Category: Trending

Tributes pour in for ‘knockout artist’ George Foreman

Boxing enthusiasts in Nigeria have paid tribute to former U.S. heavyweight boxer, George Foreman, who died on March 21 at the age of 76.

They shared their thoughts with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Saturday, following the death of the boxing legend.

NAN reports that the renowned pugilist passed away at his Houston home, surrounded by his loving family.

Mathew Okugbe, Co-ordinator of Yucateco Boxing Promotions, described Foreman’s passing as a sad loss for the global boxing community.

He noted that Foreman elevated the sport with relentless energy and admirable sportsmanship, earning respect from fans and rivals alike.

“It’s a painful demise. Despite his age, we didn’t expect it. He remained a professional, committed to becoming one of the sport’s greatest,” Okugbe said.

He recalled Foreman’s iconic 1974 fight against Muhammad Ali, famously called the ‘Rumble in the Jungle,’ still regarded as a historic boxing event.

“His skills were matched only by the best of his era. His victories drew crowds who came to witness his unmatched power,” Okugbe added.

He also praised Foreman’s tactics and discipline, which continue to inspire and shape young boxers around the world.

“We watch his fights on YouTube, using them to train young fighters to master his techniques and develop strategic prowess.

“Indeed, we will miss him. He will always be remembered for his immense contribution to the sport,” Okugbe said.

Similarly, Azania Omo-Agege, Interim President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, said Foreman’s death was a significant loss to boxing’s global community.

“Like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, he was a father figure in the sport who drew people to boxing through his passion and skill.

“He was an icon known for his doggedness and talent, performing at the highest level and entertaining fans even at age 45.

“My deepest thoughts go to his family. May they find comfort in the legacy he left behind. May his soul rest in peace,” Omo-Agege said.

Also, Dapo Akinyele, former Secretary General of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, described Foreman’s passing as a huge loss to boxing.

“Foreman gave his all in every bout. He was a great entertainer whenever he stepped into the ring.

“He fought at the highest level, facing tough opponents in his prime. His 1974 fight with Ali remains unforgettable.

“His knowledge and contributions shaped the sport, inspiring younger boxers to pursue greatness,” Akinyele said.

Foreman recorded 81 fights, with 76 wins, including 68 by knockout, and only five losses in his professional boxing career.

He is considered one of the greatest heavyweights ever, remembered globally as a boxing icon and legend of the sport.

Born on January 10, 1949, Foreman was also a businessman, minister, and author, with a career spanning from 1967 to 1997.

Nicknamed “Big George,” he was a two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist in 1968.

Outside the ring, he gained fame for promoting the George Foreman Grill, which became a popular household brand.

His family released a statement on Instagram, saying, “Our hearts are broken at the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr.

“He died peacefully on March 21, surrounded by loved ones. A devout preacher, loving husband, and proud father and grandfather.

“A humanitarian and two-time world champion, he was deeply respected — a man of faith, humility, and discipline.

“He fought to preserve his name and legacy for his family. We thank everyone for the love and ask for privacy at this time,” the family said.

March 22, 2025
Rivers: Suspension of Fubara, lawmakers dents Nigeria’s image — Jonathan

Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has said that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and other elected officials of Rivers State, dents Nigeria’s image.

Jonathan said this while speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday (today).

He expressed disappointment that elected officials had been removed.

Meanwhile, same day, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, supported President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.

The party said no responsible government will allow a situation to deteriorate before taking decisive action in the best interest of its citizens.

NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, told newsmen: “President Tinubu is the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria.

“The information available to him as president from intelligence sources may not be in the public purview.

“The government in Rivers was suspended and no one can actually say what would have happened by now, judging from the deepening crisis.

“The crisis was further compounded by some leaders who, instead of offering advice or promoting peace during the turmoil, allowed it to escalate before later stepping in to criticize.”

Jonathan…

But for President Jonathan, “These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light.”

He said it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on issues, so as not to heat up the polity.

However, Jonathan said, his comment became necessary after calls from many Nigerians, urging him to speak on the events in Rivers State.

He added that the image of the country and how much investments a country attracts is dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature and judiciary of that country.

Goodluck Jonathan faulted the situation where an individual can dictate to the judiciary, noting that it makes it difficult for anyone to have faith in the judiciary.

March 22, 2025
State of Emergency: It’s all about Rivers’ money – Anabs Sara-Igbe

Sara-Igbe, who spoke on the Morning Show, an Arise TV programme, also said Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s suspension was an attack on the people of Rivers. Excerpts:

What is your reaction to developments in Rivers State, the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and declaration of a state of emergency as well as its implications for the politics in Rivers?

This is not the first time a state of emergency has been declared. As spokesman (Dr Reuben Abati) for former President Goodluck Jonathan, a situation like this came up. In three states, a state of emergency was declared. When you (Abati) were asked why the president did not sack the governors, you made it clear that the constitution does not empower Mr President to sack or suspend elected representatives or governors in the case of a state of emergency.

Mr President relied on Section 305. If you look at Section 305 all through, Section 305 should also apply in the Northern part of Nigeria where we had war. In the case of Rivers State, there is no war, no fight, the whole place is quiet, and yet the state of emergency was declared. Not only that, an elected governor was suspended, the House of Assembly was also suspended. Somehow, this is not proper. It is an illegal action. The constitution did not empower Mr President in any way. I have looked at the condition under which a governor can be removed. This was not part of the conditions in the constitution. But I will tell you why Mr President may have taken this action. One, Mr President, seems to be very desperate to whip opponents to their nails.

Wike is the hatchet man of Mr President. Last week, he came to Rivers State like a president. He came with the military, the army, the police, the navy, the air force, the DSS, gunboats, airplanes, tanks, artillery, all were mobilised for a visit of a minister, with the intention of causing a crisis so that this state of emergency could be declared. Mr President met with the two of them and set up an agreement. In that agreement, Governor Siminalayi Fubara was asked to withdraw his case from the court. He did but the other party refused to withdraw their case. It is like two men carrying guns. You asked one man to drop his gun and the other man refused to drop his gun and you did not care. You don’t blame him and you ask him to shoot the man and they shot him. That is how they got the Supreme Court judgment they are talking about.

Mr President accused Siminalayi of not implementing the agreement. If you look at it closely, nowhere in the world where a man who has resigned will be forced to come back and the governor will accept him. But the governor accepted. When he was told to accept the House of Assembly members that have decamped from their party, he (Fubara) did. All the conditions, he (Fubara) complied with it. Yet you are not satisfied. The Rivers State elders looked at it and some of us felt, no. These eight conditions were not good for the state. So we went to court. Those things we were telling Mr Governor not to do that he applied are the ones that are now witch haunting him. You went to the Supreme Court with the same eight-point agenda. You asked the judges to write exactly what you wanted and they did for you. The governor was willing to implement the Supreme Court judgment and was ready to do that and they kept saying they wouldn’t accept it. Mr President never blamed them.

