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Tinubu erred by removing Fubara, dep – Lawyers

Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa and Abeny Mohammed on Tuesday faulted the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The SANs described the declaration of emergency state as well as the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, as unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Following the political crisis in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state and suspended Fubara, Odu and members of the state House of Assembly for a period of six months.
In a nationwide broadcast, the president nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state.
Rivers State has been embroiled in a crisis since last year when the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and the governor fell out with each other.
The situation led to the alleged defection of 27 members of the state assembly loyal to Wike. The lawmakers subsequently lost their seats but were later reinstated by the Supreme Court.
Before declaring the state of emergency, Tinubu had, earlier yesterday, met with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas as well as National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, service chiefs and heads of other security agencies at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
But a ranking senator said yesterday that the president meeting the leadership of the national assembly was not enough as there was the need for the input of other members
“Why the rush? Why putting a retired soldier to take over? It is wrong to encourage military incursion in politics in whatever guise.
What the president did amounts to error of judgement and it will escalate tension in the Niger Delta. It is illegal,” he said.
Lawyers speak
Adegboruwa (SAN) called on the president to rescind his decision to remove the elected government officials in Rivers State and allow democratic process to be applied in dealing with issues.
“The action of Mr President is premeditated and showed that he is biased,” Adegboruwa alleged.
“I don’t support the actions of the governor or the FCT minister, but the declaration has upended the democratic will of the people of Rivers State.“ The action of the president is unwarranted, undemocratic and uncalled for.”
Adegboruwa also questioned why Osun and Benue states, with issues of local government dispute and Lagos State where two speakers of the state assembly emerged in one day had not been met with a state of emergency.
Similarly, Abeny Mohammed said the action taken by the president was extreme and unconstitutional.
He stated: “The Rivers State governor was elected into office by the people in accordance with the constitution and can only be removed in accordance with the constitution.”
However, Dayo Akinlaja (SAN), said the matter was beyond legal analysis as the crisis in Rivers State was an “upshot of a political crisis.”
It’s political manipulation – Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday described the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as political manipulation.
He accused the president of being a partisan actor in the crisis, saying “Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers.
“His blatant refusal — or calculated negligence — in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful,” Atiku said.
The presidential candidate of the PDP in the last election in a post on his verified Facebook page said, “Beyond the political scheming in Rivers, the brazen security breaches that led to the condemnable destruction of national infrastructure in the state land squarely on the president’s desk.
“Tinubu cannot evade responsibility for the chaos his administration has either enabled or failed to prevent.
“It is an unforgivable failure that under Tinubu’s watch, the Niger Delta has been thrown back into an era of violent unrest and instability — undoing the hard-won peace secured by the late President Umaru Yar’adua.
Years of progress have been recklessly erased in pursuit of selfish political calculations.
“If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the president bears full responsibility.
Punishing the people of Rivers State just to serve the political gamesmanship between the governor and Tinubu’s enablers in the federal government is nothing less than an assault on democracy and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
Why I declared state of emergency in Rivers – Tinubu
In his broadcast, the president said he was disturbed at the turn of events in the political crisis in the state.
He said, “With the crisis persisting, there is no way democratic governance, which we have all fought and worked for over the years can thrive in a way that will benefit the good people of the state.
“The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy.
”The president added, “Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now not disowned them.
“Apart from that both the House and the governor have not been able to work together.
Both of them do not realise that they are in office to work together for the peace and good governance of the state.
“Latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them.
I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.”
The president said based on the situation, he was invoking the provisions of Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) “to declare a state of emergency on the state and that it takes effect from Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” he said.
News
NNPCL says rising cooking gas price caused by PENGASSAN strike
The strike, triggered by the dismissal of Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery, disrupted fuel and gas operations nationwide before it was suspended on October 1 following federal government intervention.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, has attributed the recent spike in cooking gas prices to the temporary halt in operations caused by the strike action of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
Ojulari emphasized that the industrial action disrupted loading and distribution for several days, creating an artificial price surge.
“The increase you saw was relatively artificial because during the strike, movement and loading were delayed by about two to three days,” he explained.
“As operations normalise, it will take a little time for distribution and pricing to stabilise.”
He also accused some retailers of exploiting the brief supply gap to inflate prices, noting that “some people with existing stock took advantage of the situation to raise prices.”
Ojulari assured Nigerians that cooking gas prices would gradually return to pre-strike levels as supply chains recover.
The strike, triggered by the dismissal of Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery, disrupted fuel and gas operations nationwide before it was suspended on October 1 following federal government intervention.
The Dangote Group later agreed to reinstate the affected workers, paving the way for normal operations and stabilisation of gas prices.
News
National Assembly warns parliamentary staff against picketing during plenary
In a circular issued on Sunday by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the management warned that any attempt to disrupt legislative activities would attract severe disciplinary measures.

