Oni

October 11, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday restrained the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from removing Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum as the Acting National Chairman of the party.

The judgement is coming just as a new acting national chairman for the PDP in person of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed.

The court ordered that no other person must be recognized as PDP national chairman other than Damagum until the national convention of the party scheduled for December next year.

Justice Peter Lifu issued the restraining order against PDP NEC, BoT and others, while delivering judgment in a suit instituted against them by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina.

The judge held that in line with Articles 42, 47 and 67 of PDP, it is only at the National Convention of the party that national officers can be elected .

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/579/2024, Justice Lifu said that PDP members are bound by the Constitution of the party and as such must always act in line with the provisions and obedience to the party’s law.

A statement on Friday by Debo Ologunagba, whose suspension was announced on Thursday, stated that “Following the suspension of His Excellency, Amb. Illiya Damagum as the Acting National Chairman of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Working Committee (NWC) has approved the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the Acting National Chairman.

“The appointment which takes immediate effect is pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

“The NWC calls on all Organs, leaders, critical stakeholder and members of our great Party to remain focused at this critical time especially as the NWC commences arrangements towards the holding of the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting already scheduled for Thursday, 24th October, 2024.

Fuel Hike: NACP Chairman, Decries FG’s Insensitivity

Akinwale Kasali

October 11, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Dr. John Adekorede Aderibigbe, National Chairman, National Agricultural Commodities Projects, NACP, has decried, according to him, the insensitivity and carefree attitude of the Federal Government on Nigerians over the recent hike of Fuel Pump Price from N855 to N1,100.

Aderibigbe said that it was disheartening that the FG could be insensitive to the plight of Nigerians at a time when the economic hardship rocking the nation is biting harder, and having an adverse effect on the populace.

He asked government to go back to the drawing board and navigate the future of the nation, by bringing succour to Nigerians.

He lashed the FG for taking delight in impoverishing the people.

Aderibigbe said that at the rate of N855 that the fuel pump price was before, Food Commodities had soared higher, with the masses unable to purchase food for consumption.

He added that a Government that cares about the welfare of its people would have waded into this situation, and brought about respite for the people. Sadly, it has taken delight in compounding the woes of its people with this recent increase.

“The nation is bleeding, and with the way things are going, the nation is sitting on a keg of gunpowder. No serious government will continue to see its citizens suffer.

“We keep moving from bad to worse, and the masses are weeping, poverty has taken over the land, no access to basic amenities, people can’t feed as prices of food products have increased astronomically.

“We all know that Nigeria is a mono economy that relies solely on Crude Oil, which determines what to purchase in the market, and the FG has continue to fail to address the situation is quite worrisome”, Aderibigbe lamented.

Speaking further, the United Nation, UN, Peace Ambassador stressed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, came up with such increment without prior notice, bringing up excuses at the detriment of the masses, inflicting pains, misery and agony on the people.

“Independent Marketers are selling Fuel at a whopping sum of N1,300, while NNPCL Stations are selling at N988 and N1,100 depending on the location is pathetic. With the way things are going, Nigerians will resist this hardship and go the streets to protest against this government and its inhumane attitude.”

He urged the FG to have a rethink and go back to the old Price for the betterment of the nation and the people at large.

Proffering solutions, he said the FG should give intervention to Dangote Refinery by giving it USSD at the rate of N900 to N1000 to a dollar, because the present situation thr nation find itself requires a drastic action, adding that this will further drag down the prices of fuel.

He said why we are in this situation is because the Government has refused to recognize its role and position in governance.

“The Public must not suffer, rather, the FG should Proffer a solution that must not be at the expense of the citizens.”

Aderibigbe added that the Government has shown that it doesn’t care about the welfare of its citizens.

“If a policy negates the interest of the people you are governing, that means the policy has failed on arrival”.

He stated that the nation is toying the part of dictatorship if this issues are not addressed in earnest.

