IN a renewed effort to consolidate the fragile peace recently restored in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara met on Saturday night with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, alongside key political allies of the minister, in what sources described as one of the most significant reconciliatory meetings since the protracted political crisis began more than two years ago. News Point Nigeria reports that the closed-door meeting, held at the Port Harcourt residence of elder statesman Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, reportedly stretched into the early hours of Sunday. It came just days after the governor directed…
Author: Eileen Peters
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RIVERS State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has issued a stern warning to Permanent Secretaries in the state’s civil service, vowing that those who engaged in illegality and derailed due process during the six-month emergency rule will be held accountable. News Point Nigeria reports that Governor Fubara gave the warning on Friday while swearing in a newly appointed Permanent Secretary, Austin Ezekiel-Hart, at the Government House, Port Harcourt. The governor, who expressed disappointment at the conduct of some senior civil servants during the period of emergency governance, declared that records of their infractions had been documented and would be revisited at the…
THE Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to suspend enforcement of the controversial tinted glass permit for vehicle owners. The interim ruling, delivered on Friday a copy obtained by News Point Nigeria, came as the court began hearing Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, filed by legal practitioner John Aikpokpo-Martins against the IGP and the Police Force. The presiding judge directed the police authorities to “maintain the status quo and respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.” Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kunle Edun, who led…
THE Edo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Agun Gbenga, has died after reportedly slumping at a public event in Benin City on Thursday. News Point Nigeria gathered that the tragic incident occurred at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, off Airport Road, during an event organised by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), where the late Commandant was one of the distinguished awardees. Eyewitnesses said Gbenga had just concluded delivering his goodwill message when he suddenly collapsed on his seat, sending shockwaves through the audience. Immediate efforts were made to resuscitate him…
RIVERS State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved his cabinet, relieving all commissioners and other political appointees of their duties with immediate effect, in what observers describe as one of the most sweeping shake-ups since he assumed office. The decision was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday evening in Port Harcourt by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi obtained by News Point Nigeria, who confirmed that the move followed the recent Supreme Court judgment that effectively reshaped the political landscape of the state. Earlier in the day, Governor Fubara held a valedictory session with his commissioners at the…
THE newly called-to-the-bar lawyer, Peace Onyesom, and her sister, Gift Onyesom, who were kidnapped along the Okene-Auchi road on Friday, have regained their freedom. News Point Nigeria reports that the victims’ brother, Godspower Onyesom, confirmed their release to PUNCH Metro correspondent in a telephone conversation on Tuesday. Recall that Peace had participated in the Nigerian Law School call-to-the-bar ceremony on September 23. She was returning to Benin, Edo State, alongside her sister when they were kidnapped. Confirming her release, Godspower said, “She has been released. She is back home.” In an accompanying video sent to our correspondent, Peace thanked everyone…
AKWA Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has dismissed speculations that his much-discussed “happy hour” statement during the 2023 governorship election was a government policy aimed at sponsoring drinking sessions for civil servants or citizens. News Point Nigeria reports that speaking on Arise Television on Friday, the governor said his remarks had been “completely taken out of context,” insisting that what he meant was the need for hardworking people to occasionally take time off to relax. “Happy hour is, I believe, that if you work hard, you must find time occasionally to relax,” Eno explained. “Like today, I’ve been working…
RIVERS State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has shed light on why he resisted intense pressure from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his choice was driven by a desire to safeguard the peace, stability, and future of the state. News Point Nigeria reports that the governor made the remarks in a statewide broadcast on Friday, shortly after returning to Port Harcourt following the official lifting of the six-month state of emergency and his reinstatement as governor. Governor Fubara, accompanied by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu and Chief of Staff Edison…
RIVERS State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reassured citizens that his administration will continue to act in their best interest and strengthen the bond between the government and the people. News Point Nigeria reports that Fubara gave the assurance on Friday shortly after arriving at the Government House, Port Harcourt, following a triumphant reception at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, where a massive crowd turned out to welcome him back to the state capital. The governor, visibly moved by the show of solidarity, described the rousing welcome as a powerful statement of love, confidence, and unity from the people…
RIVERS State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has arrived in Port Harcourt, the state capital. News Point Nigeria reports that the governor arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport at about 12:19pm on Friday, more than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu ended the six-month emergency rule in the state. He was greeted by a crowd of supporters who had earlier converged at the VIP wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport, awaiting his arrival. While the House of Assembly resumed sitting on Thursday, Fubara did not show up at the Government House, despite the hundreds of supporters who had gathered to…
