Author: Emmanuel Obe

A family of six in Ogale community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, was found dead on Sunday morning after they reportedly went to bed on Saturday night and did not wake up, throwing the entire neighbourhood into mourning. The victims were identified as Mr. Theophilus Obele, his wife, their three children, and a brother of the woman of the house who was said to be staying with the family. Residents said concern grew early Sunday when neighbours noticed unusual silence from the household and repeated attempts to get their attention failed. On gaining access to the house, the…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged residents of the state to remain calm amid the ongoing impeachment proceedings initiated against him by the Rivers State House of Assembly, assuring that the situation would end well. The governor made the call on Sunday during a church service held to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, where he addressed worshippers briefly against the backdrop of rising political tension in the state. Governor Fubara explained that his silence in the face of what he described as distractions was deliberate, noting that he draws strength and reassurance from his faith in…

The Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw nation worldwide, has strongly condemned the renewed impeachment proceedings against Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, describing the move as a grave threat to democracy, peace and stability in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta. In a press statement issued on January 9, 2026, in Yenagoa, the INC said the action by the Rivers State House of Assembly marked the third impeachment attempt against the governor since 2023, warning that the repeated moves reflected a cycle of political vendetta that must…

The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum has strongly faulted the impeachment notice issued against Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu, describing the reasons advanced by the Rivers State House of Assembly as weak, unsubstantial and lacking constitutional merit. In a press release issued on Friday and signed by a former Deputy Governor of the state, Alabo Dr. G. T. G. Toby, who is the Acting Chairman of the Forum, the elders expressed “deep concern and unequivocal condemnation” of the impeachment move, warning that it could further destabilise the state. The Forum stressed that impeachment is a…

…list 9 items of gross misconduct against the governor The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday kicked off the process of removing the Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, from office after listing nine points of gross misconduct against him. The motion for the impeachment of the governor was moved by Mr. Major Jack, the Majority Leader representing Akuku-Toru constituency. In a plenary that was beamed live on Channels TV and Arise TV, the majority leader said the Governor had refused to implement the financial autonomy law on the judiciary and legislature, starved the House of Assembly commission of funds, and…

Thousands of Ogoni people on Sunday converged on Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, to mark the 33rd Ogoni Day, using the occasion to renew their demand that the Federal Government create Bori State. Unlike previous celebrations often marked by charged and partisan atmospheres, this year’s event was calm and orderly, devoid of political jostling. In a rare show of unity, the four factional presidents of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) sat together and delivered a joint address. The leaders—Prof. Olu Wai-Ogosu, Fegalo Nsuke, Prince Biira and Lazarus Tamana—had their address read by the Chairman of…

Alabo Charles Mac-Pepple Jaja, the Head of the Mac-Pepple War Canoe House of Opobo has been selected as the new Amanyanabo of Opobo following the transition of the last Amanyanabo, King Dandeson Jaja Jeki V. The Amanyanabo-elect, 65 is the younger brother of the immediate-past Amanyanabo and son of a former Amanyanabo, King Douglas Mac-Pepple Jaja. He attended Government Technical College, Abak, Rivers State School of Basic Studies and the University of Port Harcourt where he studied Political Science and Administration. He also has a diploma of the Sondore Institute of Management and a postgraduate certificate in law from Rivers…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has proposed a budget of N1.75 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year, outlining plans to consolidate ongoing reforms and deliver targeted infrastructure and developmental outcomes across the oil-rich region. The budget proposal, themed “Budget of Consolidation,” was presented to the Senate and House Committees on the NDDC at the National Assembly in Abuja by the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku. Ogbuku said the 2026 plan builds on the gains of the 2025 “Budget of Renewed Hope,” and reflects a deliberate shift from transactional to transformational development in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor reshuffle in the State Executive Council, redeploying the Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, to the Ministry of Justice as the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. Green’s redeployment follows the vacancy created by the Supreme Court’s judgment of February 28, which nullified the earlier appointment of Mr. Dagogo Iboroma (SAN) as Attorney General. The development was announced in a statement issued by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications. According to the statement, Green will assume his new role immediately. Despite the redeployment, Governor Fubara has…

…violators to face prosecution from January 1 Bayelsa State Government has announced a sweeping ban on the movement of timber, forest products, and all forms of sand and land dredging across the state, as part of a renewed effort to tackle environmental degradation and protect natural resources. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ebi Ben Ololo, the government said the ban takes effect from January 1, 2026, and applies to all land and maritime routes within and around the state. The directive prohibits the transportation, conveyance, and trade of wood, timber, and forest products within, into,…