PANDEF went to see Mr President and I was among them. Mr President blamed the governor, he never blamed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike. Two people are fighting and if you want to make peace, what you would have done is to say: ‘Okay, I will fire my minister.’ At least you have the power to fire a minister that has been causing confusion not only in the Niger Delta, also in the North and in the South-East. You did not fire him, but you could fire the governor that you do not have power to fire. These are things that are obvious. Now, other governors will be watching. Today, it is the turn of Siminalayi Fubara. He (President Bola Tinubu) will apply it to the other states, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, states.

National Assembly members are there, and the law says they have to confirm. But in this case, he has also gone contrary to the constitution. He has violated the constitution. And he is asking the National Assembly to approve for him that he violated the constitution and they all accepted it. If the National Assembly now thinks this is a president that they can trust, I worry, because definitely he will go after them.

If you are saying that you are not happy with the decision the president has taken, what would you have expected him to do when you made calls for him to come in to intervene in the crisis? How would you have wanted the president to intervene?

We are not against him intervening. It is like a father who has two children fighting. You must be fair to both children. You cannot beat one and leave the other causing trouble. It is not possible. It is not right. A father must be fair to all his children. You cannot love one and show the other child that I love this one more than you. In the context of declaring a state of emergency, nobody has quarrelled with the president because he has that power under Section 305.

However, you don’t have any power in the Nigerian constitution from Section 182, 183, 188, 189, where it is mentioned how a governor or a deputy governor can be removed from office. You do not have such powers. Nothing like that to say Mr President has the power to suspend or remove a governor. When you infringe on the constitution, people will tell you. I am not a lawyer, but this is elementary law that everyone knows. The Attorney General has not advised him properly . This means democracy is at risk. Our democracy is at risk because you must stand by the truth. You are suspending a governor, an elected governor of Rivers State, and you are not suspending or sacking the minister who is fomenting all the problems. He (president) can declare a state of emergency, but he has no constitutional power to suspend the governor.

His minister who is causing the whole trouble should be sacked. The other day, this man came and abused everybody and told Nigerians openly that it is not only the Ijaw that can bomb pipelines, adding that Ogoni can bomb pipelines, Etche can bomb pipelines, Ikwerre can bomb pipelines. Within the period he has been fomenting problems, Ogoni has bombed pipelines, as he promised. He has sent people to blow pipelines in the Omoku area, as he said. Yet, you are leaving him and you are crucifying a man, an innocent man, because he is peace-loving, because he is quiet, because he is not fighting, and you allow this man who insulted everybody, insulted Niger Delta as a whole and insulted Ijaw nation.

You said: ‘Oh, Tompolo is the one looking after pipelines,’ so you want to blow pipelines in Ogoni so that you crucify Tompolo because you hate Ijaw. And Mr President is there watching these things.

Can you provide me with evidence that Wike is behind the bombing of pipelines?

I will give you the facts. A witch said a child would die today or tomorrow, and tomorrow the child died. That is what empirical facts are. Wike said on national television that Ogoni could bomb pipelines. Here is a man who came to a small community in Rivers State with over 700 soldiers, a DSS, gunboats, airplanes, jets, fire jets. What did he want? Was he going to war? The man wanted a state of emergency by all means. That was why he did what he did.

What are the elders in the state doing? Where is Fubara, as we speak? Have you spoken to him?

First, the Supreme Court said don’t release money until Fubara presents the budget. Fubara has been trying to present a budget, but he was prevented. The Supreme Court has not said anything. Money is released to somebody, a stranger, a complete stranger, who came illegally. And their interest is nothing but the money. Otherwise, why not be patient?

The state has funds that they can use to run it. We have an internally generated fund that can run the state. When you saw that this man was commissioning projects every day, all you needed to do was to stall him. And you brought a stranger, illegally. You have no legal right to suspend the governor. You have no legal right to suspend state funds. You brought somebody, and you released money to him. We have not seen Fubara, and nobody has communicated with Fubara. We do not know what they have done to Fubara. We do not know where Fubara is. We have tried to reach him, but we cannot reach him (as at Thursday). He is in danger. We want Nigerians to know that Fubara’s life is in danger.

Until we see Fubara speak face-to-face on television, we have not seen him. We have not heard from him. With all sincerity, ask anybody whether they have heard from him (Fubara). He was locked up in the Government House. We only see on social media that he has been released from the Government House. The Rivers people are worried. This is a war against Rivers State, not a war against Fubara.

Fubara has done so well, and Rivers’ people are happy with him. If Nigerians keep quiet and allow this thing to happen, it will happen in other places. And what are we inviting? We are talking about democracy. This is not a democratic government. This is a dictatorial government. And if this dictatorship is allowed to stand, then the country is finished. As regards whether we are going to see the administrator, Rivers elders are not willing to do so. We are saying that is an illegality and we cannot join illegality. We cannot dine with illegality. We will continue to protest until the right thing is done in accordance with the law.

Is it possible to imagine that even Wike himself is a loser or a victim in this matter?

You may not know the background to this issue. Just on Monday, the Federal High Court sat in Port Harcourt. Martins Amaewhule, which is the Wike faction, brought a certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment and asked the court to strike out the case. The judge said no, he wants to hear the case on its merits. And the judge had both sides and said he would give judgment on the 15th of next month. The moment they came out from court, what we heard was, they were serving an impeachment notice.

When they realised that they could not go through with impeachment, despite the fact that they had the number, the next thing they thought of was the commando style – a state of emergency, bundle the governor away, I will take over the government and grab the money. They are interested in Rivers’ money and they have taken the money that the Supreme Court said nobody should touch until the governor presents a budget. The governor has written to them through the Secretary of Government. On his own (Fubara), he has written to them. He went to their house, their Assembly quarters and it was locked out. Nigerians are seeing it.

When they saw that things were not going the way they wanted, all they did was a non-constitutional coup, to remove the governor. What else do we want? If Wike was honourable, he would resign. He is not causing problems to Rivers alone. The North is angry because of Wike, the way he communicates with them. The South-East is angry because of Wike, and the way he communicates with them. He insulted the Niger Delta, thinking the Niger Delta would be happy, and they would support Jonathan. Former President Goodluck Jonathan lost his second tenure because of Wike. It is because of Wike that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, left with five other governors from the PDP. And Jonathan lost the election.

Do you think President Tinubu will survive under this condition? He has created enemies for him. The next enemy he will create is the West. He will create an enemy between the West and Tinubu. Mr President is supporting whatever Wike is doing. What we are saying is that if the president is sincere, then Wike should be sacked. Then we will know that he is sincere. Wike is the fomentor of all the problems in the Niger Delta and across the country.

March 22, 2025
Suspension of Rivers Gov, Lawmakers: South-south tackles Tinubu blow-by-blow

•President lacks the power to sack elected gov, dep gov, lawmakers – Leaders, stakeholders
•Brokered unrealistic peace accord between Gov Fubara, Wike
•It’s incorrect to say the governor ignored the Supreme Court judgment
•Fubara is wrong to demolish the Assembly complex without providing an alternative venue
•Both Tinubu and Fubara mismanaged the crisis

Is President Tinubu unaware that Fubara withdrew his case in court but the lawmakers refused to do so?

