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Rivers: Wike Urges Those Opposing Supreme Judgment To Appeal To God

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1 month ago

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has reacted to the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, which nullified the local government elections in Rivers State and affirmed the legitimacy of the 27-member Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule.

Speaking in Abuja, Wike described the ruling as a victory for democracy, stating that it has effectively ended the reign of impunity in Rivers State.

Wike also criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, for supporting what he described as lawlessness in Rivers State.

He insisted that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no option but to obey the Supreme Court’s verdict, adding that the ruling invalidates all of Fubara’s decisions and appointments since the political crisis in the state began.

“I have always said that the wheel of justice is sluggish, but it will come when it will come. More than 15, 16 months, this matter has been laid to rest by the highest court of the land. The only thing that can happen now is for anybody unhappy to appeal to God—if there is an opportunity to appeal to God,” Wike said.

‘No Such Thing as an Amaewhule Faction’

When asked about the court’s recognition of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, Wike dismissed any notion of a divided legislature, stating:

“There is nothing like an Amaewhule faction. The Supreme Court has made it clear that you cannot have a democracy without a legislature. It is unheard of that three people will constitute an assembly to make laws for an entire state. It has nothing to do with personal preferences; the fact remains that three lawmakers cannot run a government.”

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Wike condemned Governor Fubara for attempting to govern without a legitimate legislature, arguing that the state’s budget must be presented to the duly recognized 27-member Assembly.

“A governor demolished the House of Assembly building and acted as if nothing happened. Then he moved the Assembly to his residence, where three lawmakers sat to pass laws and approve an appropriation bill. This level of impunity is unacceptable.”

The FCT Minister maintained that the Supreme Court’s ruling has effectively dismantled Governor Fubara’s government, stating that:

All appointments, including commissioners, are nullified.

No funds should be released to the state government without proper budgetary approval.

The governor must now operate within the confines of the law.

“The Supreme Court has now ruled that the Central Bank and the Accountant General must not release any funds to the Rivers State Government until the budget is properly presented to the 27-member Assembly. Without an approved budget, the government has no legal basis to spend money,” Wike said.

He also mocked Atiku and Bala Mohammed, urging them to remain consistent in their support for Governor Fubara.

“People like Atiku were praising Fubara when he defied the law. I hope they will also hail him today. The chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum should also applaud him today. The Supreme Court has now silenced all of them.”

Wike warned Governor Fubara against disobeying the Supreme Court ruling, reminding him that any further defiance could lead to anarchy in the state.

“All his commissioners and his so-called attorney general—they are gone. They never existed in the first place. I am sure the so-called attorney general knows that he is no longer in office.”

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According to Wike, Fubara has committed several constitutional violations that justify impeachment, including:

Spending the 2024 budget without legislative approval.

Appointing commissioners without Assembly confirmation.

Demolishing the state House of Assembly building.

“Who spends trillions of Naira without a legislative appropriation? What greater constitutional infraction is there than this? If the Rivers State Assembly decides to impeach him, what can the Chief Judge—who has been supporting him—do now? The Supreme Court has ruled that there was no budget. Even if the Assembly wants to begin impeachment proceedings, there is nothing anyone can do about it,” Wike said.

Despite these infractions, Wike stated that he would not advise the lawmakers to impeach the governor.

With the Supreme Court ruling, Wike declared that Rivers State must now return to constitutional order and put an end to political impunity. He urged Fubara to align with the law and work with the recognized House of Assembly to move the state forward.

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Politics

How mega opposition coalition can defeat Tinubu in 2027 election —Ex-presidential candidate

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9 hours ago

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April 1, 2025

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The Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo, has said the only unity and emergence of a strong candidate could secure victory for the coalition of opposition leaders in 2027.

Onovo, an activist and Head of Policy Positions, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

He was reacting to the recent announcement of an opposition coalition to challenge the All progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.

Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,
Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,

“The coalition of opposition leaders needs a candidate that is vigorous; a strong candidate to brighten its chances in 2027. The coalition needs somebody with a clear agenda and a clear vision.

“The opposition needs a candidate with a strong background of integrity. Nobody is perfect, but you need a strong background of integrity.

“The opposition needs somebody who is morally and mentally competent, and physically fit. The opposition does not need the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any old person if it wants to win.

“The opposition doesn’t need any old person now. It is time to use the energy of the young.

“They must present a strong candidate, who is strong morally, mentally, and physically, with a clear patriotic agenda to move the country forward, ” Onovo said.

He added that the coalition had a lot that could work to its advantage in 2027 and urged members to work with unity of purpose to achieve convincing victory.

Also speaking on chances of the ruling party in 2027, the politician said APC could remain in power if the challenges arising from subsidy removal and other economic issues were addressed by the present administration.

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He also said President Bola Tinubu still had the opportunity to address the security challenges in the country to win in 2027 ,and remain in power ,if interested

Onovo, who noted that he was not part of the organisers of the mega coalition, said that he had always been part of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) since 2019 elections.

He called on all Nigerians to unite for the development of the country, ensuring leadership that would fulfill the country’s aspirations.

NAN recalls that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had recently announced the formation of a coalition, aimed at unseating Tinubu in 2027.

Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja, attended by several opposition politicians, including former APC members.

Among those present at the even were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. (NAN)

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Politics

APC grants Governor Otu automatic ticket for 2027 election

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18 hours ago

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April 1, 2025

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River on Monday granted Gov. Bassey Otu and his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, an automatic ticket for the 2027 general election.

Speaking at the APC Secretariat in Calabar, the party’s Chairman, Mr Alphonsus Eba, urged other party members aspiring for political positions to begin their consultations.

Eba clarified that apart from the governor and his deputy, no other individual had been given an automatic ticket by the party.

He encouraged other aspirants to return to their constituents and seek their support ahead of the elections.

“The State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of APC met today and resolved that Governor Otu will be the party’s sole candidate in 2027,” he said.

He explained that the decision was based on the principle of continuity, stating, “Nobody changes a winning team. The governor and his deputy will fly the party’s flag in 2027.”

He added that even if Otu was reluctant to run, the party would still present only one ticket with his name, as was done in 2022.

“We appeal to him to listen to the desires of party members and accept the nomination,” Eba stated.

He also praised the deputy governor, currently acting as governor, for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s actions in Rivers.

Eba noted that some individuals had misrepresented the state’s position. He commended the acting governor for clarifying that South-South governors had not consulted him before opposing Tinubu’s decision.

He applauded the President for restoring peace in Rivers, preventing a political crisis. (NAN)

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Natasha Confirms Sallah Visits Despite Kogi Rally Ban

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19 hours ago

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April 1, 2025

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The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday, announced that she would not back out on her plan to return to her constituency for the Sallah break.

The senator also urged her supporters to disregard speculations making the round that she has cancelled her scheduled visit.

She disclosed this in a statement issued by her media team in the early hours of Tuesday.

The statement read, “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central Senatorial District will proceed as planned.

“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.”

While stating that she has a statutory function in her capacity as the lawmaker representing her constituents, the senator encouraged her supporters to troop out en masse to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with her.

“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.

“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.

“We would like to assure the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a successful and joyous event. We invite all members of the community to join us in marking this special occasion,” the statement added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s homecoming notification comes a few hours after the Kogi State Government banned rallies and public gatherings in the state over security reports.

The government also stopped fishing and other activities, lamenting that they resulted in the loss of two lives in Kasemiya, Katubo and Umozu Ette, all in Kogi Local Government Area in Kogi West.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said the move was to prevent any form of security breach that might destabilise the state.

Fanwo added that intelligence reports indicated that some persons were planning to “stage some violent rallies in the guise of political and religious agitations” in Kogi Central.

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