Niger-Delta TV

20/01/2024

11/01/2024

AKWA IBOM SEAPORT, PALM OIL PROJECTS TO GET FG SUPPORT

The Akwa Ibom State government has secured the pledge of the Federal Government to supporting its Ibom deep seaport and palm oil projects.

Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno gave the indication while briefing newsmen after he had a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

The assurance, governor Eno asserted, offers hope of improvement of the economic sector of Akwa Ibom State.

“We’ve talked and requested the President to support us with our Ibom deep seaport, and agricultural programme on the oil palm.

"Akwa Ibom is an oil palm zone. And we have started the process of revamping the moribund industry that has laid there for 28 years.

“We need the support of the Federal Government to be able to have a full value chain and then bring people to work and be able to help Nigeria."

In conclusion, he said: "we need to partner with the Federal Government of course, to get work going in the state. Akwa Ibom is part of Nigeria."

09/01/2024

AMAEWHULE LED RIVERS ASSEMBLY TO KNOW FATE JANUARY 22

On January 22, the Martin Amawhule led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly would know if they can continue to operate as lawmakers.

These lawmakers are loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike.

On January 22, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja is expected to deliver judgment in the suit Amaewhule as the speaker and 25 other lawmakers had filed against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, National Assembly (NASS) and others.

Last Monday, Justice James Omotosho announced that he will give his verdict in the matter.

This was shortly after counsel to all parties adopted and argued their written addresses for and against the suit.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023, the Rivers House of Assembly and Amaewhule are 1st and 2nd plaintiffs while the National Assembly, Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader are 1st to 5th respondents respectively.

The other respondents are the House of Representatives Speaker, House Deputy Speaker, House Majority Leader, House Minority Leader, Clerk to NASS which are the 6th to 10th defendants.

Governor of Rivers, Attorney-General of Rivers, Commissioner of Finance, Accountant-General of Rivers, Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and Rt. Honourable Edison Ehie, also listed as Rivers Assembly’s Speaker in the suit, are the 11th to 17th respondents respectively.

Meanwhile, a press statement was made public by the media aide to Martin Amaewhule, the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Wachukwu.

It said that the Martin Amaewhule led Rivers State House of Assembly sat on Tuesday 9th.

It was their 90th legislative sitting where lawmakers gave first Reading to the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Law No. 4 of 2015 seeking amendment.

They also gave first Reading to a Bill that sought to repeal the Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State-owned Property (Prohibition) Law No.7 of 2022.

In his concluding speech, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule informed that they were yet to receive the State's Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

The house agreed to write to the Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and notify him of the delay.

03/01/2024

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara says his administration is willing to work with his Bayelsa State counterpart, Senator Douye Diri in settling issues concerning property jointly owned by both States that are pending in court of competent jurisdiction peacefully.

31/12/2023

Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, the member representing Ahoada East constituency II has resigned his position as the speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly

28/12/2023

INTERIM COURT ORDER AGAINST INEC, PDP OVER DEFECTED RIVERS LAWMAKERS EXTENDED

A Federal High Court in Abuja has extended the time of expiration of the interim order obtained by the 26 embattled Rivers State House of Assembly lawmakers on Thursday.

The order was earlier order issued on 15th December 2023 by the same court.

That order had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Rivers State House of Assembly from declaring the seats of those lawmakers vacant and going further to conduct fresh election to fill the seats.

Those 26 lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo granted the extension of time of the order because an application was made by Steve Adehi, SAN, the counsel to the embattled lawmakers, which was supported by Ken Njemanze, SAN, who had appeared for the Rivers House of Assembly.

Despite the fact that the PDP’s lawyer, Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, opposed the application, Justice Okorowo went ahead to grant the plea.

The judges stated that his decision was based on Order 26, Rule 10 of the Federal High Court, wherein the court can exercise its discretionary power in the interest of justice.

Justice Okorowo adjourned the matter to 24 January for hearing of the applications.

“Application for the extension of the order of the lifespan of the ex-parte order pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice is hereby granted.”

This means that despite the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu, legal fireworks are still continuing in court.

26/12/2023

FUBARA JOINS OTHER GOVERNORS TO VISIT TINUBU

Members of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) on Tuesday paid a Christmas visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his residence; Bourdillon home, in Lagos State.

