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Humbled: Fubara Buckles In Renewed Row With Lawmakers
Barely two months after the suspension of emergency rule in Rivers State and the reinstatement of democratic structures, tensions have resurfaced between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule.
During its 31st Legislative Sitting, the House condemned the vandalisation of property at the Township School in Port Harcourt and other schools across the state. Lawmakers lamented the decayed infrastructure in public primary and secondary schools and accused the executive arm of doing little to address the situation.
Acting on the report of the House Committee on Education, lawmakers questioned what Governor Fubara had done with the more than N600 billion reportedly left in the state’s coffers by the immediate past Sole Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (rtd), when he exited office in September.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in February 2025 suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly for six months over a prolonged political crisis that was said to have crippled governance. When democratic structures returned on September 18, 2025, it was claimed that the governor, his predecessor and political benefactor Nyesom Wike, and the Assembly had resolved to work together for the stability of the state.
The latest exchanges now suggest that the fragile peace may be cracking.
Speaking during plenary, Speaker Martins Amaewhule accused the Rivers State Government of failing to address the deplorable condition of schools, alleging that available funds were instead spent on sponsoring protests.
“Public schools in Rivers State, particularly at the primary and secondary school levels, are in deplorable conditions; it is a fact,” Amaewhule said. “The reason is abandonment by people who were supposed to do the needful. As of yesterday, the House Committee Chairman on Education discovered a school where one teacher is teaching two classes. There is no toilet, no electricity, yet that school shares a fence with the PHED headquarters.
“That school is directly opposite the police headquarters, yet vandals have taken over and destroyed what little facilities they had. The worst is that despite the concerns we raised when this motion first came up, nothing has happened. The Rivers State Executive Council has done nothing to remedy the situation. It is a sad commentary.”
The Speaker said the state could not continue to operate schools without teachers and recalled that the last administration had initiated a process to employ 10,000 workers before leaving office. “What happened to that plan?” he asked.
“But when it is time for protest, funds will come. When it is time to employ teachers and put them in the classrooms, there will be no money. We cannot fold our arms while our children continue to suffer and our teachers continue to cry,” he added.
Amaewhule questioned why a state with significant financial resources had not moved to address the basic needs of its schools.
“Is it that we don’t have funds? Of course we have. As at the time Administrator Ibas was leaving, he left over N600 billion in the account of Rivers State. Can’t such funds be used to remedy the situation in our schools?” he asked.
He said it was unacceptable for schools near the Government House to be so short-staffed that “pedestrians are called in to help teach pupils.”
“We are the only people mandated by law to fight for our people. This should not happen in Rivers State,” he added.
Responding to the accusations, Governor Fubara said his administration would only employ workers based on the genuine needs of the state, not for political satisfaction.
Speaking at the 123rd/124th Combined Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on Monday, the governor said the rot in the education sector did not begin under his administration and that steps were being taken to address the challenges.
“Our vision is clear,” he said. “First, it is to ensure that Rivers State is safe. It includes providing quality healthcare services, which we are already delivering. The records are there.”
He listed ongoing work at zonal hospitals in Bori, Ahoada, Omoku and Degema, adding that his administration was focused on completing critical projects.
On education, Governor Fubara said the issues predated his tenure. “You are aware of the poor state of our schools. They never got to that state in one month or one year; it has been an issue,” he said.
He added that political distractions had slowed progress. “Before the unfortunate incident that led to the emergency, was there any month we had one week of rest? But even in the face of crisis, we remained focused.”
Addressing complaints over the halted employment of 10,000 workers, Fubara said his administration would not bow to pressure.
“I will employ, but it must be based on the needs of the state. I won’t engage in political employment to please everybody,” he said.
Meanwhile, the governor appear to be unable to walk his talk against the accusation of the lawmakers as an announcement credited to his office has approved teachers appointment he earlier suspended.
In fulfillment of his promise to bridge the manpower gap in public schools across Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, has approved the appointment of new teachers across the state, a statement signed by Hon. Sam Ogeh
Chairman, Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board read.
“As part of this initiative, His Excellency has directed the revalidation of the 1000 teachers recruited in 2023.
“”To this end, all the affected teachers are required to report to the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) for the revalidation exercise.
“Date:Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Time:* 10:00 a.m”.
Kingdom Men Global Network aka KMEN has formally announced the programmes of the 13th edition of its flagship annual gathering for men, Mega Summit.
This year’s event will open on Thursday May 14 and end on Sunday May 17 with an all-men musical concert.
The 2026 edition of Mega Summit which will hold at the Presken Hotels on Alade Avenue opposite Airport Hotel, Ikeja Lagos has as theme: Legacy…Faith. Family. Community. And for the first time Mega Summit will host an award on the opening day in memory of foremost Nigerian diplomat and integrity personified and pioneer Chairman of the Board of Trustee of KMEN, late Dr Christopher Kolade who died last year at the age of 92.