Rising from a meeting with the nation’s security chiefs, leaders, and principal officials of the National Assembly on March 18, President Bola Tinubu, citing several other reasons, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and lawmakers.

In a nationwide broadcast, he asserted, “I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I watched the development with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail as soon as possible, but all that hope burned out without any solution to the crisis.

”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 redound to the benefit of the good people of the state. The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people unable to access the dividends of democracy.

“Also, it is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same.

“I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis. I am also aware that many well-meaning Nigerians, Leaders of Thought, and patriotic groups have also intervened at various times with the best of intentions to resolve the matter but efforts were also to no avail. Still, I thank them.

“On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court, in a judgment in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers State, based on several grave unconstitutional acts and disregard of the rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced in clear terms:

‘A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case, the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State.’

“The above pronouncement came after a catalog of judicial findings of constitutional breaches against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

“In their judgment, having found and held that 27 members of the House who had allegedly defected,
‘are still valid members of Rivers State House of Assembly, and cannot be prevented from participating in the proceedings of that House by the 8th Respondent (that is, the governor) in cohorts with four members.’
“The Supreme Court, then, made orders to restore the state to immediate constitutional democracy. These orders include the immediate passing of an Appropriation Bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which up till now, has not been facilitated.

“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, the House and the governor have not been able to work together.

“The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course, given stern orders to the security agencies to ensure the safety of the lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.

”With all these and many more, no good, and responsible President will stand and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.

“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State, having failed to request me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March 2025 and I so do.

“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 six months.”

He announced his nomination of a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Retd.) as Administrator of the state.

Some Nigerians blamed the president for his action, which they described as unconstitutional, and others said it was timely and pragmatic of him to prevent the political crisis in Rivers State from consuming the state and nation.

Many believe those who blew up the pipelines played into the hands of President Tinubu and Wike. However, there was palpable fear that militants, who, in 24 hours, exploded two oil facilities in the state could inflict more havoc on the nation’s economy if not quickly checked by Tuesday evening when the president declared a state of emergency in the state.

Destroying oil facilities was the last card some Ijaw tribesmen of the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, believe they could use to countermand Tinubu and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, should the Speaker, Martin Amaehule- led House of Assembly, devoted to the minister, play the impeachment card.

And, as soon as the lawmakers served the governor and his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu notices of misconduct on Monday, March 17, the boys in the creek swung into action. First was a detonation of the Tran Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, on the same day. The second was an oil facility in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, on Tuesday, less than 24 hours.

Unknown to them, these two attacks and the danger they posed to the nation’s economy were the picture-perfect alibi President Tinubu and Wike sought to consummate the declaration of a state of emergency in the state. This is in addition to the Supreme Court ruling last month that, “There is no government in Rivers State.”

Those familiar with the political dynamics unfolding in Rivers State know that Tinubu has done everything to satisfy his political ally, Wike, who installed Fubara. An entitled Wike thinks Fubara betrayed him after he made him governor, and swore to deal with him.

The probability is that within six months of the Administrator, Fubara will come cap in hand begging for a cease-fire with Wike. In the circumstance, they would arm-twist him to kowtow to Wike’s orders to govern the state and finally, embrace all steps to hand over the state to APC in 2027.

Fubara had thought the central road they would follow to oust him was impeachment which he and his strategists had planned to frustrate, they did not imagine an elected governor being suspended under a state of emergency in a democratic dispensation.

Many South-South leaders and stakeholders, who picked point by point the president’s excuses for his action, faulted most of his claims, while a few others vindicated him.

The Ibenanaowei (traditional ruler) of Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa State, and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo; Coordinator General of Edo Unity League, in Benin City, Edo State, Prof Akenuwa Obarogie; and a former national spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) HRH Anabs Sara-Igbe, who scrutinized the president’s explanations for his action, and faulted most of his claims.

The former national spokesperson of the Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, Clarkson Amaebi; and Lawson Oyoyo, a legal practitioner and activist, and the convener of the Ogoni Development Drive, ODD, Comrade Solomon Lenu, also put the president on the hot seat.

But, the Convener of the Convener South- South Reawakening Group, Elder Joseph Ambakederimo, exonerated the president in some areas, while Zik Gbemre, Coordinator of the Niger Delta Peace Coalition vindicated him.

Tinubu’s peace terms for Fubara and Wike – Prof Obaragie

”In fairness, the President brokered a half-baked peace accord. The accord was euphemistic because it merely scratched the surface, rather than a root cause analysis of the crisis.”

“ Rather than instruct the FCT Minister to stop meddling in Rivers State political issues, and refrain from waging native war against the governor, the president merely asked the governor to continually accord Wike his due respect, and allow the 27 warmongering Assembly members to do their legislative business.

It was a poor judgment on the part of the president – HRM Dakolo

“Yes, the intervention of Mr. President may be good from his point of view, but is it the same way the people of River State see those interventions?

“Some said that the intervention, which Governor Fubara followed hook line and sinker was not obeyed by the Wike’s group.”

HRH Sara-Igbe

“It is a one-sided agreement by Mr. President, and Governor Fubara complied with the peace terms.
“As a peace-loving man, he immediately withdrew all his cases in the court but Amaewhule and the 26 lawmakers refused to do so. Is Mr. President saying that he is not aware of that fact? Nigerians have been watching the trend of events in the state and they know the truth”.

“Fubara craved for peace but Wike and the lawmakers were busy stoking the crisis. Wike was busy threatening and insulting elders in the state. He was boasting about impeaching Fubara. We all saw what his handpicked loyalists in the Assembly did even after the Supreme Court judgment by serving the governor an impeachment notice”.

Amaebi

“The president did not make any genuine effort to resolve the crisis. He only gave an eight-point directive to the governor without any corresponding directive to Wike. Despite the skewed directive, Fubara initiated the implementation by withdrawing the pending suit against the House of Assembly which turned out to be his nemesis.”

Oyoyo Esq.

“In what many Nigerians remarked to be a pre-arranged peace agreement between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, President Tinubu, in his second effort to broker peace between them came up with an 8-point agenda.”

Gbemre

“I will not blame Bola Ahmed Tinubu on this, he called both parties involved in the Rivers State crisis to the Presidential Villa, and we are told both parties signed a written agreement. And that Governor Siminalayi Fubara did not implement his side.

”The President said he tried publicly and privately to resolve the disagreements between the governor and 27 lawmakers but it did not work.”

Fubara not implementing Supreme Court judgment: HRM Dakolo

“No, it is not true. As far as we know, Fubara obeyed everything in this recent Supreme Court judgment. Fubara wrote to the House of Assembly, he went to the House of Assembly. As you know, that Supreme Court judgment has been adjudged as anti-people judgment. It is the Supreme Court no doubt, but since that judgment came, there has been heightened tension in the land.

