As at Sunday, the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara may have bowed to pressure as the Secretary to the State Government extended an invitation to the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers for a meeting scheduled for Monday at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

In a letter signed by the Secretary to State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo which was released to the press on Sunday, titled: “Meeting Between the Governor of Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly”, was expected to discuss peace in the interest of the State.

The SSG in the letter acknowledged that Governor Fubara’ was in receipt of a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment reinstating the embattled lawmakers, hence, the need to chart a way forward.

The letter stated that discussions would focus on providing a space for the lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to hold their sittings, as well as the presentation of the 2025 budget, among other matters.

The statement read: “I hereby write, in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5 March 2025, to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court judgement and has therefore directed me to invite you and your colleagues — the Honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly — to a meeting to discuss:

“Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings, payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the Honourable members;.

“Presentation of Budget and sundry matters. Any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the State.

“Sequel to the above, I hereby humbly invite the Rt. Hon. Speaker and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting with the Governor as follows:”

According to the statement, the meeting will take place at 10 am on Monday at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

“Many thanks, Sir, as we look forward to your kind attendance with a view to charting the way forward in the interest of the good people of Rivers State,” the letter concluded.

A group under the umbrella of Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress, RIPCO has called on Ijaw National Congress (INC) to stop fueling the crisis in Rivers State.

RIPCO made this call in a press briefing in Port Harcourt at the weekend.

Reading the statement jointly signed by it’s Leader, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, Director General, Hon Rowland Sekibo and Hon Erastus Awortu, the group said its attention was drawn to several misguided and inflammatory statements made in both the print and electronic media.

According to them, “These statements threaten chaos and unrest in Rivers State, particularly in response to the Supreme Court’s judgment on the ongoing Rivers State crisis.

“While RIPCO ordinarily would not engage in public dispute over the opinions of other Ijaw people, we feel compelled to clarify some points and correct the misconceptions being propagated.

“Firstly, it is important to note that every citizen is constitutionally entitled to express their views and opinions. However, we must remind everyone that when two parties present their case before a court of competent jurisdiction, there are only two possible outcomes: either the judgment will favour one party or the other.

“The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, has rendered its decision, bringing to an end the legal conflict that has disrupted the peace and stability of Rivers State for far too long.

“We express our sincere gratitude to God for this resolution, and we urge all Rivers people to support and encourage the implementation of the judgment as handed down by the court.

“However, it is deeply troubling that certain individuals, including Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), among others, have resorted to threats of violence and destruction, including targeting vital oil and gas infrastructure in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.

“These calls for violence are not only reckless but also profoundly misguided. It is one thing to disagree with a judicial decision; still, it is entirely different to resort to destructive and unlawful actions that threaten the lives and livelihoods of innocent people in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.

“We wish to remind those making these unguided utterances that we live in a democratic dispensation governed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which enshrines the rule of law.

“The Supreme Court has the final authority to interpret the Constitution and the country’s laws, and its decisions are final and binding on all.

“Those who call for war, destruction, and civil disobedience should be reminded that Rivers State belongs to all its people, and no individual or group has the right to impose their will through violence and terror.

“In light of these developments, RIPCO feels it is necessary to provide the following clarifications:
1. The Supreme Court Judgment is Not Based on Ethnicity
The Supreme Court’s judgment was not based on ethnic considerations or the notion of the Ijaws opposing another ethnic group. It was rendered in strict accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law. This was a judicial intervention in a legal dispute, not an ethnic or political contest. It is crucial that we all understand and respect the supremacy of the law.

2. Rivers State is a Multi-Ethnic State
Contrary to the narrative promoted by certain individuals, Rivers State is not a monolithic Ijaw state.

“It is a vibrant and diverse multi-ethnic entity, home to the Ijaws, Ikwerre, Ogonis, Oyigbo, Eleme, Ogba, Etche, Egbema, Ndoni, Ekpeya and many others.

“The diversity among the people in Rivers State is its strength, and we must all embrace this diversity for the collective progress and peace of our state. We should not permit these misguided and selfish self-proclaimed Ijaw leaders to take the law into their own hands simply because the state is currently governed by an Ijaw son who is acting in a similar manner.

3. The Issue of Impeachment Requires a Political Solution
The recent fears regarding the impeachment of the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalaye Fubara, raised by Professor Benjamin Okaba and his cohorts, are unfounded and premature, as the House of Assembly has not declared such an intention.

“However, even if the House were to express this, it is not an issue that should be resolved through threats of violence or disruption. Instead, it demands a political resolution that must be sought through constitutional and lawful means. If there are legitimate concerns about governance or the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment, these should be addressed within the established legal and political framework, rather than through inflammatory rhetoric and unlawful actions.

4. The Unconstitutionality of External Interference
At the onset of this crisis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, anticipating the outcomes, intervened. At that time, Professor Okaba and his Cohorts criticised the intervention, labeling it unconstitutional.

