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
Kogi closes schools following hints of bandits attack
He commended the security agencies for providing timely intelligence and assured residents that authorities are working around the clock to identify and dismantle criminal hideouts across the state.
The Kogi State Government on Tuesday ordered the temporary closure of all schools across the state until February 16, saying a stitch in time, saves students, teachers, and school facilities.
The State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, told journalists in Lokoja that the move was based on credible intelligence and was taken as a precautionary measure rather than out of fear.
” The government chose to act proactively to prevent potential threats and ensure the safety of everyone within the education system,” said Kingsley Femi Fanwo.
“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all relevant agencies to immediately put in place the necessary measures to guarantee that schools resume as soon as it is safe, without disrupting the academic calendar,” Fanwo said.
He commended the security agencies for providing timely intelligence and assured residents that authorities are working around the clock to identify and dismantle criminal hideouts across the state.
News
Again, bandit kills more than 20 people in Katsina community
Faskari Local Government Area is one of the frontline communities that had earlier entered into a communal peace agreement with armed bandits, raising fresh concerns over the sustainability of the peace process in the area.
A fresh bandit attack today on Doma, a community in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State’s Southern Senatorial District has left more than 20 people dead.
The Chairman of Faskari Local Government Council, Bala Ado, who confirmed the incident via telephone confirmed that several others sustained varying degrees of injuries, while more than one hundred residents have been displaced
The attack lasted for nearly three hours, from about noon to 3 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
He added that burial arrangements for the victims are expected to take place on Wednesday.
Faskari Local Government Area is one of the frontline communities that had earlier entered into a communal peace agreement with armed bandits, raising fresh concerns over the sustainability of the peace process in the area.
…..Renames Printing Corporation After Dan Agbese, Grants Clemency to 14 Inmates.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has announced measures to honour the state’s founding figures and notable contributors as part of activities marking the Golden Jubilee of Benue State’s creation.In a statewide live broadcast delivered from Government House, Makurdi, on Tuesday, the governor declared plans to immortalise late General Murtala Muhammed, the military Head of State who created Benue State on February 3, 1976, alongside six other states.
Governor Alia emphasised the importance of recognising past heroes whose actions laid the foundation for future generations, stating that Gen. Murtala Muhammed deserved permanent commemoration for birthing the state during his brief but impactful leadership.
In a related gesture, the governor announced the renaming of the Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation to Dan Agbese Printing and Publishing Corporation, in honour of the late veteran journalist and media icon, Chief Dan Agbese.
He further indicated that several other distinguished indigenes—both living and deceased—would have legacy institutions named after them, including the late Wanteregh Paul Unongo, Elder Isaac Shaahu, Senator Suemo Chia, Gen. Atom Kpera, late Tashaku Oradi, and numerous others who have made significant contributions to the state’s development.
As part of the jubilee celebrations, Governor Alia exercised his prerogative of mercy by granting full clemency and release to 14 inmates serving various prison terms. Additionally, one inmate, Terhumba Aondona, had his sentence commuted from 10 years to 4 years.
The beneficiaries of the clemency include Akaajime Imoter, Kongusu Terzugwe, Terngu Orshi, Ornaa Achagh, Zwa Achir, Terkimbi Amadu, Iorpenda Christian, Aondowaae Terlumun, Oriba John, Sughnen Terfa James, Akaahar Isaac, Ordam Thankgod, Gwayem Agba James, and Iorfa Terkimbi.
The announcements were contained in a statement signed by Sir Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State.
Benue State’s Golden Jubilee commemorates 50 years since its creation from parts of the former Benue-Plateau State, highlighting ongoing efforts to celebrate its history while addressing contemporary issues of justice and recognition.
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