Why Ondo Finance Commissioner Did Not Honour Assembly’s Invitation

Ayodele Oni

October 11, 2024

Omowumi Isaac - Ondo Finance Commissioner

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has shed light on the refusal of the commissioner for finance Omowumi Isaac to honour invitation of the state House of Assembly.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, explained in a statement on Friday in Akure that the action of his colleague was not meant to disrespect the legislative arm of government.

He maintained that the relationship between the two arms of government has been harmonious and collaborative.

Describing the invitation as a routine constitutional procedure, he said the reaction of the assembly should not be misconstrued as a sign of discord between the two arms of government.

The Assembly had stepped down the supplementary appropriation bill due for second reading down due to the refusal of the commissioner for finance to honour invitation by the house.

Ajulo stated that “The Commissioner of Finance, Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, was engaged in an official trip outside the state due to her demanding schedule.

“It is crucial to recognize her extensive responsibilities, which include attending various statutory meetings such as RAMFAC, the Commissioners of Finance Meeting, and numerous discussions on investment, economics, and finance.

“In light of this, she promptly addressed the Assembly’s invitation by sending the Permanent Secretary—who is the most senior official and accounting officer in her ministry—to communicate her circumstances.

“Furthermore, it is important to commend the vibrancy, discernment, and commitment of our House of Assembly, led by the Rt. Honourable Oladiji, for their pivotal role in the development of the state.”

The Attorney General emphasized the effective partnership between the executive and legislative branches in their shared mission to serve the people of Ondo State.

“Ongoing discussions regarding the 2024 supplementary budget are focused on promoting good governance and ensuring responsible allocation of resources.”

Additionally, the Attorney General reiterated that in a constitutional democracy, adherence to proper procedures is paramount.

“There should be no misinterpretation of the roles played by both branches.

“The administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is steadfast in its commitment to upholding constitutional provisions and maintaining the highest standards of legislative practice, fostering an environment of mutual respect and collaboration.”

PDP Finishes Itself As Suspension And Counter Suspension Reign

Akinwale Kasali

October 11, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has finally finished itself. On Thursday, October 10, the leadership of the Party which has since closed its eyes to the many obvious anti-party activities by a number of its high profile members, decided to dance naked in the market place. The members of the National Working Committee, NWC, now divided into, at least, two factions, engaged each other in suspension and counter-suspension exercise.

By engaging in this, not a few hold the opinion that the main opposition party has, finally, finished itself.

For long, the PDP has been engaged in sabotaging itself, with the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum and the Party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, being accused of ineffectiveness and pro- FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who many accuse of brazen disloyalty.

On Thursday, the crisis within boiled over.

A Faction of the Party’s National Working Committee, NWC, paid back Damagum and Anyanwu back in their own coin. This followed the earlier suspensions announced by a faction aligned with Damagum, which targeted the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for similar allegations of disloyalty, and suspended them from the Party.

In what could be termed a reprisal attack, Ologunagba alongside Party Chieftains who had been suspended by Damagum’s faction, issued a statement Friday morning and suspended both Damagum and Anyanwu from their offices.

The statement reads:

“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu particularly with regard to the letter addressed by them to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No:CA/PH/307/2024 against the party’s position in the case involving the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats upon decamping from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.

“Consequently, the NWC, pursuant to Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution, has suspended Amb. Illiya Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party respectively and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.

“In the meantime, the two officials are suspended from all meetings, activities and programs of the NWC pending the conclusion of an investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.”

The PDP has been engulfed in crisis since from the time of the 2023 Presidential Primary of the Party.

Winners Chapel: Oyedepo Retires Deputy, Abioye, Others; Will They Set Up Their Own Ministries?

James Orji

October 11, 2024

Two top Bishops in the Living Faith Church also known as Winners Chapel owned by popular Nigerian Pastor Bishop David Oyedepo has been asked to retire in line with the church’s rule.

The two bishops, David Abioye and Thomas Aremu, sources informed The Punch have been directed to retire next year having served the church for over 40 years, and in line with The Mandate, the Church’s rule book which requires that serving Men of God, MOG retires after they clocked 55 years.

