Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed disappointment over the declaration of State of emergency in Rivers State, saying it discredits Nigeria’s image.

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The declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara packing for six months, while the elected members of the State House of Assembly have also been suspended.

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Jonathan stated this while speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday.

He said elected officials have been removed from office in a very disappointing manner.

Contrary to Jonathan’s view however, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, expressed support for Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.

The party said no responsible government will allow a situation to deteriorate before taking decisive action in the best interest of its citizens.

NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, told newsmen: “President Tinubu is the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria.
“The information available to him as president from intelligence sources may not be in the public purview.
“The government in Rivers was suspended and no one can actually say what would have happened by now, judging from the deepening crisis.

“The crisis was further compounded by some leaders who, instead of offering advice or promoting peace during the turmoil, allowed it to escalate before later stepping in to criticize.”

But for President Jonathan, “These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light.”

He said it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on issues, so as not to heat up the polity.
However, Jonathan said, his comment became necessary after calls from many Nigerians, urging him to speak on the events in Rivers State.

He added that the image of the country and how much investments a country attracts is dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature and judiciary of that country.

Goodluck Jonathan faulted the situation where an individual can dictate to the judiciary, noting that it makes it difficult for anyone to have faith in the judiciary.

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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has expressed joy over the pace of work at the construction site of the first flyover bridge in Edo State, located at Ramat Park, in Benin City.

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The project expected to be completed in 18 months is being executed by the administration of Governor Okpebholo. The project was flagged off in November, 2024, barely one week after Okpebholo assumed office as Governor of Edo State.

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The contractor handling the project, Mr. Andy Duan of CCECC told Governor Okpebholo during an unscheduled visit to the site that 20 percent of the project had been done so far.

Duan noted that the construction, which started last year, has reached 20 percent of stage of completion, assuring the people that the company will work according to specifications.

“For this work which commenced in December 2024, we have done seven pillars, underground cross beams and other works are ongoing as we are doing our best to meet up with the construction period,” he stated.

Governor Okpebholo, on his part, said he is not sleeping, as he continues to monitor projects cross the State to ensure the jobs are done according to agreed specifications.

The Governor threatened to revoke contracts whose handlers were not working according to specifications and assured Edo people that under his administration, Edo people would benefit from quality infrastructural development.

“We are not sleeping. We go around the State to monitor all our ongoing projects to ensure quality job delivery. Also, to ensure contractors meet specifications.

“For the Ramat Park flyover, the contractor is doing well, and I am impressed with the speed of the job done so far. If they continue with this kind of speed and pace, I believe they will complete the construction at the stipulated time. The materials like the iron being used and other materials are of high quality and standard.

“Inspecting projects across the State is a way for us to know those who are working and those playing with the projects they were given.

“We have gone to some sites, and we are not happy with what we met as some of these contractors are not meeting our targets and not doing the jobs according to specifications. Such contracts will be revoked.

“As an administration, we want to leave a legacy for our people, and we must ensure that we fulfill all our promises made to Edo people. We will continue to inspect and monitor every project to put contractors on their toes to deliver quality jobs according to specifications for the benefit of Edo people.

“I am not happy with the job of one of the contractors working for us and we will invite him on Monday for a discussion and you may hear bad news because the way they are going is not the way a contract should be executed,” he added.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, John Obanor, who accompanied the Governor on the inspection of the flyover, said the project is on track.

He noted that the job is not being appreciated now by people because it is in its early stage, but sooner than later, as the work progresses, it will be appreciated better. He noted that the company handling the project is doing a good job.

Other road projects inspected by Governor Okpebholo included Uteh Temboga road, open drainage at upper Ekenhua road opposite Nigerian Army cantonment Benin City, Upper Ekenhua road and Catholic Charismatic Renewal road Ugbiyoko.

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Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Victor Umeh has denied his involvement with 42 other Senators who received $10,000 each to support President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency in Rivers, saying he was absent from Wednesday’s meeting where the money was allegedly shared.

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He reacted to viral allegation that Senators received $10,000 each to support the state of emergency in Rivers in the red Chamber, when the motion comes for ratification.

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His denial was contained in a statement on Friday, where he distanced himself from Senators who shared the money, insisting that he was not among the 42 senators who collected $10,000 the previous day in order to pass the state of emergency resolution.

According to him, he came out to clear his name because reports in the media suggested that he was the one that coordinated the meeting along another Senator where each of them was offered $10,000, insisting that he wasn’t in that meeting and never benefitted from the bribe for support.

“I did not receive any money to support the state of emergency in Rivers State. I was not at any meeting where such payments were allegedly made,” Umeh stated.

Umeh explained that on the evening of Tuesday, he attended the traditional IFTAR (Breaking of Fasting) gathering at the Senate Guest House with their Muslim brothers and sisters, where he was asked to say the Christian prayers after Senator Adamu Aliero said the Muslim prayers after the IFTAR.

”I prayed for God to grant peace to all parts of Nigeria and reconciliation to all the warring parties in Rivers State.

“I prayed for love and for all Nigerians to embrace one another, for the good of our nation.”
“We did not discuss the State of Emergency in Rivers State at the IFTAR.”

“There were other Labour Party Senators at the IFTAR.”

Dismissing the allegations as backmail, the senator, assured his constituents that such reports would not distract him from providing good Representation, adding that the aim of the detractors was to create disaffection between him and the people and impugn his reputation.

He vowed that “I will not be distracted by their false reports, and I will continue to serve my constituents with dignity and integrity.”

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