Category: News

Amaechi made the declaration in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Wednesday, following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, as well as members of the State House of Assembly.

He called on well-meaning Nigerians to speak up, especially the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), whom he believed could reverse the President’s unlawful action.

The statement read in part: “Unequivocally, I condemn the rather brazen and unilaterally reckless suspension and removal of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“With this singular move, Mr President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold.

“Section 188 of the Nigeria Constitution, clearly stipulates how a State Governor can be removed from office. And it does not include a fiat declaration, decree or promulgation by Mr. President. Therefore, he cannot appropriate such powers to himself.

“A democratically elected State Governor cannot be removed from office by a proclamation of Mr. President. The suspension of two key democratically elected arms of Government in Rivers State by Mr. President evidently violates our Constitution, even within the scope and interpretation of Section 305 that the President cited in his broadcast.

“The unlawful suspension of elected democratic institutions in my dear Rivers State points to a brazen attempt at power grab in the State by forces and persons who do not have such Constitutional powers.

“The unfolding events in Rivers State in the past months, points to a clear orchestrated plot by some persons to unconstitutionally perpetrate and impose themselves on the people.

“At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy. Mr President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand.

“Politicians across divides should speak up; rise to halt our nation’s descent into totalitarianism. State Governors and Legislators should speak up now. I urge the National Assembly to reject this illegality.

“As a former State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum(NGF), I am not unaware of the role elected Governors in the country can play to halt this descent and reverse the unlawful actions of Mr. President. I commend the Governors that have spoken against the unlawful suspension.

“The suspension is a very dangerous affront on Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy.” Leadership

President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd) as the sole administrator of Rivers State.

Meanwhile, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the just relieved Governor of the state left the government house, Port Harcourt, alongside his family and all security details.

On the new man in charge of the state, the swearing in ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with key government officials in attendance. They include Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and Presidential Principal Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

President Tinubu’s decision to appoint a sole administrator follows his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, March 18.

Also, he suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

The political crisis in Rivers State has been brewing for months, fueled by a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The conflict has led to divisions within the state’s government, including the defection of 27 lawmakers from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, further destabilising governance in the oil-rich state.

In a national broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the extraordinary measure, invoking Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution to justify the declaration.

Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd) is a former Chief of Naval Staff who served from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

His appointment is seen as an effort to restore order and stability in Rivers State, with Tinubu emphasising that his role is temporary and aimed at ensuring governance continues uninterrupted.

However, the decision has sparked mixed reactions across the country, with critics arguing that the suspension of elected officials is unconstitutional and amounts to an assault on democracy.

Former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi and several other political figures have called on the National Assembly, governors, and stakeholders to reject what they describe as illegality.

The situation remains tense as Nigerians await further legislative actions from the National Assembly, which have yet to deliberate on the president’s proclamation.

Meanwhile, Fubara has left the premises of the government house, Port Harcourt alongside his family and all security details.

The Governor reportedly left the seat of power “very late” on Tuesday night shortly after the emergency rule declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to a close source.

Also, security at the government house remains scanty as at 2p.m. Wednesday afternoon. But two Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC, were seen stationed in front of government house with a handful of security operatives.

Normal activities are on in Port Harcourt and its environs as of the time of filing this report. It was clear that many residents of the state were yet to come to terms with what has just befall them.

Vanguard reporter, who monitored the situation in government house, reported that machinery has been put in place to receive Ibas, as 15 soldiers were seen inside the government house ahead of the expected visit of the presidential administrator.

Meanwhile, the exact whereabouts of the Governor Fubara and his family were unknown at the time of filing this report. Vanguard

The governors, under the aegis of PDP Governors Forum, who cautioned the president that his action was an ill-wind that will blow no one any good, urged him to listen to wise counsel and the voice of reason and reverse the “atrocious and retrograde decision” before it is too late.

Describing the declaration as an unwarranted but premeditated attack on the state and the opposition, they warned that it will exacerbate the crises in the nation, deepen mistrust, elevate security threats, destroy the economy, and national cohesion and stability.

Chairman of the Forum and Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, made the position of the opposition governors known in a statement early Wednesday.

The statement read, “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) notes with grave concern and utter misgiving the suspension of democratic rule in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast of Tuesday, 18th March, 2025.

“We stand in solidarity with His Excellency , Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and the good people of Rivers State at this very difficult and trying moment of the state’s political history. There is no other time that our philosophy of “TOUCH ONE TOUCH ALL” is more apt than now.

