Author

Folarin Kehinde

Headlines

Atiku, El-Rufai, Tanko, Ihedioha Form Coalition To Challenge Tinubu In 2027

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has announced the formation of a new coalition of opposition political parties aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Atiku made the declaration on Thursday at a press conference held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where he addressed journalists on behalf of the opposition leaders. The coalition, comprising key political figures, seeks to present a united front against what they describe as the president’s unconstitutional actions and governance failures.

As part of its agenda, the coalition strongly criticised President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of elected officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.

Atiku, flanked by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Labour Party spokesperson, Yunusa Tanko, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, called on the National Assembly to reject the move.

He also urged the judiciary to swiftly overturn the president’s pronouncement, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for arbitrary removal of governors in the future.

“Section 305 of the Constitution allows the President to declare a state of emergency only in extreme cases where public safety, national security, or Nigeria’s sovereignty is at serious risk. However, it does not grant him the power to suspend elected officials or to demolish democratic structures as he has brazenly done,” Atiku stated.

He described Tinubu’s decision as “a clear subversion of democracy and an imposition of autocratic federal control over a duly elected state government.”

The coalition urged civil society organisations, political groups, and all Nigerians to reject what they termed an assault on the Constitution and democratic institutions.

The coalition leaders pledged to engage stakeholders across party lines in preparation for 2027, signalling the beginning of an intensified political battle against Tinubu’s administration.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: Tanker explosion rocks Karu Bridge in Abuja, many cars burnt

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A petrol-laden tanker has exploded at Karu Bridge along the Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi Road, Abuja.

The incident has destroyed no fewer than 30 vehicles, raising fears of multiple casualties.

As of the time of this report, fire service personnel and security officials had yet to arrive at the scene.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: Tinubu swears-in Ibas as Rivers sole administrator

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has sworn- in the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), into office.

Tinubu swore Ibas into office at about 03:00 pm at the State House, Abuja.

The brief ceremony was witnessed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 12:48 pm (local time).

On Tuesday night, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the extraordinary measure.

The crisis, which had paralysed governance in the oil-rich state, stems from a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Dangote
Business

BREAKING: Dangote Refinery announces suspension of petrol sale in naira

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced suspension of sale of petroleum products in naira.

This was announced in a notice sent to petroleum marketers, on Wednesday afternoon.

In the notice obtained by Daily Trust, the company said the decision is temporary, explaining why it took the decision.

“We wish to inform you that, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in Naira. This decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in U.S. dollars.”

“To date, our sales of petroleum products in Naira have exceeded the value of Naira-denominated crude we have received. As a result, we must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency. Our attention has also been drawn to reports on the internet claiming that we are stopping loading due to an incident of ticketing fraud. This is malicious falsehood. Our systems are robust and we have had no fraud issues.

“We remain committed to serving the Nigerian market efficiently and sustainably. As soon as we receive an allocation of Naira-denominated crude cargoes from NNPC, we will promptly resume petroleum product sales in Naira. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period.”

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

FG to release Rivers allocation to Administrator

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government on Wednesday said that the allocation for Rivers State will be released to the Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd).

The government also said President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State was timely and meant to avert an implosion in the state.

This is as it has said that the former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has no role in the political crisis in Rivers State that culminated in the declaration of a state of emergency.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, stated this while briefing State House correspondents at the presidential Villa, Abuja.

While fielding questions on whether the Federal Government would release the allocation from the federation account to the state in view of the latest development, the Minister said if the administrator requests for it, it will be released to him.

“And to me, it will be in order for the release of that fund because the event of the extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal situation of things.”

He justified the decision of the President to declare a state of emergency in the state.

According to him, “We have about two years into the administration in the state.

“Now, when do you think he (President Tinubu) should have come in? Is it when everything has been destroyed? I don’t think so.

“I think the President has acted timeously. He has given the opportunity to all the parties involved, to make amends. Before then, he had to assemble them, he had tried to mediate,” he stated.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Uncategorized

Maryam Ogundepo pledges world-class library donation to TPI

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

In her quest to further enhance need to boost intellectual property acquisition in Nigeria, popular American based philanthropist and Chairperson of Achana Legacy Humanitarian Solutions, Dr. Maryam Ogundepo has promised to donate a modern library to the Progressive Institute, (TPI) Abuja.

Head of Media & Strategic Communication, Wale Abideen disclosed this in a press statement during the visit by Dr. Ogundepo on Tuesday to the TPI’s headquarters o in Abuja.

Ogundepo who was received by TPI’s Director-General Dr. Lanre Adebayo commended the intellectual prowess of the Abdullahi Umar Ganduje led All Progressives Congress, APC, to establish TPI, noting that Nigerians deserve such Progressive mindset at this time of our political history.

She however vows to support the APC and its government in any capacity bringing good governance to the grassroots while also promised to donate a modern library for TPI within a short period of time.