AFER months of political turmoil, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday officially lifted the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State, directing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume duties immediately. The announcement followed the resolution of the protracted political feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, which had paralyzed governance in the oil-rich state since March. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday monitored by News Point Nigeria, Wike disclosed that he personally spoke with Governor Fubara on…
WHAT was meant to be a moment of celebration and renewed confidence in Rivers State politics turned into a day of frustration on Thursday, as thousands of supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara left the Government House, Port Harcourt, disappointed after the governor failed to appear as expected. News Point Nigeria reports that the crowds of enthusiastic loyalists had gathered at the entrance of the Government House as early as 6:00 a.m., some arriving from remote parts of the state. They came to welcome the governor following the formal lifting of the six-month state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu…
THE Governor and his deputy are expected to take over the leadership of the state today, six months after President Bola Tinubu imposed emergency rule on the state. News Point Nigeria reports that an excited crowd of supporters has gathered at the Government House waiting to welcome Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. Officials from the state emergency services are also on the ground. Fubara and his deputy had been away from the governance of the state for six months, after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing a political crisis. A crowd of residents…
RIVERS State erupted in jubilation on Wednesday evening as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the immediate end of the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state and reinstated Governor Siminalayi Fubara along with other affected officials. News Point Nigeria reports that the news, which broke during the 6pm radio bulletin on local stations, sent markets, motor parks, and residential areas into a frenzy. Traders at Mile One and Mile Three markets, who had been anxiously monitoring their radio devices, broke into spontaneous celebration as soon as the announcement was made. Eyewitnesses reported that jubilant meat sellers turned their knives and…
NIGERIA is bracing for a politically charged week as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara are both set to return to the country today (Tuesday), ahead of Thursday’s historic transition that will restore democratic governance in Rivers State after six months of emergency rule. News Point Nigeria reports that President Tinubu, who had been on vacation in France and the United Kingdom since September 4, will land in Abuja ahead of schedule to resume official duties, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. “Mr. President is returning to…
THE farewell thanksgiving service organised for Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, was marked by the conspicuous absence of two key figures at the centre of the state’s prolonged political crisis, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. News Point Nigeria reports that the interdenominational service, held on Sunday in Port Harcourt, formed part of the transitional activities as Ibas prepares to leave office ahead of the expiration of the six-month emergency rule imposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March. Delivering his farewell remarks, Ibas urged stakeholders to…
MEMBERS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State on Saturday defied a heavy downpour to participate in the party’s ward congresses, electing new executives and delegates across all 192 wards. At Oredo Wards I, II, and III in Benin City, where journalists monitored proceedings, the exercise was marked by enthusiasm, orderliness, and a large turnout of party faithful who braved the rains to cast their votes. State Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, led the monitoring team alongside members of the Ward Congress Electoral Committee from the party’s national headquarters in Abuja. He described the…
THE Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Retd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas, on Friday declared that President Bola Tinubu’s directive under the six-month emergency rule had been “sufficiently achieved” following the successful conduct of local government elections and the swearing-in of elected council officials across the state. News Point Nigeria reports that Ibas made the remarks at Government House, Port Harcourt, while receiving the comprehensive report on the just-concluded local government elections from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). Speaking at the event, the Administrator expressed satisfaction that the presidential mandate given to him on March 18, 2025, had been fulfilled. “Mr…
LORAN Nordgren, a distinguished professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, has given a glowing endorsement of Leading in a Storm, the new book authored by Nigerian politician, scholar, and leadership expert, Dr. Dakuku Peterside. Prof. Nordgren, an internationally recognized psychologist, Wall Street Journal bestselling co-author of The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas, and founder of Aerocept, a leading behavioural design agency described Peterside’s work as “a must-read for any leader who wants to navigate the storms on the horizon.” “In technology, politics, and the environment, we are undeniably living through times of disruption and…
THE National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that more governors across Nigeria will defect to the ruling party before the 2027 general elections. News Point Nigeria reports that Yilwatda, represented by APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, made the disclosure on Tuesday during the party’s 12th expanded stakeholders’ meeting in Bayelsa State, where members also endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election. According to him, Tinubu’s record of bold reforms and strong leadership is convincing opposition leaders to abandon their parties and join the APC. Yilwatda pointed out that the APC…