Bishop Oyedepo is the only one exempted from this rule, as he can be in his position for life.

Multiple sources in the church, including a pastor in the church, who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorisation to speak to the press, confirmed the planned retirement of Bishops David Abioye and Thomas Aremu to The PUNCH on Thursday.

According to the sources, the retirement aligned with Winners Chapel’s operational manual, The Mandate, which recently revised the retirement age from 60 to 55.

A member who attends the headquarters church in Ota, Ogun State, said, “We have heard that Bishop Abioye and the other Bishop Aremu in Ibadan will leave during the Bishop Oyedepo birthday celebration. That is the new law in the church; only Bishop Oyedepo can remain in his position for life. One of the two bishops has even been considering leaving for a while, so this is not news to some of us in the church.”

Efforts by our correspondent to verify the development with the church’s media officials were unsuccessful, as they did not answer calls or respond to messages sent via WhatsApp.

Bishop Abioye is currently 63, while Bishop Aremu is 67.

Only the church’s founder will be allowed to serve beyond this new age limit, with future leaders permitted to serve one or two terms of seven years each, subject to the Board of Trustees’ approval.

According to Church Times, valedictory services will be held for the two Bishops at their respective churches.

Bishop Abioye’s farewell service is set for Friday, October 18, 2024, in Durumi, Abuja, while Bishop Aremu’s service will take place at LFC Basorun in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

Bishop Abioye, currently the Senior Pastor of Living Faith Church, Goshen City, Abuja, first met Bishop David Oyedepo in 1979.

He led one of the church’s five pioneer branches in 1987 and was consecrated in 1993 at the age of 32.

Bishop Aremu, who transitioned to full-time ministry after a successful accounting career, was one of the seven bishops consecrated in November 1999 at Garden of Faith, Kaduna.

Meanwhile, not a few worshipers and well meaning Nigerians who love the church are wondering what is next for Abioye and others after they depart from the church. Will they set up their own ministries?

Recall that Oyedepo’s son, Isaac Oyedepo had in November 2023 left the church to establish his own ministry following perceived disagreement with his father.

LG Funds: NULGE Issues Soludo, Other Governors Stern Warning

James Orji

October 11, 2024

The National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE has issued a stern warning to 36 state governors in the country not to promote laws in their states capable of circumventing the Supreme Court judgment on financial autonomy to local governments.

The National President of NULGE, Hakeem Ambali, gave the warning on Thursday following suggestions that some Governors are planning to enact laws through the state Houses of Assembly to corner funds belonging to councils in their states.

On Thursday, the Nigerian Senate in its response to the allegations that state governors are trying to corner council funds through the back door after the Supreme Court had ruled on the issue, passed a resolution directing the federal government to withhold funds to states which failed to comply with the judgment.

The senate action followed allegation that Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state recently passed three Executive Bills through the state House of Assembly, creating different accounts allegedly to siphon council funds.

The Anambra State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed the Local Government Administration Bill 2024 believed to be in violation of the Supreme Court judgment regarding financial autonomy to the 774 councils in the country.

Following the passage, the Assembly has been trenchantly criticised by the civil society bodies and other well meaning Nigerians.

NULGE, in its reaction, called on President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to call Soludo to order over alleged moves to prevent LG funds from being utilised by chairmen for the betterment of the people at the grassroots.

NULGE President Ambali, described the governor’s action condemnable and an “act of illegality”, urging the federal government to be pro-active to ensure that the governors are prevented from touching what belongs to the councils. I Lost My Dad And Shoe Making Found Me – Lady Cobbler

Ambali: “This act of illegality is condemnable and Governor Soludo should be called to order. This is a move to take local government funds.

“The FG should be proactive and withhold LG funds from such governors. The move by Governor Soludo is an affront to the law of the land. He needs to understand that nobody is above the law. What he is doing is totally against the judgment of the Supreme Court. NULGE thereby calls on the President to call Governor Soludo to order.”

