Author: Festus Adeloye

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…

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has opened a TikTok page. Obi made the announcement on his X handle on Tuesday. READ ALSO: Peter Obi Backs NYSC Member Who Criticised Tinubu’s Government On the TikTok page, the ex-Anambra State governor uploaded a video seeking followership and moves to build a new Nigeria that is possible. He said, “This is my official and only TikTok page. Kindly join me towards building a new Nigeria that is possible.”

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the preliminary objection of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), challenging the competence of the ₦100 billion import license suit instituted by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals. In a ruling, Justice Ekwo held that the NNPCL failed to file a counter affidavit against Dangote Refinery’s suit but rather filed a preliminary objection, contrary to relevant laws guiding court proceedings. The judge added that where the issue of jurisdiction is raised, the court can address it at the time of judgement. He faulted the NNPCL for flouting…

The Nigerian Air Force has said a precision airstrike against Boko Haram enclaves in Chikide and Degbewa in Borno State has inflicted heavy losses on the terrorist group. Acting on credible intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance reports, the NAF said it targeted key insurgent hideouts within the rugged Mandara Mountains, where notorious terrorist leader Ali Ngulde and his fighters were believed to be meeting. A statement on Tuesday by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, said surveillance confirmed the presence of a fortified command hub with solar-powered installations, prompting the service to execute a surprise…