“And the purpose of such a body is not to aggravate; not to cause more problems but to do justice in the interest of the majority of the people, not justice that seemed to be in the interest of one character. So, if today, after that judgment, you have a purported state of emergency, you see explosions here and there, and unrest, it means that those judges should go and hide themselves in shame.

“If there is a way to adjust that judgment, they should do that, otherwise they will go down in history if there is a book of infamy, which is where their names will be written clearly. As you know, I am not a lawyer but lawyers have said, and judges have said that a five-man panel cannot override a seven-man panel.

“So, if a seven-man panel has decided in the past, which is the precedent. Five men cannot come today, alter and override it. There is a whole problem in the judiciary and the world is watching. Fubara has done quite well.”

HRH Sara-Igbe

“In its recent statement, THE Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum comprising eminent personalities like the former Governor of Rivers state, Chief Rufus Ada-George re-echoed that Gov. Siminialayi Fubara made genuine efforts to present the budget as directed within the specified period.

”He wrote to the House through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), but it was rejected. He went to the House of Assembly himself, only to be locked out by the lawmakers. Following this development, the governor formally notified the Assembly of his intention to present the budget on March 19, 2025, or any other date convenient to the House within that month.

”Despite all these efforts, the lawmakers failed to respond. Instead, they adjourned plenary indefinitely, and resumed on Monday, only to serve an impeachment notice on the Governor and Deputy Governor. These actions were intended to prevent the Governor from presenting the budget, as directed by the Supreme Court, and to provide a pretext for the President to impose a state of emergency as he has done now on Rivers State.

”The President’s portrayal of Governor Sim Fubara as non-compliant, while disregarding the misconduct of the 27 House of Assembly members, is misleading and unfair. By doing so, the President has created a narrative that places the blame solely on the Governor which is not the true position of the events.

”This biased perspective overlooks the role of the lawmakers, acting, under the influence and direction of the minister of FCT, thus, perpetuating an unjust and one-sided view of the situation”.

”The above reflection of the realities of the state of events in Rivers put to question President Tinubu’s assertion that ‘Fubara had practically done nothing to obey the Supreme Court’s verdict’. Again, it points to the total disregard to genuine information either on the part of the President or his media experts.”

Prof Obarogie

”It is not correct to accuse Fubara of doing nothing to implement the Supreme Court judgment, as the 27 warmongering Assembly members denied him every opportunity for an amicable engagement, especially the budget presentation.”

Ambakederimo

“Governor Fubara has been magnanimous so far in trying to get this matter resolved, more antagonism has come from his protégé and his foot soldiers, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who violated the Supreme Court order by shutting out the governor that is willing and have pledged to abide by every item in the order sheet.

“So far, the House members exhibited reckless behavior not fit of lawmakers; this is where l again supported the president on his action for suspending the members of the House of Assembly along with the governor.”

Amaebi

“Fubara wrote the Assembly following the Supreme Court judgment. He wrote the Assembly for them to meet on how to implement the decision of the court, including paying outstanding allowances, but they ignored him.

He wrote to the House to submit the 2025 Appropriation Bill, they again ignored him, and also barred him from gaining access to the Assembly complex.”

Demolition of the Rivers Assembly: Prof Obarogie

”In the first place, demolishing the Rivers State House of Assembly was an unconscionable, barbaric, and reckless action by the governor. In saner climes, the Governors Forum and the National Assembly would hand him an ultimatum within which to rebuild the legislative building.”

HRM Dakolo

“In terms of demolishing the House of Assembly, it is neither here nor there. The House of Assembly building was built by the executive, okay? Governor Fubara said that there have been requests to rebuild, refurbish the assembly, or whatever. He looked at it and felt, okay, that is what we should start doing.

“After all, were billions not used in refurbishing the vice president’s gatehouses, president’s cottages, and so on? It is in line. And that should not be a problem. That should not be counted as an offense against a governor.

“More so, he is the governor of his state. Are the people protesting? Why should anybody somewhere else cry more than the Rivers people? Why should anybody somewhere, whether Abuja or London or Frankfurt cry more than the River’s people? The governor is there. He was voted in by the people.

“If the people do not want him, they will do the needful. It is not for anyone else who does not understand what is going on to begin to use sentiments and say he is demolishing the house. Demolishing which house? Do people not buy houses, demolish them, and build skyscrapers on top of it?

“As far as I am concerned, I do not think it is about the members of the House of Assembly. The House of Assembly people who are against him are doing that because they belong to that cartel that wants to keep sharing N19 billion every month. So people must see this.”

Ambakederimo

“The demolition of the House of Assembly for me is a very crude and blatant use of power. This is how the political class abuse power and it is becoming a trend in our body politic. Going further, it is a waste of scarce resources. No reason given for the demolition should be justified, if the building was not good enough, the House of Assembly can be used for other facilities and a new one put up.

“For the governor not to have deemed fit to provide for a new building smacks of deliberate and premeditated action that should call for an administration panel of inquiry. But to also use this as one reason to oust the governor is not strong enough. In all these, the governor goofed.”

Amaebi

“The much talked about demolition of the House of Assembly is a lame excuse. It is within the prerogative of the governor to destroy and build if he feels that it is no longer befitting for the purpose it was built. After all, President Tinubu also rebuilt the vice president’s house with multi-billion naira.”

Gbemre

“Let us face the fact squarely. Tinubu did not force Governor Fubara to break down the River State legislative building. That is the height of abuse of power. Being a governor does not give him the audacity to break a different arm of the government’s building.

”Was he drunk when he sent bulldozers to break River State legislature building for personal ego? No person knew what he would have done the day he visited the building where the lawmakers were sitting if the gate was open.

”Maybe he would have ordered his thugs to beat up 27 lawmakers against him. There are processes to follow. He won’t just drive to the River State Legislative Quarters. He should have properly informed them.

”He asked his illegal appointees to write the lawmakers. What stops him from signing the letter when he is fully aware that his appointees were not approved by the River State legislature?

”I want to ask Governor Fubara, so it is constitutional to demolish the Rivers State House of Assembly building? It is constitutional to appoint commissioners without approval of the Legislature?

”It is constitutional to spend state money without approval of legislature? Does Governor Fubara have the constitutional power to undermine Supreme Court judgment? No.

”They say ‘he who comes to equity must come with clean hands’. Tinubu’s action was to save the state from burning further, hence both parties were asked to go on six months’ vacation. Those praising Fubara for being autocratic are not helping him and River State.

”On Sunday, March 16 evening precisely, I discussed with a Deltan politician who said if it were him as governor of River State, he would have pursued the 27 lawmakers from the state.

”These are kinds of words they told Gov Fubara. It is only a moron that will set his house on fire, and beg his neighbors to help to extinguish the fire. Fubara is the governor of his state and he has to use a lot of natural wisdom to handle this matter.”

Lenu:

”The reconstruction of that edifice is almost at the lintel level. Physical structures do not lie. Anybody can access the Moscow Road where the Assembly Complex is situated to confirm this”.