The President’s intervention at that time was criticised for overstepping the bounds of the Constitution. We must now ask: Would it be constitutionally appropriate for the President to intervene again in a matter where the Supreme Court, an independent branch of government, has already made its final decision?

“It is essential for those advocating for the President’s intervention to reverse or override the Supreme Court’s ruling to understand that it would be a direct challenge to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.

5. Suppose the Supreme Court Judgment had Favoured Governor Sim Fubara
It is our belief that if the Supreme Court judgment had favoured the Governor and his team, the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and his team would have succumbed to wise counsel and vacated their seats to allow peace and stability reign in the state. Thus, Governor Sim Fubara attempt at further escalating the crisis is an executive rascality beyond the imaginations of wise counsel.

Governor Siminalaye Fubara should note again that the decision of the Supreme Court is final and binding.

6. Professor Benjamin Okaba Should Advise Governor Fubara to Implement the Judgment and Not to Disrupt the Peace of Rivers State Further
In the spirit of peace and stability, we, members of the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’ Congress and fellow Ijaw brothers with Professor Benjamin Okaba do implore him and his Co-travellers to advise His Excellency Governor Sir Siminalaye
Fubara to promptly implement the Supreme Court’s judgment.

Only through the full execution of the court’s decision can peace and order be restored in Rivers State. The people of Rivers State deserve nothing less than the swift and transparent implementation of the rule of law.

7. The General Public Is to Note That Professor Benjamin Okaba and His Co-Travellers Are Not Speaking for all Rivers State Ijaw People .

The general public is invited to note that Professor Benjamin Okaba and his associates, who are threatening with hell and brimstone in Rivers State, do not speak for all Rivers Ijaw people, as there is no other formidable Ijaw group besides the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress. Therefore, the public is advised to disregard these misguided and provocative remarks and comments from them.

8. RIPCO Supports the Supreme Court Judgment
As a responsible and law-abiding organisation, the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’
Congress stands firm in supporting the Supreme Court’s judgment. We believe that this judgment is a critical step towards bringing stability, peace, and justice to Rivers State.

We commend the Supreme Court for its wisdom in resolving this matter, and we encourage all citizens to accept the judgment and work together for the betterment of our state.

9. RIPCO Congratulates the Speaker and twenty-six members of the Rivers State House of Assembly
We also wish to congratulate the Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, DSSRS, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and all twenty-six members of the Assembly for their unwavering dedication to upholding the law and promoting peace in our state. Their commitment to governance and the rule of law is commendable, and we stand with them in their efforts to ensure the full implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment.

10. We Are Committed to the Security and Safety of Our Commonwealth As law-abiding citizens of Nigeria, the members of RIPCO are committed to safeguarding the peace, stability, and prosperity of our state and country. We will continue to support the federal government’s initiatives to maintain law and order. We, the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’ Congress members will not hesitate to stand with the security agencies to fish out any individuals or groups that aim to undermine our collective well-being through violence, illegal activities, or attempts to damage our nation’s oil and gas infrastructure.

In conclusion, we urge all well-meaning Rivers people to remain calm, law abiding, and supportive of the democratic process. The Supreme Court has spoken, and it is our duty as citizens to respect its decision. We must all work together for the continued development and

Wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to gender equality and the protection of the rights of women and children.

Speaking at an event held at the Government House, Lokoja, to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day with the theme “Accelerate Action for Gender Parity,” Mrs. Ododo, who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Margaret Eleojo Oyibo highlighted the state’s efforts in promoting gender inclusion.

“With the domestication of the Child Rights Act, free education for primary and secondary school students, and a bursary scheme for tertiary students, it is now in the hands of parents to take advantage of these opportunities and empower our children with education,” she stated.

She acknowledged the progress women in Kogi State especially in business, politics, and education but noted that challenges persist in achieving true gender parity.

“It is time to break these chains faster than ever before. Every girl must have access to education, every woman must be able to work without discrimination, and every mother must receive quality healthcare,” she emphasized.

The First Lady called for holistic collaboration, stressing that gender equality is not just a women’s fight but a collective responsibility.

“When we empower women, we empower the nation. When we educate girls, we uplift communities. When we support women in leadership, we build a better society for everyone,” she noted.

She reaffirmed the Ododo-led administration’s commitment to providing women with the necessary support and opportunities to thrive through initiatives focused on education, healthcare, and business development.

Mrs. Ododo also urged leaders, organizations, and individuals, especially men to actively participate in accelerating gender equality efforts across the state and the nation.

“As we celebrate today, let us remember that true change comes from action. Let us not just talk about gender equality—let us live it, practice it, and demand it. Together, we can build a world where every woman and girl has the chance to reach her full potential.” Mrs Ododo reiterated.

While commending Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing enabling environment for women to thrive in the state, she expressed appreciation to the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), for her leadership in empowering women and amplifying their voices in national discourse.