Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has affirmed that his administration will fully implement the recent Supreme Court judgment on the state’s political crisis, despite disagreeing with the ruling. Fubara made this declaration on Sunday during a broadcast on AIT, emphasizing that his government remains law-abiding and will comply with the court’s directive. Supreme Court’s Judgment The Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered on Friday by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, ruled that state funds would only be released to the Fubara-led government when a lawful Appropriation Law is enacted under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule as Speaker. The apex court also…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
A political group, Team New Nigeria (TNN), has unveiled its symbols and reaffirmed its commitment to forming a political party to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including hardship and insecurity. During the public presentation at Kano Pillars Stadium, TNN President Modibbo Farakwai introduced the group’s motto, “Unite and Rebuild the Nation,” and its slogan, “Greater Nigeria.” Symbolism of TNN’s Flag The newly unveiled TNN flag features green and white colors, with an image of hands held together in red at the center, and “TNN” inscribed in white on a black background. Explaining the symbolism, Farakwai noted: Green represents growth, responsibility, and…
Rep. Aminu Jaji (APC-Zamfara) has welcomed Mallam Muhammad Kabir-Sani, the 2023 Zamfara governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), into the All Progressives Congress (APC). Kabir-Sani defected alongside members of the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State House of Assembly candidates’ forum, bringing thousands of their supporters into the APC under the Jajiyya APC political movement, led by Alhaji Isiyaka Ajiya-Anka. The defectors formally announced their switch to the ruling party after a meeting with Jaji at his residence in Gusau. Reasons for Defection Explaining the move, Kabir-Sani cited confidence in Jaji’s leadership and contributions to the development of…
The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and restrain his political allies from actions that could destabilize Nigeria’s democracy. The party cited ongoing political crises in Rivers, Osun, and Lagos states, warning of potential economic and political consequences if left unchecked. In a statement issued on Sunday in Bauchi, ZLP National Chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu, condemned the rising tensions in these states, attributing them to key figures allegedly loyal to the President—Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; and Speaker of the Lagos State House…
The Delta State Police Command has rescued five worshippers who were abducted during a night vigil at Elyon Paradise Ministry, Ogwashi-Uku, following a raid on the kidnappers’ hideout in Ubuluku Forest. During the operation, police operatives recovered N1.3 million, believed to be ransom money. The pastor of the church sustained gunshot wounds during the abduction and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. Acting on directives from the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, tactical teams, including the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, were deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims. In collaboration with Ubuluku community vigilantes and…
No fewer than 12 persons were reportedly burnt to death in a fatal accident along the Benin-Auchi road in Edo State. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Igueoviobo community, near an army checkpoint. Confirming the accident, the Edo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Cyril Mathew, said it involved a Toyota Hiace bus and a truck. According to him, the bus, which departed from Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory and was heading to Benin, collided with the truck traveling towards Auchi, resulting in the deaths of all passengers in the…
More than 2,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State have defected to the Labour Party (LP) in solidarity with their representative in the State Assembly, Rowland Dennis, who recently left the PDP. The defectors, led by their ward chairmen, were officially received into the LP by Governor Alex Otti and presented with the party’s flag by the Isiala Ngwa South LP Chairman, Smart Ogbonna. Welcoming the new members, Otti described the Labour Party as an inclusive platform committed to good governance and open to all Nigerians. He commended Hon.…
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has explained his decision to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) after previously leaving the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Sani had exited the APC in October 2018 following disputes over the party’s primaries. He later joined the PDP and contested the 2019 senatorial election but lost to the current Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani. On February 16, the former lawmaker officially returned to the APC alongside some members of the PDP and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kaduna. Speaking on Friday during an interview on Hard Copy, a…
The legal battle between the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has escalated, with the Abia State High Court in Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area, restraining the enforcement of Wabara’s suspension. Presiding over the case between Wabara and Abraham Amah, Justice L.T.C. Eruba issued an order preventing Amah from claiming the Abia State PDP chairmanship and from enforcing Wabara’s suspension. In the suit marked HUK/8/2025, Wabara sought a court injunction to halt the suspension imposed on him by the state PDP leadership. Granting…
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested the Chairman of Kiru Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, for allegedly selling land worth over N100 million meant for the Kafin Maiyaki Mini Stadium. The Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Kabir Kabir, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kano. According to Kabir, investigations revealed that a company, Mahasum, had purchased the plots of land allocated for the mini stadium, with the payment deposited into Mohammed’s personal account. He further disclosed that Mohammed’s account received N240 million between November 1, 2024, when he was…