“He who goes to the court of equity must go with clean hands. Mr. President, your silence on the active role played by your Minister of the FCT in the Rivers impasse is golden and enabling. He has become a law unto himself because he was playing out your script. Now we know. This is totally unstatemanly, biased, and divisive.

“We state categorically that this unwarranted but premeditated attack on Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party and other opposition parties is today, the greatest threat to democracy in our dear country, Nigeria and it is an ill wind that will blow no one any good. It is a dangerous course of action that will not only endanger our hard won democracy, but will exacerbate the crises in the nation, deepen mistrust, elevate security threats, destroy the economy, and our national cohesion and stability.

“The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in it’s response signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has already expressed grave concern about the purported suspension by the President of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor, and the Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The NBA affirmed their commitment to upholding the Constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria. In their words, ‘A state of emergency is an extraordinary measure that must be invoked strictly within constitutional limits. The removal of elected officials under the pretext of emergency rule is unconstitutional and unacceptable’.

“The Forum completely aligns itself with the NBA and promises to subject Section 305 (3) of the Constitution to judicial interpretation. This authoritarian shenanigan is unacceptable and cannot stand.

“Mr President is therefore called upon to listen to wise counsel and the voice of reason, as well as accept that he made grievous mistakes and acted in haste, and reverse this atrocious and retrograde decision before it is too late.” Leadership

Eminent lawyer Dr. Wahab Shittu argued that the president acted in the overall interest of the country.

He said: “Law and order is central to democratic governance, and the situation in Rivers State was getting out of hand. A threat to security anywhere is a threat to security everywhere.

“The president as the chief security of the country has a responsibility to deliver peace and security in any part of the country.”

But, another SAN, Kunle Edun, argued that the President lacked the powers.

He said: “The provisions of Section 305 relied upon by President Tinubu do not empower the President to remove or suspend elected state officials.

“Section 305(3) of the Constitution prescribed the grounds upon which a State of Emergency can be declared and none of the reasons alluded to by the President justifies the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

“As a matter of fact, under Section 305(4), the governor of a state, supported by a resolution of 2/3 majority of the members of the House of Assembly, may request the President to declare a state of emergency on any part of the state.

“The Supreme Court has already settled the issues causing the crisis in the state and the House of Assembly had started sitting.

“Governor Fubara was at the House of Assembly complex to present the 2025 budget in response to the demand of the Rivers’ State House of Assembly.

“So, Mr. President was very wrong to say that there was no longer a functional government in Rivers State simply because the House of Assembly complex was demolished.

“Furthermore, the Constitution has already provided remedial provisions to take care of situations where a House of Assembly is unable to perform its Legislative functions.

“Section 11(4) of the Constitution provides that at any time when a House of Assembly is unable to perform its functions by reason of situations prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make law for the peace, order and good government of that state with respect to matters which the House of Assembly have power to make laws until such a time when the House is able to resume its functions.

“The proviso to Section 11(4) is very apposite to understand the limitations of the power of the President.

“The proviso provides that the intervention of the National Assembly by virtue of its powers under section 11(4) shall not confer on the National Assembly the power to remove the governor or deputy governor of the state.

“Therefore, the Constitution is clear that there is no power conferred on any authority to remove or suspend a governor, the deputy or the House of Assembly of a state during a period of State of Emergency.

“As a matter of fact and clear law, the President violated his oath of allegiance to protect, defend and abide by the provisions of the Constitution.

“A state House of Assembly cannot be suspended by the President.

“Rather, it is the National Assembly that has the constitutional power to take over the legislative functions of the State.

“Therefore, the Constitution did not envisage a situation where a State will be without a legislature at any time.”

For professor of law Sam Erugo, the declaration is in order given the circumstances.

Erugo said: “It is obvious there is a breakdown of law and order in the state.

“However, the situation could have been contained before it got to this point by the presidency.”

Lawyer and Executive Director Cadrell Advocacy Centre, Evans Ufeli, agreed, noting that the political tension and crisis in Rivers State has reached a state of “clear and present danger” which represents the ground for drastic action.

He said: “The action is, however, not completed; the President has published same in the Official Gazette containing a proclamation and transmitted it to the National Assembly in compliance with section 305 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

“The National Assembly must within two days act on same by giving its concurrence to it before the process can become valid in the eyes of the law.

“A state of emergency is more like an equitable remedy targeted at restoring peace to a country or any part thereof in the face of a clear and present danger.

“The purpose of this is both preventive and curative, largely for the continuous peaceful habitation of a nation, to restore peace and tranquillity in times of chaos and promote regular and peaceful co-existence of all states and nations of Nigeria.