Gov Fubara not renouncing militants: HRM Dakolo

“Is it the job of the governor to disown militants? Did they come to the Government House to threaten? If they threaten in social media, is the governor so jobless that he has to monitor everything? Is he the Commander of the Delta Safe? Is the governor the Chief of Defence Staff? Is the governor the Inspector General of Police? Is he the governor of the NNPCL that gave contracts for the protection of oil and gas pipelines to people? What kind of joke is this?

Prof Obarogie

“The President should know that militants are fiefs and have divergent alliances. The governor may not have their ears. The governor also shares in the blame by not openly condemning the threats made by the militants. There is a conspiracy theory to the effect that the militants’ threats and the eventual bombing of the pipeline were premeditated to lay the ground for the state of emergency declaration.”

Ambakederimo

“The governor did not conduct himself well in terms of spoken words concerning violence. He gave himself away too quickly. My take on attacks on oil pipelines may have been different from the assumption out there. I say this from an advantageous position as someone who has interacted with many of the militant principal actors in finding alternative incentives to make them look away from the destruction of oil infrastructure and operations of unlicensed refineries.

“Many of these principal actors are feeling aggrieved that they are left out of the pipeline security contracts, and these guys may capitalize on a crisis like this, and vent their anger on the pipelines.
“So as of now, no one can say for sure who is responsible for hitting the pipelines. Militarization of the region is not the solution, strategic engagement with the people of the oil-bearing communities is the best way to go.

“I will encourage the government to engage with the leadership of the Community Development Committees of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas (CDC) to find a lasting pathway forward to incessant attacks on oil infrastructure.”

Amaebi:

“The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and has the responsibility to protect lives and properties, including critical infrastructures. If some persons threaten to destroy oil facilities, they must direct the necessary security agencies to arrest such persons. It is not within the ambit of any state governor, including Fubara, to bear that responsibility.”

Suspension of Fubara, others: HRM Dakolo

“Mr. President should not allow himself to be used in this manner, I have read what the Attorney General of Federation said; that should not come from an Attorney General, and he is not a personal lawyer of somebody, he is the Attorney General of the Federation.

“I am the King of Ekpetiama Kingdom, I should not side with one group against another group in my kingdom, and I should be fair to all. They should guide the President correctly. They have led the president astray consciously or unconsciously, and the earlier he retraces his steps the better.

I would not know why Mr. President did not rebuke Wike, but all of these underscore the fact that he may just be one-sided and the result speaks for itself. It is obvious they are out for the oil and nothing else, and so long as he (Fubara) feels that Rivers State money should not be shared with any group of people other than the Rivers people, he will keep having problems.

“This is unbelievable, am still looking through the constitution to see where Mr. President elected by the people can just wake up one day, and say to an elected governor like himself, you have been suspended for six months. What kind of democracy is that?

“Even in a banana republic, it will not happen. Why should this happen because the pipelines have been affected? Any time oil is involved, the temperature, the character, the attitude, and the behavior of the government of Nigeria are different. We have been living with 87 deprivations and then one oil well or one pipeline and something is sabotaged, the head of the security apparatus of Nigeria is the one to resign not a governor. A governor whose security is being tele-guided by the Inspector General from Abuja, by some military chiefs in Abuja?

Prof Obarogie

“The presidential broadcast painted a miscarriage of justice coloration, as the President tends to rob the back of Nyesom Wike by all available means than to justly act in a manner that assuages the tangible suspicion of stakeholders. It was an overtly mishandled crisis, both by the Governor and the President.”

Ambakederimo

“Whether the President has the power to suspend an elected governor is what l cannot say, but public commentators have referred to relevant sections of the constitution to say the president has no constitutional powers to do so.

”My submission is that this matter can still be resolved even at this stage. It is just a matter of being strategic and application of strategic intelligence. There are individuals in this country that President Tinubu cannot say no to, the governor should listen to wise counsel, Nyesom Wike can be reined- in by the intervention of these persons, who influence the President. This is the real political solution to resolve this Rivers State political imbroglio.”

Amaebi

“The president’s suspension of Fubara, an elected governor, is unconstitutional. It is procedurally flawed. It is pure impunity taken too far. It is akin to military dictatorship which is highly condemnable.

“The president did not act as the statesman. He is too partisan and clearly showed his hand that his one-sided stance is stimulated by the 2027 elections. He applauded the actions of his appointee. This is a very sad testimony.”

PANDEF intervention Prof Obarogie

”The President must have believed a security report available to him to the effect that PANDEF was aiding and abetting the governor against the 27 warmongering Assembly members, and Nyesom Wike, notoriously known as their patron-clientele.

”So, when they visited him, he did not receive them with an open mind. He saw them as a party to the crisis, rather than a willing party to the peaceful resolution of the crisis.”

HRM Dakolo

Governor Fubara welcomed the PANDEF intervention, but Wike refused to pay them any attention till tomorrow morning. And of course, what Wike did a few days ago was to abuse the hell out of them. Abuse their head, abuse the dead, abuse the living, so he does not want to settle.

All he wants is for Fubara must agree to that agreement they had in the dark. Any such agreement is personal and once it is about the people, such agreement is balderdash. If Fubara was a dubious man, he could cut a deal but that is not serving the people.

“The man said even if I have been bad before now, I am the governor and I want to be good. Yes, someone can opt to be good for once in his lifetime, you can be bad forever, and the people are paramount.”

Ambakederimo

“With the benefit of hindsight, again, I say that the PANDEF and other leaders, be it from our ethnic divide, have not done well, and did not do well even up to this stage. We lack strategic engagement when it comes to political engineering.

“A positive intervention can still be achievable even at this stage if the right contacts are invoked. Governor Fubara still can do much more and straighten out this matter, and also Minister Nyesom Wike. I know and see the body language of the President as a man who is amenable to rescind this decision for the sake of the people of Rivers State.”

Amaebi

“When well-meaning Nigerians, including PANDEF, waded into the matter to resolve it, Wike was not forthcoming and was evasive. Even when PANDEF met with the president, he told them that the Supreme Court has given judgment on it, and Fubara should implement the judgment of the Supreme Court.”

That Fubara, lawmakers couldn’t work together anymore/dividends of democracy – Prof Obarogie

”The President was partially correct in his assessment of the dividends of democracy delivery. He must be mindful of making simplistic fallacies, by thinking that the dividends of democracy are wholly delivered by the governor or the executive arm of government.

”The legislators have both legislative and oversight functions to make for a holistic delivery of the dividends of democracy. By dismantling the Assembly complex, he rendered the temple of legislation non-existent.”

HRM Dakolo

“It is obvious with the type of judgment where people decamped, swore to an affidavit that they have decamped, and somehow because of his (Tinubu) intervention, a bit of it was withdrawn but the other party continued.

”You are now saying people who have decamped do not seem to have decamped. Some have even said the National Assembly was supposed to have taken over the Rivers State House of Assembly because 27 persons have decamped, and so they have lost their seats, and this other group is too small to do the legislative business. In that kind of situation, they are supposed to come and help out.

