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Rivers State Political Turmoil: An Overview Of Speakers Amidst Crisis
Rivers State Political Turmoil: An Overview Of Speakers Amidst CrisisThe political landscape of Rivers State has been marked by turmoil and instability over the past year, resulting in the emergence of multiple speakers in the State House of Assembly. Against the backdrop of a protracted feud between Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the state assembly has witnessed factionalism and power struggles, leading to a series of leadership changes.
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The crisis, which has persisted for one year, has seen the ascension of three speakers, each representing different factions and allegiances within the political arena of the state.
- Martin Amaewhule: A loyalist of former Governor Wike, Amaewhule initially served as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly until October 2023. His tenure was marked by political upheaval, including defections and power struggles. Despite being ousted from his position during a crisis, Amaewhule was later reinstated following a peace resolution brokered by President Bola Tinubu.
- Ehie Edison: Following the ousting of Amaewhule, Edison emerged as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly in October 2023. However, his tenure was short-lived, as he resigned from his position and was subsequently appointed as Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara. Edison’s departure from office was marred by controversy, including allegations of terrorism and legal proceedings.
- Victor Oko-Jumbo: In May 2024, Oko-Jumbo, representing the Bonny Constituency, emerged as a factional speaker amidst ongoing political tensions in the state. His ascension to the speakership further underscores the fragmentation and instability within the state assembly, as rival factions vie for control and legitimacy.
The succession of speakers within a relatively short timeframe reflects the volatility and complexity of the political situation in Rivers State. As the power struggle between Governor Fubara and his adversaries continues, the state assembly remains a battleground for competing interests and agendas.
Amidst the uncertainty and discord, it is imperative for stakeholders to prioritize dialogue, reconciliation, and respect for democratic institutions. Only through genuine efforts to foster unity and cooperation can Rivers State overcome its current challenges and chart a path towards peace, stability, and progress for all its citizens.
In conclusion, the revolving door of speakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for political reconciliation and inclusive governance. As the state navigates through this period of upheaval, it is essential for leaders to demonstrate leadership, integrity, and commitment to the welfare of the people, ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard and respected in the pursuit of a brighter future for Rivers State.
Bamidele Kehinde, Director of Dynamic Ambassadors for Social Orientation Initiatives and the City Transformation Project, has expressed appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria for its efforts in securing the release of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who was reportedly held in detention in the Republic of Benin for over two years under difficult conditions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Pastor Egbaji, a Nigerian cleric, was said to have endured harsh treatment during his detention, including prolonged confinement. His release followed a presidential pardon granted by the authorities in Benin Republic under President Patrice Talon.
Speaking on News Central TV, Dr. Kehinde praised the diplomatic efforts that led to the cleric’s freedom, describing the process as lengthy and challenging. He noted that significant progress was achieved after Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
He stated that although there was no personal connection or financial influence involved, the minister actively engaged Benin Republic authorities through diplomatic channels. According to him, her visit and negotiations played a key role in securing Pastor Egbaji’s release.
Dr. Kehinde also commended all individuals and institutions that contributed to the advocacy efforts, including Moses Eyo, Dickson Umu Unung, the Cross River State Government, CP Alobi Lawrence (rtd), Joseph Bisong Ayi, Blessing Harrison, Eze Sampson, and Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo.
He said their combined efforts were instrumental in achieving the cleric’s freedom.
He added that while Egbaji’s release is a major relief, the cleric now faces the task of recovering and rebuilding his life after years of hardship. He called for continued support to help him reintegrate into society.
Dr. Kehinde also urged stronger government commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens abroad and enhancing diplomatic engagement across West Africa to prevent similar cases in the future.
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has provided an update on its ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The board stated that 1,120,491 applications were successfully completed and processed, allowing candidates to proceed to the computer-based test (CBT) stage.
It also disclosed that 432,935 applications were left incomplete, while 360,923 applicants were disqualified during screening and shortlisting for failing to meet the required criteria.
In total, the recruitment exercise recorded over 1.8 million applications across the country.
The exercise covers agencies under the board, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, and the Nigeria Correctional Service.
CDCFIB also released a breakdown of CBT performance, showing that 221,996 candidates scored between 0–40, 229,155 scored between 41–60, 278,543 scored between 61–80, while 142,697 scored between 81–100.
The recruitment process is now expected to move to the next stage, which includes physical screening and document verification. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted with details of their screening venues, dates, and required documents.
The board reiterated that the entire process is free of charge and advised applicants to rely only on official communication channels for updates, warning against misinformation and unauthorized messages circulating online.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that its Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted precise airstrikes in the Yuwe axis of the Sambisa Forest, resulting in the elimination of several terrorist elements on Monday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who noted that military operations in the North-East continue to maintain strong pressure on insurgent groups.
He explained that the operation was based on credible intelligence, supported by Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities, which identified active terrorist presence within fortified positions and underground hideouts.
According to him, NAF air platforms successfully engaged the targets using precision-guided munitions, destroying the structures, neutralising multiple terrorists, and dismantling key logistics facilities. This was later confirmed through battle damage assessments.
The statement added that sustained air operations have continued to weaken terrorist networks, disrupting their activities and forcing them into more defensive and unstable responses.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, also reiterated the Air Force’s commitment to maintaining continuous, intelligence-driven operations aimed at completely neutralising terrorist threats.
He further assured that the NAF remains focused on protecting its personnel, safeguarding national security, and ensuring the safety of citizens, while continuing precision operations in line with strict rules of engagement to minimise civilian impact.
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