The governors were led by NGF chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima was also present alongside the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila.

NGF members on the visit included Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Biodun Oyebamiji of Ekiti State and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State.

Others were Governors Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Dauda Lawal of Zamafara State and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.

Governors Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Umar Dikko Radda of Katsina State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State were also in attendance.

Others were Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Francis Nwifiuru of Ebonyi State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, acting governor of Ondo state, and Ahmed Usman Ododo, governor-elect of Kogi State,

26/12/2023

RIVERS FIRST LADY PROMISES BETTER WELFARE, WELL-BEING FOR CHILDREN, YOUTHS

The wife of Rivers State governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara says the administration of her husband will continue to give priority attention to issues of children and youths in order to make life better for them.

Lady Fubara spoke at the maiden edition of the end of year party organised for children in the State which held at Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

The Rivers' first lady expressed delight for hosting Rivers children, which she described as future leaders of the State, and celebrate with them as part of activities to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

In her words: "as part of the determination of the present administration of Rivers State, under the guidance of my darling husband, the welfare and well-being of our children and other Rivers people are paramount."

Lady Fubara urged parents to continue to devote quality time to nurturing their children so that they can grow into becoming responsible citizens.

"As parents, we must continue to do those things that are right before God and man in bringing up our children for the benefit of the larger society.

"For us, we will continue to do our best to pray for peace in our State so that there will be accelerated growth and development for the benefit of the people."

25/12/2023

STATEWIDE BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA GSSRS, GOVERNOR, RIVERS STATE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2023 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

1. My dear good people of Rivers State.

It is my singular honour and privilege to address you today on the auspicious occasion of the 2023 Christmas celebration, the first since my assumption of office as your Chief Steward.

2. As we all know, the circumstances surrounding the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ are very sobering with far reaching lessons for navigating through lives travails.

3. First, He was born in a manger, and unkempt shed for domestic animals. Second, He was born of exceptionally lowly parentage: Joseph, the carpenter, and the mother, the immaculate Virgin Mary - not of royalty.

4. These realities indicate the two very unique qualities the Almighty God expects the entire mankind to emulate: simplicity and humility.

5. Therefore, on this special occasion let us all remind ourselves of the major teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ: selflessness, love for one another, and the inexhaustible will to forgive one another.

6. As, I had earlier promised, the mantra of our administration is continuity and consolidation. I wish to reiterate that nothing shall constrain us from our path in our commitment to provide a steady flow of the dividends of democracy in all positive ramifications to our people.

7. I most heartily thank all the good people of Rivers State and all men and women of goodwill, even those beyond our shores, for the massive love and support we have received and continues to enjoy before and during the recent travails that challenged the peace of our State and stability of our Government.

8. Let me also use this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to our dear President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, HIs Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu GCFR for wading into the near crisis situation that almost punctuated the prevailing peace in our dear State.

9. Indeed, by this singular effort, our dear President has demonstrated that he loves Rivers State and cherishes nothing short of a reign of perfect peace in our State with his Presidential Peace Proclamation on the 18th of December 2023.

10. Mr. President's Peace Proclamation has naturally elicited mixed reactions from our people and across the country. While most stakeholders have violently condemned it, a few others have applauded It.

11. As a principal participant in the entire saga, I have taken some time to study the terms therein and have come to the conclusion that the Peace Pact is not as bad as it is being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it. It is certainly, not a death sentence. It offers some way towards a lasting peace and stability in our dear State.

12. Accordingly, reaffirm my acceptance of the Presidential Peace Proclamation and my commitment to implementing both the spirit and letters of the declaration in such a way and manner that will restore political stability to our dear State without compromising the collective interest of our people and our cherished and shared democratic values.

13. Already, both parties have demonstrated some good faith in the implementation process with the withdrawal of the purported impeachment notice on their part, and the release of hitherto withheld allowances of the members of the State House of Assembly by the Government.

14. I have said before, there is no price too much to pay for peace. And with the realization that the worst peace is better than the best war, we will strive to make peace with all segments and interest groups without surrendering our freedom nor jeopardizing the interest and well-being of the good people of Rivers State who graciously entrusted us with their cherished mandate.

15. I assure you that we will in the face of every challenge always consult widely and confidently tow such part that will best advance and protect the collective interest of our State and people, which is what we have resolved to do in the present circumstances.