“What you are seeing in Rivers State is an oil war, if you remove that, you can talk from now till eternity, but you will not get it right. Certain interests want to take over the control of the oil and gas fields and ensure the continuous flow of oil. So, aside from Fubara, and the majority of the Rivers people interested in their lives and safety, I can tell you, unfortunately, pitiably and shamefully, the federal government of Nigeria is not interested in the safety of the people of Rivers State.”

Ambakederimo

”It is a truism that the cordial working relationship between the House members and the governor has irretrievably broken down, things have shown a proclivity to the sloppy slope. Again, as I said, the governor did not engage strategically, the President is right when he said the governor did not come to him.

”In terms of governance in Rivers State, there was seamless governance going on in Rivers State until the Supreme Court ordered stopping legitimate funds to be released to Rivers State even when there was calm.”

March 22, 2025
Suspension of Fubara: Ijaw Youth leaders drag FG to ECOWAS Court

ABUJA–Leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Zone, have dragged the Federal Government before the ECOWAS Court of Justice, over what they described as illegal suspension of Governor Siminalaye Fubara of Rivers State and other elected officials, by President Bola Tinubu.

The 12 litigants, led by Comrade Ibiso Harry, equally challenged President Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

In the suit marked: ECW/CCJ/APP/18/25, the Applicants, specifically urged the regional court to issue an order, setting aside and/or quashing the suspension of elected officials and removal of the democratic structures and institutions in Rivers state, as an imperative for the enthronement of a full- fledged democratic order.

They further prayed the court for an order, setting aside all decisions, actions, policies and directives given or issued by the Sole Administrator that President Tinubu appointed on March 18 to superintend over the affairs of Rivers state for six months.

The Applicants anchored their suit on Articles III and IV of the supplementary protocol amending ECOWAS Court’s protocol; Article II of the Protocol of the court and Article 33 of the Rules of the court.

They averred that the Respondent’s President (Tinubu), who was elected into political office, lacked the powers to remove or suspend the governor of a state, who was also elected into the office.

The Ijaw youth leaders further argued that the removal of governor Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, was in gross violation of their fundamental human rights.

“By so doing, the Defendant has unlawfully taken away the democratic rights of the Applicants and that of the population of Rivers State both individually and collectively,” they added.

According to the Applicants, President Tinubu’s actions have not only drowned, diffused and collapsed their constitutional rights and that of the people of the state in neo-junta governance but also put them into an unconstitutional, undemocratic and arbitrary manner of governance which they cannot fit into.

“The implication therefore is that the applicants and the people of Rivers State have lost their existence and dignity as human beings, having been politically emasculated by the loss of the values that accompany democratic governance and deprived of leaders duly elected by them in the democratic space.”

They maintained that President Tinubu’s actions was antithetical to tenets of democracy, adding that the president exhibited “absoluteness in determining the existence and functioning of democratic systems in national sub-units by upturning and collapsing entrenched democratic systems.”

“The deliberate disruption of the democratic order in any part of the national structure questions the democratic practice and constitutional authenticity of the nation state, as the forceful removal of popular sovereignty in a part or fraction of the national landscape translates to the non-existence of liberal democracy and non-application and conformity with constitutional norms in the entire federation.

“The enthronement of an illegal and unconstitutional order in any form within a constitutional democracy threatens the very idea of freedom and precipitates loss of genuineness on the part of the state and its institutions of any legitimate claim to a constitutional democracy.

“A state of emergency cannot be guise or subterfuge for the usurpation of the executive functions of the Governor or the exercise of the law making powers of the legislature,” the applicants averred in an affidavit they filed in support of the legal action they lodged through a team of lawyers led by Chief Festus Ogwuche.

Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the matter to be heard.

March 21, 2025
Emergency rule: ‘We don’t have democracy anymore’ — Pat Utomi slams NASS

Professor Pat Utomi has blasted the National Assembly for endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State, saying Nigeria does not have democracy anymore.

The professor of political economy said the Senate and House of Representatives’ endorsement was an insult to Nigerians.

Recall that President Tinubu recently declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, due to the unresolved political crisis in the state.

However, despite the barrage of criticisms against the development from political analysts, lawyers and activists across the country, the National Assembly approved the declaration unanimously on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, March 21, 2025, Prof Utomi said the lawmakers murdered democracy, adding that the National Assembly has been consistent in insulting Nigerians.

“Democracy was murdered in Nigeria yesterday. I cannot publicly say I come from a country that operates democracy, it’s not a democracy. Even the manner of it is so disdainful of the sensitivity of the Nigerian people. To do what they did yesterday was an insult to the Nigerian people. The National Assembly has become consistent in insulting the Nigerian people. We do not have a democracy anymore,” he said.

Prof Utomi said most of the current National Assembly members were hiding when people like him fought for democracy.

He also faulted the lawmakers’ method of voting on the issue and the claim that there was no single dissenting voice during the voice vote.

Prof Utomi said he had seen a situation when the lawmakers said nays, and the speaker said the ayes have it.

He added that Nigerian leaders are destroying the country’s institutions, saying it’s a tragedy that Nigeria has been brought to a situation where the world now laughs at the country.

March 21, 2025
Utomi to Tinubu: Why no emergency rule in Lagos during Obasa saga?

Prof Pat Utomi has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s motive for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing there was no ground for such a move.

In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2024, President Tinubu cited militant vandalization of pipelines and the political situation in Rivers as reasons for consigning the state to emergency rule.

The President also nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the state’s affairs after suspending Governor Siminalayi Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State.

However, Prof Utomi faulted President Tinubu’s decision in an interview on Channels Television, saying that the political crisis in Rivers did not warrant a state of emergency.

The professor of political economy asserted that even when militants in Rivers were blowing up pipelines during the previous administration, the state was not subjected to emergency rule.

Prof Utomi further questioned the president for not declaring a state of emergency in Lagos State during the crisis involving the Lagos House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his colleagues.

“What is the problem in Rivers State that warranted a state of emergency? Tell me what it is. When pipelines were blowing up like popcorn in Rivers State, was there a state of emergency?”

Why did he not declare a state of emergency in Lagos State when the assembly was running back and forth? Why Rivers? There’s something about fairness, equity and pure decency, and I don’t see it here, and I think it’s a shame that they want to rubbish the democracy that we all fought so hard for.”

Prof Utomi also blasted the National Assembly for endorsing President Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

According to him, the endorsement was an insult to Nigerians.

March 21, 2025
Akpabio told me I’d make good movements with my waist – Natasha

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of making repeated lewd and suggestive remarks towards her, both in and outside the Senate chamber.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for what was described as “gross misconduct and unruly behavior” following a seating arrangement dispute with Akpabio.

However, her suspension came just a day after she formally submitted a sexual harassment petition against the Senate President on the Senate floor.

In an interview with the BBC, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that the allegations of misconduct were merely a cover to silence her.

She alleged that Akpabio frequently made inappropriate advances toward her, sometimes in the presence of other senators.

“He would squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way,” she said.

Recalling a particular incident, she stated, “There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work. And there were about five senators there. And Akpabio said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?’”

She further alleged that Akpabio made sexually charged comments about her marriage.

