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Rivers State Boils: Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration Sparks Controversy

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Emergency Rule in Rivers: Tinubu Moves to Restore Order or Seize Control?

Emergency Rule in Rivers: Tinubu Moves to Restore Order or Seize Control?

 

In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the need to restore law and order amid escalating political turmoil. The declaration led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

President Tinubu announced the nomination of retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Rivers State Administrator to oversee the affairs of the state. Within hours of the announcement, military personnel took over the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt, with sources confirming the presence of armed soldiers and an Armored Personnel Carrier stationed at the entrance.

Tension in Port Harcourt

Following the emergency declaration, anxiety gripped the state capital, Port Harcourt. Residents rushed home as news of the situation spread, while others gathered on streets to discuss the unfolding events. Witnesses reported an increased military presence, with government officials remaining tight-lipped on the specifics of the transition process.

Tinubu Justifies Action

In his address, Tinubu stated that the political crisis in Rivers State had defied all attempts at resolution, stalling development and depriving residents of good governance. He cited Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as the legal basis for the emergency declaration, emphasizing that the move was necessary to restore stability.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate,” Tinubu clarified. He assured that the newly appointed administrator would focus on governance rather than legislation, with any necessary regulations subject to Federal Executive Council approval.

The decision followed an emergency security meeting at Aso Rock, convened after twin explosions rocked oil pipelines in the state. The meeting included key security figures, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and top government officials.

Fubara Responds, Calls for Calm

Governor Fubara, in a statement, urged Rivers residents to remain calm and law-abiding. He blamed political adversaries for frustrating his attempts to comply with a recent Supreme Court ruling. “Since assuming office, all my actions have been guided by the Constitution and a commitment to peace,” Fubara said. He accused members of the state assembly loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike of undermining his efforts to govern effectively.

Pipeline Explosions Heighten Tensions

Security concerns escalated after two explosions were reported at key oil installations in Rivers State within 24 hours. The first incident occurred at the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, while the second blast hit a pipeline manifold in Omwawriwa, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA. The Rivers State Police Command confirmed arrests related to the incidents and launched an investigation into possible sabotage.

Some sources linked the blasts to threats from militant groups opposing the political crisis, raising fears of renewed instability in the Niger Delta. The police, however, assured the public that measures were in place to prevent further disruptions.

Political Fallout and Supreme Court Rulings

The crisis in Rivers State has been brewing for months, with a long-standing rift between Governor Fubara and lawmakers loyal to Wike. The state assembly had earlier moved to impeach Fubara, a process that intensified following a Supreme Court ruling affirming the legitimacy of 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The apex court ordered the suspension of state government financial allocations until a lawful budget was passed under Speaker Martin Amaewhule’s leadership.

NBA, Opposition, and PANDEF Condemn Suspension

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) criticized Tinubu’s declaration, arguing that the Constitution does not empower the President to unilaterally suspend a governor or elected lawmakers. “A declaration of emergency does not automatically dissolve or suspend elected state governments,” NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) stated.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the move, describing it as “an assault on democracy.” He accused Tinubu of failing to prevent the political crisis from escalating and warned that the intervention could destabilize the region.

Similarly, the PDP rejected the state of emergency, calling it an unconstitutional attempt to forcefully take control of Rivers State. PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba stated, “The action of Mr. President borders on an attempt at state capture and a deliberate plan to subvert democracy in Rivers State.”

The Ijaw National Congress and Ijaw Youth Council warned against any attempt to remove Governor Fubara, asserting that such actions could lead to unrest in the Niger Delta and disrupt oil production.

National Assembly’s Role and Next Steps

Under Nigerian law, the National Assembly must approve the declaration of a state of emergency within 10 days. The decision is expected to face intense debate, with opposition lawmakers and civil society groups already mobilizing against the measure.

In the meantime, all eyes are on Rivers State as tensions rise amid uncertainty over the political future of the state. Security agencies have been placed on high alert to prevent further unrest, while the Federal Government insists that the emergency intervention is necessary to restore stability and governance.

More updates will follow as the situation unfolds.

Politics

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

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Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

 

Acknowledging that the scourge of brazen extortion by miscreants on Lagos streets was on the increase, the Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohunda Moshood Jimoh, and heads of other security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering with the latest security apparatuses, increase surveillance on black spots across the metropolis, and, where necessary, arrest such miscreants, and have the state rehabilitate them.

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Hon. Sanni Okanlawon (representing Kosofe Constituency 1) raised the alarm at plenary Tuesday, May 6, under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ stating; “The unlawful extortion of stranded and innocent motorists by miscreants remains a growing concern that demands urgent attention. Nobody on the streets of Lagos is immune to their activities. If left unchecked, they could render the state unsafe.” He painted different unsavoury scenarios of how the street urchins operate brazenly, which he described as unacceptable, and called for urgent intervention to protect road users.

Supporting the motion, Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho Constituency II) noted that this particular trend threatens the safety and sanity of road transportation in the state. Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere Constituency 1) corroborated this and emphasised the need for active surveillance by security agencies. He also suggested the involvement of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), noting that many of the offenders act under the influence of illegal substances.

