By Bayo Onanuga Imagine a Rivers State where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hesitated to declare a state of emergency. The political standoff between the State Assembly and Governor Siminalayi Fubara could have continued and degenerated into violence. Impeachment threats might have spurred attacks on lawmakers by the governor’s supporters, while militants in the creeks—primed to sabotage critical oil infrastructure—could have plunged Nigeria’s oil production back to pre-2023 lows. Sensational reporting of the crisis by journalists and opportunistic litigation would have inflamed tensions further, paralysing governance and risking lives. Schools and hospitals would shutter; investors would flee. We can only imagine…
Author: Ayo Oye
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By Tunde Rahman As the leadership crisis rocking Rivers State escalated into the destruction of vital oil and gas infrastructure amid looming impeachment threats against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu, President Bola Tinubu wielded the big stick last Tuesday imposing a state of emergency on the oil rich state. He suspended the governor, his deputy and the inflexible state House of Assembly for a period of six months, and appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), as the administrator of the state. Following his inauguration on Wednesday, Ibas has begun the critical assignment.…
The Federal Government (FG), has called on stakeholders in the water sector to intensify their efforts in supporting initiatives that will enhance Nigeria’s water security and contribute to peace and development. Speaking at the commemoration of the 2025 World Water Day, themed Glacier Preservation, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Utsev, stated that the government will continue to strengthen policies on climate adaptation, enhance flood control systems, and invest in sustainable water infrastructure. Prof. Utsev further highlighted the various roles stakeholders should implement to enhance water security, adding that “State governments should implement local water conservation…
By Tony Obiechina Abuja A total sum of N1.678 trillion, being February 2025 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils. The revenue was shared at the March 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja; chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. The meeting was attended by the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi. The total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion comprised distributable statutory revenue of N827.633 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N 609.430 billion, Electronic Money Transfer…
WASHINGTON – It appears there could soon be an end in sight to Russia war with Ukraine as United States President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy agreed on Wednesday to work towards achieving peace. The White House described the deal as a “fantastic” one-hour phone call, according to REUTERS. In their first conversation since an Oval Office shouting match on February 28, Zelenskiy thanked Trump for U.S. support and the two leaders agreed that technical teams would meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days. Zelenskiy asked Trump for more air defence support to protect his country against…
The arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu, a leading opposition of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP) by authorities has sparked protest across Turkey. This is coming just days before he was due to be selected as a presidential candidate. Ekrem Imamoglu, is seen as one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strongest political rivals, BBC reports. Prosecutors accused him of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, calling him a “criminal organisation leader suspect”. Police detained 100 people – including other politicians, journalists and businessmen – as part of the investigation, and the Istanbul governor’s office has imposed four…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not sack the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, because of the sentiments being expressed in different quarters on the Rivers crisis. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, disclosed this on Wednesday, while addressing a press conference on the development in Rivers State. Prompt News reports that President Tinubu, while addressing the nation on Tuesday night, declared a State of Emergency in the oil-rich state. Consequently, he suspended governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy as well as members of the House of Assembly. He also appointed a retired Chief…
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has defended the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Prompt News reports that the President, Tuesday night, following the declaration suspended governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy. He also appointed Vice Admiral Ibas as a Sole Administrator for the next six months. Briefing State House Correspondent on Wednesday, Fagbemi said: “It’s no longer news that the president of the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, yesterday, took the bull by the horns to do what was required of a…
The suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has reacted to the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night. In a statement he personally signed, Fubara urged the residents of the state to remain calm. He also expressed optimism that they would navigate through the unfortunate moment in the state’s political history. Read the full statement below: My dear Rivers People, I address you today with a deep sense of responsibility and calm, as we navigate this unfortunate moment in our state’s political history. Since assuming office as your Governor, all my actions and decisions have…
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has hinted of plans to probe the reported sinking of $10 million in the State-owned newspaper, The Nigerian Observer by the immediate-past governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki. Governor Okpebholo disclosed this when he led top officials of his administration on an unscheduled visit to the premises of the Observer titles to inspect facilities on ground. The Governor and his entourage were shocked as they could not gain access to the buildings where all the machines purportedly bought by the previous administration were kept. Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie as well…