Rivers Govt Rejects Court of Appeal’s Judgement, Heads To Supreme Court

Adesina Soyooye

October 11, 2024

By Adesina Soyooye

Says Amaewhule neither Speaker nor, along with other pro-Wike colleagues, Member of the Rivers State House of Assembly

In a swift reaction to the judgement of the Court of Appeal, the Rivers State Government has headed to the final Court in the land – the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The Court of Appeal, on Thursday, dismissed the case filed before it by the Government, and thus, literally caged Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Government, with no space to maneuver.

The Court ordered Fubara to represent the 2024 Budget which had since been passed, and which he had since signed into law, to the pro-Wike Members of the House of Assembly. The judgement, from the interpretation in the Media, affirmed Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, and reinstated all the Assembly Members loyal to the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike.

But the State Government has rejected the judgement to the letter, and went on to say that the Court of Appeal did not reinstate Amaewhule as the Speaker of the House. It has, therefore, filed a notice of a stay of execution of the Appeal Court judgment. It is to stop Amaewhule and other pro-Wike lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, having, on their own, publicly announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, the Party on which tickets they were elected, to the All Progressive Congress, the Party under which their mentor, Wike, is serving as a Federal Minister.

The step taken by the Rivers State Government was stated in a statement by D.I. Iboroma, SAN, who is also the Rivers State Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice.

In the statement, he insisted that Amaewhule and his colleagues remain former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly having, on their own, resigned from the PDP.

He, also, revealed that the matter before the Appeal Court was not the status of the Lawmakers but whether the National Assembly, by virtue of the crisis in the State Assembly at the time, could take over the Legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The statement reads in full:

“Today, the 10th day of October 2024, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division dismissed Appeal No. CA/ABJ/133/CS/2024 filed by His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division in suit No. FHC/ABJ/133/CS/2023 delivered on the 22nd day of January, 2024.

“It is important to state the facts and history of the case and the appeal thereof.

“On the 30th day of October, 2023, after the failed attempt to impeach His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, the Rivers State House of Assembly became polarized into two factions. The faction led by Martin Amaewhule proceeded to the Federal High Court, Abuja Division and filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023, on the 29th day of November, 2023.

“Subsequently, on the 11th day of December, 2023, Martin Amaewhule and others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party that sponsored their election in the 2023 Legislative Assembly Election, to the All Progressives Congress.

“By operation of Law, particularly Section 109(i) (g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Martin Amaewhule and 26 others automatically lost their seats as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on the 11th day of December, 2023, as Section 109(1)(g) is self executory as no court order is required thereof.

“His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State on the 13th day of December, 2023, presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, who was recognized as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the time. The Appropriation Bill was later passed into Law and became the Appropriation Law of 2024. An Appropriation Law is a state law within the purview of the High Court of Rivers State.

“Following the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly and the intervention by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that the parties withdraw their cases in Court, to allow peace reign, His Excellency the Governor of Rivers State obeyed the President’s directive and withdrew his cases and the processes he filed in Suit No FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023. Martin Amaewhule and others disobeyed the President and did not withdraw Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023 and proceeded to obtain judgment against His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State.

“After the judgment of the Court of Appeal today, there is a gale of misrepresentation and misinterpretation that Martin Amaewhule & 26 others remain members of the Rivers State House of Assembly with Martin Amaewhule as the speaker thereof. This is patently false. The defection of Martin Amaewhule and 26 others was not an issue for determination in the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Court of Appeal. What was in issue was the 2023 Appropriation Law and the National Assembly taking over the Legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Dissatisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, His Excellency, the Governor has directed his lawyers to file an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court and also file an application for stay of execution of the judgment of the Court of Appeal. That maintains the status quo.

“Accordingly, His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State urges the good people of Rivers State to ignore the purveyors of fake news bent on misleading the good people of Rivers State.”

The Coalition of Opposition Lawmakers, headed by Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo, has, also, weighed in, and insists that Amaewhule has ceased to be the Speaker as he and his colleagues who resigned from the PDP, are no longer Rivers State House of Assembly Members.

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