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

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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.

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Google’s new feature allows users to change their Gmail addresses without losing data

According to the support page, the option isn’t available to everyone just yet. To see if your account qualifies, you’ll need to access your Google Account on a computer. From there, head to Personal info, select Email and tap Google Account email. If the setting can’t be opened, it likely means your account isn’t eligible at this time.

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•(Credit: Idrees Abbas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Google says it’s coming out with a support feature that allows users to change their Gmail usernames.

The discovery came from a Google Account support page, initially spotted in Hindi, that outlines the option for eligible users to modify their Gmail address while keeping the same account.

“The email address associated with your Google Account is the address you use to sign in to Google services. This email address helps you and others identify your account. If you’d like, you can change your Google Account email address that ends in gmail.com to a new email address that ends in gmail.com,” the page reads, as translated by Google.

How to check if you can change your Gmail address

According to the support page, the option isn’t available to everyone just yet. To see if your account qualifies, you’ll need to access your Google Account on a computer. From there, head to Personal info, select Email and tap Google Account email. If the setting can’t be opened, it likely means your account isn’t eligible at this time.

Accounts tied to workplaces, schools or organizations may require administrator approval, while most standard Gmail users will have to wait until the feature reaches their region.

How to edit your email address

If the option appears, users can edit their email address by selecting Edit next to their current Gmail.

The new username must not already be in use by another Google Account. After entering the new address, Google will send a verification link to confirm the change.

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Tinubu Insists New Tax Reforms Will Proceed on January 1, 2026, Despite Public Debate

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu affirmed on Tuesday that Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws would commence as scheduled on January 1, 2026, dismissing calls for delays amid ongoing controversies.

In a State House press statement personally signed by the President, he declared that the reforms—including provisions already in effect since June 26, 2025, and the remaining acts set for the new year—would continue without disruption.

Tinubu described the measures as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to establish a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for the country. He emphasized that the laws were not intended to increase tax burdens but to facilitate a structural reset, promote harmonization, protect citizens’ dignity, and strengthen the social contract between government and the people.

The President urged stakeholders to support the implementation phase, now in its delivery stage, while acknowledging public discourse over alleged alterations to certain provisions.

He stated that no substantial issues had been identified to justify halting the process, adding that trust in governance is earned through consistent, principled decisions rather than reactive changes.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to due process and the integrity of enacted legislation, Tinubu pledged collaboration with the National Assembly to promptly address any legitimate concerns.

He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would always prioritize the public interest, delivering a tax system that fosters prosperity, fairness, and shared responsibility.

The statement came amid debates surrounding the four tax reform acts signed into law earlier in 2025, with two already operational and the others poised to take effect in the new year.

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Shocks as Enugu monarch dies a day before 90th birthday

The Preparations for the grand celebrations, scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, 2025, were already underway, with billboards announcing the monarch’s milestone birthday hoisted across the community.

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•HRH Igwe PD Uzochukwu (Ezudo I of Mgbidi).

The people of Ezineze Mgbidi Autonomous Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, have been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of their traditional ruler, HRH Igwe PD Uzochukwu (Ezudo I of Mgbidi). This was just 24 hours before his 90th birthday and 38th coronation anniversary.

The Preparations for the grand celebrations, scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, 2025, were already underway, with billboards announcing the monarch’s milestone birthday hoisted across the community.

Many subjects had returned home in anticipation of the event when news broke that the Igwe had been rushed to a hospital due to a health complication.

The monarch passed away in a private hospital in Enugu metropolis, leaving his family and subjects devastated.

His son, Prince Emeka Uzochukwu, confirmed the death ,saying that the palace never expected the monarch’s demise.

Igwe Uzochukwu, who ascended the throne 38 years ago, succeeded Chief G. I. Oko and oversaw the division of Mgbidi into two autonomous communities – Ezineze Mgbidi and Ezineri Communities.

He explained that Igwe Uzochukwu had gone for a routine medical checkup to ensure he was fit for the celebrations before his health suddenly deteriorated.

“Being with him at the hospital before he passed, it was difficult to accept that the Igwe was truly gone,” Prince Emeka said. In a show of respect, community members observed a minute of silence during a town hall meeting at Central School Mgbidi.

Theophilus Nzeh, Esq, President General of Mgbidi Central Union, described the death as a monumental loss to the two autonomous communities in Mgbidi.

Igwe Uzochukwu, who ascended the throne 38 years ago, succeeded Chief G. I. Oko and oversaw the division of Mgbidi into two autonomous communities – Ezineze Mgbidi and Ezineri Communities.

He will be remembered for his leadership, vision, and contributions to the development of his people.

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