“There was another time he made a statement like, ‘Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist.’”

“He makes such sexist statements. And then they (other senators) all laughed,” she added.

During the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan broke down in tears when asked about the impact of her allegations and the backlash she has faced.

“People don’t understand what it means to carry this. Maybe we don’t talk about it enough in Nigeria or Africa,” she said, her voice breaking.

“I just want a place where I would just work. I thought the worst was over, but I guess for a woman, it’s never really over, right?”

Despite the challenges, the senator said she has received support from female parliamentarians across Africa, who have reached out to share their experiences of similar struggles in male-dominated legislative environments.

March 21, 2025
State of Emergency: Your action unconstitutional, recipe for anarchy – Kwankwaso tells Tinubu

KANO – The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has said that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not only unconstitutional, but could lead to anarchy.

Kwankwaso who opposed the action also criticized the 10th National Assembly for drifting into becoming more rubberstamp than its predecessors for failure to check what he described as the excesses by the executive.

The former Senator in a post he titled “My stance on the Declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State” on his verified Facebook handle, said, “Reflecting on our journey in 1992/93 and the events leading to the annulment in 1993, I remember our mistakes as parliamentarians in the National Assembly, where we focused on leadership tussle instead of holding our primary legislative work. Our failure to hold our responsibility distracted us from the happening that brewed on the Executive side, and which led to the sad events that still define our political history.

“I have closely followed developments in Rivers State in the past two days, and my initial silence was informed by the desire to let the authorities and parties in the conflict to do what is right.

“First, I am perturbed by the unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to suspend Governor Similayi Fubara of Rivers State, his Deputy and all elected state legislators from office.

“The legislature has the responsibility to hold the executive responsible and not always play to its tune. It is therefore appalling to see this 10th Assembly become more rubberstamp than any of its predecessors.

“More disturbing is the unilateral decision by both chambers of the National Assembly to ratify the president’s proclamation. I had hoped that the legislators would not add salt to injury by passing this illegality. The Constitution is clear on the method of voting on issues of such importance, and the decision to use the voice vote in deciding this is not consistent with the proper procedures and transparency.

“The decision by the legislators to speedily discuss and decide on a state of emergency that alters the democratic leadership structure in Rivers State undermines our democracy.

“Our judiciary also has the very important task of balancing the balance of power by being fair to all parties in any conflict. I believe that the custodians of the Law in Nigeria need to wake up to their responsibility of calming nerves by being as just as possible, with judgments devoid of any hint of external influence.

“At this age of our democracy, this action by President Tinubu to suspend all elected officials in Rivers State is not only unconstitutional, but also a recipe for anarchy and disregard for the highest public office in the state. The National Assembly that should check this excess should not encourage it.

‘Moreover, for a politician that prides himself as a consistent advocate and defender of democracy in our country, the decision by President Tinubu to draft in the military into a position of leadership is hugely dangerous to the progress we have made in the 26 years of democratic journey.

“Bola Tinubu should know better than bringing the military closer to power after the good work President Olusegun Obasanjo did of confining them to their barracks while he led this country.
This proclamation and the subsequent pronouncements by the Attorney General of the Federation have now sent numerous people in states led by the opposition into disarray, as they set a dangerous precedence for how the Head of State can grip on states that do not share the same political standing with the centre.

‘I am of the view that the political situation on the ground in Rivers does not justify such a flawed interpretation of section 305(1) of the 1999 constitution.

“The action constitutes an unconstitutional overdrive, and it could foster a culture of impunity if unchecked,” Kwankwaso stated.

March 21, 2025
Rivers Crisis: Anger as NASS approves emergency rule with voice vote

The two chambers of the National Assembly, yesterday, approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State which resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and other elected officials for six months, and the appointment of a sole administrator by a voice vote.

This is contrary to Section 305(4) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires a resolution of the National Assembly supported by a two-thirds majority of members to back the president’s request.

As the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, slammed the National Assembly for the approval, arguing that a two-thirds majority could not be determined through a voice vote, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the legislators’ approval was done with unanimity without a single nay.

While approving the emergency rule, the Senate said all regulations in Rivers State must be subjected to the approval and oversight of the National Assembly Joint Ad-hoc Committee.

It also urged the federal government to institute a reconciliation mechanism, including setting up a peace and reconciliation committee, composed of the National Assembly, the executive, eminent Nigerians and other relevant stakeholders, to ensure lasting peace and stability in Rivers.

In the House of Representatives, the legislators amended the proclamation of President Tinubu, insisting that Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, report back to the National Assembly and not the Federal Executive Council, FEC.

Reps amendments

The House made three amendments which were passed through a voice vote, with 243 members in attendance.
Another amendment was that a national committee, composed of members from the Presidency, National Assembly and other eminent Nigerians be set up to mitigate and restore peace to Rivers State.

The third amendment was that the President can review the period of emergency to a shorter period than six months.

Though few members were allowed to make comments on the president’s request, others expressed concerns over constitutional provisions.

Senate’s approval

The Senate approved the state of emergency in Rivers State after about one and a half hours closed door session.!

Speaking after the closed-door meeting on the resolutions reached by senators, Senate President Akpabio said: “The Senate invokes the powers conveyed on it by Section 305 of Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended ), approves the proclamation of state of emergency declared by Mr. President in Rivers State of Nigeria.

“The Senate further directs that the declaration of the state of emergency stated in the proclamation documents demands that the President can review and even terminate the state of emergency at any given time, but not later than six months.

“The Senate further resolved that Section 11, Subsection 4 be invoked, providing the National Assembly the authority to set up a joint ad hoc committee of both chambers to oversee the administration of Rivers State, henceforth.

“The Senate further resolved that a committee of eminent Nigerians be set up to reconcile the warring groups in the government of River State within the period of the state of emergency.

“The Senate further resolved that a committee of eminent Nigerians to reconcile the warring factions in Rivers State be set up to carry out their action during the period of state of emergency.

“For final ratification, I put it to the Senate that those in favour of the proclamation of the state of emergency 2025 in Rivers State, should say aye “, which was affirmatively responded to by all the senators in the chamber.”

An elated Akpabio, who was impressed with the affirmative response to the question by senators, said “This approval is done with unanimity, without a single nay.”

The Senate President continued: “Therefore, pursuant to Section 60 of the constitution, Section 305 (2) and pursuant to our rules, Rule 1 (b) of the standing orders of the Senate and also pursuant to Rules 133, 134, 135 and 136 of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the state of emergency proclamation in Rivers State was approved and other vital resolutions taken.”

To give the entire process the required legislative backing, the Senate, thereafter, adjourned for one hour and reconvened later to pass the votes and proceedings of the entire session and finally adjourned to Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Disquiet at closed-door session

Vanguard gathered that during the closed door session, senators were sharply divided over the issue.
According to sources, quorum was not formed, hence senators present resorted to voice vote, against actual voting.

Senators Seriake Dickson, PDP, Bayelsa West; Enyinnaya Abaribe, APGA, Abia South; Aminu Tambuwal, PDP, Sokoto South; and others stormed out of the chamber in anger as a result.

