Blog - Abia ThinkTank News

Mar

19

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Fubara Reacts To Tinubu’s Emergency Rule In Rivers

FGN, News Flash, South South

Fubara Reacts To Tinubu’s Emergency Rule In Rivers Press statement by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara on the state of emergency declared in Rivers State: My dear Rivers People,I address you today with a deep sense of responsibility and calm, as we navigate this unfortunate moment in our state’s political history. Since assuming office as your Governor, all my actions and decisions have been guided by my constitutional oath of office and a great sense of duty. We prioritized the protection of lives and property and ensured the continuous progress of our dear State. Even in the face of the political…

Mar

19

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Amid Rivers Crisis, Senate President Akpabio Visits Wike In Abuja

Abuja, News Flash, Politics

Amid Rivers Crisis, Senate President Akpabio Visits Wike In Abuja The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, paid a visit to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, at his residence in Abuja. The visit was disclosed in a statement by the minister’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. Olayinka wrote, “The Uncommon Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during his visit to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in his residence today.” At the time of filling this report, no official statement has been released on the agenda of the meeting. In another development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)…

Mar

19

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

The Media, Inclusive Governance, And The Poor: Abia’s Model Of Equitable Progress – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance

The Media, Inclusive Governance, and The Poor: Abia’s Model of Equitable Progress In Nigeria’s southeastern region, Abia State has emerged as a compelling case study in leveraging media engagement and inclusive governance to uplift marginalized communities. With a population of 3.7 million, 54% of whom live below the poverty line, the state faces challenges familiar to much of Nigeria: unemployment hovering at 35%, infrastructural deficits, and systemic exclusion of the poor. Yet, under Governor Alex Otti’s administration, Abia has adopted a transformative approach that positions media accountability and participatory governance as pillars of poverty alleviation—a model now drawing national attention.…

Mar

19

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

The Leopard’s Skin: Resilience And Unity In Rivers State’s Hour Of Trial – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Politics, South South

The Leopard’s Skin: Resilience and Unity in Rivers State’s Hour of Trial Rivers State, often described as the “treasure base of the nation” for its vast oil reserves, finds itself at a crossroads where the fragility of its socio-political fabric mirrors the intricate patterns of a leopard’s skin—distinct yet interconnected. Home to over 5 million people, the state contributes approximately 40% of Nigeria’s oil output, a resource that fuels 90% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. Yet, beneath this economic prowess lies a simmering crisis. Recent political tensions, compounded by economic hardship and societal fractures, threaten to unravel decades of…

Mar

19

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Abia State Set To Become A Tourist Destination, As Gov. Otti Seeks Collaboration With FGN

Abia State, Economy, FGN, Good Governance, News Flash

ABIA STATE SET TO BECOME A TOURIST DESTINATION, AS GOV. OTTI SEEKS COLLABORATION WITH FGN. Abia State Government is at the verge of becoming the most visited destination in Nigeria with its collaborations with the Federal Government in the area of tourism. The State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti stated this while receiving in audience a delegation of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments led by its Director-General, Hon. Olugbile Holloway. In his remarks, Governor Otti stated that working together with the Federal Government would assist in harnessing the tourists potentials of Abia State and develop the State. "When you…

Mar

19

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Tinubu’s Theatre Of The Absurd In Rivers State – By Dr. Engr. Odo Ijere (Okpotemba)

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Politics, South South

TINUBU'S THEATER OF THE ABSURD IN RIVERS STATE. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 18th day proclamation and illegal removal of the governor of Rivers State is nothing more than arbitrary and gross misuse of presidential powers. It is a stinging blow on our fragile democracy and a dangerous signal to the increasing wave of unconstitutionality amid unrelenting trepidation and high handedness targeted against the people more especially citizens of Rivers state who elected Simi Fubara as their governor.It is one decision that has spiked unease, mass discontent and dissent of unimaginable proportion with the tendency to abound uncontrollable social conflagration and…

Mar

19

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Tinubu Sought Reps Approval For Rivers Emergency Rule – Spokesman

News Flash, Politics, Presidency

Tinubu Sought Reps Approval For Rivers Emergency Rule – Spokesman President Bola Tinubu has formally written to the House of Representatives, seeking legislative approval for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. The request, made in accordance with Section 305 of the Constitution, follows heightened security concerns and political instability in the oil-rich state. Spokesman for the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, confirmed the development while responding to media inquiries on Tuesday. This was retrieved from a news flash shared on X on Tuesday night by the Nigeria Television Authority. He stated that Tinubu consulted the National…

Mar

19

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

APC Blames Fubara, Defends State Of Emergency Rule In Rivers

News Flash, Politics

APC Blames Fubara, Defends State Of Emergency Rule In Rivers The All Progressives Congress has defended President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, insisting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is solely responsible for the political crisis that led to the intervention. In a statement issued on Tuesday, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, accused Fubara of dismantling democracy in the state, citing his demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly and governance without legislative oversight as actions that rendered the state ungovernable. “When he brazenly demolished the Rivers State House of Assembly, Fubara destroyed the…

Mar

19

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

PDP Rejects Emergency Rule In Rivers, Says Tinubu Lacks Power To Suspend Elected Governor

News Flash, Politics

PDP Rejects Emergency Rule In Rivers, Says Tinubu Lacks Power To Suspend Elected Governor The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected a state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers state. The opposition party says the president does not have the power to suspend Siminalayi Fubara, an elected governor. On Tuesday night, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political crisis in the south-south state. The president also suspended Fubara, his deputy and the members of the state assembly. The president nominated Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the administrator of Rivers state. In…

Mar

19

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Meet Rivers’ Incoming Military Administrator, Ex-Chief Of Naval Staff Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas

News Flash, Politics, South South

Meet Rivers’ Incoming Military Administrator, Ex-Chief Of Naval Staff Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas Retired Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Rivers State military administrator in the wake of the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, was born on September 27, 1960. Mr Ibas, a native of Nko in Cross Rivers State, was Nigeria’s 22nd Chief of Naval Staff between 2015 and 2021. He served in the Nigerian Navy from 1979-2021, when he retired. He started primary education at Nko Primary School in 1966 and concluded at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar 1971. Between 1972 and 1976, he…