16. Let me, therefore, crave your kind understanding and call on you to have confidence in the process we are embarking upon to find lasting peace in our State as we are confident that we can achieve stability and progress without endangering the collective interest of our people.

17. I am proud to say that we have successfully confronted the challenges of governance and have made measurable progress in the last seven months of our administration with various laudable projects and programmes, some completed, some ongoing and others at advanced stages of completion.

18. By the grace of God, 2024 will witness a speedy transformation of our State with the completion of most of our projects and programes, such as sections of the Port Harcourt Ring Road, the Andoni section of the Unity Road, the Ahoada-Omoku Road, the Emohua-Degema Road, etc, and the commencement of many other laudable projects, both in infrastructure and human capital development, as outlined in our 2024 budget.

19. Once again, let me thank you all for your undying support and encouragement in the face of daunting challenges and reaffirm our commitment to redeeming our electoral promises. By God's grace, we are on the path of unstoppable progress and shall meet your expectations within the limits ot available resources.

20. Finally, as we joytully celebrate the glorious birth of the Prince of Peace, I wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, 2024.

21. Thank you and may God bless our dear Rivers State.

19/12/2023

FUBARA APPROVES CHRISTMAS BONUS FOR RIVERS CIVIL SERVANTS

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has approved Christmas bonus for all civic servants in the payroll of the State government.

A statement by the Hon. Commissioner, information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson said the civil servants will be paid the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) each across all grade levels.

According to the statement, governor Fubara gave the approval on Tuesday and it is for immediate implementation.

This is to the effect that it will enable the civil servants to have a wonderful yuletide celebration.

19/12/2023

Press Conference by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the end of its Emergency Meeting on the Political Developments in Rivers State.

No Remedy for 25 Former Rivers Assembly Members- PDP

…Counsels Them to Prepare for Fresh Election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asserts that there is no remedy for the 25 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who by virtue of Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) vacated and lost their seats by reason of defection from the PDP, the Party platform upon which they were elected into the House of Assembly.

Our Party insists that having now vacated and lost their seats, the only option available for the former lawmakers, if they wish to return to the House of Assembly, is to seek fresh nomination and re-election on the platform of any political party of their choice in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.

The 25 former Rivers lawmakers freely and without any cause vacated their seats, being fully aware of the consequences of defection from the Party upon which they were elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly without the conditions stipulated by the 1999 Constitution.

For the avoidance of doubt, there is no division in the PDP at the national or any other level for that matter to justify the defection of the 25 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the Party. They therefore vacated their seats for reasons best known to them and cannot return to the House of Assembly without passing through a fresh electoral process in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.

Moreover, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Rt. Hon (Barr) Ehie O. Edison DSSRS officially declared the seat of the defected now former members vacant in line with Section 109 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The Rivers State House of Assembly, having become Functus Officio on the matter cannot re-admit the former lawmakers unless through the channel of a fresh election.

Our Party therefore counsels the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly not to be deceived by anybody giving them the false hope and impracticable assurances in Abuja that they can return to the Rivers State House of Assembly without a fresh election or that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can be stopped from conducting fresh election into the 25 Rivers State Constituencies where vacancies have occurred by reason of their defection.

For emphasis Section 84 (15) of the Electoral Act, 2022 is clear in providing that no Courts have powers to stop INEC from conducting elections wherever and whenever a vacancy occurs in any electoral constituency.

For clarity Section 84 (15) of the Electoral Act, 2022 provides that

“Nothing in this section shall empower the Courts to stop the holding of primaries or general election under this Act pending the determination of the suit.”

The PDP demands that INEC should, in line with Section 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 84 (15) of the Electoral Act, 2022, fix a date for the conduct of fresh election into the 25 State Constituencies in Rivers State where vacancies have occurred by reason of the defection of the now former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, pending the determination of any suit in any court.

The national leadership of the PDP charges all members of our great Party in Rivers State to remain united and resolute in the defence of Constitutional democracy and Rule of Law in Rivers State.

Thank you for listening

Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum
Acting National Chairman

December 19, 2023

19/12/2023

JAMB CANDIDATES TO PAY INCREASED FEES FOR REGISTRATION

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced an increase in the registration fees for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

With the announcement, JAMB had pegged the registration fee at “N7,700 for UTME registration inclusive of a mock examination, and N6,200 for UTME registration without the mock examination.’