The KMEN-Christopher Kolade – Men in Leadership Award for Courageous Manhood will be heralded by the Men in Leadership Summit (MiLEADS) with the sub-theme – Building a Culture of Leadership with Integrity. And will have as speakers Archbishop John Osa-Oni of Vineyard Christian Ministries., Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church, and renowned Pharmacist, entrepreneur and politician Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR.
Pastor Tunde Bakare
Day two will feature another special session for Men in Church Leadership (MiCLEADS) with the sub-theme: Leaving a Legacy of Faith/Discipling for the Next Generation, and will have as speakers Bishop Sunday Onadipe, Bishop, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Badagry, Apostle Eyinnaya Okwuonu, former Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos Chapter., Pastor Dominion Roberts from Liberia, and Rev Fr Matthew Ogunyase of the Catholic Mission, Lagos.
While day three will open with a Special Town Hall discussion on Family with the sub-theme – The Father’s Role in Shaping Legacy and is the only mixed gender panel for Mega Summit 2026 featuring foremost life change coach, Mrs. Yemisi Lagunju and Rev David Abraham, who is the managing director of Managing Business for Christ (MBFC).
On Saturday is a Special Town Hall on Resisting an Emerging Legacy of Addictions. This segment will feature a presentation by Dr Dokun Adedeji on the ravage of Drug Addictions, alongside Abiose Akolade Ladipo, Co-Founder of GamblePause, a Lagos-based NGO in the fight against Gambling Addictions.
Later in the afternoon on Saturday is a second Town Hall session on Business and Economy with the sub-theme: Building Sustainable/Generational Businesses, and will feature notable panelists like Rev Professor Biodun Adedipe Founder of BA and Associates, and Rev Dr Abba Peter, Managing Director of Best Practices Limited, among others.Other Town Hall segments at Mega Summit 2026 include that on Politics/Governance with the sub-theme: Swimming Against the Tide – National Transformation through Service, and another Town Hall on Media featuring Mr. Mustapha Isah Osikhekha, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Omoba Deji Irawo and others as they navigate best way to Reclaim the Narrative: Legacy in Digital Spaces.
An extra-ordinary edition, the 13th edition of Mega Summit will also have segments designed to equip leaders in men’s ministry through the instrument of KMEN’s School of Men’s Ministry/ISI Training. Each day of Mega Summit 2026 is divided into three segments – morning starting at 9 am, afternoon session and evening climaxing with an impartation service.KMEN is an uncompromisingly Bible-based, independent ministry to men. Established nearly two decades ago, the ministry’s objective is to assist men, irrespective of their church affiliations, in their Christian Walk, that they may become better sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and leaders.
Manchester United are ready to spend in the region of £150million to sign three central midfielders this summer if there is enough room in the transfer budget.
Daily Mail Sport understands that United have earmarked around £80m for a marquee signing to replace Casemiro, who will leave at the end of his contract despite hopes among some fans that he could extend his stay at Old Trafford.
United know their No 1 target Elliot Anderson is likely to cost in excess of £100m, and Manchester City are in pole position to sign the Nottingham Forest star.
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni are other names in the frame, although United’s interest in Tonali has cooled slightly and Tchouameni wants to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu.
United are prepared to spend around £40m on another midfielder to replace Manuel Ugarte if they can get a reasonable price for the Uruguayan who cost £50m from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.
West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a player of interest, and Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams would also fall into that category.
Despite tying Kobbie Mainoo to a new long-term contract, United could strengthen their squad by signing a third midfielder for about £20m. It’s understood that scouts have been monitoring the progress of Southampton’s Shea Charles.
However, it will depend on how much money is available with United expected to bring in a left-sided forward, left-back, central defender and a reserve goalkeeper in the summer.
The club will have considerably more to spend after confirming their return to the Champions League by beating Liverpool on Sunday, which is worth in excess of £100m.
United also hope to bank significant transfer fees for Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, Ugarte and, possibly, Joshua Zirkzee while creating additional space on the wage bill by offloading Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Altay Bayindir.
Jeremy Doku insisted Manchester “will keep on fighting” in the Premier League title race despite their “painful” draw with Everton on Monday.
City drew 3-3 with the Toffees at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Doku scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, having also scored the opening goal.
Doku’s equaliser (96:49) is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League game after John Stones’ strike against Arsenal in September 2024 (97:14) and Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Everton in February 2019 (96:52).
Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).
The Belgian also created the most chances in the match against Everton (four), completed the most dribbles (5/7) and won the most duels (14/19).
City avoided defeat in a Premier League game despite trailing by 2+ goals as late as the 82nd minute for the first time since March 2012 against Sunderland (3-3).
They went on to win the league title in 2011-12, and Doku believes City can still beat Arsenal to the trophy this season.
“First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don’t score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end,” said Doku.
“Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game.
“Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this.
“We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end.
“We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.”
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