Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has appointed Chike Worlu Wodo, the traditional ruler of the Apara kingdom, as the new chairman of the state’s traditional rulers’ council.

Fubara announced the appointment of Wodo during a meeting with members of the council at the government house in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Friday.

The Rivers governor said he has terminated the appointment of Chidi Awuse, the traditional ruler of the Emohua kingdom, as the chairman of the council.

Fubara said the state government received a “special insult” from the Awuse-led council and that the council did not show any sign of working with his administration.

“I want the council to live up to its responsibility. From my observation, the council is moribund,” the Rivers governor said.

“So, I can feel that the council, for a while now, has been very inactive. Inactive because, maybe, the chairman has decided not to be responsible as a chairman. I think that is the best way to describe it.

“I would like to draw your attention to a special insult that was meted out to this government.

‘The council produced a calendar for the year 2024, and the governor’s picture and the deputy governor’s picture are not in the calendar.

“I want to ask you: does it show any sign that the leadership is working with this government? I hope you have a copy of it. Does it show that your chairman is working with this government?

“So, I have decided today that we have to move forward. By the special grace of God, the administrative life span of the chairman is one year, which is renewable.

“At this particular time, I have to say that with the power vested in me, I announce that the tenure of Chief Sergeant Awuse has been terminated.

“Let me announce here that the new chairman from this particular moment will be Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Ohna Apara, the paramount ruler of the Apara kingdom.”

Fubara asked the new chairman to convene a meeting and unite traditional rulers in the state.

Awuse is an ally of Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers, who is now the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

In June 2023, Awuse honoured Wike and Fubara with chieftaincy titles in the Emohua kingdom.

Over the past few months, Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads — a development that has created a political crisis in the state.

The federal government says Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, currently detained in Nigeria is facing lawful trial and has access to quality health care.

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, made this known in a statement on Friday.

Idris’s statement comes a day after two members of the United States congress paid a visit to Gambaryan at the Kuje correctional centre in Abuja.

The lawmakers said Gambaryan was suffering and lacked access to proper medical attention.

However, Idris said the claims “are false and should be ignored”.

“It has become necessary for the federal government of Nigeria to address claims that Binance Executive, is being held in unsavory prison conditions in Nigeria, or that his health is deteriorating,” Idris said.

“Gambaryan is being held in lawful detention and has access to quality medical care whenever required. He also has full access to consular services from his home government.

“The Federal Government will not do anything to jeopardize his fundamental rights to lawful trial, and to quality care, including healthcare, even as he undergoes trial by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It is worth reiterating that his detention is a court-ordered one, and only the court can alter the terms or direct his release.”

Idris also said the federal government will continue to follow due process in its quest to bring Binance to justice.

“This adherence to legal and diplomatic standards underscores Nigeria’s dedication to upholding justice and maintaining the integrity of its judicial processes,” Idris added.

“The executive is being treated with the utmost fairness, and his legal and human rights are being protected throughout the judicial proceedings.”

On June 14, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) dropped the tax charges against Gambaryan, after confirming the appointment of Ayodele Omotilewa as Binance’s representative — with the agency filing a fresh charge listing the exchange as the sole defendant.

The 15th and 16th Emirs of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero and Muhammadu Sanusi II, held court sittings in their separate palaces, on Friday.

The embattled Emirs observed Friday congregation prayers at the Central mosque and Nassarawa mini palace respectively.

The Federal High Court presided over by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman had declared the actions taken by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of May 23, 2024, as “null and void”. However, it stated that its ruling did not affect the validity of the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Bill 2024, which was passed by the Kano State House of Assembly.

The actions taken by the state governor on May 23, 2024 included the deposition of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and the reversal of the status of the emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye emirates to that of district heads, following the collapse of their emirates into Kano Emirate.

Based on the law, the governor had also re-appointed the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as the 16th Emir of Kano.

The Kano State Government had ordered the State Commissioner of Police to evict Bayero from the palace he is occupying as it has plans on ground to demolish, renovate and reconstruct some parts.

A few minutes after the announcement, caterpillars and trucks arrived at the Government House which signalled readiness for quick action.

However, security has been reinforced at the Nassarawa mini palace.

The roads behind and beside the facility have been restricted to vehicles by security operatives manning the entrance and exit points.

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