Rountrip

The Independent Monitors on Good Governance in Nigeria (IMGGN) has ranked Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State highly in transparency and accountability in governance. At a press conference in Port Harcourt, the convener of the group, Okwa Dan, lauded Governor Fubara's commitment to sustainable growth and development in Rivers State. The group also acknowledged that the state had experienced tangible developmental strides in critical sectors such as education, health, rural development, and urban renewal under his leadership. "Despite the avalanche of political issues that have characterized the state, the governor has remained resolute in piloting the affairs of the state," Dan said.  "From what was gathered on the ground in Rivers State, the governor has ensured an even spread of developmental efforts across the length and breadth of the state. "The governor of Rivers state has also displayed sound leadership acumen by spreading developmental efforts to ...

The National Vanguard for Rule of Law (NVRL) has commended the Court of Appeal's decision to strike out two appeals filed by former Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State, loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike. The appeals sought to extend their tenure, but the Court of Appeal found them to be without merit. In a statement by its President, Comrade Johnson Babatunde, the NVRL praised the justices of the Port Harcourt Division for their courage and integrity in delivering a sound judgment, despite alleged attempts to induce them with money to pervert justice. He said the judgement is a resounding victory for democracy, the rule of law, and the people of Rivers State. Babatunde added that the ruling serves as a strong message to politicians who seek to exploit loopholes and manipulate the system for personal gain. The group believes that this judgement gives Nigerians hope in the judiciary and demonstrates that the court remains the hope of the common man. The appeals, marked CA/PH...

A High Court of Justice of Rivers State presided over by Justice Jumbo Stephen has barred the chief Judge of the state, Justice Someone Amadi, from giving effect to any resolution by 27 defected lawmakers in the state. The court in a fresh order dated July 8, 2024, also barred the state clerk of the State House of Assembly from acting on the their resolutions.  Twenty seven members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, defected from the People's Docratic Party, PDP, to the All Progresaivea Congress, APC.  There has been legal battle over the defection of the lawmakers to the opposition party in the state.  The fresh order issued by the court reads: "That an Order of Interim Injunction is hereby made restraining the 31st and 32nd Defendants from dealing or howsoever relating with the 1st-27th Defendants as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and from receiving, forwarding or howsoever acting on any resolutions, articles of impe...

The Progressive Front of Nigeria (ProFN) has condemned the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and its leadership for making unfounded attacks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his office. In a press statement, ProFN's National President, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, expressed shock at the "catastrophic shallowness" of the NNPP leadership, particularly in Kano State, where the party's chairman, Hashim Dungurawa, made "logically challenged" statements aimed at tarnishing President Tinubu's reputation. ProFN accused the NNPP of promoting ethnic tensions and misinformation, and demanded an immediate retraction of the offensive statements with unreserved apologies to Nigerians and President Tinubu. The group warned the party to stop holding others responsible for its poor showing at the last general elections and its subsequent lacklustre outing in Kano State. Full Text of the Press Statement: The Progressive Front of Nigeria (ProFN) is shocked to discover the catast...

Women from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have protested the alleged attacks on Senator Ireti Kingibe by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The women, who gathered at the Unity Fountain Arena in the Maitama District over the weekend, marched to the Presidential Villa, demanding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ‘call Wike to order’ and stop the harassment of the senator. The protest came amid rising political tensions in the FCT, where Senator Kingibe has been at odds with Wike over issues of governance and representation. Zainab Abubakar, leader of the group, said the women are standing up against the attacks because they believe in Senator Kingibe’s mandate to represent them. In her words, “We have watched and listened with keen interest to the unprovoked constant attacks on our democratically elected representative at the Red Chamber, Senator Ireti Kingibe, by the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike. “We object strongly to such onslaught, humiliati...

The Pro-Democracy Coalition of Nigeria (PDCN) has rejected the Court of Appeal's ruling on the defection case involving 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike. In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Jack Thomas, the group described the court's decision to nullify the expulsion of the lawmakers as a "black market judgment" that disregarded established legal precedent. The Appeal Court also ruled that all activities executed by Hon.Oko Jumbo, Speaker loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara are null and void. "We are absolutely discontented and dismayed by the judgment of the Appellate Court," he said. "The ruling totally disregarded established legal precedent and has further exposed the failings of the Appellate Court in preserving constitutional democracy and the rights of citizens." "In Atiku Abubakar vs Attorney General of the Federation (2007), the Supreme Court held that defection from one part...

     A Niger Delta group, Concerned Niger Delta Vanguard, has written an open letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, alleging a plot by former lawmakers to ridicule the judiciary. The group claims that the recent transfer of cases involving the defection of 26 state lawmakers in Rivers State from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised grave concerns about the integrity and impartiality of the judicial process. The letter was signed by Dr Ekandem Umoh, Oghenekaro Francis, Pastor Paul James, Obong Martins Ekarika, Sir Godhead Sylva and Chika Okpobiri. According to the group, the transfer order has potentially undermined established legal principles and the rulings of previous courts, creating a perception that the judiciary is susceptible to individual influence and petition-driven manipulation. The letter, therefore, urged the Chief Justice to investigate the circumstances surrounding the trans...