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BREAKING: Tinubu Swears-in Ibas as Rivers Sole Administrator ▪︎It’s a truncation of democracy in Rivers- Amaechi

The suspension of two key democratically elected arms of Government in Rivers State by Mr. President evidently violates our Constitution, even within the scope and interpretation of Section 305 that the President cited in his broadcast.

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Politicians across divides should speak up; rise to halt our nation’s descent into totalitarianism. State Governors and Legislators should speak up now. 

President Bola Tinubu has sworn-in the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (RTD.), into office for the next six months.

Rt. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, a former Governor of the state, said : “Unequivocally, I condemn the rather brazen and unilaterally reckless suspension and removal of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” 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, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

On Tuesday, Tinubu in a national broadcast declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Rotimi Amaechi, who was governor of oil-rich Rivers State, from 2007 to 2015 and earlier, as speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, pointed out that with this singular move, Mr President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State.

He said :” This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold.Section 188 of the Nigeria Constitution, clearly stipulates how a State Governor can be removed from office. And it does not include a fiat declaration, decree or promulgation by Mr. President.

Therefore, he cannot appropriate such powers to himself.A democratically elected State Governor cannot be removed from office by a proclamation of Mr. President.

The suspension of two key democratically elected arms of Government in Rivers State by Mr. President evidently violates our Constitution, even within the scope and interpretation of Section 305 that the President cited in his broadcast.

The unlawful suspension of elected democratic institutions in my dear Rivers State points to a brazen attempt at power grab in the State by forces and persons who do not have such Constitutional powers. 

The unfolding events in Rivers State in the past months, points to a clear orchestrated plot by some persons to unconstitutionally perpetrate and impose themselves on the people.

At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy.

Mr President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand.

Politicians across divides should speak up; rise to halt our nation’s descent into totalitarianism. State Governors and Legislators should speak up now. 

I urge the National Assembly to reject this illegality. As a former State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum(NGF),

I am not unaware of the role elected Governors in the country can play to halt this descent and reverse the unlawful actions of Mr. President.

I commend the Governors that have spoken against the unlawful suspension. The suspension is a very dangerous affront on Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy.

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Tinubu scurries to Jos after Mutfwang’s security brief

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will leave for Jos tomorrow to commiserate with the state government and residents over recent deadly gun attacks that lefts dozens dead.

This was following Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s security briefing to the President on the recent violent attack in Angwan Rukuba, Plateau State.

During the meeting on Wednesday at the presidential villa in Abuja, Governor Caleb Mutfwang told Mr President that although security forces have restored calm after fresh disturbances involving looters on Wednesday morning, following the deadly Palm Sunday attack that left more than a dozen dead and many others injured.

He said that investigations are continuing to determine the identities or motives of the attackers who are yet to be apprehended .

Presidency source said that President Tinubu was initially scheduled for a planned trip to Ogun State to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport on Thursday.

From Jos, the President will travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday.

On Saturday, April 4, he will visit Ogun State to commission projects including the cargo airport.

He will then return to Lagos during the Easter holiday to commission several state infrastructure projects, including the Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge.

Before heading back to Abuja, the president will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission projects completed under Governor Duoye Diri.

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JUST IN: Tinubu Heads to Jos Tomorrow, Postpones Ogun Trip for 5-State Visits

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will tomorrow embark on a visit to Jos, Plateau State, as the first leg of a five-state tour across the country.

The Presidency announced that the President has postponed his scheduled trip to Ogun State to enable him to commence the series of official visits.

Details of the remaining four states in the tour are expected to be released by the Presidency in due course.

The development comes as President Tinubu continues nationwide engagements aimed at assessing development projects, interacting with stakeholders, and addressing key national issues in the respective states.

Further updates on the itinerary will be communicated as the visits progress.

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Gas Leak in Ogun School: 30 Students, Teacher Hospitalised

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At least 30 students and one teacher have been hospitalised on Wednesday following a suspected gas leak at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The incident occurred shortly after the morning assembly when a strange gaseous substance suspected to have emanated from nearby carbide cylinders spread across the school premises, causing students and staff to struggle for breath and triggering widespread panic.

Several students reportedly collapsed before school authorities swiftly contacted emergency services. Ambulances from the General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, were deployed to evacuate the affected individuals.

Confirming the development, the Chief Medical Director of the General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, Dr. Banjo Adeoye, said 30 students and one teacher were brought in for treatment. He added that they received prompt medical attention and are now in stable condition, with some already discharged.

Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, also confirmed the gas leak, noting that most of the victims are very okay now.

The Ogun State Fire Service and relevant agencies have been alerted as investigations commence to ascertain the exact source of the leak.

Parents have expressed concern over safety standards in schools, calling for thorough inspections of educational facilities and stricter safety protocols.

No fatalities were recorded. Normalcy is gradually returning to the school, though authorities have advised parents to monitor their children for any delayed symptoms.

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