News
Rivers emergency rule: APC, opposition continue battle as PDP govs head for court

the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has said it will take legal action against the Federal Government.
President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; as well as members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
The President then appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) as the Sole Administrator of the state.
The PDP governors contended that the President’s actions were unconstitutional and threatened Nigeria’s democratic principles.
Seeking legal intervention, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, criticised the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, adding that the party’s governors’ forum would challenge the matter in court.
Makinde, in his bi-weekly newsletter— The Business of Governance (Issue 110)— noted that the suspension of democracy in the state was an illegal act that all well-meaning Nigerians must condemn.
The governor said, “I am glad that our great party, the PDP, is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership.
The PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting where we unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction.
We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon.
Seeking legal intervention, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, criticised the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, adding that the party’s governors’ forum would challenge the matter in court.
Makinde, in his bi-weekly newsletter— The Business of Governance (Issue 110)— noted that the suspension of democracy in the state was an illegal act that all well-meaning Nigerians must condemn.
The governor said, “I am glad that our great party, the PDP, is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership. The PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting where we unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction.
We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon.
“I stand today to say that the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.
“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with, no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice.”
Makinde urged Nigerians to speak out whenever anything threatened the nation’s progress.
Showing support for the governors’ forum, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Timothy Osadolor, said the state of emergency would be challenged in court.
Speaking on Saturday, Osadolor noted that President Tinubu was unmindful of the implications of his pronouncement.
The youth leader added that the court remained the last hope of the common man.
Osadolor said, “The President lacks the locus to suspend two elected arms of government; the legislature and executive in the state.
There is no place in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that gives such powers.
“Has the President forgotten that the office is guided by law? Although he has the right to declare a state of emergency, there is nowhere it is stated that he can suspend officials.
President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the past, and the governors still held the forte in their states.
”Corroborating Osadolor, a sociopolitical group, Niger Delta Youth Council, expressed full support for the PDP Governors’ Forum in their resolve to challenge the state of emergency in court.
This was contained in a statement by the President of the NDYC, Bene Mamamu, on Friday.
He alleged that the state of emergency declared on Rivers by President Tinubu “is an expression of his bias and hatred for the Niger Delta region.
”Reverse emergency rule, Ijaw group tells Tinubu
Meanwhile, an advocacy group, Ijaw People’s Association, decried the state of emergency, describing it as a “desecration of democracy” and “desperation taken too far”.
The IPA called on the President to show that he was a democrat by reversing the decision in the interest of peace and proper development to take place.
The President of the group, Patrick Ebikebuno, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Ebikebuno noted that the declaration was disturbing for the Ijaw nation, including people of the ethnic group in Ondo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states.
He emphasised the peaceful nature of the Ijaw people, stating, “We are gentle in character and very accommodating.
”The South-South Governors’ Forum had earlier called for the reversal of the state of emergency in Rivers State.
This was in a statement signed by the Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, in Yenagoa, the state capital.
According to the forum, the political crisis in Rivers State ought to be ideally resolved through legal and constitutional means rather than by executive fiat.
Meanwhile, the Government of Cross River State distanced itself from the position of the South-South Governors’ Forum’s to reject the emergency rule in Rivers.
News
Reported Planned Attack: “Do Not Panic”, Kogi Govt Assures Residents
We commend the DSS for their vigilance and for providing early intelligence capable of preventing such evil plans from being executed.