“Just show me the location you want it, I will supply both the electronics and books library for the institute as part of my way of contributing meaningful quota to my father’s land.”

Ogundepo, a detribalized Igala woman who supported an Ebira governorship ambition that produced the incumbent Kogi State Governor Ododo with lots of funds and campaign materials also pledged to reciprocate the gesture at the national level.

Dr. Ogundepo, a staunch supporter of the All Progressives Congress through her philanthropic organization and in collaboration with Women Entrepreneur Nigerian and Diaspora has concluded plans to donate more to the APC and Nigerians at large.

In his response, Dr. Lanre Adebayo commended ogundepo for her
tremendous humanitarian services
and her support to the APC by providing intellectual materials for its Think Tank, promising that such gestures will not go unappreciated.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Rivers: Reps in heated argument before plenary

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Some members of the House of Representatives engaged in a heated argument over the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The incident reportedly occurred during its plenary session on Wednesday.

DAILY POST sighted a video of the incident shared online by AIT News on Wednesday.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday night, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The President made the pronouncement in a nationwide broadcast.

However, the Constitution requires the National Assembly to consider the President’s gazetted proclamation within 48 hours if it is in session and within 10 days if it is in recess.

If the National Assembly does not consider the proclamation valid, it will vote otherwise. A two-thirds majority of both houses—the Senate and the House of Representatives—is required to uphold or reject the declaration.

Video link below:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DjSFokVjB/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Soldiers hold Fubara, family hostage at Rivers governor’s residence

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his family members are being held hostage at the Government House, Port-Harcourt, by a contingent of heavily armed soldiers Tuesday night.

The development comes moments after President Bola Tinubu invoked Section 180 of the Nigerian Constitution to proclaim a state of emergency in Rivers. The Nigerian leader based his controversial move on a prolonged and rapidly escalating political feud led by state lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, who commenced impeachment proceedings against Mr Fubara last week to settle scores in his fallout with Mr Wike, who engineered Mr Fubara’s election in 2023 despite corruption charges.

Rivers government sources told The Gazette that soldiers carrying out the president’s instructions on declaring the state of emergency barricaded all entrances and exits to the government house immediately after the president’s speech.

Attempts by Mr Fubara and his family to pack their belongings out of the Government House have been rebuffed by the soldiers, who suppressed all movements around the premises.

“We are being held hostage,” an affected official told The Gazette from the scene on Tuesday night. “They said they don’t have instruction to let anyone leave the premises.”

It was unclear whether the soldiers implemented their duties as instructed or were overzealous in following specific orders.

Spokespersons for the Nigerian Army and Defence Headquarters did not immediately return requests seeking comments about the soldiers’ treatment of the Fubaras.

Mr Tinubu’s declaration to suspend the feuding parties from office for six months, effective Tuesday, sparked furious debates across social media as netizens argued whether the president had constitutional grounds to suspend an elected governor whom the state lawmakers have not yet impeached. Efforts to impeach Mr Fubara began on Monday, barely 24 hours before Mr Tinubu imposed an emergency ordinance.

Lawyers like Inibehe Effiong and Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana have excoriated the president for taking the law into his own hands without regard for the Constitution’s position.

The president named the retired chief of naval staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as the military administrator in Rivers in the interim.

Source: People’s Gazette

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Fubara’s whereabouts unknown as Military moves trucks into Rivers Govt House

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The movement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara was unknown on Tuesday night when the military moved trucks into Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt.

The trucks were placed within and outside the Government House on the first night of the State of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu declared emergency rule amid the attacks on oil installations in Rivers State.

Some militants groups had threatened to blow up pipelines if the Rivers House of Assembly impeach Fubara.

However, hours after the lawmakers served the governor with notice of alleged misconduct, the militants carried out their threat.

Responding, the president suspended Fubara and the lawmakers for sic months, appointing an administrator for the state.

After the declaration, about 10 military trucks patrolled the road leading to the Government House main gate while armoured vehicles were seen at strategic positions within the road leading to the Government House gate.

The road leading to Government House from the popular UTC junction was deserted as residents made efforts to get back to their respective houses.

A resident of Port Harcourt who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that military trucks were found all over the area.

“The road leading to Government House from the Issac Boro park to the popular UTC is deserted. Residents are making efforts to get back to their respective homes as nobody wants to be caught in a cross fire. I saw about 10 military trucks parading the road leading to Government House. There are other armoured tanks that have been stationed at both entrance road leading to Government House,” the sources said.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: Tinubu names ex-Naval chief Ibas as Rivers administrator

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has named a former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibokette Ibas, an administrator for Rivers State.

The appointment was made after the President declared a state of emergency in the state and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and the state lawmakers for six months.

Tinubu made the declaration on Tuesday during a national broadcast.

“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 (retd.) 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,” he said.

More details soon…

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts