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Rivers: APC-PDP Youth Forum Commends Court Judgement Nullifying Amendment of LG Law

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*Rivers: APC-PDP Youth Forum Commends Court Judgement Nullifying Amendment of LG Law*

 

 

 

The APC-PDP Youth Forum has welcomed the court judgement invalidating the amended Local Government Law proposed by the Martins Amaewhule faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Nwogu Benjamin, the group which comprises leaders from the political parties, described the ruling as sound, impartial and outstanding.

The judgement was delivered in a suit numbered PHC/1320/CS/2024 which challenged the extension of tenure for LG chairmen for six months after the expiration of their term.

Justice D.G. Kio, presiding over the case, declared the amendment invalid, citing its inconsistency with the 1999 Constitution and Section 9(1) of the Rivers State Local Government law No. 5 of 2018.

Benjamin said the court has done justice to the spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, thus saving the nation from the stranglehold of anarchists, emperors and saboteurs who mean no well for our democracy.

“We warmly commend the judiciary for its courageous and landmark judgment invalidating the amended local government law in Rivers State. This decision is a triumph of justice and a testament to the independence and integrity of our judicial system,” the group said.

“By this judgement, the proposed extension of the tenure of local government chairmen by six months after the expiration of their term has been declared invalid. Also, the governor still has the power to suspend local government council chairmen and appoint caretaker committees.

“By striking down the amended law, the court has upheld the principles of democracy, rule of law, and good governance. This judgment is a victory for the people of Rivers State and a reminder that the judiciary remains a bastion of hope for justice and accountability.

“We applaud the judges for their bravery and commitment to upholding the constitution and the law. Their decision demonstrates that the judiciary is willing to stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.

“We urge all stakeholders to respect the judgment and work towards entrenching democratic values and the rule of law in Rivers State. This judgment is a step forward in our quest for a more just and equitable society.”

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Crisis Looms in APC ….As Elected National Deputies demands for equity, justice and sense of belonging…

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Crisis Looms in APC

….As Elected National Deputies demands for equity, justice and sense of belonging…

 

All seems not to be well in the ruling party, Apc at the National level due to alleged injustice melted out to some elected National deputies of the Party.

Recently some NWC and NEC members were offered appiontment in some Parastals, to the utmost suprise of everybody some of the elected Deputies were left out.

According to a reliable source, this injustice has been on going since they were elected, they were not giving housing or car allowances like thier colleagues, Most Affected are the following

-Deputy National Legal adviser
-Deputy National Youth Leader
-Deputy National Treasurer
-Deputy National Auditor
-Deputy National Welfare officer are not also members of the NWC,
while some National Deputies are members.

The following elected National Officers were also left out in the last appointments announced.
The National Ex-Officio South-West
National Ex-Officio South+South
National Ex-Officio North-Central
National Ex-Officio South-East
National Ex-Officio North- West
National Ex-Officio North East

Worst of it all happened During the last Christmas and new year celebrations,were NWC members shared 20 bags each to themselves without even giving the Non NWC National Officers any. They weren’t given other items that were shared like their colleagues got. They see it as greed on the part of their colleagues in NWC.
They also did not benefit from the Housing and vehicle allowances their fellow colleagues in NWC gave themselves.

If not for the respect they have for Mr president by now they would have Been protests,.

A reliable source informed us that the Non NWC Deputies together with the Ex officio are planning for a Show-down next week if their demands are not met promptly.

They claim they all worked for the emergence of Mr President and were also elected the same day as their colleagues who got appointments as Chairman of Federal Government agencies and wondered why the National Chairman of their party APC did not forward their names to Mr President for Federal appointments.

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Goma Under Siege: M23 Rebels Tighten Grip Amid Ceasefire Uncertainty

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Goma Under Siege: M23 Rebels Tighten Grip Amid Ceasefire Uncertainty

Goma Under Siege: M23 Rebels Tighten Grip Amid Ceasefire Uncertainty

More than 900 people have been killed in the past two weeks amid intense fighting between M23 rebels and government forces in Goma, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The escalating violence has also left approximately 2,880 individuals injured and admitted to various health facilities in Goma since January 26, according to a statement released late Monday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

Last week, the M23 armed group, backed by Rwandan troops, seized control of Goma’s airport as its fighters swept through the regional capital of North Kivu, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes. The rebels have since intensified their attacks in eastern DRC, establishing checkpoints and significantly restricting humanitarian access.