Similarly, Hon. Aro Moshood (Ikorodu Constituency II) urged the Commissioner of Police to set up a tactical team dedicated mainly to road monitoring because “It is high time the government took the bull by the horns.” Commending Hon. Okanlawon for moving the motion, Hon. Adebola Shabi (Lagos Mainland Constituency 2) said local government chairmen have a huge role in combating this menace. Effective strategies, she added, have to be devised while recommending the installation of CCTV cameras at identified black spots.

However, Hon. Obafemi Saheed (Kosofe Constituency 2) disclosed that the government has invested heavily in security through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, and, therefore, should not sit back and watch miscreants take over the city.

Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa commended Hon. Okanlawon and the lawmakers who contributed robustly to the debate. He said that the police and other security agencies, including the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), must collaborate to ensure that Lagos remains safe for residents, commuters, and visitors alike.

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Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

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Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the state Lands Bureau to appear before it to provide clarity on previous allocations and recurring land-related issues. It also approved land compensation for communities where the state government acquired lands for public use.

At plenary last Thursday, the House adopted the recommendations of the Committee on Rules and Business on a petition titled “Application by Oriba Community in Epe Local Government to join in the petition of Ladaba Community” presented by Hon. Noheem Adams.

Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

Following the presentation of the report, the House unanimously adopted the recommendations as its resolution by asking the bureau to appear before it with proper documents to explain the status of lands acquired by the state. The committee also recommended that the bureau issue excision/allocation letters to the 68 affected communities, while their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) should be ready within one month of the House’s resolution.

Members who lent their voices to the matter commended the committee for ensuring they got justice for the affected communities and suggested that their compensation should be increased from 20% to 25%.

In his summation, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon.. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa acknowledged the need for increased compensation but noted that the state government has its plans. Particularly, he endorsed the allocation of 20% (2,000 hectares) of the 10,000 hectares acquired by the state government as compensation.

Speaker Obasa further recommended that the committee should collaborate with the Lands Bureau, Office of the State Surveyor General, and New Towns Development Authority for the effective implementation of the recommendations.

The Lagos State Lands Bureau is responsible for land administration and management. It oversees key activities such as land allocation, issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), land registration, and the management of state-owned lands.

Its primary goals include ensuring equitable and transparent land transactions, facilitating urban planning, and supporting economic development by maintaining an organized system of land ownership. The bureau also handles disputes related to land and implements policies to optimize land use while protecting public interests.

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Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan

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Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan

 

 

Two women with two distinct destinies. One, Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, is a political luminary and steadfast advocate for the marginalized. The other is Aisha Achimugu, a trailblazing entrepreneur who conquered the male-dominated oil and gas sector, yet wears her heart on her sleeve for humanity.

 

 

Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan 

 

Though their paths differ, their souls converge in two profound ways: an unyielding passion for women’s empowerment and a lifelong covenant with charity.

 

 

For Oluremi, empowering women and uplifting the vulnerable is not merely a mission—it’s her oxygen. From founding the New Era Foundation as Lagos’ First Lady to launching her Renewed Hope Initiative as Nigeria’s First Lady—a platform championing youth and girl-child education and spearheading transformative projects like the Community ICT Hub—she has turned biblical compassion into action. Her unalloyed commitment to charitable virtues shone brightly during the commissioning of the hub in Ibadan, a Federal Government collaboration under her RHI that bridges the digital divide for thousands, revealing a heart that beats for the forgotten.

 

 

 

In Aisha Achimugu, Oluremi unknowingly finds a kindred spirit. Aisha’s SAM Empowerment Foundation has illuminated the futures of countless Nigerian girls through scholarships, mentorship, and vocational training, transforming aspirations into tangible opportunities. Her compassion radiates beyond borders, driven by a pan-African vision to uplift communities wherever the need arises. Whether empowering women in Nigeria’s underserved regions or advocating for sustainable livelihoods across the continent, Aisha’s mantra—“When God has blessed you, be a blessing to others”— resounds in every act of service. From rebuilding lives shattered by poverty to fostering dignity through education, her golden heart has become a beacon of hope for Africa’s most vulnerable.

 

 

 

Yet, their journeys have not been without storms. Both women have endured savage media trials—unfairly judged, their reputations scrutinized. Society often forgets: behind the headlines are mothers, leaders, and humanitarians whose “crimes” are loving too fiercely and giving too generously. They are imperfect, as all humans are, but in their relentless generosity, they mirror the very best of what humanity can be.

 

 

 

To Oluremi and Aisha: Your resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to your unbreakable spirits. When cynics question your motives, remember the girls now coding in Ibadan’s ICT Hub, the mothers reclaiming their futures through vocational training, and the orphans who see you as their lifeline. Do not relent. For every life you touch—whether through education, healthcare, or the quiet restoration of dignity—a ripple of hope spreads. Your legacies are not etched in headlines but in healed hearts and transformed destinies.

 

 

We see you. We celebrate you. And we beg you: keep shining.

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