The Kogi State Government has called on residents of the State to remain calm and vigilant following reports of a planned terrorist attack in parts of Kogi and Ondo States.
In a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the Government described the intelligence report as a step towards victory, noting that it demonstrates the proactive work of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in protecting Nigerians from criminal elements.
“The report itself is evidence that our security agencies are alive to their responsibilities.
“We commend the DSS for their vigilance and for providing early intelligence capable of preventing such evil plans from being executed,” the statement read.
The Commissioner assured citizens that the Kogi State Government is working closely with the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Police, and other relevant security formations to ensure that any terrorist attempt is completely foiled before it can threaten lives or property.
“His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, has made security of lives and property a top priority of his administration.
Strategic security measures have been reinforced across the State, and surveillance has been intensified, especially around border communities,” Fanwo added.
He urged residents to go about their normal businesses without fear but to remain security-conscious and report any suspicious movement or persons to the nearest security agency.
“The Government will protect the people at all costs. We will not allow criminals or terror groups to disrupt the peace and progress we have built.
Kogi remains one of the safest states in Nigeria, and we intend to keep it that way,” the statement concluded.
News
Breaking: ASUU suspends warning strike,Gives FG one month to tidy issues
President of ASUU, Chris Piwuna, explained that the development followed intervention by the Senate and some other well-meaning Nigerians.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, announced this morning the suspension of its two-week warning strike it declared last week across all public universities in the country.
The union announced the suspension on Wednesday at a press conference held at its headquarters in Abuja.
President of ASUU, Chris Piwuna, explained that the development followed intervention by the Senate and some other well-meaning Nigerians.
However, he said that the National Executive Council of the Union resolved to give the government a one-month window to address all contending areas.
News
Customs Launch Digital Vehicle Verification Platform to Combat Smuggling

In a landmark step toward modernising its operations, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday officially launched the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS) — a new digital platform that allows Nigerians to verify the clearance and duty payment status of imported vehicles in real time.
The platform, unveiled at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, is part of a broader reform initiative aimed at enhancing transparency, curbing smuggling, and improving service efficiency.
“This platform redefines how vehicle verification is conducted across Nigeria,” Adeniyi said. “For years, outdated systems left room for fraud, revenue leakage, and frustration. CVMS now introduces a simple, seamless, and secure way to verify a vehicle’s duty status — accessible from anywhere in the world.”
Developed Through Public-Private Partnership
The CVMS was developed in partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and Afripoint Consult, an indigenous tech firm, as part of the NCS’s digital transformation strategy. The platform, which has been in trial mode for two months, is now fully operational.
Users can verify vehicle clearance by entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and paying a ₦15,000 verification fee using any local or international debit or credit card.
“This is a homegrown solution to a long-standing problem,” Adeniyi said. “It empowers the public, importers, and dealers with verifiable data while eliminating manual bottlenecks and inconsistencies in our internal operations.”
Empowering Citizens, Supporting Enforcement
Adeniyi highlighted that the CVMS will democratise access to verified customs data, giving buyers and importers the confidence to transact with certainty and reducing fraud linked to fake customs papers.
“For the public, it brings transparency and ease of access. For our officers, it means smarter, faster, and more accountable customs operations,” he added.
He also noted that the platform supports the federal government’s broader digital agenda and will strengthen enforcement by providing officers with real-time data and analytics to detect anomalies and improve decision-making.
A Tool for Dealers and Law Enforcement
Ajibola Adetula, Managing Director of Afripoint Consult, described the CVMS as a “bifocal platform” serving both the public and customs officers.
“It allows users to confirm vehicle clearance instantly, while also helping enforcement agents verify documents, even outside working hours,” he said.
The platform is integrated with the NCS vehicle clearance database dating back to 2017, ensuring historical records are accessible and verifiable.
A Welcome Relief for Auto Dealers
Also present at the launch was Ajibola Adedoyin, Chairman of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, who called the system a long-overdue innovation.
“For years, we’ve asked for a reliable system to confirm clearance and reduce harassment of legitimate dealers. This gives us proof we can stand by when issues arise,” he said.
Part of a Broader Modernisation Drive
The CVMS is part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s 20-year Trade Modernisation Project, which seeks to improve trade facilitation, increase revenue, and reduce corruption in the customs process through automation and private sector collaboration.
It also comes amid growing concerns over fake customs documents and smuggled vehicles, which have led to revenue losses and frequent disputes between customs officers and dealers.
With CVMS, the NCS aims to close loopholes, restore public trust, and support the federal government’s goal of achieving a fully automated border and trade management system by 2030.
The launch marks another milestone in Customs’ journey towards digital transformation — ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability across Nigeria’s import and vehicle verification processes.
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