Author: Festus Adeloye

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has made clarification on its withdrawal of the land title of the Peoples Democratic Party’s secretariat located at Abuja central area, stating that the PDP owes it over N7 million for non-payment of ground rent from 2006 till date. The FCTA Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, made the disclosure while briefing journalists shortly after the administration’s executive council meeting chaired by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday. Nwankwoeze futher stated that while the PDP headquarters at Wadata Plaza does not belong to the political party, the owner of the property also owes the administration…

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria have strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as an attack on democracy. In a joint statement on Wednesday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, faulted the move as “hasty and unconstitutional,” arguing that it violated Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution. The statement read, “This reckless move should deeply concern every governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law. “No democratic society can thrive where elected leaders are arbitrarily removed at the whims…

President Bola Tinubu has sworn- in the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), into office. Tinubu swore Ibas into office at about 03:00 pm at the State House, Abuja. The brief ceremony was witnessed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola. Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 12:48 pm (local time). READ ALSO: Rivers Sole Administrator Ibok-ete Ibas Arrives State House On Tuesday night, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State,…

The House of Representatives on Wednesday ended plenary without any mention of the state of emergency in Rivers State. President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the protracted political crisis in the oil rich South-South state. Many expected the emergency rule declaration to be part of deliberations at the green chamber on Wednesday, but the lawmakers ended plenary without raising the issue. READ ALSO: Senate Delays Approval Of Rivers State Of Emergency Motion Until 3 PM Before start of plenary on the day, however, two female members of the House engaged in a heated…

The Senate has stepped down its first order of the day, a motion to approve the proclamation of a state of Emergency in Rivers state until 3pm, without providing much explanation for the delay. The motion, sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, was expected to be debated and voted on during the morning session. However, lawmakers unexpectedly deferred discussions. The motion states a clear worry over the escalating tensions, which have paralysed the state and hindered the delivery of democratic dividends to its residents. “Worried that there is a clear and present danger of the crises as some militants had…

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa on Wednesday inaugurated the board of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). Those sworn-in include Omoba Tunde Ajibulu mni, who assumes office as the Deputy Executive Secretary (Services) and Mr Rasaq Olajuwon, Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical) . Last December,President Tinubu appointed Aisha Garba from North West as the Executive Secretary. The president enjoined the new appointees to strengthen the human capital needed to drive educational reforms and enhance service delivery at UBEC, ensuring greater access to quality basic education nationwide.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state. This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, by the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule. Amaewhule said the Assembly would abide by the president’s decision, even though it was not what they had hoped for. “We assure our constituents that we will abide by this declaration, even though it is not what we prayed for. Mr. President has acted in the best interest of the country,” Amaewhule said. The Speaker blamed Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the crisis in…

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has berated President Bola Tinubu, describing his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as unstatesmanlike, biased, and divisive. The forum led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, issued a statement on Wednesday expressing concern that under Tinubu’s leadership, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has become a law unto himself. The forum criticised Tinubu’s silence regarding the minister’s active involvement in the state crisis, describing it as both passive and enabling. READ ALSO: Emergency Declaration: US, UK Other Nations Perplexed At Tinubu’s Style Of Governance – Deji Adeyanju…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as “political manipulation and outright bad faith.” Atiku accused Tinubu of being a “vested partisan actor” in the ongoing political turmoil in the state, alleging that his administration either enabled or failed to prevent the crisis. “His blatant refusal or calculated negligence in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful,” Atiku said in a statement on Tuesday via X. He further condemned the security breaches that led to the destruction of national infrastructure in Rivers, insisting that the…

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers state. The president made the announcement on Tuesday in a nationwide broadcast over the political crisis and instability in the state. READ ALSO: Tinubu Sacks Governor Fubara, Appoints Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas As Sole Administrator Tinubu said Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers assembly are “hereby suspended for an initial period of six months”. “Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a…