“The President suspended the State House of Assembly together with the governor and that is controversial because same can be challenged.

“I am not a fan of the Rivers State House of Assembly but there’s an overreach there. Can the President suspend the State House of Assembly? The days to come will tell.” Nation

According to a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the broadcast will air at 7 p.m. on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

All television and radio stations across the country have been requested to link up with the transmission.

While details of the address were not disclosed, the speech is expected to touch on key developments in Rivers State, where recent political and security concerns have drawn national attention. 

The Senate has passed for second reading, a bill mandating social media platforms to have physical and verifiable offices within Nigeria.

The bill also proposed that bloggers operating in Nigeria must have clear records and data of their employees.

It is titled ‘A Bill for an Act to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to mandate the establishment of physical offices within the territorial boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by social media platforms, and for related matters (SB.648).’

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, declared the passage of the bill for second reading during plenary after most of the senators supported it through voice votes.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Cyber Security for further deliberation and a public hearing.

The committee was directed to report back within two months.

The bill also proposed that bloggers operating in Nigeria must have clear records and data of their employees.

It was sponsored by Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta North Senatorial District.

Nwoko, while leading debate on the bill, argued that it would ensure that digital businesses contribute a certain percentage to Nigeria’s revenue.

He said the bill was not proposed to attack social media platforms but a way of increasing the revenue of the country through the digital space.

The senator explained that the inability of social media platforms to have identifiable physical offices in Nigeria has led to several challenges.

He listed the challenges to include, limited representation for resolving user complaints, managing content specific to Nigeria, increasing loss of economic opportunities, employment generation, and legal compliance.

He said: “I rise this day to lead the debate on a matter that is not only of national importance but is also central to Nigeria’s sovereignty, economy and technological development.

“The bill before us, seeks to correct a glaring omission in how multinational social media companies engage with our country.

“This bill was read for the first time on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

“Our dear nation, Nigeria, is not just the most populous country in Africa; we are also one of the most active when it comes to digital engagement.

“With over 220 million people, social media has become an essential part of our daily lives.

“According to the Global Web Index as reported by Business Insider Africa, Nigerians rank first in Africa and second globally in terms of daily social media usage, spending an average of three hours and 46 minutes online.

“Platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat have become indispensable to millions of our people.

“These platforms are not just tools of communication; they are ecosystems that influence our politics, shape public opinion, drive entrepreneurship, and provide avenues for education and entertainment.

“However, despite the enormous user base and the value generated from Nigerian participation, these multinational corporations have no physical offices in Nigeria.

“This stands in sharp contrast to their presence in other countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Singapore and Australia, where they maintain offices to address regional concerns, manage content policies and build partnerships.

“The absence of physical offices for these social media giants in Nigeria presents major challenges, including, limited local representation.”

He also said the lack of a local presence of social media platforms creates a disconnect between the platforms and their Nigerian user base.

Nwoko said the absence of physical offices has deprived Nigerians, numerous opportunities.

According to him, “Economically, it denies Nigeria the benefits of job creation in areas such as customer service, content moderation, legal compliance and marketing.

“Imagine the thousands of young Nigerians who could be employed by these companies, gaining valuable skills and contributing to our economy.

“Technology transfer is another area where Nigeria stands to benefit immensely. Countries like China and South Korea became leaders in electronics and automobile manufacturing by fostering local partnerships with foreign firms and adapting their technologies.

“If these social media giants establish a local presence, Nigerian engineers, developers, and tech professionals will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best minds in the world and  adapt cutting-edge technologies.

“The legal implications of their absence are equally concerning. Without physical offices in Nigeria, enforcing data protection laws, resolving disputes, and safeguarding user rights becomes a complex process.

“This bill seeks to simplify this process by ensuring that these platforms are physically present to respond to the unique needs of their Nigerian users and comply with our laws.

“This bill, therefore, is not an attack on these platforms. It is a call for equity and fairness. It is a demand for respect and recognition of Nigeria’s status as a global leader in digital engagement.

“In furtherance of our commitment to a structured and accountable digital space, this Bill also mandates that all bloggers operating in Nigeria must establish a verifiable office in any of the capital cities across the country.

“They must keep proper records of their employees and belong to a recognized national association of bloggers, which shall have its headquarters in Abuja.

“We cannot continue to have a situation where individuals operate anonymously, spreading information—sometimes false—without any structure or accountability.

