Category: General News

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis and governance paralysis.

In a nationwide emergency broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu expressed deep concern over the situation, stating:”Fellow Nigerians, I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I have watched with concern, hoping that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail. However, all such hopes have faded, with no resolution in sight.”

His words, “Fellow Nigerians, I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I have watched with concern the development with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail at the soonest, 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 of the state not being able to have access to 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 all their 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 rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced in very 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 catalogue of judicial findings of constitutional breaches against the Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Going Forward in their judgment, and 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 some 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 both the House and the governor have not been able to work together.

Both of them do not realise that they are in office to work together for the peace and good governance of the state.

“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 order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.

“With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby 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 make a request to 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 period of six months.

“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. 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.

“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.

“This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

Long live a united, peaceful, secure and democratic Rivers State in particular and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a whole.”

Flowerbudnews

Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State said that throughout his tenure, he never received bribes or kickbacks from contractors working in the state.

The former governor challenged anyone who has evidence that he received bribes to come forward and make that public.

He also stated that he has never stolen from anyone.

“I have never stolen a kobo from anyone. If any contractor has given me a bribe, let him come forward,” El-Rufai stated.

Further on alleged corrupt activities in Kaduna state, El-Rufai noted that several contractors who carried out projects during his time as governor have been investigated by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

According to him, when the contractors were queried on their dealings with him (El-Rufai), they all said they had never meet him.

“I worked only through commissioners and permanent secretaries,” he stated.

He further accused the incumbent governor of demanding kickbacks from contractors before approving their contracts.

“Uba goes to Abuja with contract documents, offering them to contractors in exchange for a 40 per cent kickback. We know what is happening.

“They assumed that was how we ran the government, but they are wrong,” he alleged,” he added.

Flowerbudnews

A lawyer, Emmanuel Ekpenyong Esq., has disagreed with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi SAN’s submission that the discretion granted to him under the law to promulgate an order to bring Part 1 of the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act into operation is absolute and not subject to judicial review.

Ekpenyong argued that, under Nigerian law, the courts have jurisdiction to bring any person, authority or office to the right path by compelling the same to properly exercise a statutory power or discretion.
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The legal practitioner stated this in his reply on points of law dated and filed on March 5 at the Supreme Court in response to the AGF”s Respondent’s Brief of Argument in the appeal marked: SC/CR/92/2024.

The process was made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

The AGF had, in his Respondent’s Brief of Argument filed on Feb. 11 by Suleiman Jibril in the Civil Appeals Department, Federal Ministry of Justice, prayed the apex court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the concurrent decision of the two lower courts.

He urged the court to determine whether the administrative discretion granted to the AGF under Section 3 (1) of the Foreign Judgments Reciprocal Enforcement Act, CAP F35, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 to promulgate an Order to bring Part 1 of the 1990 Act into operation is absolute and not subject to judicial review.

He also urged the Supreme Court to determine whether it is trite for purposive rule of interpretation to be employed in the interpretation of the word, “may” and the entire provision of Section 3 (1) of the law to mean mandatory legal duty on the AGF so as to arrive at the true intention of the legislature as at when it enacted the Act in 1960.

“My lords, it is our strong contention that the learned justices of the court below were right when they reached the conclusion that the discretion granted to the AGF under Section 3 (1) of the Foreign Judgments Reciprocal Enforcement Act, CAP F35, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 to promulgate an Order to bring Part 1 of the Act into operation is absolute and not subject to judicial review.”

But in his reply on points of law, Ekpenyong of the law firm of Fred-Young & Evans LP, prayed the apex court to discountenance the AGF’s argument.

The human right and constitutional lawyer prayed the Supreme Court to determine whether the AGF has absolute discretion on whether to make an order to bring Part I of the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act into operation.

“We submit respectfully that no persons, authority or office under Nigeria’s constitutional democracy has absolute statutory powers or absolute statutory discretion to act as he or she pleases without the judicial control of the courts under Section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“The courts have jurisdiction to determine whether statutory powers or statutory discretion were properly exercised and if not properly exercised, to bring the person, authority or office to the right path by compelling him or her to properly exercise the statutory power or discretion.”

The lawyer disagreed with the AGF on his submission that no power, including the court can subject his discretion to judicial review under their inherent supervisory powers.

“The crux of the error of the Respondent (AGF) in this case is that he believes he has absolute discretion on whether to promulgate the Order to bring Part I of the Foreign Judgment (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act (“the 1990 Act”) into operation.

According to him, this assertion is a relic of the dark days of military regime in Nigeria when the military government had dictatorial and absolute powers to determine whether or not to promulgate a decree.