 

With Goma under their control, M23 rebels advanced toward Bukavu, another major city in eastern DRC. Previously, the group had declared its intention to push further across the country toward the national capital, Kinshasa. However, in a recent statement, M23 rebels denied any plans to capture Bukavu.

 

“It must be made clear that we have no intention of capturing Bukavu or other areas. However, we reiterate our commitment to protecting and defending the civilian population and our positions,” said M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka.

Meanwhile, Rwanda-backed forces in eastern DRC announced on Tuesday that they would pause their advance for humanitarian reasons. The Alliance Fleuve Congo rebel coalition declared a unilateral ceasefire starting February 4, 2025, citing growing humanitarian concerns.

A statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the rebel group read: “The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) informs the public that, in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the regime in Kinshasa, it declares a ceasefire starting February 4, 2025, for humanitarian reasons.”

Despite the ceasefire declaration, there has been no immediate response from the DRC government in Kinshasa, and it remains unclear whether the Congolese military will honor the truce. Over the past three years, multiple ceasefires and truces have been declared, only to be systematically broken.

Before the ceasefire announcement, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported treating over 600 wounded individuals since the start of January, nearly half of whom were civilians, including women and children. Humanitarian organizations, including the WHO, have also warned of an increased risk of disease outbreaks, including mpox, cholera, and measles, as displaced populations struggle to access medical care amid the ongoing crisis.

 

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Historic Shift or Political Turmoil? Lagos Assembly in Crisis After Speaker’s Impeachment

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Tinubu Intensifies Lobbying Efforts Amid Northern Opposition to Tax Reform Bills

Historic Shift or Political Turmoil? Lagos Assembly in Crisis After Speaker’s Impeachment

Lagos, Nigeria – Political tensions in Lagos State have reached a fever pitch following the impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and the historic appointment of Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Meranda officially assumed office on Monday, January 27, 2025, amid controversy, with a two-thirds majority of the House voting to remove Obasa.

Historic Shift or Political Turmoil? Lagos Assembly in Crisis After Speaker's Impeachment

Citing Chapter 5, Section 92 of the Nigerian Constitution, lawmakers defended their decision, stating that Obasa’s impeachment was carried out in accordance with legal provisions. However, the political landscape has since been rocked by unexpected developments, including the detention of several lawmakers involved in the impeachment by operatives of the Lagos Command of the Department of State Services (DSS).

 

In a show of defiance, members of the Assembly visited the DSS office in Shangisha to reaffirm the legitimacy of their decision and condemned the detentions as intimidation tactics.

 

The crisis deepened on Sunday, February 2, 2025, when reports surfaced alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had instructed Meranda and other principal officers to step down in order to reinstate Obasa. The reports further claimed that First Lady Oluremi Tinubu had intervened on Obasa’s behalf, pressuring the President to act to prevent potential political instability ahead of the next elections.

Sanwo-olu Distances Self from #IgboMustGo" Protest

However, a political insider dismissed these allegations as false, asserting that they were fabrications designed to sway public opinion in Obasa’s favor. The source, speaking to PMExpress, stated, “When it seemed ploys and tactics from the ex-speaker were not yielding expected results, those behind the plots resorted to sponsoring wild rumors and dropping influential names.”

Another source close to the presidency dismissed the speculation as baseless, asserting that it was inconceivable for President Tinubu to be unaware of such a significant political shift in Lagos, his stronghold. The source noted, “How can something of this magnitude happen, and the DSS and other intelligence agencies be unaware? These are civilian politicians, not military officers who can hold clandestine meetings. If the President had any objections, he would have stopped it before it even began.”

The unfolding crisis has left Lagosians watching closely, as the political power struggle continues to play out. With Meranda now at the helm, the next moves of both her allies and Obasa’s supporters will determine the future of the Lagos State House of Assembly and its leadership. Whether this marks a new era of progressive leadership or a prolonged period of political instability remains to be seen.

 

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