On its X handle, JAMB said the deadline for registration for the 2024 DE application will be March 28, 2024; March 7 for the 2024 UTME mock examination while printing of 2024 UTME examination slips is April 10

“This is to inform all prospective 2024 UTME/DE candidates that the creation of profiles for registration has officially started, while the sale of application documents will commence on Monday, January 15, 2024.”

19/12/2023

TINUBU AGAIN MEETS FACTIONS OF RIVERS CRISIS, ORDERS ALL IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST FUBARA DROPPED

The fist time Nigerian's president Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened in the political crisis in Rivers State was in october, 2023.

After that meeting, things got worse and each faction determined to execute and achieved their determined plans.

This Monday, 18th December, 2023, Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again convened a crucial meeting.

It was to broker an agreement between the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike and the 27 Rivers State House of Assembly lawmakers who had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The closed meeting was also attended by the former Rivers governor, Peter Odili, some traditional rulers from Rivers State, plus Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Below are the resolutions agreed:

1. ALL matters instituted in the courts by the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, and his team, in respect of the political crisis in Rivers State, shall be withdrawn IMMEDIATELY

2. ALL impeachment proceedings initiated against the Governor of Rivers State by the Rivers State House of Assembly should be dropped immediately

3. The leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly as led by the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule shall be recognized alongside the 27 members who resigned from the PDP

4. The remunerations and benefits of ALL members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff must be reinstated immediately and the Governor of Rivers State shall henceforth not interfere with the full funding of the Rivers State House of Assembly

5. The Rivers State House of Assembly shall choose where they want to sit and conduct their legislative business without interference and/or hindrance from the Executive arm of government

6. The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, shall re-present the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly

7. The names of ALL commissioners in the Rivers State Executive Council who resigned their appointments because of the political crisis in the state should be resubmitted to the House of Assembly for approval

8. There should NOT be a caretaker committee for the local governments in Rivers State. The dissolution of the Local Government administration is null and void and shall not be recognized

16/12/2023

WIKE'S FIGHT AGAINST FUBARA IS ABOUT CONTROL OF RIVERS MONEY - N’DELTA LEADER

National Coordinator, South-South Leadership Forum, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe spoke again on the festering political crisis in Rivers State.

He spoke on a live national TV programme on Saturday and said: “what is the problem? Wike has come to tell the world that he was fighting Sim because Sim wanted to take his structure.

"What is the structure six months after elections; we are not close to elections, so what has structure got to do?

“Let me tell you about the structure; before Wike left government, the state was making over N10bn internally generated revenue (monthly). When he left, the IGR came down to N6bn.

"And the governor, a former Accountant General of the state, asked questions and in the process he engaged somebody to look at the books, and the commissioner of finance reported to Wike and the former governor got angry. That is the structure.

“Secondly, the money coming from the federation account, Wike tied the money to one project or the other. So, when the money comes, it goes to the banks and they collect theirs from it and pay the contractors.

"Of course, we didn’t even know the cost of the contracts, so when this governor felt, ‘how will I run a government when I don’t have the resources’, the minister became hostile to the governor and the governor said ‘okay, let me resign if that is the case’. The PDP elders prevailed on him not to resign, thinking it would be messy.

“As soon as that ended, I came on air and advised Nyesom Wike to leave this man alone to govern, allow him, even if he’s your son’. I even went as far as giving him references like the Sarakis. Dr Olusola Saraki brought the son, Bukola, to that seat but when their ideologies did not agree, the son told him to go and rest.”

Sara-Igbe, who was a former Security Adviser to former governor Peter Odili further said: “You cannot make somebody a governor; a very important seat in Nigeria – that was the seat Odili sat and he almost became the president; that was the seat (former governor Rotimi) Amaechi sat and he connived with others to remove a sitting president; that is the seat Wike himself sat and became a superman – and you are asking somebody who is on that seat to be subservient. But the governor is still loyal.

On the defection of the 27 PDP Assembly lawmakers to the APC, Sara-Igbe, a former spokesperson for the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) said: “he (Wike) is a lawyer, he ought to know that such a move would cost the Assembly members their seats.

“I am a father to some of them(lawmakers). I know their personal grievances, but they cannot do what they did without the support of their godfather(Wike). They believe Wike and Sim were having problems and because of that they leveraged that to get at him (Sim).

“Even before the impeachment saga, some were threatening the governor that if he did rubbish they would get him removed from office. But the governor is a calm person, and I believe strongly that this is one man who loves Wike so much and has sacrificed so much for him before he became governor and even after.

“Today, the governor is not disposed to making trouble with the minister. He still sees it as a father and son relationship, but the minister, because of greed, is someone who wants to get everything, trying to take over the two parties, APC and PDP. When somebody is in control and wants power at all cost, it’s not the best, and that is what is leading to some of his problems.”

13/12/2023

FUBARA PRESENTS 2024 BUDGET OF N800B TO RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.

* Says his spirit is high, determination strong to deliver good governance

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara has presented the 2024 appropriation bill of N800bn to the State House of Assembly for consideration.

This will be the first time he will present a fiscal budget that will address his development agenda for the State.

The budget is christened: “Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation and Continuity,” and it allocated over N410bn to capital expenditure, which represents 51 percent while over N361bn is allocated to recurrent expenditure, representing 49 percent of the budget.

"Our total projected revenue for the year 2024 is N800, 392, 485, 433.1kobo as proposed 2024 budget estimate. This constitutes as follows; recurrent expenditure is N361, 998,242,570.85kobo. Capital expenditure is N410,266,485,90.64kobo."

Governor Fubara stated that the 2024 budget proposal is anchored on the assumptions that the crude oil price benchmark is 70 dollar per barrel at a One-point-five million barrels production per day, with an exchange rate of Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira to the dollar.

According to him, the budget will be funded from Internally Generated Revenue, Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) receipts, 13% Oil Mineral Derivation Fund, VAT, Excess Crude and grants from development agencies.

Governor Fubara explained that great care will be taken to promote economic development through inclusive growth, provision of critical infrastructure that will support economic activities, businesses, social activities, the creation of enabling environment for private sector led industrialisation, job creation and poverty alleviation.

"We will address the challenges of socioeconomic inequality by ensuring an improved access to quality, affordable education, health care, water, social investment, gender empowerment and social inclusion."

Governor Fubara explained further that the 2024 budget has over N120bn allocated to infrastructure, N40bn to education, N30bn to health and N20bn to agriculture with budgetary provisions made to continue the payment of civil servants including those newly recruited through the employment process of ten thousand into the service plus gratuities and pensions.

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Edison Ehie acknowledged the high budgetary provisions to capital expenditure, including education and other critical sectors.

These, he noted are clear indications that governor Fubara is committed to better the life of the people and create a more prosperous State for them.

Rt.Hon. Ehie said the lawmakers are satisfied with the performance of the budget of the outgoing year under the leadership of governor Fubara and assured him of the cooperation of the legislature to speedily consider the details of the budget with view to passing it for his ascent.

12/12/2023

Press Statement
December 11, 2023

Rivers State Assembly: PDP Demands INEC to Conduct Fresh Elections in 27 State Constituencies.

…Insists Defected Rivers Lawmakers Automatically Vacated their Seats

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demands that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should immediately commence the process of conducting fresh elections into the 27 State Constituencies in Rivers State which have become vacant by reason of the defection of the 27 former State lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP asserts that by defecting from the PDP, the political Party platform on which they were elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly, the seats of the respective 27 former lawmakers have become vacant by virtue of the provision of Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

For the avoidance of doubt, Section 109 (1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that “a member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if … (g) being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political Party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected…”

By reason of the above Constitutional provision and its clear interpretation by the Supreme Court, the 27 defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have vacated and lost their seats, rights, privileges, recognition and obligations accruable to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The PDP therefore demands that the Speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly immediately comply with the provision of the Constitution by declaring the seats of the 27 former lawmakers vacant.

In view of the vacancy now exiting in the 27 State Constituencies in Rivers State, the PDP demands that INEC should within the stipulated period under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) conduct fresh election to fill the vacancies.

Our Party cautions that the former lawmakers should stop parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly as such would amount to impersonation with serious criminal consequences.

The PDP commends the people of Rivers State for their steadfastness and loyalty to Democracy and Rule of Law especially at this time.

Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary