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Rivers crisis: N’Delta groups threaten violence as budget ultimatum expires today

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Tensions in Rivers State have escalated as Ijaw groups, including the Ijaw National Congress and the Ijaw Youths Council, issued a strong warning against the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The groups declared their readiness to defend Fubara’s mandate, cautioning that any move to remove him could destabilise the Niger Delta and disrupt oil production in the region.

The warning follows the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly for Fubara to resubmit the 2025 budget for approval.

The Assembly’s stance comes after a Supreme Court judgment on Friday, February 28, 2025, reaffirmed its legitimacy, intensifying the ongoing political battle between the governor and lawmakers loyal to his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The apex court judgment also ordered the seizure of allocations to the state and nullified the October 5, 2024, local government election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

Exercising its authority, the Assembly, at its first sitting after the judgment on Monday, March 3, 2025, asked Fubara to present the budget within 48 hours as it would, on Friday, March 7, 2025, commence its 12-week recess.

The ultimatum expires Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

The Assembly also faulted the governor’s directive to the Heads of Local Government Administration to take over the affairs of the 23 council headquarters in the state.

In anticipation of the pronouncement by the Assembly in its plenary today, the INC, IYC and other groups in the state warned that removing Fubara would cause a crisis.

In a statement, the INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba, condemned the impeachment threats, warning that the Ijaw people would not stand by while their first riverine governor in decades was undermined.

He further criticised the apex court ruling on the Rivers political crisis, pointing out that it failed to acknowledge the historical and political sacrifices made by the Ijaw people in the governance of Rivers State.

He warned that any attempt to undermine Fubara would have dire consequences for national peace and economic stability, especially in the crude oil and gas-rich region.

“If Governor Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly or anybody else, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production,” Prof Okaba said.

Recalling the contributions of the Ijaw people in the governance of Rivers State, he said, “In 1999, an Ijaw leader, Chief Marshal Harry, was instrumental in securing the Peoples Democratic Party ticket for Dr Peter Odili, despite a formidable challenge from Sergeant Awuse.

“Harry further ensured Odili’s victory against a Kalabari opponent, Chief Ebenezer Isokariari of the All Peoples Party.“

In 2003, the INC recalled that when Marshal Harry backed Sergeant Awuse’s governorship ambition, it was not Awuse but Harry himself who was assassinated, marking a painful loss for the Ijaw people.

“By 2007, Ijaw leaders such as Soboma George and Farrah Dagogo played a decisive role in securing victory for Sir Celestine Omehia, while Prince Igodo, a Kalabari-Ijaw warlord, was killed during Omehia’s swearing-in to prevent security breaches.”

He further recalled that “In 2011, when Rotimi Amaechi sought to nominate Pastor Tonye Cole as a minister, Mrs Patience Jonathan, wife of the then President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, ensured that Nyesom Wike took the slot instead.”

He lamented that despite these sacrifices by the Ijaw people, a political elite from the Ikwerre ethnic group sought to frustrate the first riverine governor in decades.

He vowed that the Ijaw nation would defend Fubara “with every pint of blood in their veins.”

Okaba regretted that while the INC worked tirelessly to preserve peace in the Niger Delta, leading to increased oil production and revenue for the nation, the same resources were being used to marginalise the people.

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Kebbi Assembly Speaker Muhammad Usman Zuru dies in Egypt

The deceased Speaker, who represented Zuru Constituency, was widely regarded as a seasoned lawmaker and a key figure in the state’s legislative arm.

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The Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Usman Zuru, has died in an Egyptian hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.

Zuru died on Monday night after a period of ill health. Sources close to the Kebbi State Government confirmed his death, though details about the nature of his illness remain limited.

The deceased Speaker, who represented Zuru Constituency, was widely regarded as a seasoned lawmaker and a key figure in the state’s legislative arm.

An aide to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Idris Zuru, described the news as shocking.

“The death of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Usman Zuru, came to us as a rude shock. It is a painful loss not only to Kebbi State but to the entire nation,” he said.

“We are still gathering full information surrounding his passing. The government will make an official statement and announce burial arrangements in consultation with the family,” Idris Zuru stated.

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Benue Govt Confirms Total Evacuation of Benue Students From University of Jos

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The Benue State Government has confirmed the successful evacuation of all students of Benue State origin studying at the University of Jos following the crisis currently affecting the area.

The evacuation was carried out in line with the directive of the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Reverend Father Hyacinth Iormem Alia.

The General Manager of Benue Links Nigeria Limited, Comrade Alexander Aondohemba Fanafa said the third and final batch of student evacuees arrived at the company’s headquarters and bus terminal in Makurdi, Benue State on Saturday the 4th of April.Comrade Fanafa explained that a total of seventy-seven (77) vehicles were deployed in three batches to convey the students safely from Jos, the Plateau State capital.

He attributed the success of the operation to the proactive leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia and the effective collaboration among government agencies, including the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management and the Bureau of Homeland Security.

The General Manager also expressed appreciation to the security operatives who escorted the students from Jos, commending their professionalism in ensuring the safety of the students throughout the journey.

He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to implementing all transport policies of the Governor Alia administration.Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Doctor. Margaret Adamu, described the exercise as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Benue indigenes.

She noted that the evacuation directive was issued immediately upon receiving reports of the crisis, emphasizing that the administration places a high premium on education and the well-being of students.

Earlier, the Director General of the Bureau of Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (rtd.), stated that the success of the operation was made possible through swift coordination between security agencies and the State owned transport company, enabling the rapid deployment of buses and security escorts.

He reassured citizens that the administration remains vigilant and committed to protecting the lives and interests of Benue people both within and outside the state.

In their separate appreciation messages, the President of the University of Jos Chapter of the National Union of Benue State Students (NUBESS), Mchivga Iornder, and the National President of the Benue State Medical and Dental Students Association, Williams Kachira, commended Governor Alia for the prompt intervention and confirmed that all Benue students at the University of Jos have been successfully evacuated.

A statement its Information Officer Johnson Ehi Daniel revealed that Benue Links Nigeria Limited also provided additional vehicles to convey some of the students from Makurdi to their respective Local Government Areas across the state.

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Sanwo-Olu prepares the way for Tinubu’s official visit to Lagos state

President Tinubu is expected to inaugurate several key projects executed by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, including the Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge, designed to ease traffic congestion across the metropolis.

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President Bola Tinubu will officially visit Lagos state on April 8 and 9, during which he will commission several completed projects by the administration of governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said during a press briefing outlining activities for the President’s visit.

Omotoso said that Lagos remains Nigeria’s commercial hub and that the projects slated for commissioning reflect the administration’s investments in transportation, infrastructure, education, and public sector development.
According to him, President Tinubu is expected to inaugurate several key projects executed by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, including the Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge, designed to ease traffic congestion across the metropolis.

Other projects include the Lagos State Geographic Information Service building, a multi-agency complex named after the President, a newly completed school complex, and the Mid-Level Agro Produce Hub in Abijo, Ibeju-Lekki.

He added that the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle comprises 36 public schools—31 secondary and five primary schools—situated on 11.73 hectares of land in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Omotoso said the redevelopment of the complex demonstrates the government’s people-oriented approach, noting that it serves about 20,000 pupils.

” These projects have been carefully conceived and executed to address the needs of our growing population, ease mobility, stimulate economic activity, and enhance social welfare,” he said.

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