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
Akpabio threatens to throw Oshiomhole out of Senate, like Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan
Following the repeated cautions, Oshiomhole eventually backed down, allowing plenary to proceed without further interruptions.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday cautioned Senator Adams Oshiomhole over repeated interruptions during plenary, warning that he could face disciplinary action, including being removed from the chamber if the conduct persisted.
The incident occurred while Akpabio was reading the Votes and Proceedings of the previous sitting, when Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North, repeatedly raised “Point of Order,” interrupting the session.
The exchange is seen by observers as part of an ongoing tension between the two lawmakers, amid reported political undercurrents within the Senate.
At the start of proceedings, Oshiomhole’s persistent interjections drew the attention of the presiding officer, prompting Akpabio to call on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to advise his colleague on adherence to Senate rules.Kalu described Oshiomhole’s conduct as inappropriate, but the interruptions continued.
Responding, Akpabio reminded the former Edo State governor of the need to observe parliamentary procedures.
“If you are a senator, you must go by the rules,” he said, before ruling him out of order and striking the gavel.Despite the ruling, Oshiomhole continued to speak from his seat, insisting on being recognised.
The Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, also intervened, warning of possible disciplinary measures if the behaviour continued.
Akpabio reinforced the warning, stating that further disruption could lead to Oshiomhole being removed from the chamber.
Following the repeated cautions, Oshiomhole eventually backed down, allowing plenary to proceed without further interruptions.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has called on religious and traditional leaders nationwide to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and unity as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The SGF emphasized the critical role of faith-based and traditional institutions in preventing division and fostering understanding among citizens.
Speaking in Abuja at the first triannual meeting of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, themed “Religious Literacy for National Cohesion,” Akume urged leaders to intensify grassroots mobilisation, youth engagement, and collaboration to ensure peaceful electoral processes before, during, and after the polls.
He stressed that Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity makes tolerance and mutual understanding essential for national stability.
According to him, eliminating manipulation, stereotypes, and misinformation is key to preventing violence and strengthening trust within communities.
The SGF also highlighted the growing importance of religious literacy, noting that it must be complemented by media and information literacy, and urged citizens to verify information, reject hate speech, and resist divisive narratives, especially in an era of widespread misinformation.
He raised concerns over insecurity affecting the education sector, warning that attacks on schools and prolonged closures are worsening the country’s education challenges, calling for stronger implementation of safe school policies to ensure children can learn in secure environments.
Akume concluded by urging stakeholders including schools, media, and community leaders to work together in building a generation committed to peace, patriotism, and unity.and expressed confidence that the council’s deliberations would yield practical solutions to strengthen national cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Federal Government has warned state governments and school authorities against arbitrary closure of schools due to insecurity, stressing that such measures should only be taken as a last resort after exhausting all security options.
The government emphasised that indiscriminate school shutdowns disrupt learning, exacerbate the number of out-of-school children, and should not become the default response to security challenges.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, issued the warning on Wednesday, saying the Federal Government is collaborating with security agencies to strengthen protection for schools, particularly in vulnerable areas.
“While the safety of students, teachers and staff remains paramount, closing schools routinely is not the solution. We must prioritise securing the schools rather than shutting them down,” the minister stated.
The directive comes amid concerns over repeated disruptions to academic activities in parts of the country, especially in the North, where banditry and other security threats have previously forced temporary closures of public and unity schools.
Alausa urged state governors to work closely with federal authorities to implement safety measures, including the deployment of security personnel, installation of surveillance systems, and community engagement, instead of resorting to mass closures.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, who also spoke on the issue, called for a balanced approach that protects lives without sacrificing the future of Nigerian children through prolonged interruption of education.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to the Safe Schools Initiative and other programmes aimed at making educational institutions safer across the country.
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