The Rivers State House of Assembly has applauded the Supreme Court of Nigeria for its ruling affirming Martin Amaewhule as Speaker and recognizing the Assembly as the duly constituted legislative body of the state. This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu. Reacting to the judgment during the 129th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session, Speaker Amaewhule described the verdict as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. He asserted that the ruling validated their stance that “Governor Siminalayi Fubara was running an illegal administration with unscreened…
A fire outbreak involving a petrol tanker and an articulated truck on the Oko-Olowo-Jebba highway in Kwara State claimed the life of a man and a dog on Friday morning. The incident, which occurred at about 8:27 a.m. at Iyemaja Village, resulted in the death of the truck driver, identified as Wasiu. According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, the petrol tanker was carrying 33,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), while the truck driven by Wasiu was loaded with fertilizer. Firefighters arrived promptly and managed to contain the blaze, preventing further…
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis is showing signs of improvement as he battles double pneumonia but will not lead the annual Ash Wednesday service marking the beginning of Lent. The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since February 14 after suffering a severe respiratory infection that led to complications. While the Vatican has not specified how long he will remain in the hospital, it confirmed on Friday that he would not preside over the Ash Wednesday service on March 5, indicating that his hospitalization may extend into next week. A senior Vatican official will instead…
United States President Donald Trump has praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his soldiers for their exceptional bravery in the ongoing war against Russia. Trump made the commendation during a meeting with Zelensky at the White House on Friday, where discussions centered on securing U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense against potential future Russian aggression. Expressing optimism about an end to the conflict, Trump acknowledged the resilience of Ukrainian forces. “Your soldiers have been unbelievably brave,” he said. “We give them the credit. I give tremendous credit to your generals, your soldiers, and yourself. It’s been very hard fighting, very tough…
A Jigawa State High Court, presided over by Justice Ahmed Abubakar, has sentenced two men, Hamimu Auwalu and Ashiru Salisu, to death by hanging for culpable homicide. The convicts, both residents of Sabalari Village in Dutse Local Government Area, were found guilty of conspiracy, deceitful abduction for ransom, and culpable homicide. Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Abubakar ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that the convicts intentionally caused the death of Tahir Adamu Hassan on April 4, 2024, in Sabalari village. “The prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that the convicts had…
President Bola Tinubu has signed the 2025 Appropriation Bill into law, officially approving a total budget of N54.99 trillion for the fiscal year. The National Assembly had initially raised the budget from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion following a request from the President before finally approving the N54.99 trillion total. Budget Breakdown Statutory Transfers: N3.645 trillion Debt Servicing: N14.317 trillion Recurrent Expenditure: N13.64 trillion Capital Expenditure (Development Fund): N23.963 trillion The allocation for debt servicing stands at N14.317 trillion, reflecting Nigeria’s financial obligations, while N13.64 trillion is earmarked for Recurrent Expenditure, covering salaries, overheads, and daily government operations. More details…
The 27 lawmakers from Rivers State reinstated by the Supreme Court on Friday erupted in jubilation, celebrating their victory with singing and dancing at the court premises in Abuja. The lawmakers, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and led by Martin Amaewhule, had been at the center of a political crisis in the state following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Their seats were previously declared vacant, and a factional leadership under Edison Oko-Jumbo had emerged. Delivering its ruling, the Supreme Court, in a judgment read…
Amid escalating tension in the Lagos State House of Assembly, 35 lawmakers arrived at the Ikeja High Court on Friday morning as the legal battle over the speakership unfolds. The lawmakers were taken to court by former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who is challenging his recent removal from office. Court Hearing Commences Amid Assembly Crisis The case, presided over by Hon. Justice Y.R. Pinheiro, was scheduled for hearing on Friday as the power struggle within the Assembly deepens. Obasa was ousted from his position while on a visit to the United States a few weeks ago, with lawmakers electing Hon. Mojisola…
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State have called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to immediately redeploy Government House staff who served under the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki. Operating under the aegis of Edo APC Leaders of Thought, the party chieftains argue that retaining these staff members poses a security risk to the new administration. Speaking on behalf of the group, Momodu Adams stated that many civil servants in the Government House had worked closely with Obaseki throughout his eight-year tenure, making their continued presence in Okpebholo’s administration a matter of concern. Urgent Need for Staff…
A Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja on Thursday dissolved the 13-year marriage between Gaminana Aminat and her husband, Musa Abdulrahab, over allegations of domestic violence and disrespect. Presiding Judge Aliyu Kagarko granted the divorce in accordance with Islamic law after Aminat sought dissolution, citing her husband’s persistent misbehavior and lack of respect for her and her parents. The court also directed Aminat to observe the mandatory three-month Iddah period before entering another marriage. Aminat, who married Abdulrahab in 2012 under Islamic law, told the court that their union had produced three children. However, she accused Abdulrahab of repeatedly…