The management of the National Assembly has cautioned aggrieved parliamentary workers against carrying out their planned protest and picketing of the complex as lawmakers resume plenary on Tuesday.
The warning followed threats by some members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria to embark on industrial action over alleged unresolved welfare and constitutional issues affecting staff.
In a circular issued on Sunday by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the management warned that any attempt to disrupt legislative activities would attract severe disciplinary measures.
Essien stated, “It must be emphasised that membership of PASAN or any union is entirely voluntary.
Any staff member, whether an executive or regular member, who is dissatisfied with the conduct of union affairs may freely withdraw their membership in accordance with established rules.”
He explained that within seven months of assuming office, the current management had embarked on several administrative reforms aimed at improving efficiency and boosting staff morale.
Essien further warned, “In light of recent developments, the Management hereby instructs all Staff to ignore any calls for industrial action, including ‘work-to-rule’ or ‘unlawful picketing’.
Your safety and security within the National Assembly Complex are assured, and we urge you to proceed with your official duties without any fear or intimidation.”
News
Hon Rotimi Olowo, Chief Zebrudaya alias 4.30, and other top Nigerians for Virtuous Widows Int’l Foundation Awards
Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, the Founder and International President, informed journalists in Lagos that the awards will be presented during an empowerment seminar scheduled for November 22, 2025.

• Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, Founder/International President, addressed the widows during one of their outreach programmes, recently.
The Virtuous Widows International Foundation, a local non-governmental organisation focused on empowering Nigerian widows nationwide, has finalised plans to honour prominent Nigerians with prestigious awards in recognition of their services to humanity, particularly for indigent widows and the less privileged in society.
Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, the Founder and International President, informed journalists in Lagos that the awards will be presented during an empowerment seminar scheduled for November 22, 2025.
The theme of the seminar is “Come, Let’s Build Together,” and it will take place at the auditorium of Queens College, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos.
“During the event, we will recognise men and women who have a passion for helping widows,” she stated.
“We have identified several individuals who will receive awards to appreciate their support, belief in our mission, and understanding of the challenges faced by Nigerian widows.”
When asked about the notable figures receiving the awards, Mrs Toyin Badmus, the NGO’s Vice President, revealed that one of the honorees is Honourable Rotimi Olowo from Somolu Local Government in Lagos State. She emphasised that Hon. Olowo is passionate about assisting the less privileged.
During his tenure as a House of Assembly member representing Somolu, he empowered numerous people and helped thousands of youths, many of whom might have otherwise become vagabonds.
“He provided buses and tricycles for them to operate, giving them meaningful lives,” she explained.
“He has also reached out to physically challenged individuals, touching the lives of women, orphans, and widows.
He has proven himself to be committed to humanitarian service, which is why we have deemed him worthy of this award.
“Another personality on the list is Dr Hamza Al-Mustapha, who has been a strong supporter of the foundation.
“Our board of directors has also selected Chief Chika Okpala (alias ZB 4.30) for his role in the memorable defunct television comedy series ‘New Masquerade’ on NTA.
In the 70s and 80s, he brought joy to many viewers across the country through this program.”
Additionally, Dr Mrs. Oyindamola Obabori, the current principal of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, will be honoured.
“She has made significant contributions in her capacity, particularly in training young girls at Queens College.
As we know, training women empowers the entire nation, and her leadership has produced many successful individuals.
“Chief (Dr.) Alexander Chika Okafor of Chikason Group of Companies will also receive the prestigious award.
For 17 years, he has consistently uplifted people’s spirits through his philanthropic activities.
Regarding the membership strength of the NGO, Mrs Badmus shared that it started with just nine members and gradually grew to 11, then 21, and 200 at its inception.
“Today, if there are seven million widows in Nigeria, I have five million under our umbrella as members. They come out in large numbers wherever I go, unless I do not call them.
Our membership spans across Nigeria and extends to countries like Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cotonou, Senegal, and Tanzania, all seeking to establish chapters.
However, as the saying goes, ‘charity begins at home’; I have not yet completed outreach in all 36 states of Nigeria due to the challenges of insecurity.”
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