Metro
APC’s Impeachment Call: Amaewhule-led Assembly Can Only Bark, Can’t Bite, Says Rivers Govt
The Rivers State Government on Tuesday dismissed a call on the state House of Assembly by the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress in the state to commence impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminlayi Fubara.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, told The PUNCH during an interview in Port Harcourt, that the governor would not allow anybody to throw the state into anarchy.
Fubara, on Monday, dismissed the Assembly as an illegal body that did not exist while receiving delegation from Bayelsa State on a peace mission, led by the immediate past governor, Senator Seriake Dickson. This was just after the Assembly passed a bill into without his assent.
Also, the governor insisted that the eight-point peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu was a mere political solution to a problem and not a constitutional issue.
The APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, in his reaction on Tuesday, called on the 27 members of the state House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to immediately commence an impeachment process against Fubara.
Okocha said the governor did not have the powers to declare the lawmakers as illegal.
He also wondered when the governor realised that the peace deal which he signed before Tinubu in Abuja was unconstitutional.
He added that aside from refusing to implement all the agreements, he had been making scathing remarks on the President’s genuine intervention to resolve the crisis that rocked the state.
But in a swift reaction, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, said the position of the governor had not changed.
He stated, “By jurisprudence, the 27 lawmakers lost their seats on the day they defected to another party. That is what the law says.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 109, 1g clearly states it. It is incontrovertible. So for anybody to think that they can start a process, the law says they cannot put something on nothing.
“There is nothing at all to even put on something. The House of Assembly does not exist. They are non-existent. The governor said yesterday that they did not exist. Out of his magnanimity, he allowed them, giving them a floater to see if they could come to reality.
“But it does appear that they don’t understand what was done for them. So if they want to start an impeachment process, they do not have the legal teeth to even do it. They can only bark, but they can’t bite.”
Also, the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark and other prominent individuals in the region warned the lawmakers against causing anarchy in the state.
In pursuance of its goal to affect humanity, foremost not-for-profit health organization, Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI) has held its 2026 Volunteer Retreat and Awards Ceremony geared towards spotlighting the values of sustained purpose, service, compassion, sacrifice, and discipline.
The ceremony, held in Lagos on Saturday 25th April 2026, brought together a remarkable corps of volunteers whose quiet, consistent efforts have shaped lives in ways statistics often fail to capture. It also created the perfect space for reflection while boldly charting the path forward for the sickle cell NGO founded by nonprofit leader, Toyin Adesola in 2008.
During the event, a 10million naira crowdfunding campaign tagged #1kforSickle to encourage Nigerians to give a minimum of ₦1,000 to support the organization’s effort was launched. Also, 11 award categories were presented to capture the impact of individuals from various spheres of influence who have supported SAMI over the years. These include haematologists, medical doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, educators, entrepreneurs, IT experts, media executives, and emerging young professionals in different sectors.
The event had 4 top speakers including polymath and Founder of Immerse Coaching Company, Debola Deji Kurunmi; clinical psychologist, Sheriff Ajibola Moshobalaje; leadership expert, Director Oluwatoyin Banjo; and co-founder of 9ijakids, Mrs. Titi Adewusi, to forge the awareness of a greater responsibility for impact to the sickle cell community and humanity at large.
Delivering one of the most compelling sessions of the Retreat, Debola Deji-Kurunmi challenged the volunteers to rethink their personal growth as a fundamental aspect of their influence to SAMI, family, and community. Deploying the five empires of self-leadership, she emphasized the need for self-mastery, self-direction, self-drive, self-influence, and self-expansion. “It is when you lead yourself well that you can serve others better and advance the mission” she asserted.
Noting that “SAMI is moving forward from being a founder-led NGO to a legacy-led institution”, the highly sought corporate trainer fondly called DDK, encouraged the volunteers to move from consumer mindset to creator mindset, bring forward their original ideas, make more suggestions, and become more solution-oriented.
From a psychological standpoint, Mr. Sheriff Ajibola Moshobalaje brought a refreshing depth to the conversation, focusing on the inner life of a volunteer. His session provided a vital reminder that emotional balance, life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose and fulfillment are hallmarks of a successful life.
He addressed the emotional impact as well as the toll that social media could play on mental health, advocating for self-awareness and introspection as critical components for mental resilience and sustainable impact. He highlighted that a state of positive mental health will encompass “emotional, psychological, and social well-being that focuses on how we feel, how we function, and the knowledge that we are separate from our problems.”
Speaking to the heart of volunteering, Mrs. Titi Adewusi delivered a powerful message focused on Why Team Spirit Matters to Building Trust and Credibility for a Nonprofit. Drawing largely from real stories, she challenged the volunteers to see their opportunities to serve the SAMI mission not only when they show up physically but in everything. Her insights served as a rallying call for volunteers, even as she officially launched the #1kforSickle crowdfunding campaign.
In a stirring address on leadership and influence, Director Toyin Banjo underscored the responsibility that comes with the privilege of leading within volunteer ecosystems. She centered her discussion on the 8 Pillars of M.O.B.I.L.I.Z.E. which are the principles of “motivate with meaning, orient and onboard, build belonging, invest in them, lead by example, inspire through impact, zoom in on zeal, and empower and entrust.” Her remarks provided a unique perspective into volunteering and urged leadership of the nonprofit to renew their commitment to continually pour into the development of its most valuable human resource team.
The Communication Officer of the health nonprofit, Abayomi Oyelami noted that the SAMI Volunteer Retreat & Awards Ceremony was to “honour the passion, sacrifice, and invisible work shaping lives in the sickle cell community, as well as to be a space for growth, learning, and renewed purpose.”
He indicated that Nigerians who wish to donate to the ongoing #1kforSickle campaign can donate via: A/c name: SAMI 500 by 1M Campaign, GTB – 0208883097 or use the online channels found on the official promotional materials.
The SAMI Volunteer Retreat and Awards Ceremony drew to a close with a collective call for volunteers to awaken to a higher order of service, where compassion and goodwill is matched with skill and excellence.
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund has intensified support for community-based security with the donation of 100 anti-riot kits and 1,000 pairs of operational boots to the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency.
The high quality modern equipment was presented on behalf of the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, by the Director of Administration, Mr. Adegbola Lewis, to the General Manager of LNSA, Dr. Ifalade Oyekan, at the Agency’s headquarters in Oshodi.
The Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency plays a critical role in grassroots security as they support the police through intelligence gathering, routine patrols, and community policing initiatives across all local government areas in the state. The Corps is also tasked with maintaining law and order, detecting suspicious activities, and fostering safety awareness within communities.
The intervention is expected to further strengthen neighbourhood-level security architecture and deepen collaboration between communities and formal law enforcement agencies in State.
The Federal government has declared Friday, May 1, a public holiday to commemorate this year’s International Workers’ Day.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on behalf of the government.
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated workers nationwide, commending their commitment and contributions to national development.
He noted that the dedication of Nigerian workers remains vital to the country’s growth and economic progress, urging them to sustain values of patriotism, productivity and diligence.
Tunji-Ojo also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, enhancing security and creating an enabling environment for economic expansion.
He called on Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the celebration, encouraging citizens to reflect on the importance of unity and hard work in nation-building.