“Just like traditional media houses, bloggers must be properly registered and regulated to ensure professionalism, transparency and responsibility in their operations.

Nwoko therefore called on the lawmakers to support passage of the bill

After the passage, Akpabio said the bill was not an attempt to regulate the social media but to increase revenue of the country.

“The world has gone digital. I’ve taken cognisance of the need that those who are in the business of ICT needs to have a physical address but bloggers are slightly different because they can do their business from anywhere.

“While we’re in public hearing, people should be invited for their views. I don’t want the world to misunderstand us that the Senate wants to gag social media, it is about tax. For the purpose of tax, this is a good bill,”  Akpabio added. Thisday

The letter was read yesterday by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

According to President Tinubu’s letter, the nominees are Umar Yusuf Garba, Kano State; Saad Umar, Bauchi State;
Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako, Anambra State; Umar Mukhtar, Borno State and Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, Bayelsa State.

The letter read, “in compliance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the following: Umar Yusuf Garba, Kano State; Saad Umar, Bauchi State; Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako, Anambra State;
Umar Mukhtar, Borno State and Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, Bayelsa State.

“The Distinguished Senate President is invited to kindly note that this letter which supersedes my earlier one referenced PRES/134/2 dated 12th March is occasioned by my reconsideration and approval of the Commissioner from Borno state, Umar Mukhtar, for reappointment for a second term.

“While hoping that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominees in the usual expeditious manner, please accept Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.” Vanguard

This was disclosed in a statement released on Tuesday by Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, on behalf of the family.

According to the statement, Kanu decided to represent himself to ensure a fair hearing without the legal delays that have hindered his case.

The statement reads, “On Friday, 21 March 2025, when the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu resumes before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court Abuja, he will be taking the bold step of defending himself in court.

“This development signals a critical juncture in this case that has already exposed deep-seated concerns about the Nigerian judiciary’s handling of matters tied to the legitimate agitation for Biafra’s self-determination.

“The absence of traditional legal representation will dismantle the usual, ‘as my lord pleases’ constraints that govern judicial proceedings in Nigeria, that has for decades allowed the courts to brazenly subvert the cause of justice under a cloak of deference that shield rather than expose injustice.

“The very foundations of the institutional bias that has long plagued this case will be laid bare for the world to see.

“This decision by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu comes on the heels of successfully forcing the recusal of Justice Binta Nyako who brazenly defied the Supreme Court of Nigeria through her delective implementation of the termination contained in their judgment. She was hell-bent on convicting a person for exercising a right that the laws of Nigeria stated unambiguously that he could.”

It added, “The handling of this case by the Federal Government has been marred by prejudice and unfairness from day one. Onyendu’s shift to self-defence underscores our distrust in a system perceived to be stacked against us and the cause he champions. It also places an immense burden on Justice Omotosho to uphold the principles of fair hearing, fair trial, and the rule of law—principles that have too often been undermined in this politically charged sham trial.

“The world is watching. Any failure by Justice Omotosho to ensure justice is not only done but seen to be done will further erode confidence in a judiciary already criticised for its selective application of the law. The stakes could not be higher, and the implications of this trial extend far beyond the courtroom.”

His trial has now been reassigned to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

This comes after Justice Binta Nyako, who had previously handled the case, stepped down following an earlier court order. Kanu had strongly objected to her attempt to continue presiding over the matter during his last court appearance.

Since June 2021, Kanu has been held in solitary confinement at the Department of State Services headquarters in Abuja, following his controversial arrest and extradition from Kenya. Punch

Wike issued the revocation notice in a letter dated March 13, 2025, titled, “Notice of right of occupancy with file no: MISC 81346 in respect of plot no: 243 within central area district, Abuja,” on Tuesday.

It was signed by the Director, Land Administration (FTC), Chijioke Nwankwoeze.

According to him, the opposition party has failed to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for twenty (20) years, from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025, despite many publications in several national dailies and electronic media to pay up every outstanding bill and ground rent on its property.

The letter read, “I have been directed to refer to the above Right of Occupancy granted to PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT and inform you that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja.

“The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for twenty (20) years, from 1st of January 2006 to 1st of January 2025. This is despite the many publications made by the FCT Administration since 2023 in several national dailies and on electronic media requesting all allottees of plots in the Federal Capital Territory to pay up every outstanding bill and ground rent on their property.

“You would please note that the said breaches by PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT (MISC 81346) run contrary to the provisions of Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.”

The minister added that the FCTA administration he led will henceforth take immediate possession of the party secretariat until all bills are settled. Punch