Vanguard gathered that 64 senators signed the attendance register, though the presiding officers do not sign the register as they normally walk into the hallowed chamber with the principal officers.

Earlier, Akpabio had informed his colleagues of President Tinubu’s letter on the proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State and the letter was read at plenary.

Akpabio, after reading the letter, said: This letter is committed to the committee of the entire Senate for immediate passage.’’

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, then raised Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Orders to suspend all other items in the Order Paper to discuss only the Proclamation letter, he was seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, PDP, Benue South, and the Senate immediately went into a closed door session.

Akpabio, Dickson clash over Point of Order

Prior to the closed-door session, there was a mild altercation between Senate President, Akpabio, and Senator Seriake Dickson when Dickson raised a point of Order after Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter.

As Senator Dickson raised the point of Order, Akpabio told him to sit down and that he already knew where he stood on the state of emergency, having watched him on television on Wednesday, where he said his views would not align with that of the Senate.

Akpabio and Dickson disagreed sharply over the procedure for handling President Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The problem started when the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion to amend the order of proceedings, allowing the Senate to prioritize debate on the state of emergency before attending to other items on the order paper.

As Bamidele rose to present the motion, Dickson raised a point of order, seeking to draw attention to what he described as a procedural requirement that the Senate should first convene a closed-door session before debating such a sensitive matter.

Akpabio appeared reluctant to acknowledge Dickson’s point of order but as tension rose, he allowed Dickson to raise the point of order.

The Bayelsa lawmaker drew the attention of the Senate to Order 133 of the Senate Standing Rules, which required matters of state of emergency to be deliberated upon in a closed door session.

Akpabio upon hearing that, upheld his point of order, which was later held by the Senate where all its resolutions were taken on the state of emergency.

The motion for the adoption of votes and proceedings of Wednesday was adopted by Senator Barinada Mpigi, PDP, Rivers South-East and seconded by Senator Idiat Adebule, APC, Lagos West.

Obi slams NASS for approving emergency rule

Faulting the National Assembly, Obi said the use of voice vote on such crucial issues was an insult to Nigerians and a breach of the 1999 constitution.

Obi, who had along with several other opposition leaders made a passionate appeal to members of the National Assembly to reject the illegal removal of Rivers State governor, Similaya Fubara, and the State Assembly, in a series of tweets on his X handle, yesterday, wrote: “While still agonizing over the ongoing deterioration of democracy in our nation, especially with the situation in Rivers State, and trying to reach out to our National Assembly members not to support and sustain the unconstitutionality and arbitrariness, I just heard that they have added salt to injury by using a voice vote.

“The constitution is clear that this cannot be done through a voice vote but by calling individuals to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ You cannot determine a two-thirds majority by a voice vote.

“While a two-thirds majority is crucial, it does not justify bypassing proper procedures and undermining the principles of transparency and accountability. The use of a voice vote in such a significant decision not only disregards constitutional requirements but also erodes public trust in the democratic process.

“Decisions of such magnitude must be made with integrity, following the letter and spirit of the law. It’s disheartening that a decision as crucial as approving an emergency proclamation — one that could alter the course of the nation — was handled with such casual disregard for constitutional standards.

“The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) clearly requires that such a proclamation must be approved by at least two-thirds of all members of each arm of the legislature — the Senate and the House of Representatives.

‘’A simple call of “Aye” or “Nay” cannot accurately measure this crucial threshold. When a supermajority is required, it demands a recorded vote — whether by division, roll call, or electronic means.

‘’This isn’t just a technicality; it’s a matter of law and legitimacy. The Senate Standing Orders and House Rules were established to ensure that decisions of this magnitude are made transparently, with accountability. Ignoring these procedures is not just an oversight; it is a betrayal of the democratic process.”

Some lawyers also faulted the process of approving the state of emergency proclamation through voice vote, arguing that the process was not sufficient and could nt guarantee fairness and transparency.

A voice vote was insufficient to pass the resolution -Prof. Erugo, SAN

Prof. Sam Erugo, SAN, said: “It is apparent that the Senate and House of Representatives did not appreciate the gravity of the President ‘s proclamation, which was referred to them for approval.

‘’By Section 305(2) of the Constitution, they were required to ‘consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the Proclamation.’

“Going by subsection (6), if there was no resolution supported by two-thirds of all the members of each House of the National Assembly approving the Proclamation, it would have lapsed after two days.
“This provision shows the seriousness of the matter the National Assembly treated just like any other business.

“That is the reason the two-thirds majority of each House is required. A voice vote is insufficient to pass the resolution approving the President’s proclamation, which, as it were, required a special resolution and, obviously, the voice vote is unconstitutional.

“There is no way to determine that two-thirds majority ‘of all the members’ voted in favour of the proclamation, as required by the Constitution.

“One wonders why the hurry. In other jurisdictions, we should have seen robust debates in both Houses, considering the situation in Rivers State, to determine whether it required the extreme measure of declaration of state of emergency, and to the extent of removing an elected governor.

“It is unfortunate that Nigerians were deprived the opportunity to have vital information beyond the President’s partisan remarks that would appear to have decided against the governor.”

Voice voting does not guarantee fairness, transparency -Edun, SAN

In his reaction, Kunle Edun, SAN, said: “The Rules of the House will guide the legislators how the voting would be done. However, members can insist on a transparent process and considering the national importance of this issue, they should request for physical or electronic voting and counting of the votes.

“Voice voting does not guarantee fairness and transparency as shown in previous sessions presided over by the Senate President particularly.

“To show to the whole world the fairness of the entire process, voting must be done either electronically or physically and how each senator voted must be published for Nigerians to see.”

Uzodimma backs Tinubu, says it’s a national security necessity

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. He described the move as a proactive step necessary to prevent a looming crisis that could destabilize both the state and Nigeria’s economy.

Addressing journalists in Owerri, Governor Uzodimma emphasized the significance of Rivers State to the nation’s economic survival, particularly in crude oil production. He noted that the ongoing political tensions and refusal of key players to heed advisory interventions had escalated into a national security concern. The governor referenced recent reports of pipeline bombings and explosions in the state, stressing that at a time when Nigeria is striving to boost crude oil production to strengthen its currency and economy, such unrest cannot be tolerated.

“The President was very proactive, and his actions are highly commendable. Prevention, they say, is better than cure. Imagine what would have happened if the impeachment went ahead—it would have triggered actions and reactions, leading to violence and widespread unrest,” Uzodimma stated.

He also commended the National Assembly for supporting President Tinubu’s decision, describing it as a step taken in the national interest. He expressed confidence in the Federal Executive Council’s ability to oversee the situation effectively and ensure that law and order prevail. While acknowledging that the Progressive Governors’ Forum had not yet convened since the declaration, Uzodimma assured that, as chairman, he could confidently affirm that the forum stands firmly behind the President.

“To the best of my knowledge, none of our members will go against the actions of the President. We support any decision that protects the security and stability of the country,” he concluded.

March 21, 2025