“This is not so in a constitutional democracy where the discretion is even provided by statute,” he argued.

Citing a previous case by the apex court in Oloyede against the state, he said the court held that “the power conferred in the courts by Section 6 (6) (a) of the Constitution is broad but not unlimited.

“Section 6 (6) (a) of the Constitution enables superior courts to exercise inherent supervisory jurisdiction over inferior courts. Power, which is necessary for the smooth administration of justice.”

He insisted that the AGF does not have absolute discretion on whether to make an Order to bring Part I of the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act into operation.

“The statutory discretion conferred on the Respondent under Section 3 (1) of the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act is a public statutory duty which is different from mere discretion that may be exercised by the Respondent whenever he likes.

“The phrase ‘if he is satisfied’ used in Section 3 (1) of the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act does not confer unlimited discretion on the Respondent which is not subject to judicial control and review.

“The court will avoid literal interpretation of Section 3 (1) of the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act if it leads to absurdity.

“The intention of the parliament in enacting the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act in 1960 was for Nigeria to have a legislation on recognition of foreign judgments in post-colonial Nigeria.

“We urge this Honorable court to give effect to the intention of the parliament when it enacted the Act,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for hearing

Ekpenyong had dragged the AGF to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeal, in appeal number: CA/A/132/2020, between Ekpenyong and AGF, dismissed the appeal on May 12, 2022.

The Appeal Court upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, delivered by retired Justice Anwuli Chikere, that the AGF has absolute discretionary powers under Section 3 (1) of the Act to promulgate an order to bring Part 1 of the Act into operation.

But the Supreme Court had on May 27, 2024, granted leave to Ekpenyong to appeal the judgement of the Appeal Court which dismissed his appeal against the AGF.

A five-member panel of the apex court, in a unanimous ruling delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, granted the appellant’s prayer for leave of the apex court to seek redress against the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

By Flowerbudnews
The Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Uchenna Ugwu, says the assembly will continue to promote and support Igbo language and culture to ensure its sustainability among the people.

Ugwu gave the assurance on Tuesday during an event to commemorate International Mother Language Day 2025 in Enugu organised by Igbo Efula, an indigenous NGO promoting Igbo language and culture.

According to him, we all have a duty to teach our children (the next generation of Ndigbo), the Igbo language, culture and our rich heritage as Igbo people.

He said, “I am glad to see secondary school students participating in all Igbo promotion subjects/ideas here today.

“The Enugu State House of Assembly will continue to support and sustain all efforts aimed at promoting the Igbo language and culture for the benefit of children and to ensure it will never go extinct.”

Ugwu commended Igbo Efula for its nationally acknowledged efforts towards the promotion of Igbo language, culture, heritage and more.

Corroborating, the Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, commended the organiser of the event – Igbo Efula – for steadily working for the promotion of Igbo language over the years.

“We all have a duty in ensuring that Igbo language grows and flourishes. However, parents have a big duty in ensuring that their children learn to speak Igbo from their homes,” she said.

Equally, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu (Ogadagidi), pledged the support of traditional rulers in promotion of Igbo language and culture as well as support of organisations promoting advancement of Igbo language.

The Chairman of the event, Prince Chukwuemeka Onyesoh (Oba Agbalanze), urged Igbo Efula to explore ways of working together with other organisations that equally have the goal of promoting Igbo language.

“I sincerely commend the organisers of this event – Igbo Efula – and urge all of us to take up the task of ensuring the promotion of Igbo language in our homes and localities,” he said.

Speaking, former Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, urged them all to support Igbo Efula to ensure that their lofty and onerous task of reviving and promoting Igbo language was achieved.

Agubuzu, who is also Chairman, Board of Trustees of Igbo Efula, expressed his appreciation to all the dignitaries who honoured the organiser’s invitation.

In an opening address, Mazi Ikechukwu Oji, President, Igbo Efula, called for more emphasis to be placed on the younger generation realising why they must speak Igbo fluently without compulsion.

Oji urged various levels of government and other stakeholders to support the Igbo film and music language industry, as the surest way of promoting Igbo language.

“The surest way of promoting Igbo language is by promoting the Igbo language industry, by supporting all those who earn a living through Igbo language such as Igbo Nollywood artistes, Igbo language teachers, Igbo language authors, musicians, journalists, etc.

“Logically, it is their business to promote Igbo language and the growth of their business is symbiotically linked to the growth of the language,” he added.

Highlights of the event included: launching of a sticker in promotion of Igbo language, musical performance in Igbo language, secondary school students Igbo proverbs competition and presentation on importance of kolanut in Igbo culture by pupils of Fresh Grace Montessori School, Enugu.